Alumnus of the Year
The Scouting America Alumnus of the Year Awards are Scouting Alumni’s highest recognition for service to the alumni effort at each of the three levels, Council, Territory, and National. The award was established to recognize alumni of Scouting America who, over a sustained period of time, have used the skills and values they learned through their association with Scouting to make significant and long-lasting contributions to their local communities through their efforts toward strengthening Scouting through the Alumni programs. One award per Council is given, to recognize significant alumni effort.
This year we are awarding a long-time dedicated volunteer who is passionate about bringing Scouting Alumni back to the Campfire.
“Scouting prepared me for the rest of my life! I learned basic skills – like knot tying – that I still use today. Scouting leadership experiences prepared me for my lifetime leadership roles, and I want others to benefit from Scouting’s life-changing experiences.”
Dan Drake, Alumnus of the Year Recipient
Dan Drake is an Eagle Scout and has been involved with Scouting for over 50 years. His current role is Chair of the Council Alumni and NESA Association, where he recruits and organizes volunteers nationally to review NESA Scholarship Applications and nominations for the Eagle Project of the Year Award. In addition, Dan leads a team to coordinate Council Alumni gatherings throughout the year to bring Alumni “back to the campfire” – to rekindle friendships and find ways to serve Scouting youth.
Dan cheerfully took the lead on these two roles last year and it has been a whirlwind of activity through his focused leadership. Hosting Alumni events in 2025 and four scheduled in 2026 will encourage those passionate about Scouting to join in.
Dan and his team awarded four recipients for the Council Distinguished Alumnus Award and five awardees for the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Outstanding Eagle Scout Award who received their awards at our annual Council Recognition Celebration earlier this year.
Dan’s preparation to serve in this capacity extends beyond our council, including Alumni Training at the National Annual Meeting in May 2025, meeting with the Chair of the Eagle Scout Alumni Association in San Diego and the NESA Chair in Tucson, as well as visiting with the Chair of the Central Valley Alumni Association in California.
For the past four years Dan has been one of four national coordinators who recruit and organize volunteers to review NESA Scholarship Applications and Eagle Projects for the Glen A. and Melinda Adams Project of the Year Award.
In addition, Dan’s outreach into the community includes the Arizona Justice Project; Arcadia Pride; and Arcadia Camelback Mountain Neighborhood Association.
His honors include NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout; Silver Beaver; Meritorious Service Star; and Vigil Honor.
In his words, “Scouting prepared me for the rest of my life! I learned basic skills – like knot tying – that I still use today. Scouting leadership experiences prepared me for my lifetime leadership roles, and I want others to benefit from Scouting’s life-changing experiences.”
Congratulations, Dan!
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