Scouts BSA Life Service Requirement Helps and Documents

Scouts who are working toward earning the rank of Life must continue to show how they do their “Duty to Others” by doing service projects, including conservation service projects.

While a Star Scout, participate in six hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. At least three hours of this service must be conservation-related.

Helps for this requirement are listed below.

Scouts BSA Life Rank Helps and Documents

Life is the rank a Scout can earn after Star. A Scout working on Life continues to develop leadership, participates in service projects, and earns merit badges.

What Can Scouts Use as Service Hours?

Reader asks what types of service projects can be used to fulfill service hour requirements.

Messengers of Peace

The Boy Scouts of America joined the Messengers of Peace initiative in 2012. This program encourages Scouts around the world to work for peace by being a positive force in their communities.

Service Project Ideas for Scouts BSA

Scouts BSA are required to participate service projects for rank advancement. Our troop encourages all Scouts to participate in service projects whether they need the hours or not.

Life to Eagle Reports

One thing we have done in our troop which seems to motivate our Life Scouts a little is the Life to Eagle reports at every Court of Honor. Each Life Scout gets up in turn and tells what he has done since the last Court of Honor to try to advance and what he plans to do next on his path to Eagle.

Public Service Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA

The focus in this program feature is citizenship and service. Younger Scouts BSA can work on flag etiquette, flag ceremonies, and their rights and duties as US Citizens. Older Scouts could work on the Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, and Citizenship in the World merit badges.

Troop Service Project – Blood Drive Setup

Our troop was asked to help set up for a blood drive at our church. The only hitch - it had to be set up by 7:30 AM! Getting Scouts to arrive that early can be difficult. It's not necessarily the boys who are the hold up either. Many of the parents don't enjoy getting up that early to drive them up there. Their solution - spend the night.

Service Projects While Social Distancing

A reader asks about service projects which can be done with social distancing. I can think of lots of possibilities, but two of my favorites are freezer meal outreach and yard work for the elderly.

Project Planning Program Feature for Scouts BSA Troops

The Project Planning feature helps youth leaders learn how to accomplish their goals, whether that be a service project or a troop campout or planning other activities together. The troop does a group exercise of planning and carrying out a recycle regatta.

Service Hours Form

What should be on a service hours form for Scouts or units wanting to record their participation in service projects?