The Eagle award is the highest honor conferred by the Boy Scouts of America. It represents the culmination of years of scouting work, from a boy's earliest experiences as a 10- or 11-year-old Tenderfoot through the various ranks of Second Class, First Class, Star and Life. Achieving these ranks involves learning first aid and basic camping and survival skills, and serving in several leadership capacities, as well as earning merit badges in a variety of subjects. Eagles must earn at least 21 merit badges, including 12 in specific categories. An Eagle project - a major community service project - is required as well.
The final Eagle application - which many scouts refer to simply as "The Binder" - includes detailed information on the project and the teen's scouting history, plus several essays and recommendations. All work must be completed before the youth's 18th birthday, and he must undergo an approval process not only at the troop level, but at the council and national levels as well.
