Writing a letter of recommendation for an Eagle Scout candidate is a significant responsibility and can greatly impact the candidate's chances of achieving this prestigious rank.

Table of contents

• What is an Eagle Scout letter of Recommendation?
• Points to remember
• What is the necessity of needing an Eagle Scout letter of recommendation
• Essential components in an Eagle Scout letter of recommendation:
• When do you need it?
• FAQ
• What should an Eagle Scout letter of recommendation say?
• How do you write a religious reference for Eagle Scout?
• Who sends letters to Eagle Scouts?
• Sample Eagle Scout letter of recommendation

What is an Eagle Scout letter of Recommendation?

An Eagle Scout letter of recommendation is a written endorsement or recommendation provided by individuals who are familiar with the character, leadership, and qualifications of a Boy Scout who is applying for the rank of Eagle Scout, which is the highest attainable rank in the Boy Scouts of America. This letter is an essential part of the Eagle Scout application process and is used to assess the candidate's suitability for this prestigious rank.

Points to remember

Key points to note about an Eagle Scout letter of recommendation:

1. Purpose: The primary purpose of this letter is to vouch for the character, leadership abilities, and commitment to scouting principles of the Eagle Scout candidate. It provides insight into the candidate's qualities and whether they embody the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

2. Who Writes It: An Eagle Scout candidate typically needs to gather a minimum of three letters of recommendation. These letters are typically written by people who know the candidate well and can speak to their character, such as parents, teachers, religious leaders, employers, scout leaders, or other community members.

3. Content: The letter should address the candidate's commitment to the Scout Oath and Scout Law, their leadership skills within the troop and the community, their involvement in service projects, and any other qualities or achievements that make them a suitable candidate for the rank of Eagle Scout. Specific examples and anecdotes are often included to illustrate the candidate's qualities.

4. Confidentiality: The Eagle Scout letter of recommendation is considered confidential, and the candidate usually does not have access to its content. This is to encourage the letter writers to provide candid and honest assessments.

5. Submission: The letters of recommendation are typically submitted along with the Eagle Scout application and other required documents. They play a crucial role in the evaluation process by the Eagle Scout Board of Review.

It's essential to approach writing an Eagle Scout letter of recommendation with care and honesty, as it helps determine whether a candidate has demonstrated the qualities and achievements expected of an Eagle Scout. The letters provide a well-rounded view of the candidate's character and contributions to their community and the scouting program.

What is the necessity of needing an Eagle Scout letter of recommendation

An Eagle Scout letter of recommendation is a vital component of the Eagle Scout application process for several important reasons:

1. Objective Assessment: The letter provides an objective assessment of the Eagle Scout candidate's character, leadership abilities, and qualifications. It offers insights from individuals who have observed the candidate's behavior and contributions in different contexts, providing a well-rounded view.

2. Validation of Scouting Principles: The letter serves as a confirmation that the candidate has upheld the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. It ensures that the candidate has consistently demonstrated qualities such as trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness, and so on throughout their scouting journey.

3. Leadership Evaluation: Scouting places a strong emphasis on leadership development. The recommendations help evaluate the candidate's leadership roles within the troop and the broader community. This assessment is critical because one of the requirements for becoming an Eagle Scout is to plan, develop, and give leadership in a service project for the community.

4. Community and Service Involvement: The letters of recommendation often include information about the candidate's involvement in service projects and contributions to the community. This helps demonstrate the candidate's commitment to service and the positive impact they have had.

5. Character and Integrity Verification: By soliciting recommendations from a variety of sources, the reviewing authorities can gain assurance that the candidate possesses the character and integrity expected of an Eagle Scout. This is particularly important as the rank of Eagle Scout is meant to represent the highest moral and ethical standards.

6. Board of Review Evaluation: The Eagle Scout Board of Review, which assesses the candidate's qualifications for the rank, relies on the letters of recommendation as valuable references. These letters are considered during the board of review as part of the overall evaluation process.

7. Confidential Assessment: The confidential nature of the recommendations allows letter writers to provide honest and candid assessments without concerns about the candidate seeing the content. This encourages sincere evaluations.

In summary, the Eagle Scout letter of recommendation is a fundamental part of the scouting program's process for awarding the rank of Eagle Scout. It provides valuable insights into the candidate's character, leadership, and commitment to scouting principles, helping ensure that those who attain this prestigious rank embody the ideals of the Boy Scouts of America.

