SPECIAL DAYS FOR SCOUTER Bob Whitaker
I have been involved in scouting since becoming a Cub Scout in Waynesboro, Georgia, in January 1944. Then in 1946, we moved to the family farm at Harlem, Georgia. I went to camp that summer with my old troop from Waynesboro as a non-swimmer. While at camp, I became a first class scout by successfully completing the 50 yard swim with the encouragement of Aquatic staff member Ernest Pund. Four years later, Ernest Pund was my merit badge counselor when I completed Lifesaving Merit Badge, and on July 10, 1950, I became the first Eagle Scout in Columbia County, Georgia. Swimming has become a way of life for me; I swam more than 3500 miles in the last 35 years. When I became a member of Scouting's Tribe of Mic-O-Say, I took the name Distant Fish. On July 10, 2000, fifty years to the day from my own Eagle Board of Review, I had the honor of conducting an Eagle Board of Review for a scout in the North Star District, Kansas City, Missouri.
Top Row: Eagle Scout 1950 -- Family 1972 -- Family 1980 -- Woodbadge 1981
Second Row: NESA Award 1984 -- Philmont 1989 -- Religious Award 1990 -- District Award 1990
Third Row: Sachem 1993 -- Mic-O-Say -- Troop 9's 60th Anniversary in 1994
Fourth Row: Cross & Flame Award 2001 -- Silver Beaver Award 2002 -- District Scouter of the Month 2006
While in college, I was an assistant scoutmaster for four years. Since coming to Kansas City, I have been involved in scouting as a Committee Chairman at both the troop and pack level, and I was a unit commissioner for 16 years.
I have a great appreciation for the fellowship with people who share a common goal of helping young boys become men. In particular, I've enjoyed working on the Advancement Committee as District Eagle Board of Review Coordinator. Active participation in the North Star District, Heart of America Council, has netted many interesting experiences and a lot of very special friends.
I began serving as District Chairman for the National Eagle Scout Association in 1980. I was recognized for service to NESA in 1984.
In 1981, I took Woodbadge Training. In 1990, I joined the Order of the Arrow. I earned the Doctor of Commissioner Service through participation in the College of Commissioner Service. I also attended training classes at Philmont Training Center in New Mexico in 1989 and again in 1995.
The year 2008 marked my twenty-ninth year attending the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation near Osceola, Missouri, as an adult leader. Summer begins there with the Mic-O-Say Tribal Celebration.
I became a member of the Heart of America's honor society, the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, in 1980. In 1993, I became a Sachem in the Tribe.
On November 20, 2002, I received the Silver Beaver Award at the Heart of America Council's Annual Business Meeting and Recognition Dinner. The Silver Beaver is awarded by the National Court of Honor for distinguished service to youth and is the Council's highest award. On this occasion, there were 20 men and women honored, including four from the North Star District in Kansas City. My escorts were my Eagle Scout sons, David and Mark.
Return to:
