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.
Sam Grinvalsky’s long and extensive Scouting service has spanned multiple contributions in Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, and the Order of the Arrow’s Blue Heron Lodge. Sam earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1984.
Sam began his volunteer service in Pack 407, where he has served as assistant Cubmaster, Cubmaster, and committee chair. Today, he continues to serve as the committee chair of Pack 303.
He has two daughters, Brianna and Meggan, two sons, Zach and Tyler, and one grandson, Sammy. Brianna currently serves in the U.S. Navy, and both Zach and Tyler are Eagle Scouts. Most recently, his son Zach has been elected as the National Chief of the Order of the Arrow.
As Zach and Tyler advanced through Scouts BSA, Sam served as assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 303 and an OA advisor to several youth. Sam has continued in his support as an assistant Scoutmaster, merit badge counselor, Supernova mentor, OA advisor, and even finding time to serve on the district committee and as a trusted associate lodge advisor.
An OA Vigil Honor member as a youth, Sam is a James E. West Fellow and was awarded the District Award of Merit in 2019, recognizing his extensive Scouting service. Sam’s impact on the youth and volunteers of Tidewater Council has been profound, and his example of service and Scouting’s values continues today.
Sam was honored alongside 2023 Living Legends of Tidewater Council Ray Bland, Dan McFarland, 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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