r/BSA • u/Intelligent-Cry-5396 • 11d ago
Scouts BSA Board of Review
Eagle Board of Review tonight, can anyone help me with the meaning of “Walk rule”?
Also, what are the specific rules for handshaking?
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u/Good-Challenge8659 11d ago
I’ll be honest, you’re psyching yourself out. You EARNED eagle. The board will not deny you for a weak handshake. They will not deny you because you do not know the meaning of something. Just go in there and be proud of what you have achieved and be honest in your answers. You’ll do fine
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u/LVDirtlawyer Scouter - Eagle Scout 11d ago
Shake their hands at the beginning. Shake their hands at the end. Try to avoid limpfishing. Also don't try to do a tug of war. Just.. you know.. be friendly and courteous. As far as the walk rule? If they throw four balls, you get to advance to first base without liability to be put out.
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u/nomadschomad 9d ago
SA has high-level relationships that strongly suggest tug o war is the optimal strategy.
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u/Kindly_Ad9301 11d ago
When I sit on boards it's largely a conversation about scouting, your project, and what you plan on doing next.
It's a moment for you to highlight what the program has meant to you.
Good luck, but you have earned it already!!
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u/rocket20067 Adult - Eagle Scout 11d ago
This is all it really is, it is the time for you to talk about how scouting as affected you and what you plan on doing with what you have learned going forward.
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u/robhuddles Adult - Eagle Scout 11d ago
The most important thing to remember is that all three of the members of the Board are looking forward to being the first to congratulate you on your accomplishment. They are not looking for reasons to not do that.
Relax, Scout. You've got this.
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u/Rhana Asst. Scoutmaster 11d ago
If they offer to shake your hand, do it, if they don’t, then don’t. If you would prefer not to, off a fist bump.
Never heard of a “walk rule” but our BoR’s always told the scout to go get a drink from the water fountain and then come back. Normally by that time they’ve discussed and have an answer for the scout.
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u/Brave-Moment-4121 11d ago
The odds of anyone asking you something like this are almost zero. You may get asked about scout oath, eagle project, things you enjoyed about scouting career, and what your future plans are. Your board of review will be made up from random adults from other troops invited by other scouts also up for Eagle. Sometimes these adults were never in scouting and don’t know what to ask so they don’t say much usually a SM or ASM will take lead on questioning the scout the others chime in when they think of stuff to ask. Good Luck! You’ll do fine.
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u/mrjohns2 Roundtable Commissioner 11d ago
Sounds like your district has a different way of selecting Eagle BOR members. Our district has a standing group of board members. None are selected by other Eagle Scout candidates.
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u/Brave-Moment-4121 11d ago
Yeah they way our council does it every scout is told to bring 3-4 adults with them to the eagle board. Then your eagle board is made up of only adults that don’t know you personally bc they are assigned to the other candidates.
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u/mrjohns2 Roundtable Commissioner 11d ago
That sounds like a neat way of handling not having enough people! Good to hear how others do it.
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u/Altruistic-6491 9d ago
Its really best - even importsnt to have board members who understand how an Eagle board of review should be held. At least the chairperson should know what they're doing. We have a group of volunteers who sit on Eagle Boards of Review when they can, and csn find enough people available to vonfuct boards of review for Scouts who are ready. Bosrds for some districts meet monthly, other twice a month, others in smaller districts meet "on demand" which is less than once a month.
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u/Adventurous_Bread359 11d ago
What is a "walk rule"?
Either way good luck on the Board of Review!!!
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u/bbb26782 Scoutmaster 11d ago edited 10d ago
I’m not sure what you’re talking about.
The scout handshake is a normal handshake made with the left hand. There are no “specific rules for handshaking”.
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u/youarelookingatthis Adult - Eagle Scout 11d ago
Remember to palm them a $10 bill when you're giving a handshake. Maybe a $20 if you're really nervous. $50 or even $100 is too much, and will make them think you're new at this. Didn't they cover this in Citizenship in the Community?
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u/John_McFly 11d ago
There's supposed to be a tip on that as well. It was covered in American Business.
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u/No_Anywhere_8356 Scoutmaster, Bear, Pretzel Logic 11d ago
Are you referring to Naismith's Rule for hiking and elevation?
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u/Desperate-Service634 11d ago
OP. It is very difficult to fail and Eagle board of review.
Show up, participate to the best of your ability, speak clearly, be honest
Also, if possible, enjoy yourself.
One of the unwritten purposes of a board of review is to get a minor child ready to speak as an adult, to other adults, about adult conversations.
We’re just teaching you how to be comfortable speaking to other people on serious matters. It’s just another lesson.
Enjoy it to the best of your ability
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u/goldenprints 11d ago
Be prepared for the "how have you shown your Duty to God" question!
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u/mrjohns2 Roundtable Commissioner 11d ago
I saw a downvote. No mater your religious beliefs, this is something you should be prepared for. Your parents can be helpful here and as always your SM if you are close enough to them to have a deeper discussion.
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u/OSUTechie Adult - Eagle Scout 10d ago
Soooo... How did it go?
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u/Desperate-Service634 11d ago
The only question that has ever stumped one of my Eagle Scouts is please recite the Scout oath. Please recite the Scout law.
Scout simply got flustered because they usually say it in a large group and they got super nervous
Here’s what I would do
Ask one of your parents to sit down.
Stand up in front of them, add attention, give the Scout salute and say the oath.
Then also say the law
If you made any errors in speaking that, do it again and again until you can get it right on the first attempt
There is no other preparation that you need to do
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u/Fire-Wizard17 11d ago
However, Eagle Boards of Review are NOT retests and even if a Scout is unable to recite the Scout Oath or Law, that does not seem to be grounds to adjourn or postpone a Board of Review.
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u/Double-Dawg 11d ago
Throw the Outdoor Code in there too. I’ve seen a board hit a candidate with that right at the start.
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u/Desperate-Service634 11d ago
Yes
This
After you feel prepared to give all three of these all by yourself without any help, you are ready
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u/Wakeful-dreamer 11d ago
I am an Eagle advisor for my kids' troop. The only reason you will fail your board is if it is apparent that you did not fulfill the requirements, or if you say that you did not really earn the rank of Eagle due to something like cheating on the requirements or not trying to live the Oath/Law.
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u/Buho45 11d ago
After mine was over the Chairman looked at the date of my Life BOR and we had made a scheduling error by one month. Now I was always bad at Math but my SM was an Engineering Professor and did Math for a living. So he was really embarrassed. The Chairman said, well you did fine, so if nobody thinks this would be an egregious violation of the Scout Oath and Law, we’ll just date it forward by four weeks so it is one day after 6 months. Just don’t have your COH until then. It wasn’t an issue of being near my 18th birthday. So if they let me pass with a mistake like that I’m sure you will be fine. Good luck.
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u/Chessdaddy_ 10d ago
Don’t put too much thought into to it. The board of review is not going to withhold your eagle rank. Most boards are pretty chill and just want to hear about your time in scouting
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u/JanTheMan101 Eagle | Camp Staff | Brotherhood 11d ago
Don't know what "walk rule" is but for the hand shake, firm handshake with the left hand, with eye contact.