How to achieve the highest rank in the Scouts BSA.

Not everyone earns the right to be called an Eagle Scout. In fact, only 8% of the boys and girls who participated in the Scouting America’s youth programs since 1910 went on to become Eagle Scouts. While the position certainly looks impressive on college applications and job resumes, becoming an Eagle Scout requires dedication. Thankfully, with hard work, you too can join an elite company of Scouts including Neil Armstrong, Bill Gates, and Steven Spielberg, among many other influential leaders! Whether you’re a merit badge away or just beginning your journey in Scouting, we’re going to share some valuable tips to help you earn Eagle Scout. 

Before we dive in, we think it's essential to go over the basic requirements set by the Scouting America. Suppose you're looking to make Eagle Scout. In that case, you must plan and execute a service project that benefits your community, serve six months in a position of responsibility, participate in the Scoutmaster conference, and complete your board of review for the Eagle Scout rank. If this sounds like a lot of work, that's because it is, but you shouldn't be discouraged! After all, nothing great ever comes easy. The feeling of fulfillment and confidence boost you'll gain from your experience will push you further in life and help you reach a position in your community where you can positively influence younger kids and do good to benefit the lives of others.

To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, you must progress through the ranks in this order:

• Scout
• Tenderfoot
• Second Class
• First Class
• Star
• Life
• Eagle

Along your Scouting journey, you must also earn these 21 merit badges, including:

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

Although earning Eagle can take anywhere from six months to two years, always keep this quote by 19th century American Philosopher and poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, in mind:

“It’s not the Destination, It’s the Journey.”

Without a doubt, listing that you are an Eagle Scout looks excellent on your college application. It can also be beneficial to you if you want to join the military and if you’re looking to earn scholarships that will help you pay for college. The Eagle Scout rank can even help you land your dream job in the future. When you earn Eagle, it shows people you’re a disciplined individual who embodies trustworthiness, bravery, and perseverance—qualities that make a great leader in any field of work. To make the most of your time in Scouting and enjoy the benefits that come with Eagle, we recommend you try your very best to achieve the Eagle Scout rank as soon as possible, or at the latest, your junior year of high school. Many students typically start applying for colleges during the summer and fall leading into 12th grade. Being able to showcase your Eagle Scout rank on your college applications is a great way to get into your desired university and the program that most interests you (and this can be especially true if you’re applying to an Ivy League school).

Some Scouts might be naturals at building campfires, and some excel in more physical activities like swimming and hiking. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. The best part about going after the rank of Eagle Scout is that you learn more about yourself as a person. You develop a good sense of your strengths while being aware of your limitations. And that’s okay. The only way we can improve in life is to recognize what activities that give us the most trouble, so we can enhance our skills and become better people. If you think you’ll have the most challenging time earning the communication badge (you can deliver a speech or teach a class to earn this one) it’s best to knock out the most challenging merit badges before moving ahead to your other requirements like the service project or attending the Scoutmaster conference. Another great strategy is to group your merit badges and knock them out at the same time. For example, you’ll need to camp at least 20 nights at designated Scouting activities or events to earn a camping merit badge. To earn the cooking merit badge, you’ll need to plan at least 17 meals and cook 8, plus desserts and a snack. If you plan accordingly, you can fulfill both the cooking and camping requirements during the same trips to save time!

The most rewarding feeling is knowing you did something to improve the lives of others. Whether it’s a conservation or construction project, make sure you pick a service project that makes your heart sing, even if it requires hours and hours of work. Bryan Wendell from Bryan on Scouting said it best, “My Eagle Scout Service Project was hardly a unique idea — the majority of Eagle projects are construction-based — but it had one key element: It meant something to me.” And it’s true, throughout the history of Scouting, millions of service projects have been completed. Your idea doesn’t have to be original; it just has to mean something to you. You could build a dog park, organize a food drive, or build a free little library where people can leave and pick up books for free! Whatever you choose, it’s best to go in with a full heart—that way it’s not just any project, it’s a passion project.

Get an inside look on one Eagle Scout's incredible journey. Read about Holden's path to Eagle!

Eagle has many benefits, but perhaps the most significant is what the journey does to help you build character and become a great leader. So, get outside today and make the most of your Scouting journey—Eagle isn't out of reach! And if you're the proud parent of an Eagle Scout looking for the perfect Eagle Scout gift, shop ScoutShop.org for graduation honor cords, custom wall plaques, an exclusive pocketknife, and more!