Because of the special significance of this award, we invite the Eagle Scout and his parents to assist in planning the
Court of Honor, so it will always be a special memory for him. This guide has been prepared to help you in your
choices. While there is an organized plan to the ceremony, there is also a good deal of flexibility, to accommodate any
special people or events that you want to be part of the ceremony. If you want to make changes, please do so, and let us
know what you would like to do. The Troop Committee will appoint someone to work with you throughout this
process. Please note that it takes 6 to 8 weeks to make all the necessary arrangements, select teams, rehearse them, print
invitations, etc.
General Information:
The date, time, and place of the Court of Honor are basically up to you to decide. You should, of course, be cognizant
of holidays, school, church and Troop schedules. This will allow a maximum opportunity for other Troop members to
attend. It may be done at First United Church, at your own church, or at another location that has special significance
for you in your son's achievement. You should also give thought to whether or not a reception afterward will be held,
and if suitable facilities are available for it.
Please note we are a large Troop and the number attending the Court of Honor and reception can easily be 100 or more
people.
Once a date, time and location have been determined, please notify us and the Troop will print invitations on standard
BSA Eagle stationery. We will give these to you for addressing and mailing. The members of the Troop will all be
invited by an enclosure in a regular Troop mailing. You may also have your own invitations printed if you prefer.
The Troop will also make the printed programs for the Court of Honor, based on the Program Worksheet enclosed,
again on standard BSA stationery, unless you choose to provide your own. The Troop will provide scouts to serve as
the Master of Ceremonies, ushers, the Color Guard, and the Dedication Team. The Troop will of course provide the
Eagle award presentation kit which includes the Eagle Ribbon badge, cloth badge, Mother's miniature pin, Father's tie-
tac, and Scout's miniature pin, as well as a framed Eagle certificate. Additionally, the Troop will prepare a binder for
the Scout which will include (mounted in plastic sleeves) all congratulatory letters and a copy of the ceremony.
The Troop will also pay for the Scout's initial (5 year) membership in the National Eagle Scout Association.
You should know that once your son's Eagle application has been processed by the National Office, you will receive
various solicitations directly from National for various Eagle mementos, stained glass windows, plaques, and other
forms of recognition. The choice to purchase of any of these items either by yourself or as a suggestions to family
relatives is of course up to you.
Court of Honor Program & Ceremony:
In planning the location and time, please remember the Troop needs to have access to the location a minimum of 1 hour
before the ceremony, for setup and rehearsal by the various teams that will be performing. There is a worksheet
attached which outlines the principal parts of the ceremony. Many items are indicated as optional. You may include
them or not as you choose. The choice to include any kind of music, such as a hymn or the camp song is optional. If
you want a organist or other musician for accompaniment of music you will need to ask them yourself. The Master of
Ceremonies will usually be the Senior Patrol Leader of the Troop, but you may select another Scout if you choose.
The Color Guard will usually be composed of Troop members, but you may select other scouts if you desire. The
'Dedication Team' will be composed of Troop 16 boys because this ceremony is unique to the history of Troop 16. You
may choose the boys to participate on this team or leave it up to the SPL.
The Call of the Eagle is an audio or video tape special presentation. Its use is optional.
The choice of Speakers is up to you, or we will help with suggestions. The main purpose is for various adults, in
different aspects of the Scout's life, to briefly tell of the effort and accomplishment of the Scout in the area of
experience they know him. It is not necessary to have all 5, but there should be at least 3, ending with the Scoutmaster.
The speaker representing the BSA may be a Scouter from another Troop, a District or Council Executive. The speaker
for the Church usually represents the church where the Court of Honor is performed or someone from the Scout's own
religious training. A significant teacher or perhaps someone from the community, perhaps with whom the Scout
worked on his Eagle Project, is another possibility. The Scout may have another personal or scouting mentor, a person
from the OA Lodge perhaps, or a relative of significance to his achievement. Lastly, will be the Scoutmaster, who will
relate the Scout's record of accomplishments and scouting history in the Troop.
The Eagle Scout Challenge is a statement in the responsibilities expected of an Eagle Scout and all other Eagle Scouts