On Saturday, Jan. 26, a long time Scout leader from Great Bend, Kenton Abbott, was awarded the Silver Beaver Award at the 2013 Council Recognition Dinner and Annual Meeting in Wichita.  The award is the highest designation a registered adult leader can receive.  Abbott began serving in 1999 and in 2013, became the Kanza District Commissioner of the Quivira Council.  All three of Abbott’s sons have been active in scouting.  Both Michael and Luke acheived the rank of Eagle Scout, and son Daniel is now a Weeblo Scout in Pack 184, which Abbott leads.
Abbott is the manager of Marmies Collision auto body in Great Bend.
The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council.
“The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service,” said Arvin Fontarum, District Executive of the Quivira Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  “It is given to those who do not actively seek it.”
The award was first introduced in 1931, and was originally only awarded to men.  For three years, from 1971 to 1974, the Silver Fawn Award was the equivalent for women.  In 1974, the Silver Beaver was awarded to both men and women.  More than 50,000 leaders in the United States have received the award over the past 82 years.