Callie Muhlner

Plans beyond high school

I am currently attending WashU in St. Louis where I am majoring in architecture and minoring in math. This summer I am working as a camp counselor in Wisconsin where I will be leading trips and teaching younger kids outdoor activities and skills, many of which I learned through Scouting.

Are there any Scouting or non-Scouting awards or recognitions you would like to mention?

I am proud of the fact that I earned Eagle in the Troop and Ranger in the Crew and was recognized by the council with the Venturing Leadership Award in 2019. I was so happy to be able to celebrate these accomplishments with friends, family and many members of Troop 27 at a Court of Honor for both awards.

Tell us a little bit about you . . .

My family has a long history of Eagles. My grandpa, my dad and two of my uncles are Eagles, and hopefully my brother will be someday soon. I watched my brother grow up in the Scouting program. I raced cars in the Pinewood Derby Outlaws Class when he was in Cub Scouts, went to Scouting for Food with him when he joined 206, and watched him come home filthy and smiling from countless camping trips always with interesting stories. I wanted the same experiences, so I joined Crew 27 in 2017. I never could have imagined the impact it would have on my life. I’ve had countless crazy experiences and made so many amazing memories within the 27 family and I feel so lucky to have found a place where I know I belong.

When and where did you earn your Eagle Scout rank?

I earned Eagle with Troop 27G in San Mateo. I had my Board of Review on October 21, 2020 when I was sitting on Zoom in my dorm room. But as all girls in the Inaugural Class, my official Eagle date is February 8, 2021.

What did you do for your Eagle Project?

For my Eagle Project I reached out to my elementary school hoping they would have a project for me because I wanted to give back to my community who supported me when I was younger. To improve the playground, I built and installed a storage box for sand toys and a water container to make the sandbox more enjoyable for students.

Did you have a favorite merit badge(s)? Did any merit badge(s) lead to a hobby or profession?

I really enjoyed all of my water-related merit badges. However, if I had to pick a favorite it would probably be orienteering because of the all-day, intensive, but fun experience.

What does being an Eagle Scout mean to you?

For me, being an Eagle Scout means equality, community and knowledge. It means equality because it’s now an opportunity for both men and women who work hard toward the same goal and are able to accomplish amazing things. It means community because being in a Troop creates a sense of family, and through the process you make lifelong friends. And it means knowledge because once you’ve earned Eagle you have the skills to “Be Prepared,” making you a more competent and confident person.

What is the greatest personal asset you developed while earning your Eagle Scout rank, or from being an Eagle in the greater community? How has this asset contributed towards your personal fulfillment and success in your personal or professional life?

While earning my Eagle rank the greatest personal asset I developed was communication. My communication skills grew in many ways when girls were first welcomed into Scouting, but increased dramatically during the pandemic. When the pandemic started I still needed to complete my Eagle project and nine more merit badges before the end of the summer. I worked with merit badge counselors online, and coordinated my entire project through emails and Zoom calls. I developed skills in both in-person and remote communication which I use on a daily basis in my personal life, and will be essential both in my job this summer and when I become a residential architect.

Do you have any advice for your fellow Eagles, or for those working towards becoming an Eagle? Or is there common advice that you think should be ignored?

I’m sure everyone says this, but if you want something, put your mind to it and don’t stop until you get there. Learn to grow from the people who try to stand in your way and show them all the amazing things you can do if you have a plan and you stick to it.

If you could add a thirteenth point to the Scout Law, what would it be?

If I could add a thirteenth point to the Scout law it would be Open. Being Open can mean different things to everyone but can range from being open to trying new things, to being open to new people, to being open and talking to your friends. Openness has been an important part of my Scouting journey, as BSA and my Troop needed to be Open to having a girls program for me to have even had this opportunity.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?

I’m so grateful to have been able to have this experience which wouldn’t have happened without the support of so many amazing people. Scouting gathers incredible people together. I know my Troop is a community and I believe it’s true for all Troops. The people make Scouting as fantastic as it is, and the best thing you can do is get to know and learn from each of their stories.