The Carlstrom home has become a nest for Eagles.
Eagle Scouts, that is.
Statistically, 2.8 percent of Scouts who begin the program become Eagle Scouts, past Scoutmaster Doug Carlstrom said.
Ellen and Doug Carlstroms boys, however, highly overflew that statistic, with all four becoming Eagle Scouts.
I think its pretty cool, Doug said. Its not that common.
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The Eagle Award is the highest honor a Boy Scout can receive.
The boys, Justin, Ryan, Ian and Nathan, each began the scouting program when they were old enough, about 6 years old.
Scouting was a big part of their childhood, involving many hours of activities, meetings and projects. Through Scouts, the boys have been involved in summer camp, meetings, winter camp, fund-raising, canoeing, road ditch cleaning, archery shooting, bowling and service projects.
Doug Carlstrom was a scout leader for 13 years, and his wife helped out where she could and supported the boys.
Eventually, the boys climbed up the ranks, one by one.
As each one earned their rank, they became more proud of each other, their mother said.
Justin, the oldest, now at 25, received his Eagle Award first, in 1996. His brothers followed him in a nine-year span. Ryan, 23, received his Eagle Award in 1999. Five years later, Ian, 17, received his Eagle Award in 2004. Nathan, 15, received his Eagle Award shortly after in 2005.
When Nathan received the award, he felt happy with his accomplishment and sad that his days in Scouts were coming to a close.
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Justin was very impressed when his three brothers received the Eagle Award.
Its an honor when one person gets it, but when all four get it, thats even more awesome, he said.
To receive an Eagle Award, the boys must have 21 merit badges, complete service projects, hold Boy Scout leadership positions, have community leadership, have hours of camping and complete an approved Eagle Award project.
Each Carlstrom boy completed Eagle Award projects. Justin painted handicapped-parking space signs. Ryan cleaned up Sunnybrook Park. He made benches, fixed up benches and painted bridges. Ian made signs on the trail at Blacks Grove that would tell people where they were. Nathan built picnic tables for a motorcycle ride that raises money for the Ronald McDonald House. For each project, several people from the community helped.
The boys received some help from their parents, but they said they each had to do their own projects, and having a dad as a scoutmaster didnt make doing the project any easier.
He made it harder on us because we were his kids, Justin said.
The Carlstrom boys arent the only ones to receive the Eagle Award while in Doug Carlstroms troop. During the time he was a Scout leader several boys became Eagle Scouts. Thirteen became Eagle Scouts in the last two years. He predicts the numbers of Eagle Scouts will decrease now because of the rarity of so many earning the award in the last couple of years.
Doug Carlstrom had been a Boy Scout himself but didnt make it to Eagle because his troop shut down.
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He had never imagined that all his boys would become Eagle Scouts.
He wasnt the scout leader so they would all be Eagles but so the group would have a leader, he said.
Nonetheless, his sons saw him as one of their inspirations for pursuing the award.
We knew it was important for Dad because he wanted to be an Eagle, but his troop shut down, Nathan said.
They also saw the importance of getting the Eagle Award when they did.
We have so many friends that have been short getting it and regret it for the rest of their lives, Justin said.
Doug Carlstrom thinks having an Eagle Award can help a person get a job.
People give more respect to someone when they find out he is an Eagle Scout, Justin said.
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The Carlstrom boys say they will use what they learned in Boy Scouts throughout their lifetime.
Scouts learn to do things on their own, and that helps them to be more independent, Ian said.
Some things that Boy Scouts learn can be used anywhere, he said.
Justin gives CPR and survival skills as examples of skills that could be used in a variety of situations.
Nathan said Scouts follow the 12 points of the Scout Law. The 12 points are trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
Its not just a thing you can do in your free time, Ian said, Its more of a lifestyle.
