SAR Eagle Scout and Scouting Programs
Sons of the American Revolution programs for Eagle Scouts, Scouting recognition, scholarships, and volunteer service
Boy Scouts of America changed its organization name to Scouting America on February 8, 2025. Some SAR forms, awards, and older documents continue to use the terms Boy Scouts of America, BSA, or Boy Scout. The SAR continues its long-standing relationship with Scouting through Eagle Scout recognition, scholarships, educational programs, and volunteer awards.
Kings Mountain Chapter Contact
Current Kings Mountain Chapter Scouting ContactArthur M. and Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution invites eligible Eagle Scouts to participate in the annual Arthur M. and Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest. The program recognizes Eagle Scouts for their achievements in Scouting, school, community service, leadership, genealogy, and knowledge of American history.
The contest is open to Eagle Scouts who are currently registered in an active Scouting unit and who have not reached their 19th birthday during the year in which they apply. The year in which the Eagle Scout rank was earned is not restricted. The contest year runs from January 1 through December 31.
An eligible Eagle Scout may enter in more than one year as long as the age requirements are met and the applicant has not previously won first place in the National contest.
The Kings Mountain Chapter deadline for submitting your application to the chapter is November 20th.
National Awards
National awards may be received as either cash or as a scholarship to an educational institution.
| National Placement | Award |
|---|---|
| First Place | $10,000 |
| Second Place | $6,000 |
| Third Place | $4,000 |
| Fourth Place | $2,000 |
| Fifth Place | $1,000 |
| Sixth through Tenth Place | $500 each |
| Eleventh through Fifteenth Place | $200 each |
The National First Place winner is invited to be recognized at the SAR Annual Congress, normally held in June or July. National SAR provides a travel and lodging allowance for the First Place winner.
The live National SAR Eagle Scout Contest webpage currently lists the award for 11th through 15th Place as $200 each. The separate 2026 SAR Eagle Scout brochure currently lists $300 each for these positions. Applicants should use the live National SAR contest webpage and confirm the amount with their local or State Society Eagle Scout Chairman.
How the Contest Works
The Eagle Scout competition is conducted at three levels:
- SAR Chapter Competition - The applicant normally enters through a local SAR Chapter.
- State Society Competition - The Chapter winner advances to the State Society competition.
- National Competition - The State Society winner advances to the National SAR competition.
Applicants may not enter the National competition directly. In some areas an applicant may enter through the State Society when no local Chapter competition is available.
What an Eagle Scout Must Submit
A complete entry consists of three basic parts:
-
Eagle Scout Contest Application
The application includes information about Scouting achievements, leadership, school activities, community service, awards, hobbies, and other accomplishments. -
Four Generation Ancestor Chart
The applicant completes a genealogical chart showing four generations of family ancestry. -
Patriotic Essay
The applicant prepares a patriotic themed essay of no more than 500 words. Sample topics and an example essay are available from National SAR.
Application Forms and Contest Resources
The following links go directly to forms and publications currently linked by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Eagle Scout Contest Application
This is the application currently linked from the National SAR Eagle Scout Contest webpage. It is a Microsoft Word document.
Download Eagle Scout Contest ApplicationFour Generation Ancestor Chart
The genealogy chart required as part of the Eagle Scout contest entry.
Download Four Generation Ancestor Chart PDFExample Eagle Scout Essay
An example from a previous Eagle Scout Contest is provided by National SAR to demonstrate the type of patriotic essay submitted in the competition.
View Example Eagle Scout Essay PDFSample Patriotic Essay Topics
National SAR provides a list of sample subjects that may help an applicant select an appropriate patriotic theme.
View Sample Essay Topics PDF2026 Eagle Scout Contest Brochure
This fillable National SAR brochure explains the contest and is useful for distribution to Eagle Scouts, families, troops, and Scouting leaders.
View 2026 Eagle Scout Contest Brochure PDFDeadlines
Local application deadlines are established by the local SAR Chapter or State Society and may vary. Applicants should contact their local SAR Chapter or State Society Eagle Scout Chairman well before the end of the calendar year.
