On September 15, 2022, Mark Larson receives the Silver Antelope Award.  This special award recognizes Scouters of exceptional character in their territory for their distinguished service to youth.  This award is for Scouters whose work affects the Scouting movement on the council, territory, and national levels.  This is the second “Silver Family” BSA Award Mr. Larson has received, having been inducted into the 2005 Class of Silver Beavers.  In May 2022, Boy Scouts of America announced Mr. Larson as an honoree in an article on the Scouting Magazine website.

In June of this year, Mr. Larson also received the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, established by the National Eagle Scout Association (NOESA) in 2010.  This award recognizes Eagle Scouts notable for their local, state, regional, or national distinguished service.  Candidates for the NOESA Award have inspired others through their positive actions reflected by recognized accomplishments and devotion to their profession, avocation, community, and beliefs.

Other honors Mr. Larson has received include the Order of the Arrow (OA) Vigil Honor in 2017, the Spurgeon Award in 2014, International Scouter Award in 2012, Doctorate of Commissioner Science Award in 2012, Good Shepherd Award in 2009, Distinguished Commissioner Award in 2008, and the District Award of Merit in 2003.

His volunteer service is as impressive; Scoutmaster of Troop 443 from 1983 to 1994, Committee Chair of Troop 443 from 1994 to 1996, Committee Chair for Pack 443 from 1999 to 2018, and Advisor for Explorer Post 616 from 2013 to 2018.  He’s also served as District Commissioner from 2003 to 2007 and District Chair from 2010 to 2011, as well as Council Commissioner from 2017 to 2020, Chancellor of Commissioner College from 2013 to 2017, Wood Badge Course Director in 2012, International Representative from 2013 to 2019, and on the Executive Board from 2004 to 2021.

Mr. Larson also served as NST 15 Commissioner from 2021 to present, SR Area 7 Commissioner from 2020 to 2021, WSJ Chair SR Area 7 from 2017 to 2019, WSJ Contingent Management Team – Southern Region Commissioner in 2019, and WSJ Scoutmaster in Japan in 2015.  He is also a Founding Committee Member of the American Wood Badge Association from 2016 to 2018 and serves on numerous community and professional boards.

When asked about one achievement in Scouting of which he is most proud, Mr. Larson said, “Starting a new urban troop in 1983 (as its 26-year old Scoutmaster) that has since served several hundred youth and awarded Eagle Scout to 50.  That troop and pack are still going strong.”  He also noted that he “would really like to thank my wife and daughter for being so understanding – allowing me to spend many, many hours away from home ‘doing my Scout thing’.”

The Heart of Virginia Council is proud of Mark Larson’s commitment to Scouting and the community at large.  It is a great understatement to say that his contributions are a large part of our success over the years.  We extend our sincerest congratulations to Mr. Larson on the many honors he has received.