EAGLE COURT OF HONOR
Checklist of People Needed:
Aide to Court of Honor (SPL or PL)              __________________
Pledge of Allegiance and escort

Chaplain (Troop, Ordained, or designated)       __________________
Invocation

Master of Ceremonies (Troop Committee Chairman) __________________

Scoutmaster                                     __________________

District Advancement Committee Representative   __________________

Older Eagle Scout                               __________________
"The Challenge"

Eagle Scout Charge                              __________________

Mayor                                           __________________


EAGLE COURT OF HONOR SCRIPT

AIDE TO COURT (SPL): Hear Ye,  Hear Ye!  
All persons having business before this
Court of Honor of the ______________ District, ______________
Council,  Boy  Scout  of  America,  draw near and give respectful
attention.  The Court of Honor is now  in session.   The audience
will please arise and remain standing." (Color Guard advances)

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

CHAPLAIN: 
"A Scout is reverent.  Let us bow our heads and say a prayer
to ask the blessing of the Almighty God upon this  Court and upon
those that are present."  (Prayer is then said.)

(Any Adult Recognition Said at this time)

MASTER OF CEREMONIES (Troop Committee Chairman):
As  Master  of  Ceremonies,  I  am very happy to welcome all
Scouts, Scouters, and friends of Scouting to this Court of Honor.
I am  proud to  see that  Troop ___ is on the forward march.  The
Eagle Badge  to be  awarded tonight gives ample  proof that your 
unit is  alive.   I have always considered advancement as the key
to a good unit, but when I speak of advancement  I am  not merely
thinking  of  individual  skills  that are learned to qualify but
more so of advancement in the Scout Spirit which is  the fruit of
putting the  Scout Law  into practice.   The Scout Badge you wear
signifies to me that you have not only learned and passed certain
skills but also that your committee had judged that you are doing
your best to live up to your Scout promise.

The Scout uniform demonstrates to all  who see  you that you
have chosen  the Scout  Program as  a means to a better manner of
living.  But your Badge of Rank signifies the degree in which you
have succeeded  in doing  this.   We expect a Tenderfoot Scout to
prove that he is making a sincere effort to live  up to  his oath
and  law.    We  expect  him  to  make  use  of the opportunities
presented to him to do a  good  turn  daily  so  that  he  may be
prepared to  render service to God and his fellow man.  To this a
Scout must thereby keep himself physically strong, mentally awake
and morally straight.

We now come to that part of the Troop ___s ceremony tonight
where we are to give recognition to five candidates for  the rank
of Eagle  Scout.   The awarding  of this  rank is a important and
serious matter.  It is  the  goal  for  which  a  Scout  has been
working since  he joined the Boy Scouts.  It is also the crowning
point of the various efforts of  his  Scout  Leaders. For this 
reason, It  is an  occasion of  joy and pride but also a time for
serious contemplation.  We realize that  this is  the highest and
most coveted  rank in all Scouting.  It is the last major step in
the advancement program.  It is proper that proof be  given, that
proper  and   careful  consideration   has  been   taken  in  the
examination of this applicant for the Eagle Rank.

DISTRICT ADVANCEMENT CHAIRMAN REPRESENTATIVE: 
As the  _______________  District  Advancement Chairman
representative   for   ________________  Council,   it   is   my
responsibility to see that only worthy candidates are admitted to
the Eagle Rank.

Will Aide______________ please escort Eagle Candidates (Names) forward.

I should  like to ask your Scoutmaster, ______________________, what
examination has been made of this applicant.

SCOUTMASTER: 
(Gives brief proof of qualifications by reading citation.)

DISTRICT ADVANCEMENT CHAIRMAN REPRESENTATIVE:
In light of these various inquiries, I find the five
applicants qualified for the Eagle Rank.    However, if anyone
knows of any reason why these Scouts should not be awarded the
rank of Eagle Scout, let him speak now.

OLDER EAGLE SCOUT (someone who earned Eagle Scout prior to the candidate):
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Court.

