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Boy Scout Troop 420
(Port St. Lucie, Florida)
 
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Eagle's Nest

The fact that a boy is an Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special significance, not only in Scouting but also as he enters higher education, business or industry, and community service. The award is a performance-based achievement whose standards have been well-maintained over the years. Not every boy who joins a Boy Scout troop earns the Eagle Scout rank; only about 4 percent of all Boy Scouts do so. This represents more than 1.7 million Boy Scouts who have earned the rank since 1912. Nevertheless, the goals of Scouting (citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness) remain important for all Scouts, whether or not they attain the Eagle Scout rank. These are the young men who have attained the rank of Eagle Scout since our troop was formed.

William Foley Jr. 5/10/1991

Tommy Busher 10/11/1992

Daniel Vasquez 4/15/1993

Nathan Jordan 6/9/1994

Richard Giesemann 11/21/1996

David vasquez 4/5/1997

Justin Ernst 6/9/1997

William Packer 10/11/1997

Andrew Rossini 5/20/1999

Rohit Singh 5/20/2000

Billy Rossini 7/01/2001

David Flis 3/20/2003

Robert Maine 3/19 2004

Mitch Thew 3/18/2004

Matthew S.W. Preston II 4/21/2005

J. Tyler Homan 8/29/2005

James LeBon 2/15/2007

Douglas Gifford 6/21/2007

Robert L. Preston 3/20/2009

Joseph Soucie 3/20/2009

Jeffrey Jones 2010

Jeremy Kapner 8/3/2011

Greyson Adrams 5/21/2016

Augustine Loschiavo IV 12/21/17

What's so special about "Eagle Scout"?



Becoming an Eagle Scout is no small achievement. In fact, among adults who have gone on to become astronauts, doctors, politicians, or business leaders, most of them will say that earning their Eagle is clearly among the most important achievements in their lives.

Back to the question... WHY?

Look at it from this angle.... ADVANCEMENT is completely up to the individual Scout. If he has no desire or sense of committment to advance in rank, that is his choice. IT IS POSSIBLE for a boy to attend EVERY meeting and EVERY camping trip, and never make it through 1/2 of the available ranks if he isn't motivated enough to take the extra step of demonstrating skills or earning merit badges. Statistically speaking, only 2 out of 100 boys in Scouting will push themselves to become Eagle Scouts.

The "Trail to Eagle" is one of persistance, dedication, well-rounded learning experiences by earning 21+ merit badges, strong attendance at meetings and camping trips, and hundreds of hours of community service.... all culminating with the planning and complete exectution of his "Eagle Project" before his 18th birthday.

The "Eagle Project" is SO MUCH MORE than "giving something back to the community" (which it is, and let's not minimize the importance of community and charity). It is actually his "final exam" in Scouting.

HE manages his Eagle Project. He will put to use all of the lessons he learned as a Boy Scout; communicating, organizing, recruiting, conceiving an idea, selling the idea, planning the work, assigning work details to those helping him, being the "accountant" that tracks the hours worked and the money spent, etc. In every conceiveable way, HE is the "project leader".

THESE are the highly desirable skills and traits that makes "Eagle Scout" stand out on a job resume or college application, and the fact that such skills and moral foundations are learned/mastered before "society" recognizes him as an "adult"... simply amazing!

What is an "Eagle Project"?



An "Eagle Project" is project that is ORGANIZED and MANAGED by a Life Scout who is working towards the Eagle rank. There are guidelines for Eagle Projects that will be described below, but in its most simple definition, it is a community service project where the Eagle Candidate shows of his LEADERSHIP ABILITY. It is not for the candidate to "do" the work, but to provide the organization and leadership so the work can get done.


Does an Eagle Project need a certain number of "minimum hours"?
No. There is no set minimum for a project, although most average more than 100 hours of combined service. However, the length of work must be long enough that there is AMPLE OPPORTUNITY for a scout to show/demonstrate actual "leadership"?

Does an Eagle Project have to be unique?
Yes & No. An Eagle Project does NOT need to be "unique", but it should be unique FOR HIM. A scout who simply repeats a project he worked on with another scout is NOT "leading".... he's "repeating" some one else. Remember, PLANNING is a big part of the project/process.

Does an Eagle Project require "building" something?
No. An Eagle Project can be a SERVICE, but it cannot be "routine service"... such as raking leaves at his church, spreading mulch, or cutting the lawn. An example of a non-routine service may be the planning/organizing/executing of a clothing drive, blood drive, or canned food drive. By PERSONAL PREFERENCE, many scouts like "building" something that they can come back to years later and say "That was my project!".

Does an Eagle Project require all the Scouts to work on it?
No. There must be some involvement of the Troop (leaders) so that those who will be sitting on a candidate's Board of Review can say they saw leadership qualities, but that does not mean all the labor has to come from Scouts. If the Candidate wants to call upon friends, family, or contract labor, that's up to him as the "foreman" to hire the right people to get the job done. However, it is "healthy" when workers include the troop members as it gives all the Scouts a feeling of participation and the motivation for their own Eagle endeavors.

Does an Eagle Project have to cost a certain amount of money?
No. If money is needed, it is up to the Candidate to raise it through donations, fund raiser, or it can be self-funded. The stipulation is that there can be NO money left over. Any leftover money must be returned to those who donated it.

Does an Eagle Project have to benefit Scouting?
It CAN'T. Once again, the BSA shows its value to the surrounding community. Eagle Projects are done for organizations OUTSIDE of The Boy Scouts of America.

Can an Eagle Project be done on Government property?
Yes. Please note that the nature of "government" is slow and full of "approval processes". Doing any work on government land or for government agencies will require permits, approvals, etc....that can take quite some time. Scouts should ask these questions in the early stages of his project. Government land projects are NOT a good idea for a boy who is facing the "timeout" of his 18th birthday as government delays may cause him to MISS his Eagle opportunity.

Can an Eagle Project be done after his 18th birthday?
No. There is a 60 day time gap after a boy's 18th birthday to file his application for Eagle and have his Board of Review, but ALL WORK (Project, Leadership, Merit Badges, Rank) has to be done prior to his 18th birthday unless he has ALREADY been granted a waiver for medical/developmental purposes.

He's a really good kid, A student, involved in sports, etc... Is there ANY way to get an extension on time?
No. All work for the Eagle Rank must be completed before a boy's 18th birthday. No exceptions.

Do adults help in the Eagle Project?
Absolutely! Just because it's "his" project doesn't mean he's expected to be a structural engineer, electrician, or master carpenter. An Eagle Candidate may reach out and solicit assistance from the RIGHT RESOURCES in order to plan/execute his Project. Remember, his job is not to be the guy swinging the hammer or drawing the plans... but HIRING the right people.

Is there a special way for Eagle Projects to be done?
Yes. Please reference the BSA Eagle Project Workbook for a step-by-step guide (and approvals!) needed to complete an Eagle Project.