SCOUT TROOP 204

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

Marietta, Georgia

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The Eagle Board of Review isn't something you need to be afraid of.  Here are some tips about what to expect.

  • Arrive for your Board in plenty of time.  Make sure you have all the necessary forms, documentation, etc.  Feel free to bring extra pictures, patches, or other items from your Scouting career.
  • Be sure to have a complete uniform, with your current rank and office patches.
  • Understand that most of the Board members will be people you know - generally from your troop.
  • Realize that ALL of the Board members want you to succeed.  They aren't looking to make you fail.  They aren't trying to give you a hard time. 
  • Relax!
  • When you are introduced to the Board, be sure to shake hands with each member and speak to them individually.  At some point, be sure to thank them for taking time to sit on your Board today.
  • You will probably be asked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, Motto, and Slogan.  You may be asked to recite the Outdoor Code.
  • If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification.  If you don't know the answer to something, say so.
  • The primary purpose of the Eagle Board of Review is NOT to test you on Scout skills.  You will most likely NOT be asked to tie knots, answer first aid questions, etc.  That doesn't mean you should not Be Prepared!  It doesn't hurt to take a short piece of rope tied to your belt, just in case you want to demonstrate your knot skills.
  • In some respects, the Board of Review will be like a job interview.  You will be asked to talk about yourself, what you have done, what you hope to do in life.  Think of this as a practice session for future job interviews.
  • Expect some time to be spent telling you about what it means to be an Eagle and your responsibilities as and Eagle.  Most of the rest of the time will involve you talking and responding to questions from Board members.
  • Be complete in your answers - not just "yes" or "no".  Talk!  Feel free to point out things in your Eagle project write-up, or in other things you have brought with you.  If you brought pictures, use them!  If you are wearing a patch related to something you are talking about, point it out!
  • Look at the Board members when you are talking - don't gaze out the window.
  • Here are some typical questions:
    • How did you come up with your Eagle project?
    • What particular problems did you run into with your Eagle project, and how did you overcome them?
    • What did you enjoy about your project?
    • What did you learn from your project?
    • What did you learn about managing people during your project?
    • How did you get people to work on your project?
    • How did you fund your project?
    • How long did it take to get your project organized/completed?
    • What Boy Scout leadership position has helped you the most?
    • What did you learn from your adult Scout leaders that you think was important?
    • What are some of your memorable experiences (good and bad) at Philmont/SeaBase/Scout Camp/JLT, OA, etc.?
    • What made you stick with Scouting and complete the Eagle rank?
    • What were your favorite merit badges?  Least favorite? Why?
    • What your you future/college plans?
    • What did you learn from scouting? 
    • How are you going to "give back" to the troop and Boy Scouts, both during and after college?
    • What would you change about Boy Scouting, at the troop, district, council or national level?
    • What do you think is the most important role of a citizen in this country?
    • Why do you think you deserve to receive the Eagle rank?
    • Talk about your religious beliefs and how they have helped you in life.
    • What is Scout Spirit, and how have you demonstrated it?
    • Discuss the meaning of the Scout Oath, Laws, Motto, Slogan.  How do they relate to the way you live your life?  (You won't get all of these, but expect to spend some time talking about these key parts of Scouting.)
    • What are the roles of PL, APL, SPL, etc.  How did you fulfill these roles while you held a leadership position?
  • Remember, there are generally no right answers to most of the questions you will be asked.  The Board wants to see if you can listen, think about the question, formulate a response, and communicate it in a clear and concise manner.
  • It is perfectly acceptable for you to ask questions of the Board members about what they think.  Be forewarned, though!  Board members are generally strong supporters of scouting and have strong feelings about the aims and methods of scouting.  They may talk for hours!
  • Everything you have done is scouting was done for a purpose - generally to help you learn or practice some skill you will use in later life.  The Eagle Board of Review gives you a chance to practice skills you will use in a job interview or other similar situations.  Make the most of it!
  • Every Board of Review is different.  Don't be surprised if you don't get ANY of the above questions!

 

 

 

 

 

   

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