07/10/2026
Tonight was an incredibly proud and historic evening for our Venturing Crew.
Two of our outstanding Venturers were officially awarded the Scouting America Medal of Merit.
This is a national award approved strictly by the National Court of Honor for individuals who perform an act of service of a rare and exceptional character, displaying an uncommon concern for the well-being of others. In this case, these two Venturers acted as a coordinated team to provide critical support during a severe mental health crisis involving a peer. Their training, calm leadership, and immediate, empathetic intervention made all the difference in a highly acute situation.
It is incredibly rare. While over 2.4 million Scouts have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout over the years, only about 6,200 Medals of Merit have ever been awarded in the history of Scouting. Across the entire nation, only about 100 to 150 are given out each year.
To have two of our young adults recognized on this national stage in a single night is a testament to their character, their training, and their quick action when it mattered most. They embody the very best of the Venturing program and the core values of Scouting.
True to the spirit of Venturing, neither of these young adults sought out recognition or praise for their actions. In their eyes, they simply did what any good friend and fellow Venturer should do. But while they might shy away from the spotlight, our community owes them a debt of gratitude.
Please join me in honoring Kaitlin and Tyler. Not just for the national recognition they received tonight, but for their steady composure, their deep empathy, and for being the kind of leaders who quietly look out for the people around them when it matters most.