I represent all the Eagle Scouts of the ___________
Council.   We do not object to the awarding of this badge, but we
believe the applicant should understand that the Eagle Rank is a
responsibility as well as an honor. We respectfully ask that the
applicant be informed of the responsibilities of an Eagle Scout
before the Badge is awarded.

DISTRICT ADVANCEMENT CHAIRMAN REPRESENTATIVE:
The Court concurs in your feelings. Please state these
responsibilities for the applicant.

OLDER EAGLE SCOUT:
The first responsibility of an Eagle Scout Is to live with
HONOR. An Eagle's honor is sacred.   Honor is the foundation of
all character. Character is what one really is down deep inside,
not what someone thinks one is nor what others think on is.   An
Eagle Scout will so live that he will reflect credit upon his
home, his church, his school, his Scouting unit, and upon
himself.   The White of the Eagle Badge will always remain you to
live with honor.

The second responsibility of an Eagle Scout is LOYALTY. You
must be loyal to God by keeping His Commandments. You must be
loyal to all whom God has placed over you.   Without loyalty all
character lacks direction.   An Eagle Scout must be loyal to his
high ideals. Neither pain nor profit, pride nor personal loss,
shall swerve him in his loyalty.   The Blue of the Eagle Badge
should always remind you of loyalty.

The third responsibility of an Eagle Scout is COURAGE.
Courage gives character, force and strength. Trusting in God you
must face each day and each problem of that day unafraid. You
must do your share of the work in such a way that it always
reflects the image of God according to which you were created.
The Red of the Eagle Badge must always remind you of this
courage.

The  final  obligation  of  an  Eagle  Scout is SERVICE.  He
extends a helping hand to those  who still  toil up  the Scouting
trail he  has completed  just as others helped him.  The habit of
the daily good turn must take on a new meaning and blossom forth
in a life of service to God.

If  the   Eagle  candidates  are  willing  to  assume  these
responsibilities we ask him to accompany the aide._______________,
to the first station.  (Go to first station.)

"In the  Old Law  it was  customary for the Jewish people to
wash their hands before or upon entering the temple of God or the
home of a friend.  It was also the custom of those being knighted
to be laved with water in  token  of  the  washing  away  of past
misdeed and  as a  sign that  they were determined to start anew.
May this be a symbol of  the proper  intention and  the sincerity
with which your hand will do the Good Turn."

(Wash hands and proceed to the second station.)

Kindly place your hand upon the open Bible and repeat after me:

"A Scout  is reverent;   he  is reverent towards God;  he is
faithful in this religious duties, and  respects the convictions
of others in the matters of religion.

(Proceed to the third station.)

Stand in front of the candle and repeat the Scout oath:

"On my honor I will do my best; To do my duty to God and my
country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all
times to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and
morally straight."

Mr. Chairman, we recommend that Eagle Candidates be awarded the
Eagle Badge.

DISTRICT ADVANCEMENT CHAIRMAN REPRESENTATIVE:
By the authority vested in me by the National Council I now
declare _______________. of (name of city) Troop ___ to be
Eagle Scouts and entitled to all the rights, privileges and
appurtances pertaining thereto.

Will aide, __________________, escort the parents of Eagle Scouts
forward.

I will now hand out the Eagle badge to the mother (or parent) to pin
upon the new Eagle Scout(s).

I will now give the Eagle Certificate to the father (or parent) to hand
to his (her or their) son.

I have a Citation for the new Eagle Scouts which is signed
by. Chairman of the Court of Honor, ________________, Troop
____ Committee Chairman,____________, Scoutmaster of
Troop ______, __________________, and the Mayor of the city of
____________, (Mayor's name).  (Mayor's Name) will now present the
citation to the new Eagle Scouts.

