Grand Teton Council  Silver Beaver Award Recipients for 2008
Randy Ashcraft | Ada M. Anderson | Coleen "Cody" Atkinson | Merrill R. Balls | Kent LaVar Bradley | Marion Kay Bybee | Benjamin F. Call | Larnell S. Cleverley | James C. Dobbins | James C. Egbert | Eric F. Empey | Mark S. Harrild | Don Lee Hess | Rodney H. Hillam | Sally Hymas | Ryan M. Kunz | Jay F. Kunze | Kevin B. Landon | Kipp L. Manwaring | Lynn McDaniel | Hal "Hap" K. McUne | Nolan D. Mecham | Mike K. Simpson | Douglas J. Smith | Michael D. Sorenson | Jett Thompson | Rodney M. Tieken | Richard D. Van Orden | Larry S. Weeks | Martha Jean Wilson
The Silver Beaver is one of the Council's highest award given. Look to these fine men and women as a rich, experienced, dependable resource. We congratulate each of them for their never ending service.
Randy Ashcraft	Randy simply loves Scouting, the quality and quantity of his volunteer efforts attest to that.  Randy has been involved with Scouting for the last 21 years. Randy has been very active, holding numerous positions, including 11 Year Old Scout Leader, Committee Chairman, Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, Unit Advancement Chairman, and Boy Scout Roundtable Staff. He has also attended several trainings such as Wood Badge, where he also served on staff twice. While serving as Scoutmaster of Troop 217, the troop camped 43 out of 45 months. The troop only missed two months because of a blizzard one month, and Randy committed to attending Woodbadge his first month being Scoutmaster.   During Randy’s tenure as Scoutmaster, over 75% of the boys in his troop attended Cedar Badge training. Even today he strongly encourages youth to attend the great program that Cedar Badge provides. Randy states that he has gained more from Scouting than he’ll ever be able to repay.  Others say that Randy is giving back every day, and it is with thanks that we confer the honor of the Silver Beaver Award.
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Ed Axford	Ed Axford has always delivered “The Promise of Scouting.”  He is dedicated to each boy and their families, to the unit, District, Council, and National organizations.  Ed is a gift, dedicating his life to Scouting, youth, church, and community programs.  Over the past three decades he has served as Cubmaster, Varsity Coach, Committee Member, Institutional Head, and Council Executive Board Member. Ed has also attended numerous trainings including Cedar Badge and nine courses at Woodbadge, being a course director in 2002.  He is known for placing service of others before self.  Whenever there is a need, Ed steps forward to help out.  Ed has five daughters and no sons. Each of his daughters have married young men who earned their Eagle Scout Award. Ed states that as a result of this award, they are better husbands, fathers, and citizens in their communities. Someone once said “If you have integrity, nothing else matters, and if you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.” Scouting builds integrity in boys and men.  Ed feels that Scouting is about having fun with the boys while serving as a mentor and role model, teaching them when to draw the line on discipline and behavior and showing them that even adults can live by the Scout Oath and Law in their everyday lives.  In appreciation of Ed Axford’s dedication to serve as an effective leader and mentor, it is a pleasure to bestow on him the honor of the Silver Beaver Award.
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Kent Banner	Kent started out distinctly in his Scouting career, having earned the first Eagle Scout in American Samoa. His Scouting record of service is extensive having been a Explorer Advisor, Charter Organization Representative, Scoutmaster, Varsity Scout Committee Chairman, District Training Chairman, Scout Committee Member, Unit Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioner, District Commissioner, and Eleven Year Old Scout Leader. An endless list of special program projects and fundraising events are scattered throughout  his Scouting years of service.  Kent says “Scouting has left a lasting impression on myself as a youth member, upon my fellow scouts, and upon the boys and young men I have had the privilege to serve”. In Kent’s Eagle Board of Review, they asked him what his goals were in Scouting. He stated, “I would like to be a Scoutmaster”, now years later Kent has done so for five years. Generous with his time, his talent, and kindness and most of all, his positive energy for life, the Grand Teton Council is honored to present him with the Silver Beaver Award in recognition of his years of service.
