The Eagle Scout represents the highest rank achievable in scouting. Since Arthur Eldred (said to hail from either an Oceanside or Rockville Centre troop) became the first Eagle Scout in 1912, the rank has represented a milestone of accomplishment, and more than 2.5 million scouts have earned the honor over the past century.
Requirements have changed over the decades, and currently, candidates must earn a total of 21 merit badges, including the following required 12: Camping, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving, Environmental Science, First Aid, Cycling or Hiking or Swimming, Personal Management, Personal Fitness, Family Life.
What separates the Eagle Scouts—which have ranged from 4 to 7 percent of total scouts achieving the rank per year—is the duty “to plan, develop, and carry out a service project helpful to [his] church or synagogue, school, or community approved in advance by [his] Scoutmaster.”
—From www.scouting.org
