All About Scouting Eagle Scouts

Overview

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The designation "Eagle Scout" was founded over one hundred years ago. Only four percent of Boy Scouts are granted this rank after a lengthy review process.

The requirements necessary to achieve this rank take years to fulfill. Since its founding, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million young men.

Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges

Of the 21 merit badges, 13 are required:

• Camping • Citizenship in the Community • Citizenship in the Nation • Citizenship in the World • Communications • Cooking • Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving • Environmental Science or Sustainability • Family Life • First Aid • Personal Fitness • Personal Management • Swimming, Hiking or Cycling.

Scouting Values

The Eagle Scout must demonstrate Scout Spirit, an ideal attitude based upon the Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Eagle Scouts are presented with a medal and a badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout.

Additional recognition can be earned through Eagle Palms, awarded for completing additional tenure, leadership, and merit badge requirements.

The rank of Eagle Scout may be earned by a Boy Scout who has been a Life Scout for at least six months, has earned a minimum of 21 merit badges. After all requirements are met, he must complete an Eagle Scout board of review. He can complete the board of review after his 18th birthday as long as all other requirements are completed before his 18th birthday.

Eagle Scouts are expected to set an example for other Scouts and to become the leaders in life that they have demonstrated themselves to be in Scouting. All About Scouting Eagle Scouts

Attributes of Eagle Scouts based on market research

With the help of the Gallup Organization, Baylor University researchers contacted 81,409 potential respondents. From those who were contacted, 2,512 adult males agreed to be re-contacted for the survey. Of that group, 134 are Eagle Scouts.

Analysis of the nationally representative survey reveals significant differences between Eagle Scouts and other Scouts as well as non-Scouts.

Eagle Scouts consistently indicate their experience in Scouting contributed to positive and prosocial development as measured by responses to a wide range of issues and subjects, including the following:

• Eagle Scouts exhibit an increased tendency to participate in a variety of health and recreational activities. • Eagle Scouts show a greater connectedness to siblings, neighbors, religious community, friends, co-workers, formal and informal groups, and a spiritual presence in nature. • Duty to God, service to others, service to the community, and leadership are traits that are especially strong in Eagle Scouts. • Eagle Scouts are more likely to engage in behaviors that are designed to enhance and protect the environment. • Eagle Scouts are more likely to be committed to setting and achieving personal, professional, spiritual, and financial goals. • Eagle Scouts show higher levels of planning and preparedness than do other Scouts and non-Scouts. • Eagle Scouts are more likely than other Scouts and non-Scouts to indicate they have built character traits related to work ethics, morality, tolerance, and respect for diversity.

In sum, when compared to Scouts and non-Scouts, Eagle Scouts exhibit significantly higher levels of health and recreation, connection, service and leadership, environmental stewardship, goal orientation, planning and preparedness, and character.

Famous Local Eagles

• John W. Creighton – Former CEO, Weyerhaeuser, United Airlines • Daniel J. Evans – Former U.S. Senator, Governor State of • Tom Foley – Former Speaker of the House, Member of Congress, former Ambassador to Japan • Dr. Robert Gates – Former National BSA President, Secretary of Defense, CIA Director • William H. Gates, Sr. – CEO, Gates Foundation, father of Bill Gates • Howard Lincoln – CEO, Mariners, Chairman, of America • Gov. Gary Locke – Former Governor of State of Washington, former ambassador to People’s Republic of China, former Commerce Secretary. • Rob McKenna – Former Washington State Attorney General Pacific Harbors Council Boy Scouts of America 4802 S 19th St. To join a local Scouting unit, go to www.beascout.org Tacoma, WA 98405 253-682-2217 www.pacificharbors.org