FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2023
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
VIRGINIA BEACH SCOUT LEADER NAMED LIVING LEGEND OF TIDEWATER COUNCIL
Chesapeake, Va. – Four local Boy Scouts of America leaders have been recognized as Living Legends of Tidewater Council. They were honored at a recognition dinner on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Khedive Shrine Center, 645 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia.
The Living Legends of Tidewater Council award recognizes well-known volunteers who have generously given untold amounts of their time, resources, and talents to support the local Scouting program. The council’s service area encompasses the Virginia cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, and the northeastern North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans.
These exemplary leaders continue to provide significant leadership, service, and support to Scouting over many years and in many roles. Their contributed contributions serve the needs of local youth Scouts.
Dan McFarland has contributed two decades of selfless service in Scouting’s unit, district, council, region, and national programs.
He has earned distinction as Cubmaster of the Year, Committee Chair of the Year, Scoutmaster of the Year, the Unit Leader’s Key Award, and Unit Leader Award of Merit as both a Cubmaster and Scoutmaster. He also received the District Award of Merit, the Silver Beaver Award, and the Order of the Arrow’s Vigil Honor.
Dan has been a Scoutmaster at the National Jamboree, Wood Badge, National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT), and NYLT Leadership Academy. He has been NYLT Coordinator and Leadership Training Committee Chair for Tidewater Council, as well as Lodge Leadership Development (LLD) Advisor and Conclave Training Advisor for Blue Heron Lodge.
He has served the Princess Anne district as Chapter OA Advisor, Unit Commissioner, Roundtable Staff, Day Camp staff, Committee Member at Large, Merit Badge Counselor, and chair for many events.
Dan has been a staff member for NYLT, Pow Wow, University of Scouting, Powder Horn, Wood Badge, Regional Course Directors Conferences, Conclave, LLD, and NYLT Leadership Academy.
He says his biggest inspiration has been his two amazing sons and beautiful Scouter wife “JenniMac,” who has been by his side for more than 40 years. Dan’s most prized Scouting possessions are his two Eagle Dad Pins, 32 Eagle Scout Mentor Pins, and countless relationships made through Scouting.
Dan was honored alongside 2023 Living Legends of Tidewater Council Ray Bland, Sam Grinvalsky, and Tom Williams.
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. 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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