Merit Beyond Badges

Only 6% of all Scouts earn the rank of Eagle.
More than half of Troop 333 Scouts do.

Eagle Scout Program

There are very few honors that a person can achieve before they turn 18 that will remain significant throughout their lifetime. An Olympic medal might be one. Becoming an Eagle Scout is another.

Long after the high school trophies have been relegated to the attic and yearbook accolades have been forgotten, the skills required to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout will continue to support a Scout’s growth and be recognized by colleges, employers, and leaders the world over.

Although this prestigious milestone is achieved by only 6% of all Scouts, more than half of Troop 333 Scouts earn their Eagle — not because we make it easy, because we make it meaningful. Our program encourages all Scouts to strive for this honor and supports each Scout along their personal journey.

The Path to Eagle

It takes 4–6 years of dedication, service and hard work to become an Eagle Scout. Although it is possible to meet the minimum requirements faster, we encourage Scouts to take time to fully experience each step of their journey.

We place emphasis on the collective principles of Scouting, rather than simply striving for personal achievement. Our approach ensures that Scouts take on increasing leadership responsibilities as their age and maturity warrants. This benefits the Scout by ensuring they are prepared to learn from their leadership experience. It benefits the troop by ensuring our youth leadership has the experience, empathy, and maturity to provide effective leadership to their peers.

Although every Scout takes their own path, each is supported by adult leaders, parents, and a fraternity of Eagle Scout alumni along the way. We support Scouts on their journey to Eagle by ensuring there are ample opportunities to meet service and camping requirements and by providing instruction for required merit badges. A dedicated adult mentor counsels Scouts on how to effectively sequence their badge work, balance their home, school, and extracurricular commitments, and connects them to resources when they undertake their final Eagle project.

These are just a few of the skills an Eagle will learn:

  • Emergency First Aid + CPR

  • Fire Building and Safety

  • Personal Financial Planning

  • Project Management

  • Clear Communication

  • Time Management

  • Family Togetherness

  • Fundraising and Sales

  • Ethical Leadership & Team Building

  • Camping Safety and Setup

  • Blade Sharpening and Safety

  • Civic Responsibility

  • Health and Personal Fitness

  • Environmental Stewardship

  • Personal Integrity

  • Camp and Home Cooking

Did You know?

Of the 312 pilots and scientists selected as astronauts since 1959, 207 were Scouts or active in Scouting. The list includes:

  • 39 Eagle Scouts

  • 25 Life Scouts

  • 14 Star Scouts

  • 26 First Class Scouts

  • 17 Second Class Scouts

  • 13 Tenderfoot Scouts

  • 3 Explorers

  • 25 Cub Scouts

  • 10 Webelos Scouts

  • 1 King’s Scout

  • 2 Wolf Scouts

  • 27 Girl Scouts

Of the 24 astronauts to travel to the moon, 21 were Scouts, including 10 of the 12 who walked on the moon's surface, and all three members of the crew of Apollo 13.

Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, is an Eagle Scout.

Required Badges

Citizenship

Citizenship in the Community

Citizenship in Society

Citizenship in the Nation

Citizenship in the World

Life Skills

Communications

Personal Management

Family Life

Cooking

Health & Safety

Physical Fitness

First Aid

Emergency Preparedness1

Outdoor Skills

Camping

Environmental Science2

Hiking3

In addition to these 14 required badges, Scouts must earn at least seven additional badges in areas that interest them. There are currently more that 130 badges offered through Scouts BSA.

2. May be substituted for Sustainability

1. May be substituted for Life Saving

3. May be substituted for Swimming or Cycling