Writing an eagle scout letter of recommendation

EAGLE SCOUT RECOMMENDATION LETTER REQUEST

The Scout below must appear soon before a “Board of Review” to satisfy the requirements for the highest rank in Scouting – Eagle Scout. You, who know them best, can supply evidence of his/her adherence to the Principles of Scouting in their daily life. Please write a frank, confidential appraisal of the Scout’s dependability, citizenship, leadership, and consideration of others. Your comments will be kept strictly confidential and will be seen, not by the Scout, but only by the members of the Board of Review. After completing your letter, please place it in the provided pre-addressed envelope and mail it.

Scout’s name: _______________________________________  Phone #________________________________

Using the four points listed below, please give your observations concerning the Scout. Feel free to add any other observations that you think are pertinent.

The Scout Oath or Promise and the Scout Law are the code of ethics by which a Scout strives to live.

Scout Oath or Promise

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 aware, and morally straight.

Scout Law

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

• Describe how well he/she puts into practice in their everyday life, the principles embodied in the Scout Oath or Promise and the Scout Law.
• Give information relating to his/her ability and willingness to accept and “follow through” on responsibilities.
• Describe his/her attitude relative to instruction and criticism.
• What recommendations would you make to the Scout for improvement?

Thank you very much for taking the time to provide this letter of recommendation to us. The input of people like you is very helpful to the Board of Review as it considers the Scout’s readiness to become an Eagle Scout.

Mayflower Council Advancement Committee

An Eagle Scout recommendation letter is a professional letter and business letter authored to suggest a scout become an Eagle Scout to the Eagle Scout Board of Review. Collecting recommendation letters and references is essential to becoming an Eagle Scout.

When a boy scout or Eagle Scout candidate requests a letter of recommendation, they should request one from one or more of the following people:

• 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.
• A scoutmaster.

Eagle Scout candidate’s need to obtain six letters of recommendation for the Eagle Scout Board of Review Eagle Application. Five letters if the scout is not currently employed. While the eagle scout’s troop may help to secure the letters of recommendation, as part of the Eagle Scout rank application process, the duties of obtaining all recommendation letters are of the council advancement committee members.

Eagle candidates can refer to the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook for more information on requirements, guides, and other beneficial pieces of information to provide a letter writer.

As an eagle scout letter writer, here are some of the points to make within the letter:

• Explain the relationship between the eagle scout and letter writer.
• Explain the reason why the Eagle candidate deserves a positive reference.
• Explain the ways the Eagle Scout candidate lives by the laws and principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
• Explain the levels of growth seen by the candidate over time.
• Include contact information in case an Eagle Board review member needs further clarification on the eagle letter.

It may help reference merit badge awards or the number of merit badge awards the Eagle candidate has obtained in this letter as a letter writer. If this information isn’t readily available before writing, the letter writer should speak with the Eagle candidate to review this information.

Other helpful references could be a significant community project or eagle project that shows excellence on behalf of the candidate outside of scout work. This shows the scout candidate shows Scout Oath and Scout Law outside of the traditional methods and employs the education in their daily lives.

The Eagle Board is seeking candidates that show excellence and exemplary merit in following the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Eagle Scout Application Details

When a scout candidate is looking to obtain letters of recommendation from various personal and professional references, the following pieces of information should be given to the scout candidate. Certain details should be shared with the letter writer. These details include:

• A copy of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
• A deadline for when the recommendation letter is due (or application is due).
• An email address or mailing address for where the recommendation letter should be sent.

Eagle Scout Application Process

The eagle process for application (receiving eagle rank) is as follows:

• Dates the individual became a boy scout, varsity scout, venturer/sea scout. Eagle scout project finished date. Scoutmaster (unit leader) conference, applicant, and unit committee chair signatures.
• Obtain signatures of the applicant, unit leader, and unit committee chair or district advancement chair committee person.
• Obtain 5-6 references and reference letters.
• Merit badges, the date obtained, and more.
• Eagle project title and hours.
• Attachments include the service project workbook and state of ambitions (life purpose, a listing of positions, and awards).
• Submit all application requirements and (hopefully) receive a congratulatory letter, eagle scout award, and eagle certificate.

Each of these need to be completed (each is an eagle scout requirement) before the application can be submitted.

Sample Letter of Recommendation for an Eagle Scout

Below is an eagle recommendation sample letter.

Ryan John
633-847-8476
[email protected]

July 1st, 2019

Dear Eagle Scout Board of Review —

This letter is a recommendation and reference for Johnathan Taylor, who is aspiring to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout.

I have had the privilege of knowing Jonathan for several years as an employer. I have seen how Jonathan has used his scout honors and scout skills to show incredible leadership and customer service skills. He has treated customers with respect and helped them in instances where others may not. For example, helping the elderly get safely to their vehicle.

I know that Jonathan is knowledgeable and committed to becoming an Eagle Scout, and am confident that with this honor, he will be able to grow into a young adult that shows the honor of the Eagle Scout Law and Eagle Scout Oath.

Sincerely,
Ryan John

Eagle Scout Recommendation Letter Template

[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]

[Current Date]

Dear Eagle Scout Board of Review —

This letter is a recommendation and reference for [Scout Name], who is aspiring to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout.

I have had the privilege of knowing [Scout Name] for several years as [Relationship]. I have seen how Jonathan has used his scout honors and scout skills to show [Skills/Moments/Qualities]. He/she has [Significant Moments Where the Scout Honor is Displayed].

I know that [Scout Name] is brilliant and committed to becoming an Eagle Scout, and am confident that with this honor, he will be able to grow into a young adult that shows the honor of the Eagle Scout Law and Eagle Scout Oath.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Recommendation Letter Templates

More recommendation letter resources.

Templates

• Letter of Recommendation for a Teacher
• Letter of Recommendation for a College Student
• Letter of Recommendation for a Coworker
• Letter of Recommendation for a Friend
• Letter of Recommendation for an Eagle Scout
• Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School
• Letter of Recommendation for a Scholarship

Guides

• How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation
• How to Ask Someone to be a Professional Reference

Favorite Resources

Our favorite resources are included below.

Job interview resources

• Common Interview Questions by Marquette University
• Prepare for Behavioral Interview Questions by Marquette University
• Preparing for Job Interviews by the University of Kansas
• Mock Interview Handbook by CSUCI
• Interview Guidebook by Lebanon Valley College

Resume and cover letter resources

• Writing a Resume and Cover Letter by USC
• Resume Writing Tips by the University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Resume and Cover Letter Guide by Harvard University

Job search resources

• Building and Engaging Your Network by UC Berkeley
• Career Ready Assessment by UC Berkeley

Interview Question and Answer Guide (PDF)

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About the author

Patrick Algrim is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), NCDA Certified Career Counselor (CCC), and general career expert. Patrick has completed the NACE Coaching Certification Program (CCP). And has been published as a career expert on Forbes, Glassdoor, American Express, Reader's Digest, LiveCareer, Zety, Yahoo, Recruiter.com, SparkHire, SHRM.org, Process.st, FairyGodBoss, HRCI.org, St. Edwards University, NC State University, IBTimes.com, Thrive Global, TMCnet.com, Work It Daily, Workology, Career Guide, MyPerfectResume, College Career Life, The HR Digest, WorkWise, Career Cast, Elite Staffing, Women in HR, All About Careers, Upstart HR, The Street, Monster, The Ladders, Introvert Whisperer, and many more. Find him on LinkedIn.

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