GOOD SCOUTS HONORED DECADES OF DEVOTED SERVICE EARN RECOGNITION FOR A.V. TRIO.Byline: Karen Thacker Special to the Daily News LANCASTER - Three Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley youth leaders have reached the 50-year milestone of service for the Boy Scouts of America Noun 1. Boy Scouts of America - a corporation that operates through a national council that charters local councils all over the United States; the purpose is character building and citizenship training . Earlier this month Bart Gentry, William Norris
``That's an incredible number of years,'' said Doug Hilke, director of field services for the Western Los Angeles County Council, which gives out about six such awards a year. ``We're extremely excited about the gentlemen receiving the 50-year pin. Obviously they've greatly benefited the young people in the community.'' The three say it's the chance to work with youths that has kept them going so long. ``I know the impact Scouting had on my life as a youth,'' said Gentry, 58, the Antelope Valley Scout district A Scout District is an administrative division within some Scouting and Guiding organisations. Districts are responsible for providing programme and support for local Scout and Guide groups, although the precise relationship and structure of a District does vary from country director. ``And I felt it was an opportunity to further expand my ability to reach young people.'' ``It's the contributions the Scouting programs make to youth,'' said Reams, 66. ``If you look at all the youth-serving agencies in the Antelope Valley, the one with the best character influence and the most lasting effect . . . would be the Scouting program and the Girl Scout program.'' All other sports groups like the American Youth Soccer Organization, are beneficial, but the one that does the ``most for character would be the Scouting program,'' he added. ``It's for the boys,'' agrees Norris, 67. ``Seeing how they turn out with my little bit of help - it gives me satisfaction that way.'' ``There are times when I say, Why am I still doing this? But when I see the boys and their experiences - I want to help them grow up to be good citizens,'' he said. Norris began his Scouting adventures in 1943 at age 11. When volunteers for a new Exploring program were being sought, he agreed to take it on in the 1960s. In the early 1970s, his son entered Scouts and he stayed in pack and troop leadership until his son received his Eagle badge. District leadership positions followed. Eleven years ago it was his grandson who needed a troop leader, and Norris has been directly involved in Troop 444 at Joshua Hills Joshua Hill can refer to several people:
One has received his Eagle, two others are getting close and a granddaughter is an Explorer Scout. ``There's so many great kids and leaders that you meet and friendships you develop with them over the years,'' Norris said. He's received the Spurgeon Award for exceptional work with Explorer Scouts
Explorer Scouts (shortened to Explorers), a section of the Scout Association in the United Kingdom for 14 to 18 year olds, was introduced in 2003 , the District Award of Merit (highest award for a volunteer in the district), and the Silver Beaver (highest volunteer honor in the council). Norris retired from Pacific Bell a few years ago and has been working part time for the Keppel Union School District since. Gentry, now 58, started as a Cub Scout at age 8, worked through the ranks of Scouting and went right into leadership. He never let his Scouting registration slide for 50 straight years. For 31 years he held volunteer positions as a Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, coed Explorer leader, and various local, regional, and national committees. But once his six children were grown (his two sons both received their Eagle badges), he became a professional Scouter. He's served 11 years in the office - seven and a half of them in the Antelope Valley. Gentry has also received the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver. It was 1944 when Reams became a Cub Scout. By 1951 he had earned his Eagle and spent time as a Scout and a leader at a summer camp from 1948-53. It was here that his Scouting roots began to grow deep. ``It was the camaraderie ca·ma·ra·der·ie n. Goodwill and lighthearted rapport between or among friends; comradeship. [French, from camarade, comrade, from Old French, roommate; see comrade. with the boys I was with. There were about 17 of us that went through the program together. And 16 of us are still together,'' Reams said. ``We still get together at reunions.'' He served as a Scoutmaster in Fresno County for 14 years and has held various leadership positions since, including district board chairman for two years from 1993-1995 in the Antelope Valley. Reams, 66, is currently the advancement chairman for the Western L.A. County Council. A retired army colonel, Reams has been in education most of his life. He spent 11 years as a Westside Union School District superintendent District Superintendent may be:
As for Scouting, there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. ``It's like other things you do in the community . . . as long as the contribution is worthwhile and accepted,'' he said. Gentry, Norris and Reams each received a lapel pin A lapel pin is a small pin often worn on the lapel of a dress jacket. Lapel pins can be purely ornamental or can indicate the wearer's affiliation with an organization or cause; for example, American Flag lapel pins became very popular in the United States, especially among and a plaque honoring them for 50 years of Scouting service. Honoring the three were District Vice Chairwoman Joanne Fitzgerald, Hilke and Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts Frank Roberts may refer to:
CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Bart Gentry, from left, George ``Bud'' Reams and William Norris boast 50 years each in Scouting. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer (2 -- 3) Bart Gentry, left, and George ``Bud'' Reams grew up in Scouting and stayed to guide growing boys. (4) William Norris, center, began his Scouting adventures in 1943 at 11 and stayed with it. |
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