Point number three (3) of the Scout Law says that a "Scout will be helpful" and the Scout Oath contains the phrase "To help other people at all times." Legend has it that a helpful scout in foggy London was instrumental in starting the whole Boy Scouts of America program.  Service to others has always been an important part of the BSA program.  This policy is being written to give clear guidance for the performance of service hours required for the 2^nd Class, Star and Life ranks. This policy will not list the requirements for the Eagle Service Project since these requirements are detailed in several BSA documents.

1) The Advancement Chairman or the Scoutmaster will approve all service hours/projects prior to the performance of the service. Credit will not be given if these individuals are told of the service time after the fact.

2) Service projects must be of real value to a religious institution, a school, other non-profit organization, the community or an individual/family in need of help.

3) The Scout must not receive any compensation in the form of money or goods for the service.

4) Troop 623 has chosen to apply several of the Eagle Service Project rules to the service hours required for 2^nd Class, Star and Life ranks.

a) Work involving Scout property or activities is not acceptable.

b) The work may not be performed for a business.

c) The work must not be of a commercial nature or be a fundraiser.

d) Routine labor, a job or service normally rendered is not considered service time. (I.e., You can not get credit for painting park benches if this is something the Parks Department personnel normally do).

5) No credit is given for time spent at Mackinac. The work performed on the island is required by the terms of the invitation and is payment for the invitation to Mackinac.

6) Credit will be given for performing duties at your church. Credit will not be given if these duties are part of a confirmation class or other activity involved with becoming a member of a church.

7) Troop 623 has chosen not to award service time, for the Star and Life ranks, to Scouts helping another Scout on his Eagle Service Project. It is felt that the Eagle candidate is already receiving credit for recruiting and supervising help for the project. The boys should be willing to help a fellow Scout without receiving anything in return.

Scouts should be willing to help even when they don’t need service time for their next rank. This willingness to help is the Scout Spirit each member of Troop 623 is expected to demonstrate.