Eagle Scouts do amazing things …
The National Eagle Scout Association established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams national Eagle Scout service project of the year award (ESSPY) to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by an Eagle Scout candidate to a religious institution, a school, community or other entity through completion of an Eagle Scout project.
Examples of projects that have been selected for the ESSPY include projects that have benefited underprivileged children, recognized veterans, been international in nature, and have required significant time and resources.
The selection of recipients begins at the local level and is conducted through the council NESA committee (which may utilize a NESA awards sub-committee). The council NESA committee selects a recipient for their respective council from the list of submitted nominations and then forwards a worthy candidate to the National Eagle Scout Association for territory consideration.
Territory ESSPY recipients are selected by each council’s territory NESA scholarship committee. Territory recipients will receive $300, to be available for their future educational purposes or to attend a national or international Scouting event or facility.
The recipient of the national award is then selected among territory recipients by a special selection committee of the National Eagle Scout Association. National recipients will receive $3,500, to be available for their future educational purposes or to attend a national or international Scouting event or facility.
Through this award, Melinda and I wanted to shine a spotlight on the incredible work Eagle Scout candidates are doing in service to others.
– Glenn Adams, Distinguished Eagle Scout and Past President of the National Eagle Scout Association
How to get the award
- An Eagle Scout, his parents, or any registered BSA volunteer (with the Eagle Scout’s permission) may submit his Eagle Scout service project for consideration.
- The Eagle Scout must have passed their Eagle Board of Review between January 1- December 31.
- On or before January 31 the nomination must be submitted to the NESA committee of the council in which the service project was completed.
- Example: An Eagle Scout who completed their Board of Review in 2021, must have their nomination in by January 31, 2022.
- On or before February 28, the council must submit the winning Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook and Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Nomination Form – including attachments – to the National Eagle Scout Association by sending an email to adamsaward@scouting.org
Evaluation criteria
- Project planning
- Effort to develop the project
- Extent and character of leadership provided by the Scout
- Extent of achievement of the planned result
- Project’s impact on the beneficiary and/or on the community at large
- Originality of the project
- Time and materials contributed
- Level of skill employed to complete the project
- Whether the project will have long lasting impact
Form
Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Nomination Form (128K, PDF)
Supply item description and uniform placement
Certificate; Service Project of the Year device worn on Eagle Scout knot (Bronze – Council; Gold – Territory; Silver – National).
