Dear Parents,
In becoming a Life Scout and now striving for the rank of Eagle Scout, your son has done very well. You certainly have been helpful in this process, but for his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project, your involvement must be minimal. He must do all of the planning and leadership himself. Following are a few do and don’t tips for you. Please help him by not being involved any more than permissible. Don’t jeopardize his success with misplaced good intentions.
Do: Ask your son to schedule a meeting with the Scoutmaster and completely review his Eagle Scout Packet before doing anything else. He should note everything he doesn’t understand and get advice. You can help here, but be careful of offering advice better given by his unit leaders or the District Advancement Committee.
Do: Help your son pick a project that meets both his abilities and interests. He will perform much better with a project he really cares about. have the Scout check with Scoutmaster to verify what projects are needed at the Charter Organization. The project must benefit the Community. The Unit and District must approve the project before he can begin.
Do: Provide encouragement and timely reminders, as necessary.
Do: Discuss problems and lead him to the answers with well thought suggestions as to motivate him to answer the question himself whenever possible.
Don’t: Push him into a project he doesn’t have a good feeling about. This usually doesn’t work to the scout’s advantage. It isn’t whether you like it or not. It’s whether he does. Remember, he still has to gain the approval of his Unit and District.
Don’t: Do any of the planning or writing. It doesn’t matter that his work is not as good as you would do. It matters that it is his best work.
Don’t: Buy the materials needed, or do any other part of executing the project. The goal of your sons project is for the scout to plan, implement, and execute a his project. Funding may be a component of the project and while you can certainly pay for all of the costs associated with the project, the point is to have the Scout request from others, maybe the beneficiary, family, friends, relatives, or conduct a fundraising activity, funds to accomplish the funds necessary to complete his project. Check the fundraising requirements in the workbook but you can drive, handle power tools (if part of the approved plan and you have the skills) and work under his leadership, but don’t take over any part of it. Taking pictures is a good job for a parent.
Your son is about to embark on an adventure he will remember all of his life. It should be a positive, challenging, and uplifting experience within his capabilities. With your support and his planning and leadership, it will be just that.
Proposal Must Be Approved ... Before You Start
The Five Tests of an Acceptable Eagle Scout Service Project. The proposal is an overview, but also the beginnings of planning. It shows the unit leader and any representatives of a unit committee, council, or district, that the following tests can be met.