FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2023
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
LOCAL BOY SCOUT ELECTED TO NATIONAL OFFICE
Virginia Beach, Va. – Zach Grinvalsky, a 19-year-old from Virginia Beach, has been elected as the 2023 National Chief of the Order of the Arrow (OA), the national honor society for the Boy Scouts of America. His peers elected him for a one-year term in December 2022 at the OA’s national planning meeting in Dallas.
He and new national vice chief Grant Kim, an Eagle Scout from the Last Frontier Council (Edmonton, OK), will serve one-year terms as the OA’s top youth leaders, along with two regional youth chiefs. They will serve lodges across the country, providing them with resources.
The national chief and vice chief sit on the national Order of the Arrow committee and represent the youth voice in the volunteer-led group. They’ll also preside over national OA events. This year’s most notable event will be Operation Arrow, the OA’s service-based opportunity at the national Jamboree. The Jamboree is slated for July 19-28 at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia.
Grinvalsky is a member of Troop 303 (chartered by St. Matthews School in Virginia Beach). He joined Scouting in 2011 and worked through all the ranks of Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting, culminating with the Eagle rank in 2018. He graduated from Green Run High School and currently attends Tidewater Community College, where he studies business administration and management.
He is a member of the OA’s Blue Heron Lodge #349 (Tidewater Council). Before he was elected national chief, Zach served as the section chief of Section E9 and former Section SR-7A. He is also a former two-term lodge chief. Zach is an Eagle Scout, a Vigil Honor member, and a recipient of the Founder’s Award and James E. West Fellowship.
“2023 is a year like no other for the Order of the Arrow,” said Grinvalsky. “This year is our chance to propel our spirit into the new era of Scouting we find ourselves in today. I can’t wait to meet all the incredible Arrowmen who make up the Order we call home.”
Grinvalsky is the fourth National Officer Blue Heron Lodge has produced since 2012 and its second National Chief. Zach joins the ranks of senior national OA leadership held by Blue Heron Arrowmen Anthony Peluso (2018 Chief), Taylor Bobrow (2014 Vice Chief), and Preston Marquis (2012 Vice Chief).
About the Order of the Arrow
For more than 100 years, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition encourages others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich and help to extend Scouting to America’s youth. More information about the Order of the Arrow is available at OA-BSA.org. Follow the Order of the Arrow at facebook.com/oabsa and Instagram.com/oabsa. Additionally, you can follow Zach and his journey as National Chief at Instagram.com/oanatchief.
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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