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A LIFETIME OF SERVICE ....... 

The Silver Beaver Award is Scouting America’s highest honor bestowed at the council level, recognizing registered adult volunteers who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. It is with great pride that the Bay-Lakes Council presents this honor to Rich Balch of the Voyageur District, Class of 2025.

Rich’s Scouting journey spans more than two decades of committed, high-impact volunteer service. Beginning in 2004 as a Den Leader and Pack Committee Chair with Pack 4172, Rich steadily grew into one of the most respected leaders in the Voyageur District. He has served as Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Chair, District Committee Member, Unit Commissioner, Merit Badge Counselor, and most recently as District Training Committee Chair — a position he continues in today.

20+YEARS OF SERVICE
10+ SCOUTING ROLES HELD
2008 IRAQI SCOUT KNOT RECIPIENT

NAVAL & AQUATIC SCOUTING SERVICE
A retired Commander in the United States Navy, Rich brought his deep knowledge of maritime service to help establish Sea Scout Ship 1261 in Sturgeon Bay, expanding aquatic Scouting opportunities within Bay-Lakes Council. He serves as a regular staffer at the National Scout Jamboree at the Bechtel Summit Reserve, where he devotes several weeks every four years assisting Scouts in aquatic activities, including Scuba Diving instruction.

Perhaps no moment captures Rich’s extraordinary service more vividly than 2008, when he served as part of a group of U.S. military officers working at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to help restore Scouting in Iraq. In recognition of his efforts, Iraqi Scouts awarded Rich a special Scout knot — a singular honor he wears proudly on his uniform to this day.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Rich’s dedication to service extends far beyond Scouting. He currently serves as the Vice Division Commander working closely with three Flotillas for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Northeast Wisconsin, providing vessel safety exams and boating education to the public. He is President of the United Patriotic Society of Green Bay, where he takes pride in welcoming veterans returning from Honor Flights. He served as Wisconsin State Commander for the Polish Legion of American Veterans (2022–2024), supporting veterans at the Iron Mountain VA Hospital and King’s Veteran Home in Waupaca. Rich is also the Past President of NAIFA-Wisconsin and previously served as President of the Board of Directors for the Family & Childcare Resources of Northeast Wisconsin.

Rich Balch exemplifies the spirit of the Silver Beaver Award in every sense — a leader who gives generously of his time, expertise, and character in service of youth, community, and country. The Bay-Lakes Council is deeply grateful for his extraordinary contributions and proud to honor him as a 2025 recipient of the Silver Beaver award. Please join us in congratulating Rich on this most well-deserved recognition.

“Ask anyone in Voyageur District and anyone participating in a Council event, and he is a regular who rarely misses an opportunity to be a part of the fun and the mission of Scouting”

Tim Feldhausen, Council President, Bay-Lakes Council