Elizabeth Bailey
From scouting as a boy to helping his brother as assistant leader of a troop, Doug Hawkins has lived a legacy of service to Boy Scouting in Decatur County.
“Scouting has always been important to me and my family,” Hawkins said upon receiving the Silver Beaver Award during a Court of Honor Monday.
The award was a surprise to Hawkins, who had been chosen by his peers in the Hoosier Trails Council, comprised of 18 counties.
“I have so many memories from being a lil’ fella to the present day,” he said.
He began scouting as a Boy Scout in Troop 576. From there, he has served in a variety of capacities, including Assistant Scoutmaster from 1996-1999, Scoutmaster from 1999-2004, Assistant Scoutmaster and Unit Commissioner from 2004 to the present as well as serving as a Philmont Contingent Leader in 2000 and 2004. He has been a staff member for Outdoor Leader Training, has taught Scoutmaster Specifics, served as the Quartermaster for the National Jamboree Staff in 2005 and as a member of the White Stag Staff in 2002.
Hawkins has also served in the district committee, served as Camporee Chairman in 2000, 2004 and 2007, served as Lenni Lanape Assistant Day Camp Director in 2006, 2007 and 2008 as well as being on the District Training Team, training new scouts, attending National Scout Jamboree and participating in the Friends of Scouting program.
Outside of Boy Scouts, he has served as a Committee Chair for Girl Scout Troop 604 of the Tulip Trace Council for 10 years, ran the Ceraland summer and fall shotgun league for four years, is a member of the Coon Hunters Association and the NRA and took first place in the State Shotgun Competition in 2006. He has been a delivery driver for the Greensburg Daily News Cheer Fund for six years.
As a Scoutmaster, Hawkins mentored 11 Eagle Scouts, served as a Merit Badge Counselor for more than 10 years, made the neckerchief slide for White Stag Staff and participants since the inception of the Hoosier Trails Council and single-handedly raised the capitol to purchase all of the new .22 caliber rifles currently in use at Maumee.
For Bill Ford, who was Hawkins’ Scoutmaster as a boy, it is good to see one of his boys show this level of dedication and merit to the program.
Hawkins said he is appreciative to have been able to contribute to such a fantastic program. He also thanked his family for their support.
“There’s been no chore to it,” he said.
Only a small number of adults involved in scouting are honored with the Silver Beaver Award, Troop 577 Scoutmaster Rick Meadows noted, with only three scouters out of 18 counties receiving it each year.
“This is the highest award that Hoosier Trails Council can award for service to Scouting and the Public,” Meadows said.
Hawkins will receive the council-level award during the Council Gala on Sunday.
