Advancement

The district advancement committee implements procedures that help achieve BSA advancement procedures. The committee helps Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity teams, and Venturing crews succeed. Units help youth members advance in rank. If they advance, they will have a good experience and will grow in their Scouting adventure.

Merit Badge Counselors

The District now has a list of registered merit badge counselors. Should you have a particular need we may be of assistance.

For more information, please contact the Advancement Committee at: advancement@northshoredistrict.org

You can see the list of merit badges that the District has counselors for on North Shore Merit Badge List

Eagle Board of Review Volunteers

When an scout is ready to advance, we need to hold an Eagle Board of Review.  This Board of Review is staffed by scout leaders from around the district.  We look for each troop to provide leaders to attend Boards of Review in other troops.  We only need the leaders to attend 1 or 2 Eagle Boards of Review per year.  If your troop has had an Eagle scout this year, please help out by volunteering. To get added on the email list, please email advancement@northshoredistrict.org.

Life to Eagle Process

Once you have completed your Life Rank and are now ready to prepare for your Eagle.  Your Scoutmaster / Unit Leader and or Life to Eagle coach are available to mentor you.  With the following 13 steps you will be able to accomplish your goal for Eagle.  Here is a pdf of these steps that you can download.

  1. Complete the other requirements for Eagle. Please refer to the Eagle Rank Requirements.   Review the “Age Requirement Eligibility” section of the application. Compliance is critical!
  2. Also download and carefully review the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook  Review the Keys to a Successful Eagle Project below.  Develop ideas for your Eagle Service Project.
  3. Work with your Scoutmaster / Unit Leader / Eagle Coach to develop a plan for your project.  Complete the “Project Proposal” and “Project Fundraising Application” sections of the Workbook once you have selected a beneficiary.  Secure the approval and signatures from the Benefiting Organization, your Scoutmaster / Unit Leader, and Committee Chair.
  4. Contact your District Advancement Committee to review your Project Proposal and Fundraising Application and secure their approval and signature. All signatures must be on the same copy of your Workbook.   You may reach the North Shore District Advancement Committee at: advancement@northshoredistrict.org
  5. Complete in detail the “Project Final Plan” section of your Workbook in consultation with the Beneficiary Representative and Scoutmaster / Unit Leader and or Life to Eagle coach.
  6. Complete your project.
  7. Complete the “Service Project Report” upon completing your project and secure the signatures of the Benefiting Organization and your Scoutmaster/Unit Leader.
  8. When all Eagle requirements including the service project have been completed, complete the Eagle Scout Rank Application.   Request the people you name in requirement 2 on your Eagle Application to send a letter of recommendation to your Committee Chair. These letters must remain in the sealed envelope and be opened at your Board of Review. If someone neglects to write a letter it is ok.   Prepare and attach a statement of your ambitions and life purpose with a listing of all positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community or other organizations in which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include any honors and awards received during this service.
  9. Take part in a Scoutmaster / Unit Leader conference. This must be completed before your 18th birthday.
  10. Take your completed Eagle Application with your Project Workbook and Life Purpose Statement to the Council Office at 12500 North IH 35 for verification. Make sure your records in Scoutbook are up to date. Council verifies your advancement and merit badges.
  11. Once Council has verified and signed your application, they will send an email to the District Advancement Committee with a copy to you acknowledging you are ready for your Board of Review. If you left your information at the Council office you will need to pick it up.  The District Advancement Committee will work with you to set the date and time for your Eagle Board of Review and will send you an email with a checklist of what you need to do.   NOTE: The Eagle Board of Review is composed of a minimum of three adults over 21, including a District Representative, your committee chair should arrange for two or more adults for a maximum of six members of the board. Parents (of the Eagle Candidate), Unit Leader, and close relatives may not participate in the Board.
  12. When you arrive for your Board of Review, you should be dressed in your class “A” uniform including your merit badge sash.  Bring your Scout Handbook, Project Workbook, Eagle Application, and Life Purpose Statement.   Your Committee Chair should bring your letters of recommendation. The letters will be opened and reviewed by the Board of Review members only. If someone neglects to write a letter it is ok.  This is the highest award that you may achieve and consequently, a thorough discussion of your successes and experiences in Scouting will be considered. After the review, you and your Scoutmaster / Unit Leader leave the room while the board members discuss your candidacy. After a brief discussion the Board will provide you with their decision.
  13. After the board of review, you return your application and service project workbook to the Council office at 12500 North IH 35. Be sure to keep a copy.  Your application is forwarded to the National Scout Office. You will receive an email when Council receives the Eagle Scout certificate and it is available to be picked up. The date used on the certificate will be the date of the board of review. The Eagle Scout Court of Honor can now be scheduled.
KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL EAGLE PROJECT

Scouts working on their Eagle Project should carefully read the Workbook.

Not following guidelines may require you start over with a new project.

What NOT to do:

  • Work on your project (including fund raising) before securing ALL approvals.
  • Projects for BSA, including troop or council property. (Charter organizations are acceptable)
  • A project that another Scout is using or has recently used for his Eagle project.
  • Projects involving only routine labor.  (An exception may made if the project has a significant scale or impact)
  • Projects for profit-making organizations. For example:
  • Change beneficiaries or the complexity of the project without securing approvals
  • Painting the clubhouse for a home-owners association
  • Doing landscaping or physical improvements for a business

What to do: