Sample Board of Review Questions

Tenderfoot:

Ask the Scout some simple questions to help them relax. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Favorite movie? Favorite book? After the Scout answers, then all the adults should answer as well. This is a great ice breaker to help the new Scout and to get to know them.

What is the buddy system?
What does it mean to “Be Prepared”?
Why did you decide to join Scouts?
What skill did you enjoy learning the most?
Have you had to use these skills in your everyday life?
How did you feel during your first campout?
What is something you would do different at your next campout?
Do you camp outside of Scouts?
What is the most fun thing you have done is Scouting so far?
Tell me about a time you helped another Scout.
Who do you look up to in your patrol / troop and why?
What do you hope to accomplish in your first year as a Scout?
How do you feel about completing your first service project?
Have you learned the basics of Scout leadership, like the patrol method?
What do you think makes a good Scout?
What is the name of your patrol?
Do you have a patrol flag? A yell?
What was the most challenging skill you learned for Tenderfoot?
How did you prepare for your first Scoutmaster conference and/or Board of Review?
Tell me about a time you demonstrated the Scout Law at home and/or school?

Personal :

What grade are you in?
What school do you attend?
What do you do other than scouts?
Do you have any hobbies?

Second Class:

What outdoor skills have you learned since earning Tenderfoot?
Where did you go to learn how to use a map and compass?
Can you share an experience where you needed to use the First Aid skills you have learned?
What skill was the hardest for you to learn?
Which skill do you feel is or will be the most useful?
What is your favorite part about being in a patrol?
What goals do you have for your Scouting journey?
Tell us about a challenge you had during a campout and how you solved it.
Have you taught any skills to the younger scouts? What did you teach and how did it go?
What does teamwork mean to you?
Why is it important to be able to identify animals found in your community?
Tell us about the flag ceremony you participated in.
What did you think about learning to handle axes, saws, etc?
Have you earned any merit badges?
What one was your favorite / least favorite? Why?
Did you attend summer camp last summer? (OR will you be attending this summer?)
How do you use the Scout Law to help out at home? School? Church?
What are some activities you have done with the troop?
Tell us about a meal you cooked on a campout. Did turn out the way you thought it would?
Have you started to think about what leadership role you would like to try?
What did you do for your hour of service?
What type of service projects do you like to work on?
What requirement for this rank did you feel was the hardest? Easiest?
Was the swimming requirements difficult or easy for you? Do you like to swim?
What are your plans / goals for 1^st Class?

Personal:

How old are you?
Do your friends at school know that you are in scouts?
Do you have a hero? Who and why?
Do you have difficulty setting goals for yourself?

First Class:

On average, how many troop meetings do you attend each month?
What part of the troop meetings do you enjoy the most?
What part of the troop meetings do you enjoy the least?
What would you like to see changed at the troop meetings?
As a 1^st class Scout, do you feel there will be more expectations on you now?
Why do you think swimming is emphasized in Scouting?
Why is knowing first aid important?
Have you had to use any of the first aid you have learned so far? Tell us about it.
Why is it important for you to be able to recognize local plant life?
Why are merit badges apart of scouting?
How do you define – Scout Spirit?
Do you know what the Order of the Arrow (OA) is?
What was your role during your last campout?
Who was Lord Baden -Powell?
What accomplishment are you most proud of on your journey so far?
What was the most challenging for you while working on this rank? How did you overcome it?
Do you or have you held a leadership position?
How has holding a leadership position changed how you view leadership?
How do you set a good example for the younger scouts?
Since learning to cook with this rank, have you cooked more at home?
Do you enjoy tying knots and / or lashings? What camp gadget have you made?
Why is knowing the weather important?
Why do you feel it is important to be physically fit?
Why do you feel Scouts do service projects?
What advice would you give to a younger Scout?

Personal:

What grade are you in? How is school going?
Do you participate in any sports / band / choir?
Do you tell your friends about the things you get to do in scouting?
What is something you have done is Scouting that you never thought you would do?

Star Rank:

How have your Scout skills helped in a non-Scout activity?
What leadership position do you hold and what have you learned from it?
Tell us what you think makes a good leader.
Tell us about one of your service projects and what impact did it have?
What have you learned from either a mistake or a failure in scouting?
What would you do if someone in your patrol was being bullied or excluded?
How many merit badges have you earned?
What merit badge was the most difficult (fun, rewarding, challenging?)
Why do you think a Scoutmaster’s conference is requried for rank advancement?
Why do you think a Board of Review is important for rank advancement?
Why is a Court of Honor important?
Are in the OA? Do you participate in OA activities?
What do you think the role of the Star Scout is?
How do you feel your patrol functions as a team?
Have you participated in NYLT? National Youth Leadership Training.
Have you tried to implement changes in your patrol / troop? What were they and how did it go?
How would you describe the change in your thinking / actions / performance since you earned First Class?
What skills do you feel are the most helpful in life?
What is your goal for Eagle?
What have you learned in Scouts that you think will help you in life as an adult?

