PENN TWP — “Once an Eagle; always an Eagle,” Paul Walter said, repeating the well-known motto.

In that moment, he is surrounded by a surprising number of Eagles, taking photographs to remember the occasion.

Walter, leader of Boy Scout Troop 53 of Penn Township, was overcome with emotions as he watched the 15 Scouts bunch together around an American flag.

The 15 Scouts, all of whom attend Knoch High School, earned their Eagle rank in the past two years.

According to the Boy Scouts, only 5 percent of Boy Scouts attain the Eagle rank.

The statistic equates to one in every 20 Scouts accomplishing this feat, which results in mere handfuls of Scouts per troop earning the rank each year. But somehow Troop 53 showed it can do it in a more consistent fashion, and Walter has some ideas about that.

He said scouting activities have a general emphasis on the relationship one Scout has with others in his group. These Scouts camp with one another, cook for one another and support one another, he said.

“Those are things that you do with people and you depend on them,” Walter said.

He said this was enhanced for his troop thanks to the bus they use for trips. Rather than being taken separately in small groups by the parents, all of the Scouts ride the bus, and they would bond and learn through watching videos.

“They do a lot of things together and create a brothership,” Walter said. “They will never forget their relationships they had in scouting. No matter how old they get.”

Walter said he feels he also handled his role as leader by leading only when necessary. And he also said he had to accept each Scout as an individual, catering to sports and other activities. He said this made getting together less stressful and more fun for the boys.

“If the program is presented right to the boys, they have a lot of fun,” Walter said.

Walter said the parents also helped their children accomplish their goals.

Jacob Borland reached Eagle Scout last year. His father, Jim Borland, who earned his Eagle Scout in 1972, said it will be good for the relationship he has with his son to have something like that in common. He said that his son worked harder than he did at that age.

“It’s just being proud that your son did it,” he said.

He said he would like to see his son set a new goal and achieve it with the same determination he applied to scouting.

Teri Helfer is the mother of Nicholas Helfer, who attained his Eagle badge this year. She said she was always willing to help Nicholas with scouting because she knew it meant a brighter future.

“There was a lot involved, and his family supported him through this,” she said. “It makes them very well-rounded individuals.”

Her effort did not go unnoticed.

“Having her support me is really great,” Nicholas said. “She’s definitely helped me a lot.”

Nicholas said he could look back on everything he completed in scouting and feel accomplished and satisfied about it.

“When you’re done, you get to sit back and say, ‘I’m an Eagle Scout,’” he said. “Then, you get to put it on your resume.”

Walter said he cares a lot about the boys and wants them to continue their educations and pursue their dreams with the experiences of scouting close to their hearts.

James “Brian” Turner, a fellow Eagle Scout, said he is happy with the experience he gained from scouting. He said it taught him a lot of life lessons, especially through mistakes. He said he also learned the value of group effort.

“It’s because we dealt with problems that we’ve had to solve, and you do it together,” Turner said.

Walter said what really made this group special is they accepted him not only as their troop leader, but as a fellow Scout.

Walter never was a Scout as a youth. He said he deeply regrets not participating in his childhood, but this group helped him realize that it is never too late.

“These boys gave me the feeling that I was a Scout with them. I lived my youth with them, even though I’m 60.”

Walter said the credit for achieving Eagle can be placed in a number of places, but only on an individual level is it ever possible. He said the Scouts in this group are focused and have shown him their motivation.

He said the Scouts’ dedication and determination are what got them their Eagle rank, everything else was just help along the way.

He said what he has seen in these Scouts gives him high hopes for their futures.

“I think they have that drive,” he said. “These boys are their own leaders.”