Celia’s Scouting journey began on the brink of history. Her first meeting was March 5, 2020, just days before the world shifted to virtual life. While others might have faltered, Celia grew with the program, transitioning from “tagging along” with her brother’s Cub Scout Pack to carving out her own legacy as one of the first female Eagle Scouts many have ever met.

A Natural in the Water

Celia K. First Female Eagle Scout Camp Norse Staff 10th of August, 2025

It is only fitting that Celia’s first merit badge was Swimming. A competitive swimmer by nature, this badge served as the gateway to Lifesaving and her current role as a lifeguard at Camp Norse. For Celia, the waterfront isn’t just a place of work; it’s the most beautiful place Scouting has taken her. Over the years she’s fully embraced the challenge of the water, even completing the mile swim three times!

Picture (left): Celia K. holding a plaque the Aquatics Director Travis H. gifted her for being the First Female Eagle Scout on Camp Norse Staff. Plaque reads: 

Turning “Productive Failure” into Success

Every Scout has a story of a rainy campout, but Celia’s most memorable challenge was a literal test of survival. During her Wilderness Survival merit badge, she found herself as one of the only girls in the session without female coverage, requiring her to build her shelter near her own campsite.

“I was one of the only girls in the course and didn’t have female coverage at the wilderness survival site, so I had to build my shelter near my own campsite,” she recalls. “It wasn’t ideal since I was separated from the group, and I had to make do with what I had. I just tried my best and pushed through.”

The Eagle Project: Honoring the Fallen

Celia K. placing a flag on a veteran’s grave during Memorial Day.

Celia’s Eagle Project was born from a community need she spotted at Union Cemetery in Holbrook. Many graves were missing markers, making it difficult for families to locate their loved ones. Inspired by her mother’s service in the Army, Celia organized a massive effort to map and mark the cemetery.

The “headache” of the project? Realizing she couldn’t do it alone. “I had to learn it’s not a one-person show and ask the right adults for help,” she says. Much of that guidance came from her Eagle coach, Mr. Santorelli, who helped her navigate the process. On project day, Celia managed a large group of Scouting and non-Scouting friends by delegating teams to specific sections of the vast cemetery.

The Rewarding Moment: “We were working on project day and I was actually able to help a family find their loved one’s marker right then and there. That was the exact second I realized, ‘We actually did this.'”

Advice for the Next Generation

From left to right: Celia K, Samantha K, and Acadia M.

Celia points to Acadia M. and Samantha K., also from Troop 22 Whitman, as Scouts she looked up to in her early days, helping inspire her as she began working through the ranks. When the Eagle slump hit during her later years in Scouting, the Camp Norse staff encouraged her to stay involved and helped her push across the finish line.

If she could talk to her 12-year-old self, her advice would be simple: “Start early, enjoy the journey, and know that you can become part of the nest.”
As one of the first female Eagle Scouts many people meet, Celia takes the responsibility seriously.  

To her, “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle” means living by the Scouting ideals every day. Her Scouting journey has carried her to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where she wears a ribbon daily to symbolize who she is as an Eagle Scout and the values she strives to live by. And if she had to sum up the whole experience in three words? “Buddy up, please!”

A Conversation with Molly F., Troop 1792 Duxbury

For Molly F., the path to Eagle hasn’t been a straight line—it’s been a rollercoaster. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we sat down with Molly to discuss how Scouting transformed her from an energetic recruit into a mature leader, Chaplain’s Aide, and a community-minded innovator.

From Energy to Influence

Looking back at her first meeting, Molly admits she was a different person. “I was very energetic,” she laughs. Today, she stands as a pillar of maturity and leadership in Troop 1792. That growth was fostered by mentors like Adam M. (Troop 64 Plymouth) and Alyssa B. (Troop 424 Marshfield), who showed her what a “cool,” experienced Scout looked like.

Her journey began at the Casoni Museum, earning the Scouting Heritage merit badge while decorating for Christmas—a moment she remembers fondly as more than just a “box to check,” but a genuine connection to the movement’s history.

Resilience in the Rain and on the Ice

Scouting is often about “productive failure.” For Molly, that meant mastering the “pop-up tent” during relentless rainstorms and learning to pivot so the fun never stopped. Physically, she pushed her limits at Base Camp in Milton, tackling her fear of heights while ice climbing —a challenge she lists as her hardest to date.

The Eagle Project: Backpacks for Discovery

Molly’s Eagle Project was born from a late-night spark of inspiration: Library Backpacks. These kits, filled with materials to encourage children to explore the outdoors, are available for free checkout. These are available at Plymouth, Pembroke, and Duxbury Public Libraries.

The process wasn’t without its “headaches.” Fundraising required Molly to cold-call organizations and companies, a task made easier by the support of local partners like Tiny and Sons Glass Company. On project day, Molly’s leadership skills were put to the test as she managed her peers by strategically separating “best friend groups” into smaller, focused teams to keep the momentum going.

“The most rewarding moment was testing the project with my brother’s Cub Scout Pack and seeing it actually work,” Molly shares.

Beyond the Badge

Molly’s Scouting skills have already bled into her “civilian” life. During a recent trip to a market in New York, she jumped into action to help a family whose child had a severe bloody nose. “I use First Aid all the time,” she says.

As she steps into a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster role with Troop 143 Pembroke, Molly’s advice to her 11-year-old self is simple: “You will do it. Enjoy the things you are doing in the moment. Don’t worry about the future.”

We’re absolutely thrilled to announce a groundbreaking new way to make the adventure of Scouting more accessible and affordable than ever before!

Scout Now, Pay Later!

Scouting is all about moving forward, and so are we. We’ve launched a brand-new, flexible payment option powered by Klarna to make joining the fun easier for every family. Say goodbye to upfront costs and hello to manageable, family-friendly payments!

Look for Klarna at Checkout

When you complete your online membership application, you’ll now see the Klarna option right alongside the usual credit card and digital wallet choices. This is a game-changer that offers more flexibility and removes barriers, making it simple to say “Yes!” to Scouting.

Flexible, Family-Friendly Payments

Klarna lets you choose what works best for your family budget. This ensures Scouting remains accessible to every child who wants to be part of the adventure.

(Please note: Interest or fees may apply for monthly financing, and credit approval by Klarna may be required.)

How to Use Klarna

1. Complete your online membership application.
2. At checkout, simply select Klarna as your payment method.
3. If you have the Klarna app, complete your purchase as usual. If you’re new to Klarna, you’ll fill in a few details to set up your account.

We are incredibly excited to bring you this new option! This is another way we’re committed to making sure that every young person who wants to embark on the journey of a lifetime in Scouting has the chance to do so.

Have Questions?
If you have any questions about the Scout Now, Pay Later program or your membership application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Membership & Unit Service Team by clicking here.