SILVERHILL, Ala. — Reaching the rank of “Eagle Scout,” the highest rank in Boy Scouting is not easy. According to the Boy Scouts of America, only about 5 percent of the young boys who enter scouting will earn the honor.

That’s what makes the Eagle award earned by Ben Keenan and Dylan Young of Troop 47 at Silverhill First Baptist Church so special. Both young men earned the Eagle rank this year. Keenan, a junior at Robertsdale High, received his rank at a “Court of Honor” in February this year. Young, a senior at the same school, had his ceremony in March. He plans to attend Auburn University, majoring in engineering in the fall.

While the young men wound up in the same troop, they took slightly different routes to the Eagle rank.

“I started as a Cub Scout, a Bobcat, and worked my way up from there,” said Keenan.

Young started as a “Tiger Cub,” the youngest Scout rank. Tiger Cubs advance to Cub Scouts.

“I think the Scouts did something at school,” Young said. “With all that outdoors stuff, they had me.”

“My Mom started me in Cubs and I decided to stick with it,” said Keenan. “I thought it would be a good way to get to know some guys.”

Of course, both young men couldn’t have gotten to the Eagle rank which involved earning 21 merit badges which a Boy Scout Web site says must include: “First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Environmental Science, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Camping, and Family Life.” The “Road to Eagle” can’t be walked or run without strong family support.

Scouts must choose either Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving. The prospective Eagle also has a choice and a choice between Cycling, Hiking, and Swimming.

That’s a lot of badges for a Scout to earn.

“Their moms and grandparents were very active and supportive,” said Steve Pumphrey, Scoutmaster of Troop 47. He’s seen a total of 10 young men become Eagle Scouts since he became the troop’s Scoutmaster 10 years ago. The troop has produced 39 Eagle Scouts since 1932.

Pumphrey became involved with Scouting to see his own sons through the program. One of his sons, Eric, became an Eagle Scout.

“I’ve stayed (with Scouting) because of these guys,” said Pumphrey.

In addition to the merit badges, a scout must complete an “Eagle project,” something that is of service to the community as a whole, and does not benefit his Boy Scout troop.

Keenan’s Eagle project involved constructing a fence, landscaping and installing an irrigation system at the Oscar Johnson Park.

Young constructed picnic tables to use at the Oscar Johnson Memorial Library.

Both young men will be taking fond memories of their time as Scouts with them.

“The best memory is probably my first camping trip to Camp Comer,” recalled Keenan. “That was the first time I’d been away that long with the Scouts.”

“I have a lot of good memories,” said Young.

Of course, there are a few memories that both would rather forget. Both recalled a recent rainy camping trip, where Keenan discovered his tent leaked and Young recalls getting soaked to the skin as the troop walked out of the camping area to their cars.

“The happiest moment was getting to our cars,” joked Young.

Both will take what they learned as Scouts into their adult lives.

“I learned that hard work and perseverance pays off,” said Young.

I learned how to be a leader,” said Keenan.