Personal:

How do you balance Scouts with school and your other commitments?
What are your personal goals and objectives?
What responsibilities do you have at home?
Have you received any special awards at school / church / athletics?

Life Rank:

Have any of the merit badges you earned helped you pick a career?
Of all the merit badges you have earned, which one do you think will be the greatest value to you as an adult?
Why do you think the 4 Citizenship merit badges are required for Eagle?
What leadership position do you currently hold? How long have you held it? What challenges have you had to overcome?
What leadership position have you held that you felt made the most impact on your troop?
What do you think is an important skill for a leader?
How do you choose between a Scouting activity, a school activity or a family activity?
Why do you think Star and Life Scouts are required to contribute so much time to service projects?
The Scout Oath refers to “Duty to Self “ – what duty do you think we have to ourselves?
Are you a member of the OA? Do you participate in events? What honor do you hold?
What is the difference between Scout Ranks and OA Honors?
Do you have any younger siblings in Scouting? Do you help them with their journey?
How does Scouting influence your interactions with others?
How do you help to keep the younger scouts involved?
If you could remove any word for the Scout Law what word would you remove? What word would you replace it with and why?

Personal:

What do you plan to do after high school?
What are your interests outside of Scouts?
Do you feel that Scouting has helped you to decide what to do as a career?
How does scouting take a part in your everyday life?

All Ranks:

Can you explain what the Scout Law means and give an example of how you try to live it?
What is the most important point of the Scout Law to you?
How do you show Scout Spirit in your troop / at home?
What’s something you would like to work on / improve on your way to the next rank?
What is one point of the Scout Law that you have a hard time following?
What part of the Scout Law is the most important to you?
Do you feel that you and your patrol get along?
Is there anything you would like to see changed in the patrol or troop meetings?
In the Scout Oath – “ I will do my best” – what does that mean to you?
What did you do today for a Good Turn Daily?
What does the Scout motto – Be Prepared – mean to you?
What part of the Scout Law is hardest for you to live up to?
Have you ever had to defend yourself because someone gave you a hard time about being in scouts? What did you say or do?
Do you share your Scouting experiences with friends and try to get them to join?
Do you have any questions or concerns for the board?

Eagle Scout Rank Advancement

The Board of Review for the Eagle Rank is different from the other Boards of Review in which the Scout has participated. The members of the Board of Review are not all from his Troop Committee. Introductions are essential, and a few “break in” questions may be appropriate.

At this point, the goal is to understand the Scout’s full Scouting experience, and how others can have similar meaningful Scouting experiences. Scouting principles and goals should be central to the Scout’s life; look for evidence of this.

Although this is the final rank, this is not the end of the Scouting trail; “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle”. Explore how this Eagle Scout will continue with Scouting activities, and continued service to his home, church, and community.

The approximate time for this Board of Review should be 30 – 50 minutes.

Eagle Board of Review Guidelines

The Board of Review for an Eagle candidate is composed of at least three but not more than six members. These members do not have to be registered in Scouting, but they must have an understanding of the importance and purpose of the Eagle Board of Review. One member serves as Chairman. Unit leaders, assistant unit leaders, relatives or guardians may not serve as members of a Scout’s Board of Review. At least one District advancement representative must be a member of the Eagle Board of Review if the review is conducted at a unit level. A Scout may request a District Board of Review which will consist of members of the District Advancement Committee and/or District members who have an understanding of the importance of the Eagle Board of Review. In no case should a relative or guardian of the candidate attend the review, either as a participant or observer. The contents of the Board of Review are confidential and the proceedings are not to be disclosed to any person who is not a member of the Board of Review.

The Board members need to convene prior to interviewing the candidate (15 to 30 minutes.) The purpose of meeting before the actual interview is to:

Review the prospective Eagle Scout’s application.
Read his reference letters and other important documents.
Become thoroughly familiar with his service project by assessing his final report and any available pictures.
Review these guidelines to help formulate pertinent questions.

During this initial meeting, the Chairman makes sure everyone is introduced to one another, sees that everyone has an opportunity to review all the paperwork and determines that all understand the goals of this Board, which are:

1. The Board determines that the Eagle project was successfully carried out.

Did the candidate demonstrate leadership?