The 2026 National SAR administrative guide says Chapter competitions are normally scheduled before December 1, State Society competitions are normally completed before the end of December, and the State Society winning application must be received for the National competition by February 15.
The Kings Mountain Chapter deadline for submitting your Arthur M. and Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest application to the chapter is November 20th.
The 2026 National SAR brochure mentions December 31, but the National SAR contest webpage specifically states that local deadlines vary. Contact the appropriate SAR Chapter or State Society for the actual deadline.
How Applications Are Judged
National SAR provides a 100 point judging system. The judging criteria consider the applicant's leadership, merit badges, Scouting activities, community activities, religious awards, school activities, other awards, genealogy chart, and patriotic essay.
The American Heritage, Genealogy, and Law merit badges receive special consideration in the SAR scoring system.
The patriotic essay accounts for a significant portion of the total score, so applicants should pay careful attention to historical accuracy, organization, grammar, spelling, and the quality of the patriotic theme.
View Eagle Scout Contest Judging Criteria PDF
For SAR Chapters and Eagle Scout Chairmen
National SAR publishes a comprehensive administrative guide for Chapter and State Society Eagle Scout Chairmen. The guide covers recognition of new Eagle Scouts, relationships with Scouting America councils, Chapter and State competitions, judging, awards, presentations, sample letters, publicity, Courts of Honor, and National competition procedures.
View 2026 Eagle Scout Recognition and Award Program Administrative Guide PDF
View State Eagle Scout Certification Form PDF
The State Certification Form is primarily an administrative resource for State Society officials. Because National SAR periodically revises forms and contest years, State officials should verify that they are using the version currently linked by the National Eagle Scout Committee.
Eagle Scout Recognition
The SAR Eagle Scout program is not limited to the national contest. SAR Chapters and State Societies are encouraged to recognize Eagle Scouts in their communities. Recognition may include certificates, letters, medals, Chapter awards, State Society awards, and participation in Eagle Scout Courts of Honor.
The National SAR administrative guide encourages Chapters to establish relationships with their local Scouting America councils and to recognize Eagle Scouts throughout the year.
SAR Eagle Scout Engraved Certificate
Robert E. Burt Boy Scout Volunteer Award
The Robert E. Burt Boy Scout Volunteer Award is a National SAR recognition for SAR members in good standing who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the Scouting program.
The award recognizes accomplishment and dedication rather than simply length of service. The medal is awarded by the National Society upon nomination by a State Society.
Examples of service that may support a nomination include helping make Scouting available to more youth, assisting SAR Chapters or State Societies with Scouting programs, supporting Scouting units, promoting citizenship and American heritage, serving in Scouting leadership positions, and assisting Scouts with programs such as American Heritage, Genealogy, and Law merit badges.
Download Robert E. Burt Boy Scout Volunteer Award Form PDF
View Robert E. Burt Award Recipients Through December 2025 PDF
National SAR Eagle Scout Committee
Genealogy Merit Badge Resource
SAR members with an interest in genealogy can also help Scouts develop an appreciation for family history. National SAR has published an instructor guide for SAR members assisting with the Genealogy Merit Badge.
Because this particular guide is an older SAR publication, any SAR member serving as a Merit Badge Counselor should also follow the current requirements and policies of Scouting America and the local Scouting council.
View SAR Genealogy Merit Badge Instructor Guide PDF
Support the Eagle Scout Scholarship Program
National SAR maintains an Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund to support the Arthur M. and Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest and its awards. The following form is for donations to the scholarship fund. It is not a student scholarship application.
View Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund Donation Form PDF
Additional National SAR Youth Program Information
National SAR Youth Awards and Contests
National SAR Youth Awards Brochure PDF
NSSAR Handbook Volume VI - Youth Programs, State Society and Chapter Awards PDF
Questions and Local Information
Application deadlines, Chapter awards, State Society awards, submission procedures, and local contacts can vary. Applicants should use the National SAR Eagle Scout Contest webpage to locate the current Eagle Scout contact for their State Society.
Last reviewed: August 18, 2026.