Avoiding Eagle Scout Project Proposal Mistakes

 

“On My Honor I Will Do My Best” is a phase every scout repeats often in the Scouting program. It holds the same weight when preparing to work on their Eagle Scout Service Project.

The Eagle Scout workbook should show that the scouts are wanting to do their best. We want to share some areas that are often missed when filling the Eagle Scout workbook proposal to be reviewed. When these are in place it will help prevent delays and the scouts can get started on their project quicker.

1. The information on the contact page of the workbook will help District and Council reviewers know how to contact scouts and share information with them. If a wrong email is sent or if the scout does not check their email this would cause delays. Phone numbers are another way we contact them if scouts do not reply to the emails sent. Our District is very large and emails have been the most effective way to communicate with the scouts. The questions and suggestions about their project and letters of progress on their Trail to becoming an Eagle Scout are often shared with them.
2. The Scout needs to fill out the contact page completely. This gives important information about leaders who are supporting them in their progress toward the Eagle rank. Life rank is often not listed and will need to be added.
3. We want the scouts to write up their own Eagle Scout project proposal. It is one way the scout is learning leadership in expressing themselves and what their vision for the Eagle Scout project will be. Parents and leaders are not to write up any of the workbook. We highly suggest after writing up a proposal that the scout reads out loud what is written to make sure words are spelled correctly and it expresses what they want to say about the project and how important it is to them.
4. The first signature on the signature page to approve an Eagle Scout Project should be the scout.
5.  The Eagle Scout project should have a clear vision and goal stated. The scout should be able to plan, develop and execute by using leadership skills they have learned in scouting as well as other ones as they work the plan they have laid out. The Council looks for these requirements in each Eagle Scout Project.
6.  The Fundraising application will need to be submitted with the Eagle Scout project if the scout is asking for money donations, materials, or supplies from sources other than the beneficiary, the scout, the charter organization, or the scout's parents.

How to Join Old Ephraim District GroupMe

 There are several ways you can join the Old Ephraim District GroupMe group. The best way depends on if you already have a GroupMe account and how much of the resources in the app you would like to use. 

Listed below are various ways to join the group depending on these two factors

Already have a GroupMe account and use the app

• Click on this link Old Ephraim District GroupMe or scan this QR code: 
  
• If you don't see the group, try Discovery and search for Old Ephraim District

Do not have the app or account but want to use the GroupMe app 

• Download and install the GroupMe app from the Apple Store or Play Store
• Follow the instructions to create a GroupMe account
• Scan the QR code shown above and join the group
• If you don't see the group, try Discovery and search for Old Ephraim District

Do not want to create an account and only need text message notifications

• Email your name and phone number to district.OldEphraim@gmail.com and we will add you to the list using just your phone number
• You won't be able to look up events or documents with this method. You will only receive SMS text messages

Work with Eagle Scout Coordinator before Project Proposal

Scouting can offer many things to the youth who join Scouting, some of these are activities that spark interest in the outdoors, camping, learning new skills, making new friends, achieving goals, and earning awards and ranks.  

The highest pinnacle of the scouting rank is that of Eagle Scout. When the youth start working on this achievement the scout unit leaders are supported by the District and Council leaders. In

this way, the scout is learning to work outside of their unit and utilizing other adults that will also help guide them to this highest rank. The scout begins to see beyond their own unit and meet others who become another level of support.

As the scout begins seeking a project that excites them to use as their Eagle Scout project, they

should include the Eagle Scout Coordinator. The Eagle Scout Coordinator helps the scouts from approving the Eagle Scout project to being prepared for their Eagle Scout Board of Review. The Eagle Scout coordinator receives guidance from the Council in their monthly meetings. They receive knowledge from the Council in helping the scouts meet the guidelines of having a project that is worthy of an Eagle Scout.

As the ES coordinator and District Advancement committee approve the project and prepare the

scouts for their Eagle Scout Board of Review. (ESBOR) We have identified a few things we would

like to focus on this year. We will address each one of them in greater depth in future Newsletter articles to help the unit scout leaders help us in achieving them.

Here are the top five areas we will be addressing as we start our year:

1. Contacting the Eagle Scout coach of a scout working on their Eagle Scout Service Project workbook, before they turn it in to the coordinator. This will help to ensure that basic information is in place. This helps the scout receive the Eagle Scout project approval quicker.
2. Selecting Eagle Scout Coaches from the unit leadership to help guide scouts that understand the process of the trail to Eagle.
3. Knowing the order and importance of having all signatures and dates of the Eagle Scout project proposal and project report.
4. Understanding the importance of the whole Eagle Scout service workbook and why it needs to be completed and given to the Eagle Scout coordinator before the Eagle Scout Board of Review.
5. Why Scouting has an Eagle Scout project and the importance of stating a project goal in the proposal.

We look forward to learning together how we each can improve our performance of, On My

Honor I Will Do My Best, as we serve perspective Eagle Scouts.