Eagle Rank and Summit Quartermaster Award Extensions
The Golden Empire Council wanted to ensure our Scouts that are close to Eagle, Summit, or Quartermaster Ranks/Awards that there are systems in place to ensure that the current CoVid-19 crisis does not jeopardize your timeline for advancement. National has released the following information to help with any concerns your Scout might have:
Q: Does the National Council grant extensions of time to complete rank requirements beyond the 18th birthday for the Eagle or 21st birthday for Summit or Quartermaster?
Yes, but only for the Eagle Scout rank as described in GTA Topic 9.0.4.0 or for Venturing Summit or Sea Scout Quartermaster as described in GTA Topic 4.3.3.0. Unit leadership must become familiar with the five tests under 9.0.4.0. The tests were designed to accommodate such obstacles as those presented by COVID-19 disruptions.
Q: Will youth who are not yet Life Scouts be allowed to apply for an extension to earn the Eagle Scout rank?
Extensions are considered only for Scouts who are Life rank. If, once a Scout achieves Life rank, it turns out that COVID-19 disruptions along the way have left them with insufficient time to complete Eagle requirements, then this may be cited when the time comes to submit an extension request.
Q: May local councils grant extensions?
Normally, that is not allowed. However, due to the current situation—effective immediately and through September 30, 2020— Our council Scout Executive has delegated the authority to the Council Advancement Committee to grant extensions under the following limitations:
1. It can be established that COVID-19 disruptions were the only circumstances that delayed work on Eagle Scout/Summit/Quartermaster advancement requirements, such as the service project or merit badges. If any other causes were involved, the extension request must go to the National Council following the process outlined in the GTA.
2. Extensions shall only be granted to youth in Scouts BSA who have already achieved Life rank.
3. When the council receives a COVID-19-related request for a time extension, the council reviews the request and approves it if appropriate. A written response stating the outcome of the extension request must go to the youth. If approved, the notification must be attached to the youth’s Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster rank application. For Eagle, the extension must not exceed 3 months from the youth’s 18th birthday; for Summit/Quartermaster, the extension must not exceed 3 months from the youth’s 21st
4. Upon turning 18, the Scout must submit a completed adult application and successfully complete YPT; their participant code will now be UP for SBSA or VP for Venturing and Sea Scouting.
5. Extension requests for more than 3 months beyond the youth’s 18th/21st birthday must be sent to the National Service Center following the process outlined in the GTA.
Note: A “month” in BSA advancement is defined as a day from one month to the next. For example, March 5 to April 5.
The authority for councils to grant extensions is temporary, lasting only through Sept. 30, 2020.
Q: If youth have already received an extension, can they request additional time due to COVID-19?
Yes.
Q: What should be done while an extension request is being considered?
Youth should continue to work on advancement in so far as they are able—e.g., independently, or over the phone or videoconference—and at Scouting activities once they resume.
Q: Are extensions required when an Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster board of review must be delayed?
No. Councils may grant Eagle/Summit/Quartermaster boards of review up to six months after the youth’s 18th/21st birthday. See GTA Topic 8.0.3.1, Eagle Scout Board of Review Beyond the 18th Birthday. See also, GTA Topic 8.0.1.6, “Boards of Review Through Videoconferencing.”
Please reach out to our Council Advancement Chairman David Kimball at davidkimball65@yahoo.com if you have any questions or concerns. We want our Scouts to have every opportunity to achieve their goals and we are commited to doing all we can to help.
Thank you,
Laura Lovell
Director of Camp and Properties
530-770-1152 (cell)