Introduction
Becoming an Eagle Scout is a remarkable achievement and an incredible honor. Only a small percentage of Scouts attain this rank, which represents the highest level of achievement in Scouting. However, for those who reach this rank, the journey doesn’t have to end there. Scouts can continue to earn Eagle Palms, which are additional awards that recognize their continued commitment and dedication to Scouting.
In this blog post, we will explore what Eagle Palms are, the requirements to earn them, and how Scouts can set themselves up for success in earning them.
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What Are Eagle Palms?
Eagle Palms are awards that recognize a Scout’s continued commitment and achievement in Scouting after earning the rank of Eagle Scout. These awards are not considered ranks, but rather additional recognition of a Scout’s dedication to Scouting values and continued growth and development.
There are three types of Eagle Palms: Bronze, Gold, and Silver. Each type represents a different level of achievement and requires Scouts to fulfill additional requirements beyond those required for the rank of Eagle Scout.
Bronze Palms are the first level of Eagle Palms and can be earned after a Scout has been an Eagle Scout for at least three months. To earn a Bronze Palm, a Scout must earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for the Eagle Scout rank, continue to demonstrate Scout Spirit, and fulfill additional leadership requirements.
Gold Palms are the second level of Eagle Palms and can be earned after a Scout has earned a Bronze Palm and has been an Eagle Scout for at least six months. To earn a Gold Palm, a Scout must earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for the Eagle Scout rank and Bronze Palm, continue to demonstrate Scout Spirit, and fulfill additional leadership requirements.
Silver Palms are the third and highest level of Eagle Palms and can be earned after a Scout has earned a Gold Palm and has been an Eagle Scout for at least nine months. To earn a Silver Palm, a Scout must earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for the Eagle Scout rank, Bronze Palm, and Gold Palm, continue to demonstrate Scout Spirit, and fulfill additional leadership requirements.
The requirements for Eagle Palms are intentionally rigorous to ensure that Scouts are continually challenging themselves and striving for personal growth and development. Earning Eagle Palms is a significant achievement, and Scouts who do so have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to Scouting values and principles.
Requirements for Earning Eagle Palms
As mentioned earlier, earning Eagle Palms requires Scouts to fulfill additional requirements beyond those required for the rank of Eagle Scout. Below are the requirements for each level of Eagle Palm. They can also be found here.
Bronze Palms:
- Be active in your troop and patrol for at least three months after becoming an Eagle Scout or after award of last Eagle Palm.
- Demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life.
- Make a satisfactory effort to develop and demonstrate leadership ability.
- Earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle Scout rank.
- Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
- Complete an Eagle Palm board of review.
Gold Palms:
- Be active in your troop and patrol for at least six months after becoming an Eagle Scout or after award of last Eagle Palm.
- Demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life.
- Make a satisfactory effort to develop and demonstrate leadership ability.
- Earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle Scout rank and Bronze Palm.
- Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
- Complete an Eagle Palm board of review.
Silver Palms:
- Be active in your troop and patrol for at least nine months after becoming an Eagle Scout or after award of last Eagle Palm.
- Demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life.
- Make a satisfactory effort to develop and demonstrate leadership ability.
- Earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle Scout rank, Bronze Palm, and Gold Palm.
- Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
- Complete an Eagle Palm board of review.
The additional merit badges required for Eagle Palms can be any combination of merit badges from the Boy Scouts of America’s list of over 130 merit badges. However, Scouts should choose merit badges that align with their personal interests and goals. By pursuing merit badges that are meaningful to them, Scouts are more likely to stay engaged and motivated throughout the process.
Scouts must also continue to demonstrate Scout Spirit, which means living the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their everyday lives. This includes being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Scouts should strive to embody these values in all aspects of their lives, both within Scouting and beyond.
In addition to earning merit badges and demonstrating Scout Spirit, Scouts must also fulfill additional leadership requirements to earn Eagle Palms. This includes holding leadership positions within their troop or community and actively participating in service projects and other Scouting activities.
Preparing to Earn Eagle Palms
Earning Eagle Palms requires a significant amount of dedication, time, and effort. However, Scouts who set themselves up for success can make the process more manageable and enjoyable. Below are some tips for Scouts who are preparing to earn Eagle Palms.
- Plan ahead: Scouts should create a plan for earning Eagle Palms and set achievable goals. This includes choosing which merit badges to pursue and setting deadlines for completing each requirement.
- Stay organized: Scouts should keep track of their progress and stay organized. This can include creating a spreadsheet or other tracking system to monitor their progress towards earning Eagle Palms.
- Seek support: Scouts should reach out to their Scoutmaster, other adult leaders, and fellow Scouts for support and guidance. These individuals can offer advice and encouragement throughout the process.
- Stay motivated: Earning Eagle Palms can be a long and challenging process, but Scouts can stay motivated by focusing on their personal goals and the sense of accomplishment that comes with earning each Palm.
- Celebrate achievements: Scouts should celebrate their achievements along the way, whether that’s completing a challenging merit badge or earning a new Eagle Palm. Recognizing their accomplishments can help keep Scouts motivated and energized throughout the process.
Earning Eagle Palms is an incredible achievement that recognizes a Scout’s continued commitment and dedication to Scouting values and principles. While the process can be challenging, it is also a rewarding experience that allows Scouts to continue to grow and develop as individuals. By setting achievable goals, staying organized, seeking support, staying motivated, and celebrating their achievements, Scouts can set themselves up for success in earning Eagle Palms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, earning Eagle Palms is a significant achievement for Scouts who have already earned the rank of Eagle Scout. The process requires additional merit badges, continued demonstration of Scout Spirit, and leadership within the troop and community. By setting achievable goals, staying organized, seeking support, staying motivated, and celebrating achievements, Scouts can make the process more manageable and rewarding. Earning Eagle Palms is not only a recognition of a Scout’s commitment to Scouting values and principles, but also a testament to their personal growth and development. Scouts who pursue this achievement are continuing to build skills and qualities that will serve them well in all areas of life.