Did he indeed direct the project himself, rather than do all the work himself or allow someone else to direct the project?

Was the project of value to the institution, school or community group?

Who from the benefiting group may be contacted to verify the value of the project?

Did the project follow the plan, or were modifications necessary to complete it – what did the candidate learn from making the modifications?

2. The Board should be assured of the candidate’s participation in and understanding of the Scouting program.

3. A thorough discussion of his successes and experiences in Scouting must take place.

As the documents are making the rounds, the Chairman should add any relevant data of which he is aware. It is best if the Chairman has personally viewed the completed project – if that is not possible, a phone call to the benefiting group’s representative to discuss the merits of the project will do. The following guidelines must be kept in mind during the questioning of the project:

The review is not an examination; the Board does not test the candidate. However, the Board should not be a “rubber stamp” approval process. Appearance of the candidate before the Eagle Board of Review does not mean automatic attainment of the Eagle Rank.
The Board should attempt to determine the Scout’s attitude toward and acceptance of Scouting’s ideals
The Board should make sure that good standards of performance have been met in all phases of his life.
A discussion of the Scout Oath and Scout Law is in keeping with the questioning.
Be sure the candidate recognizes and understands the value of Scouting in his home, unit, school and community.
The Scout should be encouraged to talk – don’t ask questions answerable with a simple yes or no.

Once the Scout’s Eagle Application, service project paperwork, letters of recommendation and these guidelines are reviewed, the Scoutmaster is asked to introduce the candidate to the Board (as a courtesy the Board members should stand). The Scoutmaster can be invited to remain as an observer and may be called upon to clarify a point in question. The candidate is asked to begin the Board by reciting the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

The interview process:

Ask him questions about his understanding and adherence to the Scout Oath and Scout Law: The Board should make sure that good standards have been met in all phases of the Scout’s life. A discussion of the Scout Oath and Scout Law is in keeping with the purpose of the review, to make sure that the candidate recognizes and understands the value of Scouting in his home, unit, school and community.

What is the hardest point of the Scout Law for him to live by – why?

What point of the Scout Law is the most important to him – why?

What does “Scouting Spirit” mean to him – why?

What do the various points of the Scout Law mean to him?

What values has Scouting taught him that he thinks others see in him – at home, in his unit, at school and/or in the community?

How does he live by the Scout Law and Oath?

What do the different points of the Scout Oath mean to him?

What does “duty to God” mean to him?

What does “duty to Country” mean to him?

How does he “help others at all times”?

How does he feel about wearing his uniform in public?

Ask him questions about his camping experiences:

What was his most enjoyable experience in Scouting?

Conversely, what was his least enjoyable experience?

How many summer camps has he attended and where?

What did he enjoy most about his summer camp experiences?

Has he attended any High Adventure camps (Parsons, Silver Marmot, Mountainman or Philmont) – where and what did he enjoy about them – describe the experience.

As him about his outdoor experiences in Scouting – campouts, 50 milers, etc.

Ask him what he remembers of the “Outdoor Code”.

As him if he has staffed any summer camps – what did he learn from the experience and what did he enjoy about the experience.

Ask him questions related to his Scouting experience:

What leadership positions has he held?

What were his responsibilities in each position?

What leadership position does he hold now?

Ask him what he would do if a scout refused to comply and/or ignored a valid request he made in the performance of his duties.

Ask him about his troop’s discipline policy and where he figures in it in his present leadership position.

Ask him how he might handle “hurry-up” first aid cases.

Ask him other questions related to merit badges he has earned (remember you are not testing him).

Has he earned any merit badges that will help him in his choice of occupation?

What merit badge did he enjoy working on the most – why?

Conversely, which one did he enjoy working on the least – why?

Ask him what changes he might make in his unit.

If he earns his Eagle rank tonight, what does he intend to do to repay Scouting, his unit and its leaders?

Who has been the most influential person in his Scouting career?

Is there anything Scouting did not give him that he feels could be beneficial to the program to help other young men develop?

Ask him pertinent questions about his project. The Board should make sure that a good standard of performance has been met.

What group benefited from his project?

How did he find out about the need?

Ask him to walk the Board through the project from beginning to end

The planning phase

The organization of personnel

Directing the project to completion

Did he have to contact any city, county or state officials for permits or to find out about ordinances, etc. – did the Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge help – how?

Once his project was approved, did he have to modify it – what did he learn from that experience?

Who did he get involved in helping him with his project – scouts, adults from his troop, members of the benefiting organization….?

