# Eagle Scout Service Project Guide: How to Plan and Lead Your Project

Everything you need to know about Requirement 5: filling out the project workbook, getting approvals, leading volunteers on workday, and finishing your report.

The Eagle Scout Service Project is your chance to lead a major project from start to finish. Requirement 5 states:

> *"While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project must benefit an organization other than the Boy Scouts of America.) A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and unit committee, and the council or district before you start."*

Your job is not to do all the physical work alone—your job is to be the leader who plans the project, organizes the supplies, and directs volunteers.

## What Counts as an Eagle Project?

Before you write your proposal, make sure your idea meets national Scouting America standards:

### Good Projects vs. Projects That Won't Qualify

| Project Category | Great Eagle Project Examples | Projects That Do Not Qualify |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Parks & Outdoors** | Building hiking trails, footbridges, outdoor classrooms, or community gardens | **Routine Chores**: Mowing grass, pulling weeds, or basic maintenance an organization normally does |
| **Community Centers** | Fixing up a food pantry, animal shelter room, or museum display | **Scouting Projects**: Improvements to your troop room, scout camp, or council property |
| **Schools & Safety** | Making sensory rooms for schools or emergency supply kits for the town | **For-Profit Work**: Any project that helps a private business make money |
| **Public Benches & Boxes** | Building park benches, trail kiosks, or flag retirement boxes for public parks or houses of worship | **Just Raising Money**: A project that only collects money with no hands-on leadership |

> **Did You Know?**
>
> There is no minimum number of hours required for an Eagle project. Council committees care about your *planning*, *safety*, and *leadership*, not an arbitrary hour quota.

## The 8 Steps to Complete Your Project

![The 8-Phase Eagle Scout Service Project Lifecycle](https://scouting.university/img/diagrams/eagle-project-phases.png)

## The 4 Signatures You Need Before Starting

You must fill out the **Project Proposal** section in the official *Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook* and get four signatures in this exact order before doing any project work:

| Order | Who Signs | What They Check | When They Sign |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **1st Signature** | **Beneficiary Representative** | Confirms the project helps their organization and gives you permission to work | Must sign first before your Scoutmaster |
| **2nd Signature** | **Scoutmaster / Unit Leader** | Confirms the project idea is solid and that you are an active Life Scout | Signs after the beneficiary approves |
| **3rd Signature** | **Troop Committee Chair** | Confirms the troop supports your safety plan and adult supervision | Signs after your Scoutmaster |
| **4th Signature** | **District Advancement Chair** | Makes sure your project meets national Scouting America guidelines | **Must have this signature before you buy materials, raise money, or do any work!** |

> **Tip**
>
> **Do Not Start Work Early**:
> You may NOT buy materials, raise money, ask local stores for donations, or start building until the District Advancement Chair has signed your proposal. Any work done before that date cannot count toward your requirement.

> **Be Prepared! Common Proposal Mistakes to Avoid**
>
> District advancement chairs most often ask Scouts to rewrite proposals for these reasons:
> - **Unclear Leadership**: Writing "I will build benches" instead of "I will direct two teams of youth cutting wood and fastening joints."
> - **Missing Safety Plans**: Forgetting to mention calling 811 before digging, eye protection, water breaks, or tool age rules.
> - **Unclear Ownership**: Not explaining who will own and maintain the finished project once it is built.

## Raising Money and Buying Supplies

Follow these simple rules when funding your project:

### When You Need a Fundraising Form
- **No Form Needed**: Donations coming directly from the beneficiary, yourself, your parents, your troop, or your chartered organization.
- **Fundraising Form Required**: Car washes, bake sales, restaurant nights, or asking local businesses for money or materials. You must get the form signed by your beneficiary, Scoutmaster, and district chair *before* asking for money.

### Leftover Money Rule
Any leftover money raised for your project belongs to the **beneficiary organization** or the troop project fund. You and your family can never keep leftover funds.

## Tool Safety and Age Rules

Keep all your volunteers safe by following Scouting America tool safety rules:

| Volunteer Age Group | Tools They Can Use | Tools They Cannot Use |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Youth Under 14** | Hand tools only (screwdrivers, hammers, hand saws, rakes, paintbrushes, shovels) | Any power tools, power mowers, string trimmers, power drills |
| **Youth 14 – 15** | Cordless power drills, sanders, small hand power tools (with 1-on-1 adult supervision) | Circular saws, table saws, chainsaws, motorized augers, nail guns |
| **Youth 16 – 17** | Lawn mowers, string trimmers, light power tools with eye protection | Chainsaws, log splitters, commercial trenchers, working higher than 6 feet off the ground |
| **Adults 18+ Only** | Circular saws, miter saws, nail guns, tillers, post-hole augers | Chainsaws (require specialized chainsaw safety training) |

