FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2026
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
Virginia Beach, Va. – Three local Scouting America leaders have received the 2025 Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor bestowed by Tidewater Council. First introduced in 1931, the prestigious award recognizes volunteer leaders who have provided distinguished service to youth. These three exemplary leaders have given untold amounts of their time and talents to serve the needs of local youth Scouts.
Noel Falcon has devoted his life to service — to his nation, his community, and the youth of Scouting. His career and volunteer leadership reflect a deep commitment to excellence, mentorship, and helping others succeed.
Falcon honorably served 30 years in the United States Coast Guard, retiring as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. During his distinguished career, he served in numerous roles, from shift supervisor to branch chief, and received several awards recognizing his dedication, professionalism, and contributions to the Coast Guard mission.
While still on active duty, Noel further expanded his commitment to public service by becoming a certified Paramedic. For more than 20 years, he served his community in emergency medical services, eventually rising to the position of Deputy Chief of Operations and Training Officer. In this role, he played a key part in preparing and mentoring emergency responders who serve their communities every day.
Noel also shared his knowledge in the classroom. For more than ten years, he served as an instructor at the College of the Albemarle, where his dedication to education significantly improved student outcomes.
Committed to lifelong learning, Noel earned a bachelor’s degree in information technology with Honors from the University of Phoenix.
Noel’s Scouting journey began in 1973, when he joined the Boy Scouts as a youth in Puerto Rico. In 1978, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouting’s highest youth honor. He also served for two years on the summer camp staff, helping deliver the Scouting experience to young Scouts.
After returning to active involvement in 1987, Noel has continued to serve the movement with exceptional dedication. In 1990, he was recognized with the Vigil Honor through the Order of the Arrow at Blue Heron Lodge. His service expanded nationally, where he has served at every National Scout Jamboree since 1997 and every national Order of the Arrow event since 1998, advancing to leadership roles including Jamboree Chief Medical Administrative Officer and Chief of Staff.
In recognition of his outstanding service, Noel received the Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award in 2015. He is also a James E. West Fellowship Award recipient and an Order of the Arrow Legacy member. In 2024, he was honored with the Silver Heron Award and continues to serve as a Lodge Advisor for Blue Heron Lodge, mentoring the next generation of Scouting leaders.
Noel received the Silver Beaver Award at the Scouting America Tidewater Council Recognition Banquet on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Khedive Shrine Temple in Chesapeake, alongside fellow recipients Laura Bussiere and Bob Patton.
About the Silver Beaver Award
As a movement with leadership overwhelmingly comprised of volunteers, Scouting America recognizes the need to acknowledge the invaluable service Scout leaders render to youth.
The Silver Beaver is the highest honor that a local council can bestow upon a volunteer and is among the most prestigious awards in Scouting. Since 1931, the award has been a means for council-level recognition of Scouters who have provided distinguished service to youth.
A recipient of the award may be a Scouter who has given exceptional service to Scouting or their community over a long period, or it may go to a Scouter who has done a single remarkable act of noteworthy service. Length of service is not a prerequisite, nor does someone’s tenure make this recognition automatic or warranted.
The Silver Beaver is not an “earned” award. A Tidewater Council peer-level volunteer committee selects the honorees after thoroughly reviewing nominations. The Scouting America National Council, on the recommendation of the local council, bestows the award.
About Scouting America Tidewater Council
Established in 1911, Tidewater Council is the fifth oldest Scouting America council in the United States. Today, the council serves approximately 4,000 youth and 1,700 adult volunteers in the Virginia cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, and the North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans. To learn more about Tidewater Council or to sign your child up for Scouting, visit TidewaterBSA.com, email [email protected], or call 757-497-2688.
About Scouting America
Scouting America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®”
Scouting America welcomes all of America’s youth into its programs. Scouting aims to give them fantastic experiences in the outdoors, and elsewhere, where they can grow in a safe environment. More than 130 million Americans have participated in Scouting’s programs since its founding. Today, almost one million youth are served by 500,000 adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country.
To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, or to sign your child up for Scouting, visit BeAScout.org.
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Silver Beaver Award Class of 2025, Scouting America Tidewater Council
April 29, 2026
(from left):
Silver Beaver Award recipient Bob Patton
Scouting America Tidewater Council President John Scheib
Silver Beaver Award recipient Laura Bussiere
Scouting America Tidewater Council Commissioner Kate Sklat
Silver Beaver Award recipient Noel Falcon
Scouting America Tidewater Council Scout Executive James Parnell