By Alan Edwards

Sunday, Jan. 24, more than 230 adult volunteers celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the American Boy Scout movement at the Circle Ten Council’s North Trail District Annual Awards Banquet held at Eddie Deen’s Ranch banquet facility in Downtown Dallas. 

The evening event featured the presentation of the Boy Scout Heroism Award to two Richardson Scouts, the recognition of district honors earned by adult volunteers, including a number of Park Cities parents, and inspiring and informative words from keynote speaker David Scott.

Heroism Awards

Dr. Robert Edmunds, an Eagle Scout and accomplished enterprise and technology executive, conducted a National Court of Honor to present the Boy Scout Heroism Award to Richardson Troop 444 Scouts Josh Raynes, 16, a sophomore at Prince of Peace Christian School, Carrollton, and Chris Rogers, 17, a senior at J.J. Pearce High School, Richardson. 

On Oct. 20, 2007, Raynes, Rogers and Connor McNeil, now 16 and a sophomore at RichardsonHigh School, were among a group of Troop 444 Scouts launching model rockets during a weekend campout at Camp Simpson in Oklahoma.  When an errant rocket pierced McNeil’s chest, Raynes and Rogers reacted immediately with their Scout-taught first-aid skills.  Rogers took off his own shirt, placed it over the wound, and applied pressure.  He told Raynes to maintain the pressure while he went to get help from adult leaders.

“These two boys took the necessary action to save the life of their friend,” said Dr. Edmunds.

Robert E. Little Award and District Award of Merit

The district’s Robert E. Little Award of Merit, which honors “dedicated service, personal effort and unselfish interest,” was presented to John Slaughter.  Mr. Slaughter is responsible for district communications, including website www.northtrail.org and a weekly district newsletter distributed by e-mail to 1,300 families.

Each year, the Circle Ten Council honors “meritorious service” at the district level with its District Award of Merit.  Among the six recipients of this award were Park Cities volunteers Tom Manley and Lance Pool.

Tom Manley has been a Troop 82 adult leader and Troop Committee Chair.  He has completed Wood Badge adult-leader training and served on a Wood Badge course staff.  He has been North Trail District Committee Chair, a member of the District Nominating Committee, and since 2006 a member of the Circle Ten Council Advisory Board.  The Council presented him with a Silver Beaver Award in 2008.

Lance Pool has been a Troop 82 Assistant Scoutmaster for Membership and Advancement.  He is a Brotherhood member of Order of the Arrow.  Since completing his Wood Badge training in 2005, he has been a member of a number of Wood-Badge course staffs.  He was responsible for the district’s popcorn fund-raising efforts in 2005.  Mr. Pool was District Vice Chair of Finance in 2006 and District Committee Chair in 2007 and 2008.  Also, he has been a member of the Circle Ten Council Executive Board and the Centennial Capital Campaign Steering Committee in 2007 and 2008.  The Council presented him with a Silver Beaver Award in 2008.

Your Extraordinary Service Awards

North Trail District Cub Packs, Boy Scout Troops and Venturing Crews recognized exceptional service at the unit level with the presentation of 41 Your Extraordinary Service Awards.  Among 2009 YES award recipients were Park Cities adult volunteers:

-  Webber Beall, Troop 82

-  Matt Carr, Troop 82

-  Bruce Collins, Troop 82

-  Brad Gahm, Pack 82

-  Ray Kane, Troop 80

-  Jeff Rea, Troop 82

-  Taylor Stone, Crew 82

Keynote Speaker – David Scott

Keynote speaker David Scott, an Eagle Scout with five Palms and the author of the book “We Are Americans, We Are Scouts,” spoke about the critical impact that President Theodore Roosevelt had on the formation of the American Scouting movement. 

“No American’s endorsement was more important or valued than that of Theodore Roosevelt due to his stature as the nation’s number one citizen-leader,” said Mr. Scott.  “Roosevelt believed that the duty-driven principles that guided his life were the same as Scouting’s core principles,” he continued.  “Roosevelt’s endorsement legitimized the fledgling Boy Scouts of America to the public and made its success almost certain.”

District Chair’s Closing Comments

Kimberly Colonnetta, a parent of Troop 82 and 577 Scouts and current North Trail District Committee Chair, closed the banquet by repeating the story of American businessman William D. Boyce who, after losing his way in a dense London fog in August 1909, was led to his destination by an English Boy Scout.  When Mr. Boyce offered a tip, the boy refused it, saying that he was just doing his Good Turn as a Scout.

Before leaving London, Boyce met with Lord Robert Baden-Powell, a retired British general and the founder of Scouting in Great Britain.  Six months later, on Feb. 8, 1910, Mr. Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America

“Scouting in America was founded by one good turn, one small act of kindness,” said Mrs. Colonnetta.  “A chance encounter between a man and a boy, whose name is lost to history, grew into a movement that has profoundly affected millions of Americans,” she continued.  “Let us never forget the power and impact one good turn can make.”

The North Trail District is comprised of Cub Packs, Boy Scout Troops and Venturing Crews in LakeHighlands, North Dallas, ParkCities, Preston Hollow and Richardson.

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Alan Edwards is among those who report on the activities of North Trail District Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing units.