Attaining the Eagle rank is often the end goal of a scout and his parents. It looks good on a resume and shows commitment to a program over an extended span of time. But, just like each rank advancement before it, the Eagle rank is a major advancement milestone, but not the culmination of scouting. After reaching Eagle, a scout can continue to earn merit badges and be rewarded with an Eagle Palm for each 5 additional merit badges.

He can also continue to lead and guide the troop or he can change his focus to helping Cub Scouts become Boy Scouts. He may become a Junior Assistant ScoutMaster, helping the ScoutMaster with projects to improve the troop. Or, he can look for worthwhile endeavors outside of scouting to which he can apply his scouting background.
There are many ways an Eagle Scout can continue to contribute to and receive from the Scouting program.

Download the most recently updated 2008 Eagle Scout Application Form
A scoutmaster in Northern Star council has created a new Eagle Scout Application Form that can be filled in online by the Eagle candidate.

1. Be active in your troop, team, crew, or ship for a period of at least six months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout.
2. Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious, educational, and employer references.
3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than you already have), including the following:
   1. First Aid,
   2. Citizenship in the Community,
   3. Citizenship in the Nation,
   4. Citizenship in the World,
   5. Communications,
   6. Personal Fitness,
   7. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving,
      (You must choose only one of these two merit badges. If you have earned more than one of the badges listed, choose one and list the remaining badge to make your total of 21.)
   8. Environmental Science,
   9. Personal Management,
   10. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling,
       (You must choose only one of these three merit badges. If you have earned more than one of the badges listed, choose one and list the remaining badges to make your total of 21.)
   11. Camping, and
   12. Family Life.
       Name of Merit Badge
       ________________________________
       ________________________________
       ________________________________
       ________________________________
       ________________________________
       ________________________________
       ________________________________
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4. While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of 6 months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility:

   Boy Scout troop: Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor.

   Varsity Scout team: Captain, co-captain, program manager, squad leader, team secretary, Order of the Arrow team representative, librarian, quartermaster, chaplain aide, instructor, den chief.

   Venturing Crew / Sea Scout Ship: President, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, boatswain, boatswain's mate, yeoman, purser, storekeeper.

5. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project should benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.) The project plan must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and troop committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the new 2008 Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No. 18-927B, in meeting this requirement. You can dowload a PDF version or Word version.
6. Take part in a Scoutmaster conference.
7. Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.

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NOTE: All requirements for Eagle Scout must be completed before the candidate's 18th birthday. The Eagle Scout board of review can be held after the candidate's 18th birthday.

If a scout has a permanent physical or mental disability, he may become an Eagle Scout by qualifying for as many required merit badges as his ability permits and qualifying for alternate merit badges for the remainder. An Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Award Merit Badges form must also be used. See the Eagle Scout Rank Alternate Requirements