Preparation for becoming an Eagle Scout begins when you join the Troop. Each meeting, campout, summer camp, you attend ....all are steps along the trail to Eagle. Each rank advancement and merit badge earned moves you along that trail. Please keep all rank, merit badge (blue card), leadership and other award certificates and badges because you will have to present most of that information with your Eagle application. One of the best ways to do this is in a notebook with plastic card holders, like those used for baseball cards.
In addition to progressing through the ranks in Boy Scouting, earn at least 21 Merit Badges, including these 12 Eagle Required Merit Badges!!

RESOURCES FOR LIFE SCOUTS ON THE TRAIL TO EAGLE.

What to do first?

Step 1: Follow this advice from the Goose Creek District Eagle Committee of the National Capitol Area Council: "Prior to utilizing any other resource provided, we strongly encourage you to please read the entire (click here to open) Goose Creek District Eagle Guide . This document outlines in detail the process you will need to follow in Goose Creek District- NCAC. Other references, such as those on the BSA National site refer to the process in a more generic manner to accommodate scouting as a whole. Each Council and District is responsible for implementing the process in the most effective way in there geography. Minor process differences will be noted. Please adhere to all steps as outlined in the Goose Creek District Eagle Guide .
In addition, "please remember that the guidelines published by Goose Creek District Eagle Committee of the National Capitol Area Council supercedes all other reference materials."

You and only you, the "Eagle candidate", are responsible for reading and following these Eagle Project guidelines set forth by the District in the Goose Creek District Eagle Guide . Print it out and read through it!
Start a notebook to keep all documentation for your project together! Three-hole punch the Goose Creek District Eagle Guide to go in notebook first! (did you read it yet?!)

What to do next?

Step 2: Go ahead and print out a copy of the 2008 Eagle Scout Rank Application. This will be your ROUGH DRAFT...so start today...filling in all the dates, names, etc. Don't wait until the week before your 18th birthday, only to find out there's a problem with some MB date!

Step 3: Download a copy of the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook. You may download a DOC version from this BSA-NESA site and then enter your project plan using your computer's word-processing program. Again print out a copy to use for a ROUGH DRAFT, to make notes, jot down great ideas, list contact info, etc.

Step 4, 5, 6, ....: Go back to that document you printed out in Step 1, follow it to a "T"!!!

The Eagle Project will require a lot of time to complete, possibly 2 to 6 months, even up to 12 months. Many steps will depend on other’s schedules. Remember, you must work within your helpers' schedules, not just your own. For the leaders and your own sake, please begin your project at least 6 months before your 18th birthday. Since you do not have to complete all 21 Eagle merit badges before beginning your project, you should choose a period when you can most afford to put in the time. For example, summer would be a better time than the period just before Christmas. All Eagle requirements must be completed, and that includes the project and the final write-up, before you are 18 (NO exceptions). Plan ahead! However, you must plan and execute your project while a Life Scout, so do not start too early. You are considered a Life Scout the day you successfully complete your Board of Review.

Here's an Eagle Scout Application Checklist...to make sure you've filled it out correctly and not forgotten anything!