FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2024
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
VIRGINIA BEACH SCOUT LEADER AJ DAVIS RECEIVES NATIONAL OUTSTANDING EAGLE SCOUT AWARD
Virginia Beach, Va. – Aaron John “AJ” Davis, a member of the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout class of 1979, 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.
Davis earned the Eagle Scout rank in 1979, with Troop 45 in Chief Cornstalk Council in Racine, West Virginia. Like many, he has lived as an Eagle Scout ever since, continuing to improve the lives of those around him whenever he could. As a Scout parent, he joined his son’s pack and volunteered to be den leader for six youths, guiding them from Tiger through the Arrow of Light.
While a den leader, he assisted Chalice Christian Church with various tasks. He also assisted Diamond Springs Civic League with its Halloween Spook House and Gingerbread House activities. Recognizing his creativity, Bayside Recreation Center asked him to build and staff a Scouting activity during their Fall Festival.
AJ began service as an assistant Scoutmaster when his son joined Troop 775, chartered by SonRise at Pembroke Manor Christian Church. He used his skills to assist with installing new parking lot lights and replacing all the exterior lights around the church building. When the time came to start a female troop, AJ became the Scoutmaster for Troop 5775. At the Bayside Scouts BSA Camporee held at Fentress Airfield, he got his first taste of supporting Scouts outside his unit. Taking on the role of an activity leader, he used his Scouting skills to devise a fun, challenging activity.
Davis and his fellow “Lumberjacks” have improved the experiences of thousands of Pipsico Scout Reservation campers through program and safety improvements. He was instrumental in developing the Huskanaw First-Year Camper area and the Axe Yard. He also helped to preserve the 150-year-old barn and is now expanding the Scoutcraft area. His creativity has shown through his service as Zomboree event program director. Testing his ideas through scale models, he has made the event the pinnacle of the fall program for more than a thousand Scouts in the last three years. AJ’s continual generosity and creativity truly demonstrate what it means to be an Eagle Scout.
AJ received the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award alongside fellow recipients Ron Kilmer 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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