Eagle Coach

The Eagle Coach is an Assistant Scoutmaster designated to guide Life scouts on their way to Eagle. When a scout makes Life, you reach out and walk them through what's left. From there, the scout sets the pace: you're available when they need help, you look over their project proposal before it's submitted, and you stay with them through their Eagle Court of Honor.

The role is advisory. You don't sign anything; the Scoutmaster and committee do. Your role is to coach and mentor the scout as they move from Life to Eagle.

Position Facts

Responsibilities

Carry out all the responsibilities of the Assistant Scoutmaster position
Reach out to each scout when they make Life and hold an orientation meeting
Answer questions and give guidance as the scout works toward Eagle
Check in occasionally with Life scouts who haven't been in touch
Review the scout's project proposal before it's submitted, and point out anything likely to get it denied
Raise concerns about the scout's process with the scout, and with the Scoutmaster as needed
Facilitate the booking of Eagle Boards of Review and Eagle Courts of Honor
Serve as Master of Ceremonies at the scout's Eagle Court of Honor, if asked
Live by the Scout Oath and Law
Set a good example by showing Scout spirit and wearing the uniform correctly

Remembering the “Why”

Before anything else, understand why the Eagle rank exists.

Scouting is about the process, not the outcome. Like every rank, Eagle is a series of obstacles the scout has to work through. The badge isn’t the goal; the growth that comes from facing those obstacles is.

There are two tempting traps that many Scouters fall into:

Don’t clear the path. The obstacles are there on purpose, and facing them is the scout’s job alone. Read The Difference in an Eagle Scout and a Boy Scout.
Don’t guard the gate. It isn’t your job to keep out every scout who hasn’t “earned” the rank or isn’t “worthy of Eagle”. Watch Guardian of the Gate.

Your real job, and the mission of all of Scouting, is to mentor each scout as they work through the obstacles themselves, so they learn and grow. Always remember that the rank and its requirements are a tool for that growth, simply a means to an end. What matters is the scout.

The Mechanics of Eagle Advancement

Before reading the rest of this page, read our general page about the Eagle advancement process.

The final say on all things advancement policy is the Guide to Advancement. Read and familiarize yourself with section 9, which is about the Eagle process.

Working with the Scout

Orientation

When a scout makes Life rank, reach out to them and set up a meeting.

The meeting is an orientation: walk the scout through everything between Life and Eagle (requirements, timeline, and paperwork) so nothing catches them off guard later. Use the Eagle process page as your outline.

Along the Way

After orientation, let the scout take the lead. Completing the rank is their job, and they set the pace; you’re there when they need you.

Some scouts will go quiet for months. Check in now and then with a low-pressure note, just to keep the door open.

The Eagle Project Proposal

You don’t approve the proposal; the Scoutmaster, committee, and council do. But before the scout submits it, look it over and point out anything likely to get it turned down right off the bat, so the scout can fix it first.

Courts of Honor

It is customary for a scout’s Coach to serve as the Master of Ceremonies at their Eagle Court of Honor. However, be aware that the scout may ask whoever they’d like.

Resources

EagleCoach.org is a fantastic resource for Eagle coaches, candidates, and their parents. It has writings about how to guide a candidate through the process, and writings for candidates and their parents about what to expect. However, be aware that this is not an official Scouting America site and some information about the rules may be outdated.

Scout Life’s Eagle Project Showcase is a gallery of completed Eagle projects. Point scouts to it when they’re looking for project ideas.