<Li> Swimming, Hiking or Cycling . </Li> <P> The Eagle Scout Service Project, or simply "Eagle Project," is the opportunity for a Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of any religious institution, any school, or his community . The project is not allowed to benefit the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) or its councils, districts, units, camps and so forth . It also cannot be of a commercial nature or be solely a fund - raising project . </P> <P> Eagle Scout requirements have evolved since the award was conceived . A requirement to earn 11 specific merit badges was added in 1914, which underwent minor changes in 1915 . The Life--Star order was reversed in 1924, apparently because the five - pointed star of the Star Scout insignia could be associated with the five merit badges required to earn the rank immediately following First Class Scout . In 1927, Eagle Scout began the transition from being a super merit badge to a rank . As a result, the first requirements for tenure were created and Scouts were required to be an active First Class Scout for one year . The initial requirements for what became the service project appeared with a requirement to show satisfactory service and the number of required merit badges increased to 12 . In 1936, the ranks of Star and Life became mandatory, and the number of required merit badges rose to 13 . It was at this time that Eagle Scout became a full - fledged rank . In 1952, age limits were set so that adults over 18 years of age could no longer earn Eagle Scout and the service project requirement was slightly expanded to "do your best to help in your home, school, church or synagogue, and community ." In 1958, the number of required merit badges increased again to 16 of the 21 total merit badges needed to obtain Eagle, along with the first requirements for service and leadership . </P> <P> In 1965, the requirements for the service project and specific troop leadership were defined, and the number of required merit badges returned to 11 . The Eagle Scout candidate was required to plan, develop, and carry out a leadership service project . Minor changes were made to the required merit badge list in 1970 . In 1972, the Improved Scouting Program increased to 24 the number of merit badges needed to obtain Eagle, while reducing the list of required merit badges to ten, eliminating badges that required swimming and outdoor skills--both of which were later reinstated, and adding the requirement to show leadership during the service project . In 1978, the number of merit badges needed for Eagle was lowered to the original 21, and the number of required merit badges was set at 11 (this was changed to 12 in 1993). In 2014 the number of Eagle required merit badges were increased to 13 . </P>

What is the average age of an eagle scout
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