Eagle Ceremony Checklist – Troop 420 revised 05/23/05

Below is a step by step flow of what to do when in planning an Eagle ceremony.

1. Coordinate the ceremony date with David Harling. It is best to target two dates. Check with the facility where the ceremony will be held to see if it is available. Calendars for the troop, school and youth groups at church should be reviewed to note any possible conflicts. The most popular date and time is Sunday afternoon at 3:00PM.
2. David Harling will give the Eagle Certificate to the Scout to be framed. This should be professionally framed. It looks best when matted. Most I have seen have a blue mat with a black frame. When framing is complete, hold it and bring it to the ceremony for presentation.
3. I suggest you have a professional photo made of the Scout in full uniform wearing the Eagle medal. I have an Eagle medal I loan for such a photo.
4. Order the ceremony invitations (#61532 0, box of 50, size 51/4 x 4 1/4) and the program cover (#615321, box 50, size 5 1/2x8 1/2). There are several different sizes and styles for both available from non-BSA sources. The above two can be printed on a fancy copier that may save you money. Purchase these items from the Cumberland Scout Shop, 717 Hope Mills Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304 (1 888 421 7268). They do ship and take credit card phone orders.
5. The Scout should discuss what type of ceremony he wants with David Harling. A public ceremony is strongly suggested. This brings honor to the Eagle Scout and serves as an example for other Scouts to attain this high goal. The Scout needs to identify Scouts to do the following during the standard ceremony:
6. Flag bearers – 2 Scouts

   Call the Colors – 1 Scout

   Read the Trail to Eagle – 1 Scout

   Scoutmaster’s Benediction – 1 Scout

   Present the Eagle Certificate – usually the Scoutmaster

   Present the Eagle Charge – usually an Assistant Scoutmaster

   Ushers – 2 or 4 Scouts depending on the needs of the facility

   Invocation – Your pastor

   Master of Ceremony – usually David Harling

   The above people should be asked by the Scout to participate in the Eagle ceremony.

7. David Harling will provide you with a troop mailing list. You should invite the entire troop and address the invitation as "Scout ….. and Family". Friends, family, etc. should be invited as well. Many put an announcement in the church bulletin or newsletter as well.
8. Most families plan a small reception. Many use the Eagle cups, napkins and paper plates ordered from the Scout Shop. This should be a light reception…remember we are not doing a wedding here. Ask friends to help prepare and serve.
9. Mail ceremony invitations 10 to 14 days prior to the ceremony date.
10. Eagle table is a place where the Eagle notebook is placed at the reception. David Harling provides the Eagle banner and stand for the table. Many put a collection of photos on this table. This would include the professional photo in uniform as well as some Scouting photos taken over the years.
11. David Harling will take the Eagle Scout’s photo and prepare a press package for the Laurinburg Exchange.
12. The Troop provides the Eagle medal kit which includes the Eagle medal, Mom’s pin, Dad’s pin, Eagle cloth patch, Eagle Scout membership card and Mentor’s pin. The Mentor’s pin is presented to some special person who helped the Scout along the trail to Eagle. Additional Mentor pins (# 14123) may be purchased but it is not recommended what a Scout present more than two mentor pins at the ceremony.