Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Scouting America program. It represents a significant achievement in leadership, service, and outdoor skills. Earning this rank requires a Scout to demonstrate dedication to the core values of the Scout Oath and Law, develop leadership abilities, and complete a series of rigorous requirements.
To become an Eagle Scout, a candidate must:
- Be active in your troop for at least six months as a Life Scout.
- As a Life Scout, demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God, how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life, and how your understanding of the Scout Oath and Scout Law will guide your life in the future. List on your Eagle Scout Rank Application the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious (if not affiliated with an organized religion, then the parent or guardian provides this reference), educational, employer (if employed), and two other references.
- Earn a total of 21 merit badges, 14* must be Eagle-required.
- While a Life Scout, serve actively in your troop for six months in one or more of a position of responsibility. (Assistant Patrol Leader and Bugler are not approved positions of responsibility for the Eagle Scout rank. Likewise, a Scoutmaster-approved leadership project cannot be used in lieu of serving in a position of responsibility.)
- While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. The project must benefit an organization other than Scouting America. A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and unit committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook in meeting this requirement.
- While a Life Scout, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
- Successfully complete your board of review for the Eagle Scout rank.
- In preparation for your board of review, prepare and attach to your Eagle Scout Rank Application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations, during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service.
*must earn one from each of the following:
- Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving
- Environmental Science OR Sustainability
- Swimming OR Cycling OR Hiking
The process is typically long and challenging, often taking several years, and must be completed before the Scout’s 18th birthday. It is a widely-known statistic that only 7% of all Scouts go on to earn the Eagle Scout rank.
Upon earning this rank, members have the option of joining the National Eagle Scout Association, which offers benefits and volunteering opportunities for Eagles to stay in Scouting.
In Troop 354: the Eagle Scout rank is a highly-respected accomplishment, recognized as a mark of dedication, personal growth, and perseverance, opening doors for future opportunities in education, employment, and leadership roles beyond.
The current Life-to-Eagle Coordinators are: Gabriel Gloria and Chris Hower
Resources
Troop 354 Eagle Scout Honor Roll
**NOT a complete list**
2024:
Sam Hagberg
Project: Built set of cornhole boards to be used at fundraising events for First Evangelical Covenant Church in Grand Rapids
2023:
Draven Carney
Project: Removal of invasive plant species from Bend Area Park in Jenison
2022:
Richard Dragicevich
Project: Cleared trash and flooding debris from Georgetown Trails Park
Alex Floyd
Project: Built and installed storage shelves for the band room at Jenison High School
2021:
Gabriel “Gabe” Gloria
Project: Built two “Blessing Box” pantries for Georgetown United Methodist Church food pantry program
2020:
Andrew Mann
Blake Moerdyk
2019:
Bryce Girschle
Christian Balicki
2018:
Jason Orrell
Project: Built and installed two large barn doors for youth group room at Jenison Bible Church
Zachary Girschle
Project: Planted trees with strong root systems to address and prevent water errosion at Hager Park in Jenison
Sidney “Sid” Newton
Project: Created a sustainable monarch butterfly garden with Michigan-native plants at Grand River Park in Jenison
Mason Moerdyk
Project: Built and installed fire pit for flag retirement at Georgetown Cemetery, next to Veterans’ Memorial
Dominic Klemm
Tas Stoetzner
Jarrett Riordan
2017:
Issac Barone
Brennan Cook
Maxwell Gradisher
2016:
Tobias Hollen
Project: Filled dangerous trash pit and planted Michigan-native plants at Grand Ravines Dog Park in Jenison
Ben Vigna
Alex Carrier
Baden Wackerle
2015:
Andrew Enzo
Ben Riordan
Alex Kapla
Brett Windsor
Issac Knol
Shawn Newton
2014:
Bryce Coty
Spencer Hower
Mark Powers
2013:
Kirk Spearow
2012:
David Flessner
Jeff Windsor
2011:
Alex Bush
Noah Dauber
Eric Vig
2010:
Jonathan Holey
Zachary Baker
Chris Vanderloon
Greg Wise
Tim Kilcoyne
Matt Wadsworth
Kevin Courtade
Caleb Knol
Alex Messer
Caleb Waters
Evan Viau
2008:
Drew De Mull