The Eagle Scout Board of Review Eagle Application requires candidates for the Eagle rank to obtain six letters of recommendation. Five letters if the scout is not currently employed. While the eagle scout’s troop may assist in securing the letters of recommendation as part of the Eagle Scout rank application process, the council advancement committee members are responsible for securing all recommendation letters.
Advantages of being an Eagle Scout
Being an Eagle Scout has many benefits, many of which are related to how others frequently view the title. Eagle Scouts are known for their diligence, commitment, dependability, honesty, and ethics. These traits are encouraging for endeavors like completing college, doing well at work, and cooperating with others. As a result, mentioning Eagle Scout status on a resume or in a cover letter can help admissions officers or hiring managers make better choices.
Being an Eagle Scout can give someone valuable life lessons and experiences. Eagle Scouts typically grow a strong sense of confidence by achieving clearly defined goals and realizing accomplishments. Additionally, they get a lot of chances to hone and improve their leadership abilities. Both self-assurance and leadership abilities are transferrable traits that can enhance a person’s employment prospects and support their success in the workplace.
What is an Eagle Scout?
The Scouts BSA is a youth organization for boys and girls ages 11 to 17 that focuses on character development and leadership training. An Eagle Scout is a person who has attained the highest rank in the organization. An individual who belongs to the Scouts BSA must:
How to write an Eagle Scout reference letter
To write a strong reference letter for an Eagle Scout, follow these guidelines:
1. Discuss points to address
The candidate may outline the key points they want you to address in the letter before you start writing. These typically concern elements of the Scout Oath or Scout Law. Ask them about their preferences if they don’t specify these points.
2. Review the Scout Oath and Scout Law
The Scout Law and Scout Oath outline the principles that the Eagle rating board bases its decision on. In order to emphasize the key principles you want to communicate about the candidate in your letter, review both the Oath and the Law. Following that, you can recall instances involving the candidate that support the values you’ve decided upon.
3. Include a greeting
The salutation, which appears on the first line of the letter, addresses the reader. Use a standard greeting like “Dear” and the recipient’s name, which in this case is the board of review. Punctuate the greeting with a comma.
4. Express your recommendation and establish your relationship
You refer to your motivation for writing the letter in a one-sentence statement in the opening paragraph, where you also formally state your recommendation. It’s customary for letter writers to start off by expressing their honor or privilege at recommending the candidate for the rank of Eagle Scout.
Introduce yourself and explain how you are connected to the candidate in the sentence that follows. Mention your introduction to them and your relationship with them. Your thesis, which is the main point you want to make about the candidate and the basis for your positive recommendation, should be used to conclude the paragraph. It’s wise to base your thesis on the principles outlined in the Scout Law or Oath.
5. Create a narrative
Write a narrative that demonstrates how the candidate has developed and exhibited the Scouting core values in one or two paragraphs. As you are defending the assertion you have made about the candidate, this section serves as an extension of your thesis. Concentrate on one or two extended examples that highlight your top two or three core principles at work.
6. Express your confidence
Express your belief in the candidates’ capacity to uphold Eagle Scout values and continue their growth trajectory in the conclusion to refer back to your recommendation. Try, if you can, to make reference to the issues you raised in the body as well. For instance, you can use this reference as a springboard to say that your observations have convinced you that the applicant is dedicated to Eagle Scout ideals and likely to uphold them all of their life.
7. Sign off
Add a complimentary close and your signature to complete the reference letter. An endearing phrase or word, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” is a complimentary close. The last line of the conclusion is two spaces below it, and a comma follows. Your signature goes directly below the complimentary close. You can type your name if you’re writing an email or other digital document. Put your professional title below your signature if you have one.
What to include in an Eagle Scout reference letter
A reference letter from an Eagle Scout is written to present a more thorough picture of the applicant. With that in mind, the following are the components your reference letter must have:
Eagle Scout reference letter template
To assist you in creating your Eagle Scout reference letter, you can use and modify this template as necessary:
Dear Eagle Scout Board of Review,
I’m grateful for the chance to provide this letter of support for [name of candidate] as [he/she] works to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
[Introduce yourself to the board of review. Mention your position, how you met the candidate, how long you’ve known them, and the capacity in which you know them. Give your thesis, or the main point you want to make about the candidate. Base this on a principle from the Scout Law or the Scout Oath. ].
Create a narrative that supports your thesis and demonstrates how the applicant merits your glowing recommendation in one or two paragraphs. Give an example of the candidate’s development and highlight how they uphold Scouting’s core principles. ].
[State your belief in the candidates’ capacity to uphold the standards of the Eagle Scouts in the conclusion. ].
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your title, if applicable]
Eagle Scout reference letter sample
You can use the following example as guidance as you compose your reference letter for an Eagle Scout:
Dear Eagle Scout Board of Review,
Jesse Mendel is attempting to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout, and I’m honored to have the chance to write this letter of recommendation to support her in that endeavor.
Ive known Jesse for three years. She had just moved from another district and was just starting high school when I first met her. I was and still am an English teacher and the student newspaper advisor. She was present at the first staff meeting of the year for the newspaper. Since then, I’ve seen Jesse change from a timid first-year student to a self-assured leader whose peers can always rely on for advice.
With our newspaper, the students pitch their own story ideas. Typically, this leads to articles about cafeteria fare and youth culture. Jesse was initially happy to accept suggestions from other members and seemed eager to contribute but hesitant to express herself. She always submitted her stories on time, which is commendable. Within a month, I began to notice a change. She began bringing up difficult story concepts during meetings, like reports on the school budget and pieces on current events. She self-penned the articles, and everyone was impressed by their caliber.
Since then, Jesse has advanced to the position of editor-in-chief of our school newspaper. She regularly sits with her coworkers to help them tighten their articles and express the main points more clearly, and she always approaches her work with a friendly, upbeat attitude. Her coworkers can always count on her to do so. She is the editor-in-chief, which makes my job as the adviser simple because I can rely on her to be a helpful mentor as we prepare each issue.
Jesse can definitely meet the requirements for the Eagle Scout rank if her work as a writer and editor for the school newspaper is any indication of her abilities elsewhere, and I have every reason to believe that her growth will continue to progress.
Sincerely,
Amy Brown
English teacher, Harrison High School
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Eagle Scout Letter of Recommendation
FAQ
How many reference letters do you need for Eagle Scout?
Letter of Support for My Son’s Application for the Eagle ScoutRank I am pleased to write a letter in support of my son ___________________ (insert son’s full name here). I think it’s an honor to be his parent and get to see him develop into a wonderful adult.
Who should write a letter of recommendation for Eagle Scout?
Five to six letters of recommendation are required for you from the Eagle Board of Review. Choose the recommenders, provide them with the letter of recommendation form (you can get this from the Board of Review), and set a firm deadline for them to submit the letters (a week following the Scoutmaster Conference would be ideal).
What do you write in an Eagle Scout?
- A professional acquaintance.
- A pastor or ministry member.
- A previous or current employer (member of leadership preferred).
- A professor or educator.
- A parent or guardian.
How do you send an eagle recommendation letter?
Congratulations on your Eagle Scout status. You put in a lot of effort to advance to the rank of Eagle Scout. I am incredibly proud of all that you have accomplished. Keep up the good work and let me know if there is ever anything I can do to assist you.
