Eagle Scout project and credit from the Big 3

Here's a question that I'd like to pose to many of our Big 3 experts out there...

My 16 year old son is starting to plan his Eagle Project. He's kicking around a couple of ideas, but nothing definitive yet. An Eagle Project usually requires a good deal of coordination, supervision, etc.

Becuase of this, I'm wondering...is it feasilble for a well documented Eagle Project to be sucessfully submitted for portfolio analysis for credit? Thanks!

Shawn

 

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Why not!? It's the learning- not where/how you learned it that they will measure.

I would think you could organize a 3-6 credit PLA if you were careful. Once he gets his idea, you can search for college class(es) that include the same type of learning. For example, in conservation , zoology, or another area. You would need to hit the course objectives in full, and you would have to be ready for the big three to say no- in other words going ahead with his Eagle "even if" he wouldn't get the credit (obviously LOL).
If I were going to plan this for my child, I might try and look for the more obscure classes- something hyper-specific and maybe a little out of the ordinary. I would think trying to get a PLA on a common course (like biology 101 or supervisory management- even though they are part of the project) might be like climbing a mountain. You may even want to add a component to the Eagle project just to meet an objective or two.
Lastly, get letters photos and documentation. It won't be enough to say in 2 years that the project earned the award therefor grant the credit. It won't be because it's an Eagle project, but because of the college level learning.
If this were my son, I might do some of the college credit planning for him and let him focus on the project. Really, the project is the goal, and the PLA is the afterthought. His project will be complex enough- and there is no guarantee that he'll get credit if/when he applies to the big 3.

P.S. THATS AWESOME, tell your son I think he is great and to keep going strong!!!

 

I would have to agree with Jennifer as well on this one. The project in and of itself is the main goal and should also be the main focus for your son. If you could perhaps focus on the educational aspects and to what extent credit could be potentially granted based on the scope of his project, then this would probably be best recommended.

I congratulate your son on his advancement through the trail to Eagle. It takes focus, commitment and dedication and if I recall, it seems that only around 2% of all scouts make this pinnacle designation.

I can truly attest to the project as well. I earned my Eagle Scout award in addition to three palms as well. It will and always be one of my most valued accomplishments along with the terrific memories I will always cherish.

Please give my best regards to your son and offer my words of encouragement. I hope to hear an announcement on this forum once he has earned this award.

Jonathan

 

Thanks for the suggestions - I haven't even mentioned the possibility of earning college credit to him - I want to encourage him to complete his project.

Shawn