The Eagle Scout Court of Honor is the highlight of your Scouting career, and is a special occasion for more than just you, the Eagle Scout. If you take some time to plan ahead, things will go much smoother and it will always be a special memory for your whole family. Please note that it often takes 6 to 8 weeks to make all the necessary arrangements, print invitations, etc. Lots of helpful information and more details can be found at www.eaglescout.org/finale/coh/coh.html. The following pages summarize the key steps that should be taken by the Eagle Scout Candidate and their family to plan the Eagle Court of Honor.
® Set the Date, Time, and Place of the Ceremony. The date, time, and place of the Court of Honor Ceremony are up to you. You should, of course, be aware of holidays, school, church and Troop schedules. This will allow a maximum opportunity for others to attend. The Eagle Court may be done at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, at your own church, in a park, at a Scout camp, or at any another location that has special significance. At Holy Spirit Lutheran Church the ceremony can be held in the sanctuary, in the fellowship hall where the troop usually meets, or in the downstairs fellowship hall with the big kitchen. If you choose HSLC, please notify the Troop Committee Chair so they can call the church and reserve the space.
® Reception. Since the location of the Court of Honor is your choice, the place of a reception afterwards is also yours. Whether or not to have a reception, what kind of refreshments, how much to have, etc. are all up to you. If asked, members of the committee will help with these arrangements, but the principal direction and decisions must be yours. Receptions can range from a simple cake and punch affair to a full-blown barbecue, and because of this wide variation the family is responsible for the cost of the reception. At Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, a reception can be held in the fellowship hall (where the troop usually meets), in the downstairs fellowship hall with the kitchen, or outside on the lawn. It is possible to have the ceremony and the reception in the same room. The Troop can provide parents to help you set up, decorate, serve, and clean up. Alternatively, the reception can be at the home of the Eagle Scout. The time, place, and type of reception should be decided before invitations are mailed.
® Invitations. When the ceremony/reception date, time and location have been determined, please notify the Troop Committee Chair and the Troop will print the invitations. We will give these to you for addressing and mailing (the family provides their own postage). Beyond your immediate family, there are grandparents, uncles, aunts, teachers, clergy, family friends, VIP's, and past Scout leaders who may want to attend. The members of the Troop will all be invited by a separate Troop flyer or email. You may also have your own invitations printed (at your own expense) if you prefer.
® Publicity. The family may choose to send out a press release or purchase an announcement in local newspapers. Mail all news releases to the editor of your local newspaper and newsletters at least a week in advance of the presentation. Because of space limitations, most large newspapers deal exclusively with photos and captions of Eagle Scouts. Smaller suburban newspapers welcome photos and longer articles and are more likely to use them.
® Eagle Commendation Letters. It is common practice to write to a variety of government officials, celebrities, and others to request Commendation letters for a new Eagle Scout. These letters are then presented at the Court of honor, usually in the form or a scrapbook. Keep in mind that it may take several weeks for many of these letters to arrive, so make your requests as soon as possible. A list of addresses and form letters can be found at www.macscouter.com/Eagle/Addresses.html or www.eaglescout.org/finale/coh/ invite.html#tEagle%20Commendation%20Letters
® Court of Honor Ceremony. There are many different ceremonies that can be used for an Eagle Court. See www.eaglescout.org/finale/coh/coh.htmI for several examples, as well as programs from past Troop 570 Eagle Courts. However, your ceremony should have most of the following elements:
1. The Master of Ceremonies - usually the Senior Patrol Leader of the Troop, but you may select another Scout or adult leader if you choose.
2. Color Guard - usually be composed of Troop members, but you may select other Scouts (e.g. friends from a Jamboree Troop or Philmont Trek) if you desire.
3. Invocation - usually given by a Scout (Chaplain Aide) or the Scout's religious leader, if they are present.
4. Guest Speakers - The main purpose is for one or more adults, in different aspects of the Scout's life, to briefly tell about the effort and accomplishment of the Scout, from their personal experience. At a minimum this should be the Scoutmaster. However, others could include a speaker from the Church (the Scout's pastor, priest, or rabbi, or someone from the church where the COH is performed). A significant teacher or perhaps someone from the community, 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. The last speaker will be the Scoutmaster, who will relate the Scout's record of accomplishments and scouting history in the Troop.
5. Ceremonies - optional ceremonies, poems, a slide show, etc. can be included in the COH. See examples at www.eaglescout.org/finale/coh/coh.htmI.
6. Eagle Scout Challenge - is an optional statement of the responsibilities of an Eagle Scout. Another Eagle Scout or the Scoutmaster or other adult leader can give the Challenge. See the web sites for examples of various Challenges.
