The Ultimate Eagle Scout Project: 12-Year-Old Boy Scout Offers Women Breast Exams for Free

By age 13, I was a Life Scout with over 40 merit badges. My next step toward achieving Eagle rank was to plan and carryout an Eagle Scout Project.


I had some pretty good ideas.

1. After completing my fingerprinting merit badge with Agent Molen, a former employee of the FBI, I thought it would be beneficial to the community to host an event at the local elementary school on a Saturday afternoon when Moms could take their kids down and have them fingerprinted so the police could have them on file in case they were ever lost or kidnapped.

2. Another idea I had was to build and install new park benches at a Ferrel McCorder Park. This local park has been a family favorite for years. We loved to take walks along the wilderness trails and through the acres of meadows. When we had finished our walks we always wished we could sit down, but the wooden benches had grown moldy and rotten in the moist, Seattle weather. I thought we could somehow make some plastic-coated metal benches that we could paint camouflage, instead of bright orange like all the other new benches. That way, they wouldn't be an eye sore against the natural backdrop. Unfortunately, I felt that "The Bench Project" wouldn't require enough community participation and leadership on my part.

3. The idea I decided to go with, however, was to collect, refurbish and distribute at least 25 bicycles to a local kids club. It was a lot of fun! First, I raised money for parts by soliciting local businesses. Once I had raised $500, I asked some local bike experts to participate by hosting "fixing stations." [Fixing Stations specialized in working on specific bike parts like, brakes, gears, tires, chains, etc.] One weekend afternoon, I invited anyone in the community to come down to the local stake center parking lot and learn how to repair bikes by rotating station to station and working on the bikes under the direction of the experts. The project was a complete success! I was even recognized at a banquet for outstanding Eagle Scout projects for my unique and effective idea.

Now a days, young Scouts are getting recognized for the strangest ideas:

12-Year-Old Boy Scouts Volunteer To Give Women Breast Exams

Notice how the banners became increasingly ludicrous.

1. Boy Scouts Volunteering to Help Women With Breast Exam -- At first, you're like "Aww, how thoughtful."

2. Scouts Hope to Help Hundreds of Women Examine Breasts -- "Hundreds?! Wow that's pretty ambitious."

3. Brian and Zack Getting the Word Out at the Local Health Club -- "Ok. Makes sense."

4. Scouts Say Idea for Project Came to Them While at the Local Pool -- "Hey, wait a second..."

5. Scouts Say Blondes at Highest Risk, May Need Multiple Checkups -- "Now, really?! Where did they get that statistic?"

6. Scouts hope to publicize Project by Examining Jessica Alba -- "Ok. This has to be a joke."


But seriously, here are the reasons why I knew this project was fictional:

Aside from the morally unscrupulous nature of this project, there are surprisingly only four issues with them carrying out this project:

1. No more than one boy is allowed to use a project as an Eagle Requirement.  Preface to the Project Requirements.

2. Requirement #4 requires that a Scout hold a certain rank (Tenderfoot-Eagle) for 6 full months before advancing to the next rank. Since you are only allowed to become a Tenderfoot Scout at age 12, it would be impossible to move up 4 ranks in only 6 months.

3. Per requirement #5, the initial project idea would NEVER be approved by the Scoutmaster and troop committee nor by the council or district before the prospective Eagle would be allowed to start.

4. No where during the explanation of this project does it mention the boys' mothers. Everyone knows that it is the Mothers who secretly do at least 75% of the work in these things.

Official Eagle Scout Requirements

Requirement 1 -- Be active in your troop, team, crew, or ship for a period of at six months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout.

Requirement 2 -- Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf.

Requirement 3 -- Earn a total of 21 merit badges (required badges are listed on the application). List the month, day, and year the merit badge was earned.

Requirement 4 -- While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of six months in a position of responsibility.

Requirement 5 -- Plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project*.

Requirement 6 -- Statement of ambitions and life purpose; hold Scoutmasters conference.

*From the Official Eagle Scout Project Workbook:

"Eagle Scout Requirement 5: While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. The project idea must be approved by your Scoutmaster and troop committee and by the council or district before you start."

––Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, No. 18-927


Thanks, Mom, for all your help.