The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not seek it.

We are extremely proud of our 2020 Silver Beaver Award recipients. They are shining examples of Scouting service in our council!

James McKnight

Jim has been is Scouting since 1974. He was a Cub Scout in Pack 18 Weymouth, earning the Arrow of Light, a Boy Scout in Troop 19 Weymouth, achieving Eagle with a Silver Palm and getting tapped out to the Order of the Arrow achieving Brotherhood. He stayed in touch with his troop, always being there when they needed something.

Many years later, when his own son joined the ranks of Cub Scouts, he was asked to be assistant Cubmaster in Pack 35 Bridgewater and remained in that position for 6 years. When his son James went to Boy Scouts, he went right along with him sharing his passion for Scouting and knowledge; both from his years of Scouting and all the many training courses he takes along the way.

After James visited troop 19 as a Wolf Scout and saw his father’s name on their Eagle plaque, he told dad that he also wanted to be an Eagle Scout from Troop 19. After many years and positions in Troop 19 he was asked to be the 4th Scoutmaster of the troop, a position he has proudly held for 3 years. He has lead Scouts from that troop to Northern Tier and has been the assistant Scoutmaster for the National Jamboree in 2017. When the 2018 trip to Philmont was canceled due to the forest fires he was asked to help lead a backpacking trip, for those Scouts who were missing out, that would take them on many adventures through Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Utah.

He served as the commissioner of sub camp 4 at Mass Jam in 2018.

When he was asked to fill the role of district commissioner for the newly organized Squanto District he stepped in as a uniquely qualified candidate, having been heavily involved in both Great Ponds and Squanto Districts for many years. He cares deeply for each Scout and also for the Boy Scouts of America brand. He works hard to ensure that each Scout has a quality program to grow as a person and become the best adult that they can be, while at the same time making sure that the Boy Scouts of America is seen in the best possible light both within our ranks , and to the general public.

He volunteers at summer camp, chuckwagon, has lead the non-counselor group of volunteers at Merit Badge University and the Inaugural Thanksgiving at Squanto. He has previously sat on the activity committee to help bring new and exciting events to our district and will fill in on Eagle Scout board of reviews so every Scout that needs a board gets one. He is eager to help in any way that the council asks for his help.

He has completed Wood Badge training and uses that knowledge every day to help fellow leaders in their own programs. In 2016 he was proud to be nominated as a Vigil candidate by his peers and went through his Ordeal to obtain that honor.

He has also felt honored to be recognized both at a district level in 2017 with the District Award of Merit and at a council level with the James E. West Award in 2017 and the National Eagle Scout Association Outstanding Eagle Scout Award in 2018.