News Release: Virginia Beach Scout Leader Kathryn Callahan Honored as a “Living Legend”

Virginia Beach, Va. – Virginia Beach Scout leader Kathryn Callahan has been recognized as a “Living Legend of Tidewater Council.” She was honored by Scouting America Tidewater Council at its Recognition Banquet on April 29, 2026, at the Khedive Shrine Center in Chesapeake.

The Living Legends of Tidewater Council award recognizes well-known living volunteers who have generously given untold amounts of their time, resources, and talents to the Scouting program. Tidewater Council’s service area encompasses the Virginia cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, as well as seven northeastern North Carolina counties.

Kathryn Callahan began her Scouting career as a Brownie and earned the Gold Award (the Girl Scout equivalent of Eagle Scout). She and her husband, Tom (an Eagle Scout with Palms), believe in the fundamentals Scouting teaches, so they have become deeply involved in the program. They have three adult children, Lauren, a Gold Awardee, and Davis and Mitchell, both Eagle Scouts with Palms.

Kathryn is a dedicated Scouting leader with over 22 years of service in the Tidewater Council. She currently serves as Scoutmaster for the blended Troops 417B and 19G in the Princess Anne District. Over the years, she has held several leadership roles, including Tiger mom, den leader, pack committee chair, troop committee member, advancement chair, merit badge counselor, and assistant Scoutmaster. She received the Princess Anne District Award of Merit in 2024.

Kathryn has played a key role in mentoring leaders, organizing major activities (backpacking and camping trips, district Camporees, and special events), and ensuring Scouts progress efficiently through the ranks. She is proud of all her Scouts, especially the 32 whom she has mentored through Eagle.

She has enjoyed extensive direct involvement with her Scouts, including camping, hiking, backpacking, windsurfing, canoeing, spelunking, and whitewater rafting. She has been at summer camp for 16 years and is looking forward to going again this year.

With her husband and Scouts, she earned the 50-Miler Award canoeing on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in Maine.

Known for her strong organizational skills, she helped establish one of Tidewater Council’s first female troops. As a member of the council’s high adventure committee, she contributes to high adventure programming and supports council-wide adventures. She trains leaders in outdoor skills for canoeing and backpacking trips with their troops and supports troops on adventures. She has also taught at the annual University of Scouting.

Her record includes advanced training and recognized service, including the National Camping School, the Wood Badge course, the James E. West Fellow distinction, the Cross and Flame, a Scouting Religious Award, and membership in the Good Turn Society. She was elected to the Order of the Arrow in 2023 and is a Brotherhood member.