Did he have any problems directing adults in their work – how did he feel about that?

In what ways does he feel he demonstrated leadership in this project?

Every scouts feels his project was “special” – how is his project “special”?

Thirty years from now when someone else asks him what he did for his Eagle project, what will stand out in his mind – how will he answer that question?

Ask him about his plans for the future. The Board should attempt to determine the Scout’s ideals and goals.

Ask him about his plans for the future – college, Armed Forces, trade school, ….

How does he feel earning Eagle will help him in those plans?

When he turns 18, he assumes some new responsibilities – What are they? Sign up for the draft, register to vote and responsible for his actions in the eyes of the law.

What should an Eagle Scout be expected to do and what responsibilities does he think come with the rank?

What does he plan to do in scouting in the immediate and long range future?

These are by no means the only questions that may be asked. They are merely examples to be used as a springboard to other questions and further discussion. Please do not assume that you are to ask only these questions and consider the interview complete. The interview should come to a natural conclusion as each board member runs out of questions.

There is not set length of time for an Eagle Board of Review. However, 15 minutes is probably too short and an hour is probably too long. After the review, the candidate and his unit leader leave the room while the board members discuss the acceptability of the candidate as an Eagle Scout. Because of the importance of the Eagle Scout Award, the decision of the Board of Review must be unanimous. If the candidate meets the requirements, he is asked to return and is informed that he will receive the Board’s recommendation for the Eagle award.

Immediately after the Board of Review and after the application has been appropriately signed, the application is turned into the Council Service Center. A photocopy of the application should be attached to an Advancement Form and submitted to the Council Service Center as well.

If the candidate is found unacceptable, he is asked to return and told the reasons for his failure to qualify. A discussion should be held with him as to how he may meet the requirements within a given period. Should the applicant disagree with the decision, the appeal procedures should be explained to him. A follow-up letter must be sent to the Scout confirming the agreements reached on the action(s) necessary for the advancement. If the Scout chooses to appeal, provide the name
and address of the person he is to contact.

Sample Questions

Rank Appropriate

What would you suggest adding to the Scout Law (a thirteenth point)? Why?
What one point could be removed from the Scout Law? Why?
Why is it important to learn how to tie knots, and lash together poles and logs?
What is the difference between a “Hollywood hero” and a real hero?
Can you give me an example of someone who is a hero to you? (A real person, not a character in a book or movie.)
Why do you think that the Family Life merit badge was recently added to the list of required merit badges?
What camping experience have you had, that you wish every Scout could have?
Have you been to Philmont or a National (International) Jamboree? What was your most memorable experience there?
What is the role of the Senior Patrol Leader at a troop meeting (campout, summer camp)?
If you could change one thing to improve Scouting, what would you change?
What do you believe our society expects from an Eagle Scout?
The charge to the Eagle requires that you give back to Scouting more than Scouting has given to you. How do you propose to do that?
As an Eagle Scout, what can you personally do to improve your unit?
What will you be doing in your unit, after receiving your Eagle Rank?
Tell us how you selected your Eagle Service Project.
From your Eagle Service Project, what did you learn about managing or leading people? What are the qualities of a good leader?
What part of your Eagle Service Project was the most challenging? Why?
If you were to manage another project similar to your Eagle Service Project, what would you do differently to make the project better or easier?
What are your future plans (high school, college, trade school, military, career, etc.)?
Tell us about your family (parents, siblings, etc.). How do you help out at home?
What do you think is the single biggest issue facing Scouting in the future?
How do your friends outside of Scouting react when they learn that you are a Boy Scout? How do you think they will react when they learn that you have become an Eagle Scout?
Why do you think that belief in God (a supreme being) is part of the Scouting requirements?
How do you know when a Scout is “active” in his unit?
You have been in Scouting for many years, sum up all of those experiences in one word. Why?
What one thing have you gained from your Scoutmaster’s conferences over the years?
How does an Eagle Scout continue to show Scout Spirit?
If the Scout is a member of the Order of the Arrow:

What does OA membership mean to you?
How does OA help Scouting and your unit?
Who brought Scouting from England to the United States? [Answer: William D. Boyce]
[Traditional last questions] Why should this Board of Review approve your request for the Eagle Rank? or Why should you be an Eagle Scout?

