As for the part where your Eagle has started working on his own on an MB:
And I think there is another important sentence missing in the part that Donovan has quoted from the Guide to Advancement: “…It is the counselor’s decision whether to accept work or activities completed prior to the issuing of the signed blue card. Common sense should prevail, however. For example, nights already camped as a Scout in Scouts BSA or as a qualified Venturer or Sea Scout, or coins or stamps already collected, would count toward their respective badges.”
My son has used the workbook to fill out for Personal Management. The counselor that talked to him after reading his workbook e-mailed me later and said that was the most extensive work he has ever seen a scout do for that MB. And he had started to work on it before a blue card was signed.
Here another source: https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/ : "… Call the Merit Badge Counselor . Get a signed Application for Merit Badge, No. 34124 or No. 34130, from your unit leader. Get in touch with the merit badge counselor and explain that you want to earn the badge. The counselor may ask to meet you to explain what is expected and to start helping you meet the requirements. You should also discuss work you have already started or possibly completed.
At the first meeting, you and your merit badge counselor will review and may start working on the requirements. In some cases, you may share the work you have already started or completed.
Unless otherwise specified, work on a requirement can be started at any time …"
Hope those 3 sources help you be a bit more open in your approach…