MAYOR: (Any comments from the Mayor is done here)

DISTRICT ADVANCEMENT CHAIRMAN REPRESENTATIVE:
We extend our congratulations to the new Eagle Scouts and to
all who have assisted them in qualifying for this recognition.
To their leaders, teachers, and especially to their parents we
pay tribute for their contribution to the character of these
Eagle Scouts.   While the Father likes to think he has been a
major factor in his son's welfare, we know down deep in our
hearts that his Mother has made the most lasting impressions on
her son.   In token of this fact and in remembrance of this happy
occasion, the fellow Scouts of Troop _____ invite the Eagle Scouts
to present a corsage and the miniature Eagle pin to his Mother.

In recognition of his Father's assistance and guidance, we
ask that the new Eagle Scouts present the Eagle tie clasp to his
Father.

If the parents will be seated, we will ask ________________________
to give the Eagle Charge to the New Eagle Scout(s).  (Aide
will seat parents.)

EAGLE CHARGE (Court of Honor Chairman):
I have the honor to give you the Eagle Scout charge on the
occasion of your elevation to the highest award in scouting.

The Scouts of all nations constitute one of the most wholesome
and significant movements in the worlds history. You have been
judged by the Boy Scouts of America as being worthy of this
honor. All who know you rejoice in your achievement.

Your  position,  as  you  well  know,  is  one  of  honor  and
responsibility. You are a marked man. As an Eagle Scout, you
have assumed a solemn obligation to do your duty to God,  to
country, to your fellow Scouts, and to mankind in general. This
is a  great undertaking.  As you live up to your obligations
you bring honor to yourself and to your brother Scouts.

America has many good things to give you and your children
after  you;  but  these  good  things  depend  for  the most part
on the quality of her citizens. Our country has had a great
past. You can help make the future even greater.

I charge you to undertake your citizenship with a solemn
dedication. Be a leader, but lead only toward the best. Lift
up every task you do and every office you hold to the level
of service of God and to your fellow man.  So live and serve
that those who know you will be inspired to finer living. We
have too many who use their strength and their brains to exploit
others and to gain selfish ends. I charge you to be among those
who dedicate their skills and ability to the common good.

Build America on the solid foundation of clean living, honest
work, unselfish citizenship, and reverence for God; and, whatever
others may do, will leave behind you a record of which every
other Scout may be justly proud.

Your conduct along the trail has been excellent. You have
rededicated yourself  to  the  principles of Scouting. But one
more thing is important-your future.

As an Eagle Scout, you become a guide to other Scouts. You
become an example in your community. Remember that your actions
are now a little more conspicuous and people will expect more
of you. To falter in your responsibility would reflect not only
on you, but on your fellow Eagles and all of Scouting. The torch
you carry is not only yours, but is also ours.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES: I will now call on (New Eagle Scout) to 
make a few comments.

NEW EAGLE SCOUT: 
(Any "thank-yous" and presentations by the NEW Eagle Scout 
is done at this time)

DISTRICT ADVANCEMENT CHAIRMAN REPRESENTATIVE: 
I now  call on  (name of Scoutmaster) of Troop ____ to give the
closing.  (Will all Scouts and Scouters come forward at this time
for Scout Vespers.)

(Scout Vesper

Tune: "Tannenbaum" ) 

Softly falls the light of day,
While our campfire fades away. 
Silently each scout should ask: 
"Have I done my daily task? 
Have I kept my honor bright? 
Can I guiltless sleep tonight? 
Have I done and have I dared 
Everything to be prepared.?"

(second verse optional)
Listen Lord, oh listen Lord, 
As I whisper soft and low, 
Bless my Mom and bless my Dad, 
There is something they should know. 
I have kept my honor bright. 
The Oath and Law has been my guide.
Mom and Dad, this you should know, 
Deep in my heart I love you so.

(first verse of taps optional)
Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.
 
MASTER OF CEREMONIES:
This now  concludes the  ceremony.  We thank each of you for
attending and your interest  in the  Boy Scouts.   We  invite all
present  to  the  reception  for  the  new Eagle Scouts and their
parents to be held immediately following in (location of Court of Honor).  
I again call  upon (scoutmaster) to close this Court of Honor with
the Scout Benidiction:


SCOUTMASTER:
May the great master of all true Scouts be with us until  we meet
again.

author unknown. Edited by Kenneth Phillips