Personal Data

What is your full name?
How old are you?
With whom do you live?
What do you do to make your home a pleasant place to live?
Who do you feel is responsible for you being before us today?
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your spare time?
What do you consider to be your strongest attribute? Why?
What do you consider to be your greatest weakness? What are you doing to overcome this weakness?
How does Scouting influence your interactions with people?
How are you different now, then when you joined Scouting?
Have you ever entered into a competition that you knew you would win “hands-down”, only to come out second in the end? Any competition, sports…band…individual events. How did you handle it?
If you had the opportunity to meet and talk for an hour with any person in the world (alive or dead)… who would it be and what would you ask that person?

What Do You Think

{Please stand, give the Scout Sign, and SLOWLY recite the Scout Oath and Law… as you do contemplate each point carefully}

Of the twelve (12) points in the Scout Law, which one (1) is the most important to you? Why?
Let’s say BSA decided to shorten the Scout Law, and you had to eliminate one (1) of the twelve (12) points. Which would you eliminate and why? If you could, what would you replace that point with?
What is “Honor”? What does it mean when you say “On My Honor”?
What does “A Scout is Reverent” mean to you?
What does it mean to be an Eagle Scout? What burdens and responsibilities come with being Eagle? Once an Eagle… An Eagle for life…Are you prepared for this?
What is an Eagle Scout’s duty to his country?
How do you feel that becoming an Eagle might affect your life?
What constitutes a “Good Turn” for you? Tell me about a Good Turn you’ve done recently.
How do you keep yourself “Mentally Awake”? “Morally Straight”?

Teamwork

Have you been carrying any additional responsibilities in the Troop since you became Life? What have you done? How did you go about it?
What strengths and weaknesses have you noticed in the various Patrols? What would you suggest to correct the weaknesses?
What do you think of the Patrol Method? How has the Troop performed in giving the Patrols the support they need?
How can the Troop improve on it’s training of youth leaders?
How do you see your role in the Troop changing after becoming an Eagle?

Your Progress

Now that you have at least 21 merit badges, do you think that any one you have earned might lead you into a life’s career? Which one?
What was the hardest merit badge for you to complete? Why was it so hard? Could the Troop have helped you to make it any easier? Should the Troop have helped you?
What do you think you can pass on to the younger Scouts in the Troop? Have you ever thought of looking into becoming a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM) or as an adult an Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM)?
If a Tenderfoot asked you for help in working on a merit badge, would you help him, send him to someone else, or tell him to concentrate on the skills needed for Second Class? Why would you advise him this way?
In the different Scouting leadership positions you have held, do you feel that you did your best at all times to make that job operate the best that you could? If not, what would you do differently?

The Eagle Project

Tell me a little about your Eagle Project.
Did you have any difficulty planning your project? How did you chose your project?
How did you demonstrate Leadership during your project?
What problems did you encounter, and how did you overcome them?
What help did you require in completing your project?
What suggestions do you have for other eagle candidates looking to start the Eagle Project process?

The Big Picture

What do you consider to be the purpose of the merit badge program?
Do you think Scouting has more positive points, or negative points? Why?
What is your most memorable Scouting experience?
Have you ever felt that any one person (youth or adult) epitomized leadership? What made this person such a strong role model for leadership?
If you could send one message to every Scout, what would it be?
If for any reason this Board were not to pass you today, what would you do? Assuming you pass, where will you go from here?

Eagle Palms

Eagle Palms are awarded for continued leadership and skills development (merit badges) after the Eagle Rank has been earned. The purpose of this Board of Review is to ensure that the Eagle Scout remains active within the unit, contributes to the leadership of the unit, and assists with the growth of the other Scouts within the unit.

The approximate time for this Board of Review should be 15 minutes.

Sample Questions

As an Eagle, have the Scout Oath and Law gained new meaning for you? How?
Why is it important to developing and identify leadership? How do you do this?
Since earning your Eagle, what merit badges have you earned?
Since earning your Eagle (last Palm), in what service projects have you participated?
How do you plan to continue your involvement with Scouting?
What would you say to a Life Scout who is only minimally active within his unit, and who does not seem motivated to continue along the Scouting Trail?
If a Life Scout was having difficulty selecting an Eagle Service Project, what would you suggest to him?
What is the primary role of the Scoutmaster?
How have you begun to “… give back to Scouting more than Scouting has given to you”.
In what year was the first World Jamboree held? [Answer: 1920]

Advancement & Awards

Tenderfoot:

Second Class:

First Class:

Star Rank:

Life Rank:

All Ranks:

Eagle Scout Rank Advancement

Eagle Board of Review Guidelines

Sample Questions

Rank Appropriate

Personal Data

What Do You Think

Teamwork

Your Progress

The Eagle Project

The Big Picture

More Questions

Eagle Palms

Sample Questions