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Roy Batton	Roy has served at several levels of Scouting during the last 35 years and currently serves as the District Scout Chairman in the Fort Henry District. Roy has also served as a Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, Varsity Scout Coach, Charter Organization Representative, 11 year Old Scout Leader, and Assistant Scout Master. Roy has always enjoyed Scouting and camping. As stated by his wife, “Roy has always loved working with boys and camping. He was at scout camp on our first anniversary and has been at camp for several anniversaries since.”   Roy has stated that Scouting helps anyone involved in the program. It keeps your mind on the true values that make individuals, the family, and the country great and strong. Scouting also helps boys to be exposed to different experiences that help them in their profession and life. In appreciation of Roy’s commitment to Scouting, it is the Council’s distinct pleasure to present him with the Silver Beaver Award.
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Jerry W. Brady	In more than 32 years of Scout Leadership Jerry Brady has earned the respect of each of the boys he has worked with and has helped over 80 scouts receive the Eagle Scout award. Jerry takes a week of vacation to attend Summer Camp with the Boy Scouts every year, and in the last twenty years has only missed two summer camps. Jerry has served as an Assistant Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, District Camp Chairman, District Eagle Scout Board of Review, Committee Chairman, and a Order of the Arrow Chapter Advisor.  Not only active in Scouting, Jerry is also very involved in helping individuals by splitting wood during his fall and winter for Rockland residents who burn wood to keep warm in the winter and by helping individuals with mechanical problems. Jerry has served as a volunteer firefighter for the last twelve years. Jerry lives the Scout Law on a daily basis in his own life.  He works diligently to instill these principles into the lives and hearts of the boys he serves.  Jerry states that he likes to see young men enjoy the outdoors, join together as a group, and how they can become good leaders in the Scouting program. Jerry has been recognized with the District Award of Merit as well as Scoutmaster of the Year Award.  For his great efforts, the Council is pleased to recognize Jerry Brady with the Silver Beaver Award.
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Louis Carney	As a Scouter, Louis Carney embodies the characteristics that make a great leader; compassion, sacrifice, and years of service to youth.  Through the Scout Oath and Law, Louis believes that the Boy Scouts of America gives youth the basic tools for a successful life.  He knows what it takes to create positive change in the life of a Scout, as he has guided and inspired so many young men’s potential toward greatness. During the time that Louis has served young men in the Grand Teton Council, he has received several awards including the District Award of Merit and several training awards. Over the last 50 years, Louis has held positions in the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs in his local unit and served on District Training staffs and District Eagle Scout Review Boards.  It is certain that Louis has made an impression on the lives of youth and his community that lasts forever; it is with appreciation of his efforts that we present Louis Carney, the Silver Beaver Award.
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Trevor Davey	Trevor Davey started his 14 years of adult service as an Assistant Scoutmaster. Over the years, as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster he has helped plan numerous unit campouts and the last five years he organized several successful camporees for the South Fork District. Trevor has been recognized in the past with the Arrow of Light, Eagle Scout award, Scoutmaster Key, District Award of Merit, and the District Scoutmaster of the Year award. Trevor states that Scouting gives boys the ability to learn citizenship and provide unselfish service. The Scouting program teaches boys how to think of others and to help them whenever and wherever possible. Trevor Davey certainly stands for the values of Scouting, and it is our honor to recognize him as a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award.
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Steve Earl	Steve Earl is one of those people that you can count on for anything.  He is always busy doing, whether asked to or not.  He does not seek awards or honors, but serves faithfully and quietly.  The impact of his service, however, resounds thunderously.  During his thirty-seven years of adult service to Scouting, Steve has worked with hundreds, possibly thousands, of boys.  He has served as Webelos Leader, Cubmaster, Cub Scout and Boy Scout Roundtable staff, Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Scout Committee, Unit Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioner, District Advancement Chairman, and is currently the Council Advancement Chairman.   He believes that the world is in need of men with leadership skills, character, and devotion to God – men who live the scout Oath and Law. Leadership is not learned in the classroom, it is learned by experience and practice – on campouts, service projects, hikes, and of course Cedar Badge. Steve certainly has provided these teachings to his Scouts.  In celebration of his leadership and true Scouting spirit we present Steve Earl the Silver Beaver Award.
