Nest of Eagle Scouts in Dakota County

It's rare to see an aerie of eagles in the wild. It's also an exceptional occurrence among Boy Scouts.

But two Dakota County troops -- Troop 205 in Apple Valley and Troop 119 in Farmington -- each have produced eight Eagle Scouts in one year's time.

"We usually deal with eagles one at a time. It is pretty rare," said Kent York, director of communication for the Boys Scouts of America Northern Star Council. "It takes a tremendous amount of work, energy and leadership, and you get tested along the way. Earning the award itself is rare. The fact that they all crossed the finish line together, it's a big deal."

Nationally, only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts achieve the highest rank of Eagle Scout, York said.

Becoming an Eagle is an individual pursuit, but the boys say it helped to have friends working toward the same goal.

The new Eagles downplay their accomplishments, but their parents are as proud as peacocks. Parents say the scouting experience has instilled a sense of confidence, leadership and doggedness in their sons.

"They all have that drive. It really builds their character," said assistant scoutmaster and parent Kurt Benedetto. "They are really good kids."

At a recent meeting, dozens of boys gathered at the Apple Valley Community Center. The older boys led the group, instructing everyone to tuck in their shirts and stand silent as the color guard carried the flags to the front of the room. Then the boys divided into teams and constructed sculptures out of candy and food. Using licorice, celery and candy corn, the boys created a menagerie of animals and insects including a hedgehog, a praying mantis and a dragon. There were no cell phones out or televisions on. Everyone was focused on the task at hand.

Apple Valley Scout parent and former Scoutmaster Peggy Scholberg said the boys enjoy their regular meetings, but what keeps them coming back year after year is the camping and high adventures -- journeys to three Boy Scout bases in Florida, New Mexico and the Boundary Waters of Minnesota.

"I've done the math. Something like 5 to 10 percent of your life is spent outside camping," Scholberg said.

To become an Eagle Scout, a boy must earn 21 merit badges, hold a leadership position in his troop, complete a significant community service project and pass the Eagle board of review. All of the work must be completed by age 18, except for boys with disabilities. Badges range from hiking and camping to environmental studies.

The boys' community service projects included adding onto a retaining wall at a local park, planting trees in public spaces and landscaping at an assisted-living home. Combined, both troops dedicated more than 3,400 hours to Eagle community service projects.

"Going to the movies cost more than I realized," said Serba, 17.

Sleeping outside in the wilderness without food or a tent in near-freezing temperatures presented the greatest challenge for Farmington Eagle Scout Anthony Benedetto. The 16-year-old chose to earn his wilderness survival badge as part of his Eagle quest.

"It was a little scary. We woke up in the middle of the night and the fire went out," he said, recalling the night in the woods near Rice Lake, Wis.