13-year-old designs, installs veterans memorial as Eagle Scout project

Becoming an Eagle Scout

According to scouting.org,  Eagle Scout has existed since 1912 and is the highest rank a scout can achieve. Over the years, the program has evolved into a rigorous process. To attain the rank of Eagle Scout, candidates must complete a special project after years of service and leadership and receive the approval of a local board of review as well as a national board.

There are seven ranks a scout must achieve before being eligible for Eagle scout. Even then, a candidate must get the support of fellow scouts and scoutmaster, according to Earl Bonovich, scoutmaster of Troop 237.

“To be an eagle scout, you have to prove leadership. You have to prove your self independence. You have to show service to the community as well as have the mental fortitude to overcome things that a youth of that age probably has never faced before,” says Bonovich. “The program isnt about becoming an eagle scout, the program is about becoming a leader.”

An Eagle Scout candidate also must serve in an elected leadership role in the troop, which entails getting the support of fellow scouts.

Like all their fellow scouts, Eagle Scouts must be exemplars the the “foundation of scouting”: the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, and the Scout Code.

Scout Oath: On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

Scout Mission: To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.