## How to Lead on Project Workday

On your project workday, you are the project manager—not the only person working.

| Role on Workday | What They Do | How They Help You Lead |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Eagle Candidate (You!)** | Keep the project on schedule, check quality, watch for safety hazards | Walk the site, answer questions, encourage volunteers, keep things moving |
| **Crew Leader 1 (e.g. Groundwork)** | Lead 3–4 youth volunteers on site prep and digging | Watch safety lines, check hole depth, ensure teamwork |
| **Crew Leader 2 (e.g. Assembly)** | Lead 3–4 youth volunteers on measuring, cutting, and assembly | Check safety glasses, double-check measurements, keep cuts straight |
| **Troop Scribe / Registrar** | Run the check-in table and log all volunteer hours | Record arrival/departure times, hand out water and snacks |

### How to Run Your Workday Morning

1. **Sign-In Table**: Have every volunteer sign in with their arrival time, phone number, and emergency contact.
2. **Safety Briefing**: Gather everyone before starting. Point out the first aid kit, water station, mandatory safety glasses, and tool rules.
3. **Assign Small Teams**: Break volunteers into small teams with assigned Crew Leaders and give each team clear instructions.
4. **Walk the Site & Encourage**: Move around the project continuously. Check measurements, praise great work, call water breaks, and fix problems.
5. **Clean Up**: Make sure every tool is cleaned and counted, scrap wood is recycled or tossed, and the worksite looks great.

> **Tip**
>
> **Keep Your Hands Clean**:
> If you spend four hours painting a fence board yourself, you won't notice that another team built a bench crooked or that a volunteer is getting dehydrated. Step back, look at the big picture, and lead.

## Finishing Your Project Report

Once the physical work is complete, finish the **Project Report** in your workbook:

- **What You Did**: Explain how the project turned out and how it helped the beneficiary.
- **Changes You Made**: Note any changes you had to make because of weather, supplies, or unexpected site conditions.
- **What You Learned**: Write about what went well and what challenged you as a leader.
- **Final Financial Table**: Complete the simple accounting table:

| Supply Category | Estimated Cost | Actual Cost | Difference | Who Paid for It |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Lumber & Screws** | $450.00 | $412.50 | -$37.50 | Local Hardware Discount + Troop Fund |
| **Paint & Brushes** | $120.00 | $135.00 | +$15.00 | Beneficiary Donation |
| **Safety Glasses & Gloves** | $40.00 | $32.00 | -$8.00 | Scout Family Donation |
| **Snacks & Drinks** | $75.00 | $68.00 | -$7.00 | Parent Bake Sale |
| **TOTAL** | **$685.00** | **$647.50** | **-$37.50** | *Balanced* |

## Eagle Project Checklist

**Eagle Scout Service Project Checklist** — Track your steps from first idea to final approval

- [ ] Reach the rank of Life Scout.
- [ ] Download the official *Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook*.
- [ ] Meet with your beneficiary to find a project that helps their organization.
- [ ] Write your Project Proposal with supply lists, safety notes, and cost estimates.
- [ ] Get Beneficiary Representative signature.
- [ ] Get Scoutmaster signature.
- [ ] Get Troop Committee Chair signature.
- [ ] Submit your proposal to District Advancement and get their signature.
- [ ] Write your detailed Project Plan with measurements, diagrams, and steps.
- [ ] Submit a Fundraising Application (if raising money from outside sources).
- [ ] Order supplies, gather tools, and recruit youth and adult volunteers.
- [ ] Hold your workdays; log all volunteer hours.
- [ ] Clean up the site and return borrowed equipment.
- [ ] Fill out the Project Report and final cost sheet.
- [ ] Get Beneficiary Representative final signature.
- [ ] Get Scoutmaster final signature.
- [ ] Turn in your Eagle application and get ready for your Board of Review!

## Related Guides & Merit Badges

Merit Badge Guide: [Personal Management Merit Badge](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/personal-management/guide/): Project management, budgeting, and timeline development skills that align directly with Eagle Scout Service Project planning.

Merit Badge Guide: [Communication Merit Badge](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/communication/guide/): Develop clear presentation, meeting leadership, and volunteer briefing techniques essential for your Eagle project.

- [How to Plan Your Eagle Merit Badges](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/leadership/merit-badge-strategy/)
- [Patrol Leader Guide: How to Run a Great Patrol](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/leadership/patrol-method/)
- [Eagle Rank Guide & Requirement Breakdown](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/eagle/guide/)