Eagle Scout Project

🦅 How to Start and Complete Your Eagle Scout Project

A Step-by-Step Guide for Troop 742 Life Scouts

Gunpowder Falls District • Baltimore Area Council

Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is one of the most significant accomplishments in Scouting. For Troop 742 Scouts, the journey from Life to Eagle begins with a clear and well-planned Eagle Scout Service Project. This guide will help you understand how to initiate, plan, execute, and complete your project with confidence.

Whether you’re just becoming a Life Scout or already brainstorming ideas, this page walks you through every step—from selecting a project to submitting your final paperwork.

1. Understand What an Eagle Scout Project Is

An Eagle Scout Service Project must allow you to plan, develop, and give leadership to others while providing a meaningful benefit to a school, religious institution, community organization, or local government entity.

Your project should be:

  • Safe
  • Scalable
  • Beneficial to the community
  • Leadable (You must direct others—not do everything yourself)
  • Well documented

Your project cannot benefit Scouting directly, be routine labor, or be performed for a business.

2. Meet With Your Scoutmaster or Eagle Coach

Once you have earned the rank of Life Scout, schedule a meeting with:

  • The Scoutmaster, and/or
  • Your Troop 742 Eagle Coach

This meeting helps you:

  • Review Eagle requirements
  • Brainstorm potential project ideas
  • Learn expectations for leadership and documentation
  • Understand the approval sequence

This initial conversation helps set the tone for a successful project.

3. Identify and Contact a Benefiting Organization

Next, choose a non-profit or community organization that could benefit from your leadership. Examples include:

  • Schools
  • Churches
  • Parks, trails, or nature centers
  • Charitable organizations
  • Local government facilities

Once you identify a potential project partner:

  1. Schedule a meeting with their representative.
  2. Explain your role as a Life Scout planning an Eagle Project.
  3. Present your initial concept and request feedback.

If they are supportive, you may proceed to the planning phase.

4. Begin Drafting Your Project Proposal

Open the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook and complete the Project Proposal section.

Your proposal must include:

  • A clear description of the project
  • The purpose and community benefit
  • Detailed plans showing the major tasks
  • Preliminary tools, materials, and costs
  • How your leadership will be demonstrated
  • Before photos or sketches of the project area

Your proposal does not need to be perfect—but it must demonstrate thoughtful planning and feasibility.

5. Obtain All Required Approvals

Before you can begin work, your Project Proposal must be approved by:

  1. Benefiting Organization Representative
  2. Troop 742 Scoutmaster
  3. Troop 742 Committee Chair
  4. District Advancement Chair (BAC) — currently Rick Shaw

You may request to present your Eagle Project Proposal to the committee by emailing committee@bsa742md.org and safescouting@bsa742md.org. The committee meets on the second Thursday of the month during the scout year.

Gunpowder Falls District usually takes 10 days to review your proposal. Each change requires an additional 10 days to review.

No work—including fundraising—may start before these signatures are completed.

6. Develop Your Detailed Project Plan

Once your proposal is approved, complete the Project Plan section of the workbook.
This is where you refine your ideas into a full, actionable plan.

Your plan should include:

  • A breakdown of tasks
  • A materials list with vendor information
  • Tool and equipment needs
  • Safety considerations
  • Leadership assignments
  • Maps, layouts, or diagrams
  • A timeline or schedule
  • Communication plans

A strong Project Plan sets you up for a smooth execution phase.

7. Submit a Fundraising Application (If Needed)

If your project will require raising money—through donations, fundraising events, or material sponsorships—you must submit the Eagle Scout Project Fundraising Application to the District Advancement Chair.

Approval must be obtained at least two weeks before beginning any fundraising activities.

8. Execute Your Project: Lead, Don’t Just Work

During the project execution phase, your primary role is to lead volunteers.
This includes:

  • Giving clear instructions
  • Overseeing youth and adult helpers
  • Managing safety
  • Ensuring quality and consistency
  • Keeping records of time, tasks, and materials

Be sure to:

  • Take before, during, and after photos
  • Use volunteer sign-in sheets
  • Track all hours—planning, communication, work days, everything
  • Document changes from the original plan

Good leadership and good documentation are equally important.

9. Complete the Project Report

Once the physical work is finished, complete the Project Report section of the workbook.

This final report requires:

  • Final photos and evidence of completion
  • Explanation of project changes and challenges
  • Listing of total hours worked
  • Expense summary and receipts
  • Benefiting organization completion signature
  • Scoutmaster completion signature

Make sure everything is clear, accurate, and neatly organized.

10. Assemble Your Eagle Scout Binder

Your Eagle Binder serves as the complete record of your journey. It should include:

Troop 742 recommends using sheet protectors and an organized tab system.

11. Request Your Eagle Scoutmaster Conference

After completing Requirements 1–5, including your project and documentation, schedule your Eagle Scoutmaster Conference.

Your Scoutmaster will:

  • Review your binder
  • Confirm your readiness
  • Sign your Eagle Rank Application

12. Submit Your Application and Prepare for Your Board of Review

Once your application is signed:

  1. The Unit Advancement Chair submits your binder to the Baltimore Area Council for validation.
  2. After approval, the Council will schedule your Eagle Board of Review.

Attend the Board of Review:

  • In full Class A uniform
  • With your merit badge sash
  • With your Scout Handbook and Eagle Binder

Upon successful completion, your paperwork will be sent to Scouting America National Advancement for the final decision.

🎉 What Happens Next?

After National approval, you officially become an Eagle Scout—Scouting’s highest rank. You may then begin planning your Eagle Court of Honor, either individually or with other new Eagle Scouts from Troop 742.

The journey is challenging, but with dedication, planning, and leadership, you will succeed. Troop 742 is here to support you at every step.