Challenge Ceremony

Chairman:	We come now to that part of our court of honor where we are to give recognition to candidates for the rank of Eagle Scout.
Aide:	Sir, I have the honor to present Life Scout ______________ for the award of Eagle Scout.
Chairman:	Awarding the Eagle is an important and serious matter. It is the climax and goal toward which this Scout has been working for several years. It is the culmination of the efforts of the parents and leaders of this Scout. It is an occasion for pride and for joy, but it is also a time for serious contemplation. Eagle is the highest and most coveted award in all of Scouting, and it is the last major step in the advancement program. If, at this point, Scouting has not achieved its purpose in the building of character in the training for leadership in the practice of service, then it probably never shall. These thoughts, which are in effect the basic code of Scouting, are well summed up in a pledge which is taken by every Scout in the council upon advancement to Eagle rank. [to candidates] I will read the pledge to you so that you will know that which you are about to promise, and then I will ask you to repeat it after me. I, ______________, believe in the Boy Scouts of America as a movement which has as its aim and purpose, character building and citizenship training. I believe it to be a movement that helps a Scout become master of his own powers, helps him get along with other people, and helps find a worthy use for his powers. I therefore believe it is my duty to do my best to obey the Scout Oath and Law. I hereby renew my faith in Scouting and promise to do what I can in service to other Scouts who have not come this far along the Eagle trail. Having heard the Eagle pledge, are you willing to adopt it?
Candidate:	I am.
Chairman:	Raise your hand in the Scout sign and repeat after me. [At this point, a Life Scout from the audience interrupts.]
Life Scout:	[from the audience] Stop! I challenge the right of this Scout to be awarded the rank of Eagle!
Chairman:	Who are you and by what right do you challenge?
Life Scout:	I am a Life Scout, and my esteem for the Eagle rank gives me the right to so challenge.
Chairman:	On what grounds do you challenge?
Life Scout:	Has this Scout achieved the requirements in scoutcraft and life interest?
Chairman:	His application has been verified, and indicates that he has satisfactorily completed the required twenty-one merit badges in the various fields of endeavor. Are you now satisfied?
Life Scout:	I am.
Tenderfoot:	[from the audience] I, too, challenge the right of this Scout to be awarded the rank of Eagle.
Chairman:	Who are you and by what right do you challenge?
Tenderfoot:	I am a Tenderfoot Scout, and the respect that I have for the uniform which I wear gives me the right to so challenge.
Chairman:	On what grounds do you challenge?
Tenderfoot:	Does his Scoutmaster certify that this Scout has actively participated in Scouting in his troop, demonstrated leadership, and done his best to help in his home, school, church, and community.
Scoutmaster:	As Scoutmaster of Troop ___, I certify that, for more than six months since attaining the Life rank, this Scout has held leadership positions in his troop, and has been active in school, church, and community activities.
Chairman:	Are you now satisfied?
Tenderfoot:	I am.
Eagle No. 1:	I, too, challenge the right of this Scout to be awarded the rank of Eagle.
Chairman:	Who are you and by what right do you challenge?
Eagle No. 1:	I am an Eagle Scout, and the pride which I have in this badge which I wear over my heart gives me the right to so challenge.
Chairman:	On what grounds do you challenge?
Eagle No. 1:	Has this Scout, now nearing the end of the Eagle trail, demonstrated his willingness and ability to live and act in accordance with the ideals of Scouting, as exemplified by the Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan?
Eagle No. 2:	[recites the Scout Oath]
Eagle No. 3:	[recites the twelve points of the Scout Law]
Eagle No. 4:	Be prepared.
Eagle No. 5:	Do a good turn daily.
Board of Review Chairman:	As chairman of the board which reviewed this Scout, I certify that, after investigation, interview, and examination, the board is of the opinion that this Scout has demonstrated that he has held to the spirit of Scouting in his daily living. The board recommends his advancement to Eagle.
Chairman:	Are you now satisfied?
Eagle No. 1:	Still I am not satisfied. I believe that this candidate should understand that the Eagle is a responsibility as well as an honor and I respectfully ask that this candidate be informed of the responsibilities of an Eagle Scout before continuing further.
Chairman:	Thank you, Eagle Scout. I agree with your feelings and suggest that none are more qualified to impart this than those who wear the Eagle. I invite you and your fellow Eagles to the platform.
Eagle No. 2:	The first responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to live with honor, which to an Eagle is sacred. Honor is the foundation of character. Character is what a man really is down inside, not what someone may think he is. An Eagle will live so as to reflect credit upon his home, church, school, and friends, upon Scouting, and upon himself. May the white of your Eagle badge always remind you to live with honor.
Eagle No. 3:	The second obligation of an Eagle Scout is loyalty. Without loyalty, all character lacks direction. An Eagle is loyal to his ideals. May the blue of your Eagle badge always remind you to be loyal.
Eagle No. 4:	The third obligation of an Eagle Scout is courage. Courage gives all character force and strength. Trusting in God and with faith in his fellow man, the Eagle faces each day unafraid and seeks his share of the world's work to do. May the red of your Eagle badge always remind you of courage.
Eagle No. 5:	The final obligation of an Eagle Scout is service. He extends a helping hand to those who toil up the Scouting trail he has completed, just as others helped him in his achievement of the Eagle rank. The habit of the daily Good Turn must take on new meaning and blossom forth into a life of service. The Eagle protects and defends the weak and the helpless. He aids and comforts the oppressed and the unfortunate. He upholds the rights of others while defending his own. His code of honor is based upon the belief that real leadership must be founded upon real service.
Eagle No. 1:	Mr. Chairman, if this candidate is willing and eager to accept the mantle of responsibility as well as the honor of the badge, then I will be satisfied and request that you proceed to administer the Eagle pledge.
Chairman:	[to candidate] Are you ready and willing to accept these responsibilities and to adopt the Eagle pledge which I read to you at the beginning of this ceremony?
Candidate:	I am.
Chairman:	Raise your hand in the Scout sign and repeat after me. I, ______________, believe in the Boy Scouts of America as a movement which has as its aim and purpose, character building and citizenship training. I believe it to be a movement that helps a Scout become master of his own powers, helps him get along with other people, and helps him find a worthy use for his powers. I therefore believe it is my duty to do my best to obey the Scout Oath and Law. I hereby renew my faith in Scouting and promise to do what I can in service to other Scouts who have not come this far along the Eagle trail.
Chairman:	Now, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, I hereby award the rank of Eagle Scout to ______________. Since the parents of this Scout and his Scoutmaster have been so instrumental in his attaining the Eagle rank, I will ask that they come to the platform. [Proceed with the presentation of award and certificate.]