Essential components in an Eagle Scout letter of recommendation:

A well-written Eagle Scout letter of recommendation should include key elements that provide a comprehensive assessment of the candidate's character, leadership abilities, and qualifications for the rank of Eagle Scout. Here are the key elements to include in such a letter:

1. Introduction: Start with a formal salutation and introduce yourself, including your name, position, and how you know the candidate.

2. Confirmation of Relationship: Clearly state your relationship to the candidate, such as being a scout leader, teacher, employer, religious leader, or community member who has interacted with the candidate.

3. Length of Relationship: Mention the duration of your association with the candidate, indicating how long you have known them.

4. Character Assessment:
   • Discuss the candidate's character and integrity. Mention how well they adhere to the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
   • Provide specific examples or anecdotes that illustrate their trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness, and other relevant qualities.

5. Leadership Abilities:
   • Describe the candidate's leadership roles within the Boy Scout troop or in other organizations.
   • Highlight the candidate's ability to lead, inspire, and work effectively with others.
   • Share specific instances where the candidate demonstrated leadership.

6. Service and Contributions:
   • Discuss the candidate's involvement in community service and service projects.
   • Provide details about the candidate's contributions to the community and the impact of their service work.

7. Scouting Achievements:
   • Mention the candidate's progress within the scouting program, including merit badges earned and any leadership positions held.
   • Emphasize the planning and execution of the Eagle Scout service project, if applicable.

8. Community Impact:
   • Explain how the candidate's actions have positively influenced their community.
   • Share stories or examples of the candidate's dedication to helping others.

9. Commitment to Scouting Principles:
   • Discuss the candidate's dedication to the principles of scouting, including their reverence to God, loyalty to the country, and their commitment to self-improvement and helping others.

10. Honesty and Sincerity:
    • Emphasize the honesty and sincerity of your assessment, and affirm your confidence in the candidate's qualifications.

11. Contact Information:
    • Provide your contact information, including your phone number and email address, in case the reviewing authorities have further questions or need to verify the recommendation.

12. Confidentiality: Reiterate the confidentiality of the recommendation and express trust that it will be handled with discretion.

13. Closing: End with a strong recommendation for the candidate, expressing your belief that they are well-suited for the rank of Eagle Scout.

14. Signature: Sign the letter in ink if it's a physical letter or include a digital signature in an electronic letter.

It's important to be specific and provide concrete examples and anecdotes to support your assessments. By including these key elements, you will create a thorough and effective Eagle Scout letter of recommendation that will help the candidate in their pursuit of this prestigious rank.

When do you need it?

An Eagle Scout letter of recommendation is needed as part of the application process for the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. It is typically required when a Boy Scout is preparing to advance to the Eagle rank, which is the highest and most prestigious rank attainable in the scouting program. Here are the key times when an Eagle Scout letter of recommendation is needed:

1. Eagle Scout Application Submission: The primary and most critical time when an Eagle Scout letter of recommendation is needed is when the candidate submits their Eagle Scout application. The application typically includes a section where the candidate must provide the names and contact information of individuals who will write these letters of recommendation. These individuals are usually scout leaders, teachers, employers, religious leaders, and community members who have observed the candidate's character, leadership, and involvement in scouting and the community.

2. Eagle Scout Board of Review: After the Eagle Scout application is submitted and reviewed, the candidate will undergo an Eagle Scout Board of Review. The board of review is a panel of adults who assess the candidate's qualifications for the rank of Eagle Scout. They consider the application, letters of recommendation, and the candidate's scouting history. The letters of recommendation serve as important references during this review process.

3. Verification of Qualifications: The letters of recommendation help verify the candidate's qualifications, character, and dedication to scouting principles. They offer additional perspectives on the candidate's suitability for the rank.

It's important to note that the Eagle Scout letter of recommendation is a confidential document, and typically, the candidate does not have access to its content. This allows those writing the recommendations to provide candid assessments without concern about the candidate reading the letters. The confidentiality of the recommendations is part of the process to ensure the integrity of the assessment.

The specific timing of when the letters are due and other details may vary from one Boy Scout council to another, so candidates should follow the guidelines and instructions provided by their local council and troop leadership. However, in general, these letters are collected as part of the Eagle Scout application process to support the candidate's pursuit of this esteemed rank.

FAQ