Recognizing and celebrating our 2025 Council Honors Award Recipients
At our 2026 Awards and Recognition Event this year, we celebrated those honors awarded by the National Court of Honor on behalf of Scouting America. Just as the Council Court of Honor presented council honors, the National Court of Honor will present national Scouting honors, recognizing our colleagues for distinguished service to Scouting and youth. In 2025 we had the pleasure of presenting five National Honors: 1 North Star and 4 Silver Beaver Awards.
North Star Award
The North Star Award is presented for distinguished service to youth in a local council by a non-registered Scouting supporter. This award joins the prestigious Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, and Silver Buffalo awards, recognizing significant contributions to Grand Canyon Council and Scouting America, respectively.
“Scouting is meaningful to him because it provides strong leadership and goals that last a lifetime.”
Patrick Greiner, North Star Award Recipient
Patrick Maximillian Greiner lives in Phoenix and has made significant contributions to Grand Canyon Council at both the Heard Scout Pueblo and Camp Geronimo.
At the Heard, regarding the Scout Shop permitting, Patrick was instrumental in leveraging the City of Phoenix Economic Team with the Development Services department negotiating a difficult permit process. In addition, he was instrumental in assembling civil engineering and architectural teams to obtain building and fire suppression system permits, with contractor donations for a building fire sprinkler system; and finally provided upgrades to the physical assets for the entire camp with all building inspections.
At Camp Geronimo, Patrick engaged senior leadership to begin the process of returning power systems to utility company control. His service to his community includes construction consultation for Heritage Square and the Diocese of Phoenix. In Patrick’s words, “Scouting is meaningful to him because it provides strong leadership and goals that last a lifetime.”
Congratulations, Patrick!
Silver Beaver Award
Recipients of the Silver Beaver Award are registered Scouters who have impacted the lives of youth through service at the council level. This includes council leadership and committee engagement and leadership of council events or leadership elevating youth at the statewide level. Training Courses completed or staffed and Scouting Recognition/Honors are fundamental to receiving consideration. Outstanding service of exceptional character to youth outside of Scouting and detailed information on the nominee’s standing in the community is required and evaluated. This year we are pleased to award four deserving individuals.
Karen Albers, Silver Beaver Award Recipient
"To watch youth lead in their troop, Scout events, and in the Wipala Wiki Lodge is amazing and it is an honor to help and guide them. I really enjoy watching all the Scouts grow and helping them reach their goals. It is a wonderful time for scouts to be with friends, learn, and have fun!”
Karen is from Peoria and has been involved in Scouting for 13 years. Her primary Scouting role is the Scoutmaster for Troop 505 TrailBlazers and the OA Wipala Wiki Adviser. Her significant service to youth which has led to their greatest impact is:
- Scoutmaster and Founder of TrailBlazers from the inception of the pilot program in 2014 to the present day, now known as female Troop 505.
- OA Wipala Wiki Adviser for youth leadership.
- Adult Adviser to youth Camp Director of Camp Kaibab, Camp Raymond.
Prior to Scouting, Karen participated in several youth programs such as CASA, Phoenix Inner City School Mentoring Program, and a Jr. Achievement teacher. Karen has received the Wipala Wiki Lodge Naatavi Award, Award of Merit, Order of the Arrow Brotherhood, Order of the Arrow Ordeal, Wood Badge and the Meritorious Service Star. Karen is passionate about Scouting because it offers youth opportunities unlike any other program, and she feels it is so exciting to be a part of their experiences and opportunities. In her words, “To watch youth lead in their troop, Scout events, and in the Wipala Wiki Lodge is amazing and it is an honor to help and guide them. I really enjoy watching all the Scouts grow and helping them reach their goals. It is a wonderful time for scouts to be with friends, learn, and have fun!” Congratulations, Karen!
Kevin Forsythe, Silver Beaver Award Recipient
Kevin is an Eagle Scout who lives in Glendale with 40 years involved in Scouting as both a youth and adult volunteer. He currently serves as a Scoutmaster of Troop 546 and as a National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) Coordinator for the Grand Canyon Council. Kevin’s most significant service includes designing and delivering council-wide leadership training, mentoring adult leaders across the council, and strengthening program consistency and quality throughout the council. He serves his community through long-term volunteer leadership and youth development programs. For Kevin,Congratulations, Kevin!
Russ Jones, Silver Beaver Award Recipient
“Scouting and its values have, since childhood, been central to my entire life of public service and transcended into my business practices and philosophy. The Scout Oath and Law are in my blood, which I share freely and without hesitation.”
Russ is from Yuma, and is a lifelong Scout, who joined at the age of eight in Calexico, CA through his church in the Desert Trails Council.He grew into both a Cub and Webelos Leader for his son’s Pack, also in Desert Trails where he serves on the advisory council in development and fundraising.
Russ has chaired the Good Scout event in Yuma for the last five years, and he served previously as the last Gila River District Chair, all while also serving on the Council Executive Committee, and the Endowment Committee. Russ is currently serving as GCC President & Chair thru February 2026 and will continue as immediate past chair on the executive committee for an additional two years. Russ says, “I have been recognized by prior awards, but I am most excited to be working on my Wood Badge “Ticket” which I plan to complete by June of 2026.
Currently, Russ serves the State of Arizona as a Commissioner for the Arizona Power Authority, and the Arizona Export Council of the Department of Commerce. He is active in his church, a member of Alpha Phi Omega, and a proud Army veteran, also serving in the Civil Air Patrol as Commander of the State Legislative squadron.
As Russ states, “Scouting and its values have, since childhood, been central to my entire life of public service and transcended into my business practices and philosophy. The Scout Oath and Law are in my blood, which I share freely and without hesitation.” Congratulations, Russ!
Mitch Tate, Silver Beaver Award Recipient
Mitch is an Eagle Scout with over 20 years in Scouting. He serves as Scoutmaster for Troop 513, Advisor for Crew 2513, Council National and International Events Chair, and leads the 2026 National Jamboree Council committee.
Mitch was the Scoutmaster for one of the two Council Troops attending the 2023 National Jamboree. Partnering with the Physical Therapy Department of Midwestern University, Mitch has helped 70 Scouts earn the Personal Fitness MB over the last 4 years. Mitch received the Council Award of Merit in 2024. Scouting inspires him to guide youth toward becoming moral, thoughtful citizens living lives aligned to the Scout Oath and Law. Congratulations, Mitch!
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