Local Scout Leaders Honored

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The Muskingum Valley Council Boy Scouts of America honored some local leaders this afternoon at Littick Hall.

Three area volunteers– Kevin Burch, Chris Maples, and Ed Romito were honored with the Silver Beaver Award– the highest recognition possible for a local scouting volunteer.

“The top honor that our local council is allowed by the Boy Scouts of America to present to volunteers is called the Silver Beaver Award. And we’re presenting three of those today to some incredible volunteers. So these are folks that for years have just done incredible things on behalf of youth and we’re going to present those awards to them today,” said Executive Director Ed Mulholland.

Kevin Burch is a past “Scoutmaster” and is now the Council Training Chairman; Chris Maples is the Scoutmaster of Troop 164 here in Zanesville; and Ed Romito is the immediate past President of the Muskingum Valley Council Executive Board.

Mulholland expanded on the important of volunteers to the scouts in the area, adding that the Muskingum Valley Council operates over 100 scout units between seven counties with only four professional staff and a couple part-time employees in the office. They have over 1,000 registered volunteers who are meeting weekly with the scouts, taking them on weekend camp-outs, planning trips, and summer camps among other things. Without the support he receives from the volunteers and the community, they would be able to operate the way that they do.

The local volunteers also took part in “University of Scouting” sessions this afternoon which provide training to volunteers at all scouting levels on a variety of topics.

“We have the ‘University of Scouting’ going on, which consists of over 30 different one-hour sessions that our many volunteer leaders are registered for. Learning anything from songs and games, to working with special needs youth; it runs the gamut,” added Mulholland.

And the impact that the scouts have on youth development is invaluable. Mulholland explains that the scouts core aims are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Studies show that those involved in scouting do better in school, graduate at a higher rate, and earn more money as adults. The scout motto “to be prepared” is all about being prepared for life.

Anyone interested in being involved with Boy Scouts of America whether as a scout or a volunteer can contact the Muskingum Valley Council at (740)453-0571.