Guide to Advancement
- The Guide to Advancement has been updated and effective 1/1/2025
- Section “1.0.3.0 Significant Changes“, has the most significant changes, but there are minor changes throughout the document.
- Section “9.0.1.0 The Eagle Scout Rank Application Process” contains step by step guidance for the Scout, Unit Leaders and interested parties.
Scoutbook Plus
- Scoutbook Plus is the new site, information from Scoutbook is being joined with the Internet Advancement site. For now both sites can be used, but migration to the use of Scoutbook Plus is encouraged.
The Eagle Project Workbook
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- Scouts starting their project should use the current Eagle Scout Project workbook from the National Scouts BSA website..
- The Scoutbook Plus page for a Scout’s “Scout Info” contains a section for the Eagle Scout Project. This is not a substitute for the Project Workbook, but is a record for the Scout. In addition, the information entered here will be used to automatically report the Service Hours for the project.
The 2025 Eagle Application
- It has been updated and Life Scouts/Eagle Candidates are encouraged to use the current application.
- It is also available in Scoutbook and Scoutbook Plus
- These downloads automatically pulls the data and dates for ranks, merit badges, etc. and pre-populates the application. The application is then editable. It can be pulled by Scout, Parent, Unit Leader or others with admin privileges.
- Scoutbook: At the bottom of the Scout’s page click the “Reports” and from the pop-up menu select “Eagle Application”.
- Scoutbook Plus: From the Roster tab, select the Scout. Then from the horizonal menu select “Record Progress” and from the drop down menu “Record Advancement”. In the Pop-up form, set “Type of Advancement” to “Rank”, and “Advancement Item” to “Eagle Scout”. This should make the “Eagle Application” button visible. Click it to download the current Eagle Application.
Eagle Reference changes in 2025
- Four references are required. Ideally these are teachers, coaches, employers or others who know the candidate well. Unlike the past requirements, no specific roles are required, but
- Unit Leaders and Committee Chairs are not eligible as their signature on the application is their endorsement.
- Parents and relatives are strongly discouraged from being references.
- References do not need to be 21 or older.
Eagle Board of Review
- The Board of Review will not be scheduled until the Eagle Scout application has been verified by Council and your Eagle Coordinator has received your letters of recommendation, your Eagle Project Workbook and your Letter of Life Ambition.
- Our council has selected the option that all Eagle Board of Reviews will be held at the district and not the unit level.
- Section “8.0.3.0 Particulars for the Eagle Scout Rank” of the Guide to Advancement convers the particulars of the Board of Review. Unit Leaders and Scouts should read this over to avoid common errors and assumptions.
- Section “8.0.3.2 Initiating Eagle Scout Board of Review Under Disputed Circumstances” will be followed if the Scout is denied a Scoutmasters Conference, or the Unit Leader, or Committee Chair’s signature is not provided on the Eagle Application, and the parents feel that this is being withheld unfairly.
Your Eagle Court of Honor
There is no required format for your Eagle Court of Honor. Troops, chartering organizations, and families may have traditional ways of recognizing Eagle Scouts, but it should be a ceremony that will honor your achievement, allow you to reflect on the journey to Eagle, to acknowledge those who helped and encouraged your, and to provide a goal for younger Scouts to achieve in their own time.
Contacts
It is always a good idea to contact your District Eagle Scout Coordinator before starting a project to ensure that you are following the latest procedures.
- Melanie Smith, District Eagle Scout Coordinator (San Leandro, Castro Valley, Hayward, San Lorenzo, Ashland, Cherryland)
- Nikki Maguire, District Eagle Scout Coordinator (Oakland, Emeryville)
- — open –, District Eagle Scout Coordinator (Alameda, Bay Farm Island)
- Nikki Maguire, District Advancement Chair