Scouting is no doubt a program that centers around the entire family. That especially holds true when it comes to reaching the pinnacle of Scouting and earning the rank of Eagle. But for one Prairie Village family, earning Eagle is nothing new. In fact, you could say it's part of their DNA.
Charlie Kallemeier, a member of Troop 91 chartered by Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, KS, is one of the Heart of America Council's newest Eagle Scouts and completed his Board of Review during first session this summer at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation.
“I’m really glad that I have finally attained the rank of Eagle Scout. This is something I’ve been working towards for the past seven years, and I am excited to pay it forward by providing leadership to younger Scouts over the years to come,” said Charlie.
Becoming an Eagle Scout means Charlie is now a member of an elite group that only around six-percent of Scouts ever reach. But even rarer than that, Charlie is now the fourth in his family and the 3rd generation of Kallemeiers to earn Scouting's highest rank.
The Kallemeier Scouting legacy all started with Charlie’s great grandfather who served as Scoutmaster in the St. Louis Area Council in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Later, Charlie’s grandfather, Robert Kallemeier, earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1956 as a member of Troop 332 in St. Louis, MO. He would later go on to become Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and still to this day serves on the St. Louis Area Council’s facilities committee.
While reflecting on the day he achieved his Eagle, Robert said “The trail that led me to achieving Eagle Scout was the most important thing that happened in my young life. I have been involved in Scouting ever since to try to pay it back."
Robert's son and Charlie’s father, Steven Kallemeier, became an Eagle Scout in 1979 as a member of Troop 496 in St. Louis, MO. Steve currently serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 91 and said, “Scouting’s Oath, Law and ideals have been engrained in me and my family for as long as I can remember. Scouting’s principles and ideals are an integral part of how I conduct myself in business as well as all aspects of my life.”
As for Charlie, he will stand alongside his father and grandfather for his Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at Village Presbyterian Church. There, Charlie will be joined by his entire family for a celebration more than 80 years in the making.