A key aspect of scouting is service to others. Service time is required for many of the ranks, starting at one hour for Second Class and culminating in a project of some significance for Eagle Scout.
Service projects are required for Second Class, Star, and Life ranks. For Star and Life ranks, these may be individual projects or as a member of a patrol or troop project, including assisting on Eagle service projects. The Scoutmaster approves the project before it is started.
Resources
Boy Scout Handbook
Boy Scout Requirements (Current Year)
Selecting Leadership Service Projects
Service Projects (video)
For Eagle Scout rank, the Scout, while a Life Scout, must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project benefiting any religious institution, school, or community. An Eagle Scout project may not:
- benefit BSA or any BSA entities or properties,
- be performed for a business,
- be of a commercial nature,
- be routine labor,
- be a job or service normally rendered, or
- be a fund-raiser.
Fundraising is permitted only for securing materials needed to carry out the project. There are specific guidelines for fundraising, including a new Fundraising Application; see the Project Workbook for details.
There is no minimum number of hours that must be spent on carrying out the project. The amount of time spent must be sufficient for the Scout to clearly demonstrate leadership skills.
The most current Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook must be used to meet this requirement. An electronic version of the workbook in pdf fillable format is available here.
Paper copies of the workbook are available at the Firestone and Philadelphia council service centers. Only the official workbook is acceptable.
This workbook was revamped in October 2011; in the event of inconsistences between the Workbook and other documentation (print and online), the Workbook would control.
Fight the curse
Read the instructions first
Then the entire booklet
To avoid the worst.
Read (and re-read several times) the workbook and carefully follow each step.
The project proposal MUST be approved by the following PRIOR to starting the project:
- Benefactor of the project (the project sponsor)
- Unit leader (Troop Scoutmaster, Team Coach, or Venturing Advisor)
- Unit committee
- The district advancement committee (or designee)
In completing the project workbook, be sure to provide all information requested.
Resources
Guide to Advancement, Section 9.0.2
Boy Scout Requirements (Current Year)
Council Life to Eagle Information
Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook
Selecting Leadership Service Projects
Service Projects (video)
Notable Eagle Projects
