Leadership service projects shall be meaningful service not normally expected of a Scout as a part of his school, religious, or community activities. There is a requirement for participation in increasing amounts of time for each rank from Tenderfoot through Life, and in each case the project or projects must be approved by the Scoutmaster. These projects may done as an individual project, or as a member of a patrol or troop activity, or while assisting on Eagle or Hornaday Award projects. The requirement for Eagle rank is more substantial, as can be seen below.
Tenderfoot
For the Tenderfoot rank, a Scout must participate in a service project or projects approved by his Scoutmaster. The time of service must be a minimum of one hour.
Second Class
For the Second Class rank, a Scout must participate in a service project or projects approved by his Scoutmaster. The time of service must be a minimum of two hours.
First Class
For the First Class rank, a Scout must participate in a service project or projects approved by his Scoutmaster. The time of service must be a minimum of three hours. The project(s) must not be the same service project(s) used for Tenderfoot requirement 7b and Second Class requirement 8e.
Star
For the Star rank, a Scout must perform a minimum of 6 hours of service to others, in a service project or projects approved by his Scoutmaster.
Life
For the Life rank, a Scout must again perform at least 6 hours of service to others, in a service project or projects approved by his Scoutmaster. . At least 3 hours of this service must be conservation related.
Eagle
While a Life Scout, a Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project to any religious institution, school, or community.
As a demonstration of leadership, the Scout must plan the work, organize the personnel needed, and direct the project to its completion.
The Eagle service project is an individual matter; therefore, two Eagle candidates may not receive credit for the same project.
Eagle Scout leadership service projects involving council property or other BSA activities are not acceptable for an Eagle service project. The service project also may not be performed for a business, be of a commercial nature, or be a fund-raiser.
Routine labor, or a job or service normally rendered, should not be considered. An Eagle service project should be of significant magnitude to be special and should represent the candidate's best possible effort.
The scout must submit his proposed project idea and secure the prior approval of his unit leader, unit committee, and district or council advancement committee, or their designee, to make sure that it meets the stated standards for Eagle Scout leadership service projects before the project is started. This preapproval of the project does not mean that the board of review will accept the way the project was carried out.
Upon completion of the project, a detailed report must be submitted with the Scout's Eagle application to include the following information:
- What was the project?
- How did it benefit others?
- Who from the group benefiting from the project gave guidance?
- Who helped carry out the project?
- What materials were used and how were they acquired?
Although the project must be approved before work is begun, the board of review must determine if the project was successfully carried out. Questions that must be answered are:
- Did the candidate demonstrate leadership of others?
- Did he indeed direct the project rather than do all of the work himself?
- Was the project of real value to the religious institution, school or community group?
- Who from the group benefiting from the project may be contacted to verify the value of the project?
- Did the project follow the plan, or were modifications needed to bring it to its completion?
All the work on the project must be done while the candidate is a Life Scout and before the candidate's 18th birthday.
The variety of projects performed throughout the nation by Scouts earning their Eagle Scout Award is staggering. Only those living in an area can determine the greatest value and need for that area. Determine, therefore, whether the project is big enough, appropriate, and worth doing. For ideas and opportunities, the Scout can consult people such as school administrators, religious leaders, local government department directors, or a United Way agency's personnel.
