Dan and Sandy Muench: Scouting is all in the family

Dan and Sandy Muench met as children because of Scouting. Their mothers were den leaders for Dan’s younger brother and Sandy’s older brother in Pack 205 in Des Plaines, IL. Their mothers remained lifelong friends and as a result, Dan and Sandy met again as adults at Dan’s sister’s wedding in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Dan and Sandy grew up about a mile from each other in Des Plaines. When Dan was 15, he moved with his family to Valparaiso with his family. Despite the move, he stayed active with his troop in Des Plaines. During his last three summers in the troop, he spent his summers working as a camp staff member at Charles Sommers Scout Camp, now Northern Tier Scout Camp, in Ely, MN.

Dan attended Purdue University for one year as a Forestry major but decided his future was in the Air Force. He served for 5 years in aircraft maintenance. From there he returned to school to earn his Airframe and Powerplant certifications - eventually working for Northwest Airlines.  Today he is co-owner of NDI Consultants in Apple Valley.

Sandy was a Girl Scout who enjoyed participating in her brother’s Cub Scout and Scouts BSA activities.  She graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, with a degree in Operations Management. She worked in many industries before moving to Minnesota after she and Dan were married. She is currently Shipping and Receiving Supervisor at Donaldson Company in Bloomington. 

Dan and Sandy have two sons – both Eagle Scouts. Dan and Sandy have been active in Scouting since their boys were in Cub Scouts. Dan became an assistant Cubmaster first and recruited Sandy to be the pack committee chair the following year. Both have held a wide variety of roles at both the unit and district levels. Sandy is currently an assistant district commissioner and Dan is currently involved in Webelos transition for the second time. Both have also previously volunteered with the Lions Club in Prior Lake.

Dan and Sandy are steadfast supporters of Scouting. Dan says, “In this day and age, youth need Scouting. It builds character. Scouting will always be here; maybe not in the same form as 100 years ago, but the principles will be the same.”