Not everyone has the stuff it takes to become an Eagle Scout.
Michael Kalloch, 16, stepped up to the challenge this past year with his efforts to make the new picnic shelter on the Little Muddy Bridge more visitor friendly.
“We painted the shelter, we put up a fence. Then we went to Thompson Landing and painted that shelter,” he said.
Because of his work, Kalloch is being recognized this week with one of the Boy Scouts’ most esteemed honors. He credits James Brevig for being his contact on the project and the Little Muddy Recreation Council for assisting him. He said Brevig knew the project needed to be done.
“I got the numbers from him and started organizing it. (Supporters) had already gone through the red tape with the Army Corps of Engineers,” Kalloch said.
He went to work with the help of 10 other Boy Scouts where the picnic shelter had already been erected.
Kalloch is the son of Leo and Barb Kalloch. He is a junior at Williston High School. When he is not busy with Boy Scouts, he works part-time stocking shelves at Scenic Sports.
Kalloch began to create the plans one year ago and started working last fall once the concrete slab was laid at the shelter. His work resumed this spring when the young volunteers painted the shelter, put up the fence and the worked on the picnic benches.
Kalloch joined the Northern Lights Council of Boy Scouts just over five years ago. He said it gives him a good feeling that he and the other Boy Scouts could be a part of something that people will enjoy for many years. That is why this project appealed to him. He added fishing is very accessible at the location.
“This project was more outdoors and I like the outdoors,” Kalloch said. “It’s for the community. It’s nature; I love nature,” he said.
Kalloch said the Little Muddy Recreation Council was very pleased with the Boy Scouts’ progress.
He said the Eagle Scout badge is something he sought for a long time because he is considering joining the Air Force.
“In some of the camp-outs we have, there is military support that attend; we get to sit down and talk to them,” Kalloch said. “They convinced me Air Force is the way to go. It’s professional. It has many opportunities.”
He said the Boy Scouts and the shelter project boosted his leadership skills. He was the Senior Patrol Leader for two years. In this capacity, he was in charge of younger scouts.
“The Boy Scouts are a lot of fun. I’ve met friends from a lot of places,” he said. “It’s kept me entertained...I’ve been on two, 50-mile hikes and two, 50-mile canoe trips. I‘ve been to Minnesota for camps and got to earn different merit badges there. You get to learn more about nature, go on hikes, motor boating, fishing and things like that.”
Kalloch was excited about receiving the Eagle Scout award.
“It’s a lot of hard work,” Kalloch said. “I’m glad I made it this far.”
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