Troop 370

Buffalo Run Valley

Eagle Ceremony Planning
     
Congratulations  on achieving the rank of Eagle Rank.  You are a marked man, and as a member of Troop 370, Centre County, Pennsylvania, you are expected to always act in a manner that reflects this high achievement and the confidence others have placed in your character.

Now you are ready for your recognition ceremony.  No doubt, you and your parents have many questions about how to put this ceremony together.  It is the only ceremony in our troop that is basically designed only for you.  So, it's organization, including the agenda, is what you want.  Although there are certain troop traditions embedded in most Eagle ceremonies, it's really up to you.  This page offer resources where you can look around at scripted ceremonies based on themes.  One of them might be perfect for you.  And then again, you may say to yourself, "I don't like any of these ceremonies".  That's ok. 

Here are some basic main elements of the agenda.

  • Opening which includes other scouts including a presentation of flags, Pledge of Allegiance, and Scout Law and/or Scout Oath
  • Special people who speak on your behalf.  These may be labeled as "remarks", "biography", etc.
  • Official opening of Eagle Court of Honor
  • Eagle Charge (read by an Eagle Scout (youth or adult). (There is no standard charge but many examples that can be found on the Internet)
  • Presentation of Eagle Pins with parents at your side. This is usually done by the Scoutmaster.
  • Presentations by local officials (see below)
  • Eagle Speaks - your time to give your own reflections - present your Mentor's Pin (see more below)
  • Closing which might include reciting scout oath with scouts, and retiring of flags

It's really up to you how you want to organize your ceremony and reception afterwards.  Some Troop 370 traditions include using the candle case that displays 12 candles for the Law, 4 candles for the Oath, and individual candles for past Eagle Scouts.  Again, not every ceremony in our troop has used the candles.  Another tradition is having Eagle scouts stand with the Eagle Scout during the reading of the Eagle Charge.

What's next?

  1. Set the date and time of your ceremony with your Adviser and Scoutmaster. 
  2. Decide on location of your ceremony.  This can be at our host church.  It can also be at your own church, your school, or another auditorium that may have a special connection with your family.  Try to imagine what elements of the ceremony you wish to include.  If flags are going to be entered from the back to the front, make sure the ceiling is high enough without harming lighting and other structures in the ceiling.  Is a sound system available? 
  3. Once date, time, and location are decided, begin thinking about invitations to special guests.  Links to these individuals are listed below.  Invite them four weeks ahead of your ceremony date to give them time to print up any documentation they may present to you.  Do not short cut this step.  The more time you give to these individuals, the better chance they will be there to make your ceremony special.  Attach to your letter a biography of yourself that includes a brief description of your Eagle Project.  This will allow them to personalize any citations they may design for you.
  4. With your parents, meet with your Adviser to write your agenda for the ceremony.  You will need to select the people to assist with your ceremony:
    1. Scoutmaster to present your pins
    2. An Eagle Scout to read your Eagle Charge to you
    3. Special people in your life who may speak about your growth in life
    4. Other youth and adult leaders in the troop to read your biography, and open your Eagle Ceremony
    5. The youth who will lead different parts of your ceremony including the opening, closing, and escorts for your parents
    6. And most importantly, a Master of Ceremonies who oversees the entire presentation.
  5. Now write and mail your invitations for your regular guests.  Invitations may be purchased at the scout service center (717 667-9236).  You or someone in your family will need to run them through a printer with the specifics of your ceremony.  Order your agenda covers at the same time.
  6. Finalize your connections with people, your ceremony hall, and who will take care of your refreshments and details of your refreshments.
  7. Meet with you Adviser and review everything.  Then schedule your Eagle rehearsal ceremony with the Scoutmaster so that everyone has a chance to practice their parts.  Your Adviser will help lead this effort to make sure everyone works together.
  8. Print your agendas.  This should be done almost at the last minute to reflect any changes which always occur in the last few days before your ceremony.
  9. Most scout families set up a table to celebrate a scout's life in scouting, with pictures, recognition, and anything else that reflects growth of an Eagle Scout.
  10. Looks like you are ready for one of the biggest days of your life!  Don't worry if something doesn't go quite the way you expected.  Every Eagle Ceremony is beautiful, because everyone there wants to honor you.

 
Contact Bellefonte Elks.  A post card sometimes comes with your Eagle Kit that is delivered to your Scoutmaster.  Write the date, time, and place of your ceremony in the card and mail it.  If you do not receive a card, you will need to notify the Elks by mail.

Contact Information in case you do not receive the post card:

Bellefonte Elks
Eagle Scout Notification
120 W. High St.
Bellefonte, PA 16823
814-355-2828

Currently, Mr. Pat Corbett has been making the presentation for this recognition.

 

Below are links to names of special guests who may attend your ceremony and speak on your behalf.  The governor and president will not attend, but may send you a nice certificate you will still cherish.  Don't forget to invite the person who represents the organization where you completed your Eagle project.

Nittany Leathernecks (website explains with more detail.)

Write letter to:

Nittany Leathernecks Det.
P.O. Box 956
Lemont, PA 16851-0956

Kerry Benninghoff (Your representative might be someone else, but usually Kerry is present on his or her behalf as well)

Cris Dush (State Senator)

Bryan Sampsel (Centre County Sheriff)

Centre County Commissioners

Representative Glenn Thompson (US Representative)
The web link seems to not be working well.

Governor Josh Shapiro

President Joseph Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Your Eagle project contact person.  That person will probably want to speak on your behalf.

Sample letter to send to each individual

Sample biography to include with your letter
What is a Mentor's Pin?

Your Eagle award, mother and father pins, and Eagle Card are contained in one kit.  This kit is in the possession of the Scoutmaster up until your recognition ceremony.  But, there is also another special pin in your kit.  It is called the "Mentor's Pin". 

It is up to you to present this pin to an adult who helped you along the way.  It can be a parent, scoutmaster, Eagle Adviser, teacher, or just about anyone who had a special hand in guiding you during your scouting career. 

In the past, a few of our Eagles had two special people they wanted to recognize.  It is possible to order a second Mentor's Pin through the scoutmaster or scout office in Reedsville.

 Other links to regarding ceremonies and other aspects to make your day special:

Ceremonies and Charges

Ceremony Handbook (very comprehensive)

More ceremonies