To gain full advantage of all that scouting has to offer, you need to be present when things are happening. Take part in meetings, in planning activities, and in the fun adventures. If you're there, you can do your part to make your patrol and troop a success.

The Patrol Leaders' Council and the Troop Committee have noted that some Scouts get their required time recorded, and then "drop out" until they think they are ready for the next rank. This behavior doesn't exemplify "loyal" or "obedient", or to "do my best..." However, it is recognized that there are a lot of things that can compete with a Scout's ability to attend meetings.

The Patrol Leaders' Council has agreed that in order to be considered for advancement, a Scout must not only have the requisite attendance, but must also have afterwards at least a 50% attendance record for meetings and outings. This arrangement gives Scouts time to schedule sport, family and church activities, while still sharing his increasing leadership skills with his Scout Troop.

2. Demonstrate the Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.

By now, doing good turns should be a regular part of your day. You should always be on the lookout for ways to help others.

By now, Be Prepared should describe your efforts to make the most of educational opportunities, get along with others, and take part in outdoor adventures.

By now, the Scout Oath and the twelve parts of the Scout Law should be the guidelines by which you direct your actions in your family, community, church, school, and nation.

Living by these high standards is always a personal choice, and something only you can fully measure. But by now, many other people should be seeing qualities in you that make it clear you are choosing wisely.

Your standing as a Scout does not depend so much on the skills of your hands or the badges on your merit badge sash, as on the spirit in your heart - on what you are willing to do for others, on whether you are doing your very best to live the Scout Oath and Law.

3. Earn a total of 6 merit badges (including 4 Eagle required ones) for Star, and a total of 11 merit badges (including 3 more Eagle required ones) for life.

4. Take part in service projects totaling at least 6 hours of work (to reach Star and Life). These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster.

Service to others has been a hallmark of the Boy Scouts of America since its beginnings. Good Turns and special projects involving your troop have encouraged you to seek ways to help others. The Star and Life service projects allow you to expand the scope of your good works.

Troop 129 believes that just "putting in time" as a participant in litter hikes are not going to serve you best, in preparing you for your Eagle project. The Patrol Leaders' Council would like to encourage all Star and Life candidates to consider "real" leadership projects. Helping to organize and carry out a special Sunday School class project at your church, which might take a couple of hours to plan and complete, is an example of a good "beginner" leadership project. Remember to get the Scoutmaster's input and approval!

5. Serve actively for 4 months (to reach Star) and 6 months (to reach life) in one or more positions of responsibility within the Troop, or carry out a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project to help the Troop. This is recorded on a Troop 129 Monthly Leadership Report (PDF file or DOC file), available from the Scoutmaster.

The longer you are in Scouting, the more your Troop will recognize your experience and knowledge by offering you positions of leadership. Being a good leader is a skill that can be learned only by doing it. Troop leadership opportunities will allow you to speak in front of people, guide discussions, make decisions, and encourage others toward greater achievements.

To properly demonstrate this leadership, and to get the most out of the opportunity for learning that each position offers, the Patrol Leaders' Council and the Troop Committee have requested that each Scout in a leadership position fill out a special form for each month of his leadership. This form will help you document your service in a leadership position, and it will help you grow in your understanding of what leadership means.

Turn your form into the Scoutmaster at the end of each month for recording.

6. Take part in a Scoutmaster Conference.

7. Complete your Board of Review.