FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2024
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
VIRGINIA BEACH SCOUT LEADER RON KILMER RECEIVES NATIONAL OUTSTANDING EAGLE SCOUT AWARD
Virginia Beach, Va. – Ron Kilmer, a member of the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout class of 1968, was honored as a recipient of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Outstanding Eagle Scout Award by Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America, at its Recognition Banquet on May 15, 2024, at the Khedive Shrine Center in Chesapeake.
Kilmer earned the Eagle Scout Award in 1968 in Chester, Pennsylvania. He was a member of Pack and Troop 350 for ten years.
He says he “was reactivated” to Scouting in 1993 when his oldest son joined. Ron jokes he became the Tiger den leader when he wasn’t at the parents’ meeting. He later became a den leader, assistant Cubmaster, and later Cubmaster with Pack 791. He attended Wood Badge training when there was still a course focused on Cub Scouts.
When his sons crossed over to a troop, Ron joined them and later became Scoutmaster of Troop 791. He attended the Scouting with Disabilities session at Philmont in 2000 and returned to teach it in 2001.
In 2001, he joined the staff of the first Wood Badge for the 21st Century course held by Tidewater Council. He was appointed course director for the second updated Wood Badge course (SR-571) held in 2003.
As an executive board member, Ron’s vision, pragmatism, and team-building skills have benefitted our council, youth, and leaders. He has embraced the challenging roles of vice president of camping, chairman of activities and civic service, and vice president of finance.
He was Tidewater Council’s Eagle Scout honoree in 2021, becoming one of the few Eagle Scouts in the council to have a council service patch (CSP) commissioned in his honor. He even participated in the “Dancing with the Hampton Roads Celebrity Stars” fundraising competition. Luckily, he had Scouting to fall back on.
Ron received the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award alongside fellow recipients Aaron “AJ” Davis and Charles Kubic.
About the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
The National Eagle Scout Association established the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award during the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America in 2010. Popularly known by its acronym, “NOESA,” the award recognizes Eagle Scouts notable for their local, state, regional, or national distinguished service.
Candidates for the NOESA have inspired others through their positive actions reflected by recognized accomplishments and devotion to their profession, hobby, community, and beliefs. Previous recipients include authors, explorers, media personalities, military flag officers, scientists, medical doctors, government officials, prominent businesspeople, and entrepreneurs.
Award recipients are determined by the local council NESA committee, Scout executive, and council president. Each recipient’s record of service and accomplishments elevate the public stature and reputation of Eagle Scouts.
About the National Eagle Scout Association
The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) is an organization of individuals who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.
NESA’s stated objective is “to serve Eagle Scouts and, through them, the entire movement of Scouting.” NESA administers several scholarships for Eagle Scouts, both academic and merit based.
About Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America
Tidewater Council is the 5th oldest Boy Scouts of America council in the United States, established in 1911. 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. More information about Tidewater Council is available by visiting TidewaterBSA.com, emailing james.parnell@scouting.org, or calling 757-497-2688.
About the Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the nation’s foremost youth character development and values-based leadership training programs. Since its inception in 1910, more than 130 million young men and women have participated in the BSA’s youth programs. More than 35 million adult volunteers have helped carry out the BSA’s mission.
BSA programs serve boys and girls ages five through 20, and their families, with age-appropriate curriculums that develop character, citizenship, leadership, and personal fitness. More information about the Boy Scouts of America is available by visiting scouting.org.
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