7. Eagle Scout Charge - is a required element, and is the actual "oath of responsibility" that immediately precedes the presentation of the Eagle Award. It must be given by an Eagle Scout, youth or adult, who is chosen by the Eagle candidate.
8. Eagle Badge Award - the actual Eagle badge may be presented to the Scout by the parents, a grandparent, or anyone the Scout chooses. The parents will be a part of this ceremony. The Scout will receive his award, and he will in turn, present miniature rank pins to both parents.
9. Other Awards - The committee chair or another troop committee member will present the Scout with various gifts and awards from the Troop.
10. Reflections - the Eagle Scout is expected to say a few words in acceptance of his award, perhaps thanking particular people who have been of special help along his trail as well as inspiring others Scout's still working the Trail to Eagle. 11. Letters of Congratulation - The Master of Ceremonies may read from a few letters of congratulations and recognition from political figures or others unable to attend. This should be very brief, and not drag on.
® Features of a Good Eagle Ceremony Here are a few things to keep in mind while planing an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony:
1. The ceremony should have a definitive opening, like a presentation of colors, an invocation, or a declaration by the Master of Ceremonies, such as "On behalf of the Chief Seattle Council, Boy Scouts of America, I now declare this Eagle Court of Honor open." 2. In a complete but brief manner, the Advancement Chair should summarize what must be accomplished to attain the Eagle Scout rank. (Explicit mention should be made of the candidate's Eagle Service project.) 3. The Eagle candidate's parents should be escorted to the front of the room and should stand or sit near their son. (If neither of his parents is able to attend, his guardian, a close relative or friend should join him.) 4. The Eagle candidate should reaffirm his belief in the ideals of Scouting by either reciting the Scout Oath or participating in the Eagle charge. 5. The presenter of the Eagle badge should be someone of special significance to the Eagle candidate. The presenter should be given a few moments to speak concerning the individual Scout or the Eagle Award. 6. Either the presenter (assisted by a troop committee member), the Scoutmaster, or the Scout's parents should pin the badge on the Eagle recipient. 7. Both the mother and father should receive some recognition from the Eagle Scout himself. 8. The Eagle Scout should receive congratulations from all people involved. Some of the letters of congratulations may be read to those present. 9. The Eagle Scout should be given the opportunity to say a few words or reflection on his Scouting career, what earning Eagle means to him, and especially to thank his parents, leaders, and fellow Scouts for their assistance along the trail. 10. The ceremony should have a definite closing, like a retreat of colors, a benediction, or a declaration by the Master of Ceremonies, such as "On behalf of the Chief Seattle Council, Boy Scouts of America, I now declare this Eagle Court of Honor closed."
® Program. Once the ceremony has been planned and the speakers and Scouts confirmed, the Eagle Court of Honor program can be finalized. The Troop Committee Chair will work with the Eagle Scout and his family to design the program. The Troop will print the programs for the Eagle Court of Honor.
® Memory Table. The reception is a good time and place to display a 'memory table' with pictures and other items representing your son's involvement with Scouting. Items suggested are the Eagle Scout Project Notebook, photo albums from Troop activities, items from Cub Scouts, Pinewood Derby cars, Scout books, things made for merit badges, anything showing what the Scout has done on his Trail to Eagle.
® Guest Book. It is a good idea for the family to purchase and bring a guest book to be signed as guests arrive, and at the reception.
® Thank You Notes - the Eagle should acknowledge the guest speakers and any gifts with a thank you note within 1 to 2 weeks after the COH.
EAGE COURT OF HONOR PLANNING TIMETABLE: What When
Mail requests for Eagle Commendation Letters to officials, celebrities, etc.
8 to 12 weeks prior to Eagle Court
Set the Date, Time, and Place for Eagle Court and Reception. Be sure HSLC or other location is available on that date.
6 to 8 weeks prior to Eagle Court
Start collecting old photos, mementos, etc for memory table
4 - 6 weeks prior to Eagle Court
Mail invitations to family, friends, relatives
3-4 weeks prior to Eagle Court
Ask and confirm participation of Master of Ceremonies, Guest Speakers, Scout Color Guard, and others conducting the COH 3 weeks prior to Eagle Court
3-4 weeks prior to Eagle Court
Plan reception
2-3 weeks prior to Eagle Court
Finalize ceremony and print programs
2 weeks prior to Eagle Court
Send out press release to newspapers
I week prior to Eagle Court
Re-confirm participation of Master of Ceremonies, Guest Speakers, Scout Color Guard, and others conducting the COH
