2024 Silver Beaver Award Nominations

The Silver Beaver Award is the highest award a Scout Council can bestow. It is awarded for noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth by registered Scouters within a Council. It is given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service.

The Silver Beaver Award is given to those who do not seek it.  To receive the Award, a Scouter must be nominated by a registered Scouter on a Nomination Form provided by the National Office. The number of Awards that can be given each year is based on the number of units in the Council. For 2024, the HOVC may award four Silver Beavers.

The Heart of Virginia Council has established a Silver Beaver Award Committee.  It is made up of former Silver Beaver Award recipients from all areas of the Council. The Committee is charged with receiving and considering nominations and presenting to the Council a slate of Scouters to receive the Award in a given calendar year. The Committee does not make or solicit any nominations. It only can consider Scouters properly nominated by registered Scouters in the Council.

The attention given to a nomination is critical. The Nominations Form can be obtained from the National or Council website.  It should be completed fully, including the “Record of Service in the Boy Scouts of America.”  The Personal Record kept by National may not show all a Scouter’s service. Most importantly, the nomination must include a significant number of letters of recommendation that address the service of the Scouter and the impact he or she has had, whether it be in Scouting or the community. Often deserving Scouters are nominated, but the nomination package is insufficient to give the Committee the information it needs to make an informed decision.

Nominations for Silver Beavers to be awarded for 2024 must be submitted to the Council Office by November 30, 2024. Notices will appear in the Courier and on the Council website with appropriate links. Please take the time to reflect on those Scouters who truly have distinguished themselves by their service and deserve to be recognized.  Then, either submit a complete and impressive nomination package or find a registered Scouter who is willing to do so.