The Scout is Helpful, and one way to be helpful is to follow the Scout Oath “to help other people at all times”.

In the Quran, Allah (swt) says: “Help one another in acts of piety and righteousness. And do not assist each other in acts of sinfulness and transgression. And be aware of Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment” (Quran 5:2).

And because of the importance of giving help, it is part of the requirements for a scout to earn his rank.

Tenderfoot, requirement 7b: One hour of service

Participate in a total of one hour of service in one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout slogan and Scout motto.

Second Class,requirement 8e: Two hours of service

Participate in two hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. Tell how your service to others relates to the Scout Oath.

First Class, requirement 9d: Three hours of service

Participate in three hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. The project(s) must not be the same service project(s) used for Tenderfoot requirement 7b and Second Class requirement 8e. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout Law.

Star, requirement 4: Six hours of service

While a First Class Scout, participate in six hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster.

Life, requirement 4: Six hours of service, at least three of which are conservation-related

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.

Eagle Scout: The Eagle Scout service project

While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project must benefit an organization other than the Boy Scouts of America.)

Note

You can participate in service projects as you like as a Scout, but to make sure that the hours are counted toward your rank, it is recommended that you check with the Scoutmaster first to get his approval as mentioned in the requirements.

And to help the Scoutmaster, please provide answers to these questions while seeking approval:

  • Provide Name of Beneficiary
  • What you will be doing
  • Are others involved (If from the Troop, provide names)
  • Adult Contact at Beneficiary of the Service Hours
    • Name
    • Title
    • Phone
    • Email

And after the project, the Scoutmaster may ask you for these:

  • Documentation Log books, photographs, and videos help leaders and agency personnel determine the nature and extent of future projects.
  • In their records, Scouts can record how many hours they worked and what they accomplished, feet of trail cleared, number of bird boxes installed, species and locations of trees planted, etc., and some notes about the long-term responsibilities to maintain those projects.
  • What issue was aided or resolved
  • Email or letter signed off by the Adult Contact

Important

It is narrated on the authority of Amirul Mu’minin, Abu Hafs ‘Umar bin al-Khattab (ra) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: “Actions are (judged) by motives (niyyah), so each man will have what he intended. Thus, he whose migration (hijrah) was to Allah and His Messenger, his migration is to Allah and His Messenger; but he whose migration was for some worldly thing he might gain, or for a wife he might marry, his migration is to that for which he migrated.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

So always remember while working on your service project, and while trying to get the requirement signed, if you want something to have barakah attached to it, have good intentions for it. More specifically, make sure that deed is intended for the sake of Allah (Subahanahu Wa Ta’ala), and the rewards will be much more than just a rank!

For ideas, see here 101 great Scout service project ideas