A Peoria family’s journey through Scouting comes full circle as Charlotte leads with service and follows in her siblings’ footsteps.
In 2025, Charlotte C., proudly earned her Eagle Scout rank with Troop 3546, chartered by the Basecamp Youth Center in Peoria — making her the fourth sibling to reach Scouting’s highest honor. Her older siblings—Justin (Eagle 2013), Jamie (Eagle 2017), and Paul (Eagle 2019)—have all followed the path of leadership, service, and adventure that Scouting offers.
Charlotte’s Eagle project focused on giving back to her community. In spring 2025, she led the repair and repainting of the exterior of a temporary missionary house at the Christian Community Center campus in Peoria. Her project included repairing trim boards, rebuilding stairs, reconstructing a picnic table, and repainting the house exterior—creating a welcoming and safe space for those in need.
Charlotte’s family involvement in Scouting began in 2008, when they launched Troop 546 at their home with just six scouts. Today, the program has expanded to include a family Pack, Troop for Boys, Troop for Girls, and a Venture Crew with over 90 youth.
“Scouting has been an important part of how we raised our kids,” says Jay Caldwell, Over the years, the family has camped 965 nights, hiked 300 miles, attended more than 15 camporees, and experienced once-in-a-lifetime adventures including Philmont, Sea Base, the National Jamboree at Bechtel Summit, and staff service at Camp Geronimo. They have also participated in Scouting for Food every year, giving back to their local community.
Jay shared, “We believe if you are prepared to take care of yourself, then you are most prepared to help and serve other people. Scouting has helped to teach and reinforce this family value. This is also our Scouting program’s motto of ‘Others before self.’”
For this Scout family, Scouting isn’t just an activity—it’s a shared way of life, shaping values, fostering leadership, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
We congratulate Charlotte on her incredible achievement and extend our gratitude to this Scout family for their dedication, leadership, and lasting impact on the Scouting community.
View more on our Facebook page!
