New Birth of Freedom Council, BSA Website for the New Birth of Freedom Council, BSA
Instructions: Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges
(Use form: Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges)
The Eagle Scout rank may be achieved by a Scouts BSA or qualified* Venturer or Sea Scout who has a physical or mental disability by qualifying for alternative merit badges. This does not apply to individual requirements for merit badges. Merit badges are awarded only when all requirements are met as stated. See the Guide to Advancement, topic 10.2.2.3, for details.
The physical or mental disability must be of a permanent rather than a temporary nature (or a disability expected to last more than two years or beyond the 18th birthday). This request must include a written statement from a qualified health-care professional related to the nature of the disability. This person may be a physician, neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, etc., or an educational administrator as appropriate.
Before applying, the Scout, Venturer, or Sea Scout must earn as many of the Eagle-required merit badges as possible. Any alternatives must present the same challenge and learning level as those they replace and must be completed by the 18th birthday.
1. Obtain a clear and concise statement related to the nature of the disability from a qualified health-care professional.
2. The unit leader meets with the candidate and their parent or guardian to determine the alternative merit badges to replace those impeding their progression.
3. The unit leader, parent or guardian, and the Scout (if possible) prepare supporting letters to accompany the application.
4. The district and council advancement committees, in turn, review the proposed alternative merit badges. They may choose to speak with the Scout, their parent or guardian, or the unit leader. If the council advancement committee approves, then the candidate may start work on the merit badges.
Note: In approving the application, the district and council advancement committees must utilize the expertise of a healthcare professional involved with youth who have disabilities.
5. Upon completion of the Eagle Scout rank requirements, using the alternative merit badges, the candidate appears before a board of review. This approved application must be attached to the Eagle Scout Rank Application.
6. Following a successful board of review, the council processes both applications and forwards them to the national Advancement Team. Local council action on alternative merit badges does not require national approval.
THE PURPOSE OF THE EAGLE SCOUT AWARD
A recipient of the Eagle Scout Award is a Scouts BSA, or qualified Venturer or Sea Scout who applies the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in their daily life. They have achieved the qualities below with determination and persistence.
• capacity for leadership and a concern for others
• Ability to help others through skills they have learned
• Ability to live and work cooperatively with others by meeting their responsibility to their unit
• Concern for self by improving their physical fitness to the limits of their resources
(Source: Alternate Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges)