FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2023
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
VIRGINIA BEACH STAR SCOUT TO RECEIVE BSA'S MEDAL OF MERIT
Virginia Beach, Va. – A Virginia Beach Boy Scout is receiving a national award – the Medal of Merit – from the Boy Scouts of America.
Christopher Beale joined others from Scouts BSA Troop 364 on a ski trip to Canaan Valley Ski Resort in West Virginia on February 19, 2023. He observed that Assistant Scoutmaster Andrew Pace hit a root while skiing down a slope, which caused the man to fall forward and flip over multiple times. Christopher came to Mr. Pace’s aid and noticed his bindings had not released the skis. Christopher took action to assess the situation, removed the skis, and moved Mr. Pace out of the ski run for safety. Christopher then treated Mr. Pace for shock and flagged down another skier to notify the Ski Patrol. When the Patrol arrived, Christopher told them what he had witnessed and the treatment he had provided. The Ski Patrol splinted his leg and took Mr. Pace to the lodge for treatment.
Christopher Beale is a 15-year-old Star Scout in Scouts BSA Troop 364, chartered by Bayside Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach.
Christopher will be honored at a recognition dinner at 6:00 PM on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Khedive Shrine Center, 645 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia.
About the Medal of Merit Award
The Medal of Merit honors youth members or adult leaders of the Boy Scouts of America who have performed an act of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the wellbeing of others. This award recognizes actions of meritorious service above and beyond what is normally expected.
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 2,000 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 programs of character development and values-based leadership training. 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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