FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2026
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
Virginia Beach, Va. – Virginia Beach Scout leader Mike Maruska has been recognized as a “Living Legend of Tidewater Council.” He was honored by Scouting America Tidewater Council at its Recognition Banquet on April 29, 2026, at the Khedive Shrine Center in Chesapeake.
The Living Legends of Tidewater Council award recognizes well-known living volunteers who have generously given untold amounts of their time, resources, and talents to the Scouting program. Tidewater Council’s service area encompasses the Virginia cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, as well as seven northeastern North Carolina counties.
Mike Maruska earned the rank of Eagle Scout while in Troop 120, sponsored by Mater Christi Church in LaGrange, Illinois. As a youth, Mike served as Lodge Chief of Order of the Arrow (OA) Leekwinai Lodge.
Over the past 25+ years, Mike has served in a variety of adult volunteer leadership roles within Tidewater Council. He was a den leader for five years with Pack 660, and then served as assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, and committee chair for Scouts BSA Troop 660 in Virginia Beach.
Mike has also guided youth in OA Blue Heron Lodge as an associate chapter advisor and chapter advisor for Princess Anne. He now serves as one of the three advisors to the Blue Heron Lodge Council of Chiefs.
He also currently serves as the council maintenance chair. Over the past four years, Mike has worked at summer camp at Pipsico Scout Reservation, ensuring everything is ready for campers. He also aids the staff as needed.
Mike has received the Princess Anne District Award of Merit, the Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor, and Blue Heron Lodge’s Silver Heron Award.
In addition to supporting youth in Tidewater Council with his time, Mike’s generosity has earned him the title of James E. West Fellow and membership at the Trailhead level of Scouting’s Good Turn Society.
He retired from the U.S. Navy after 22 years and owns a home repair business. He is the proud father of an Eagle Scout.
About the Living Legend of Tidewater Council Award
The Living Legends Award was established by the Tidewater Council executive board in 1998 to recognize local volunteers for their enduring contributions to Scouting. Living Legends recipients continue to provide significant leadership, service, and support to Scouting over many years and in many roles. Honorees have given untold amounts of their time, resources, and talents to the Scouting program within Tidewater Council’s North Carolina and Virginia service area. They exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in service to youth.
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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Living Legends Award Presentation, Scouting America Tidewater Council
April 29, 2026
(from left):
Kathryn Callahan
Chuck Kelley
Mike Maruska
Kurt Wentzell