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Ben Albert Frei	In 1965, Ben joined Post 559 with his son, which serves handicapped youth in the Idaho Falls area. Since age does not matter in Post 559, Ben has been involved for the last 18 years, and has just recently retired as the Post Advisor in January of this year. Ben and his wife raised 12 children, with three of them receiving the Eagle Scout Award. Ben truly takes pride in his family and loves to tell people that he has twelve children, sixty four grandchildren and nineteen great grand children. His other unit leaders stated that Ben is always helpful, happy, and encouraging all the boys and girls to do their best and that his life exemplifies the Scout Oath and Law. Ben has helped organize the crew to participate in the Special Olympics, bowling, swimming, camping, and going down the Salmon River in rafts. Ben believes that Scouting helps men and boys with character development and leadership. He loves working with handicapped youth. Tonight, the Council is pleased to present to Ben Albert Frei the Silver Beaver Award.
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William M. Hammond	Bill Hammond is known for his true desire to serve; this desire is manifested in the countless hours he has given to Scouting over the past 21 years.  Bill has also been instrumental in the Snake River Region of the American Youth Soccer Organization, by serving as the Founding Board Member, Head Coach, Head Referee, Team Coach, Treasurer, and Regional Commissioner for 15 years. He also has helped the community by holding several church positions and being a member of the Snake River Community Orchestra. Besides his service to scouting, youth soccer, and the community orchestra, Bill is one who follows the slogan of doing a Good Turn Daily. It is not well known, but Bill has personally provided food, money, transportation, and support to several families in his community. Bill is always available and willing to lend a hand, which is very much appreciated by those who have the privilege of working with him in Scouting.  Evidence of this appreciation is the growing list of Scouting recognitions that Bill has received.  To a dedicated and much appreciated Scouter, we are pleased to add to his record the honor of the Silver Beaver Award.
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Richard C. Hill	From the moment Dr. Richard Hill was first exposed to Scouting, he has been involved non-stop.  Active in his youth, Richard has continued to serve as an adult with all the energy and love for Scouting that anyone can have.  Over the past 22 years Richard has held several positions in his district including District Varsity Scout Chairman, Roundtable Trainer for New Scout Leaders, District Program Vice Chairman and District Boy Scout Chairman.  He has served as the volunteer physician at three National Jamborees and Medical Director at the Idaho Centennial Jamboral in 1990. On a unit basis he has served as a Den Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Chairman, and Varsity Coach. He is known for always being available when you need help.  Richard is very sensitive to the needs of each young man and always takes the time to listen and show a genuine interest in each boy.  His peers respect him for his great depth of Scouting knowledge, as well as his eagerness to share that knowledge to help other leaders grow in Scouting.  Richard not only teaches, but also lives, the Scout Oath, Law, and Motto.  It is our distinct privilege to present to Richard Hill the Silver Beaver Award.
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Sue Ellen Hobbs	Commitment and dedication are two words that repeatedly come up when you mention the name Sue Ellen Hobbs.  Church and youth define a life of tremendous service.  She has faithfully served Scouting for 17 years.  During that time, Sue Ellen has been involved in every level of Cub Scouts from being a Den Mother to serving on National Wood Badge staff.  Her top concern has always been the involvement and development of the boys.  She has served several years on the Council Cub Scout Committee as the training chairman, Cub Scout Pow Wow Chairman, and Roundtable Committee supporting district roundtables. A piece of Sue Ellen’s legacy is her organization of the Cub Scout pack at the Baptist Church in Pocatello.  Sue Ellen says that her theory is that “a busy child is a good child, but they can also have fun while being good and staying out of trouble.” This is where the Scouting program helps.  Tonight, it is our privilege and pleasure to add the distinction of the Silver Beaver Award to that list of accolades for Sue Ellen Hobbs.
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Ballard Johnson	Confidence, courage, and knowledge are the character traits that Ballard Johnson has imparted to his children,students he has taught and coached at Star Valley School District,  and the Scouts that he has taught over his 26 years as an adult leader.  Ballard’s service to Scouting resembles the layers of an onion: Varsity Scout Coach, Camporee and Freezoree Chairman, Scout Committee, Merit Badge Councilor, Assistant District Commissioner, and District Scout Committee.  Ballard’s service to Scouting can only be matched by his service to family and church.  He has devoted most of his adult life working with youth. He takes a special interest in helping and training them to be honorable young men. All the boys who have been involved with him respect and honor him as a great, clean, honest leader and friend. Ballard stated that by being involved with young people on a daily basis through teaching, scouting, and coaching he has found that we need positive programs for youth, and Scouting is there to help with today’s challenges. The Silver Beaver Award is truly a