This year, 2021, the council advancement committee has committed to offering five Life-to-Eagle seminars.

These seminars are for educating our prospective Eagle Scouts to learn what needs to happen to advance to Eagle Scout.  These seminars can also be incredibly helpful for Scoutmasters, Eagle coaches, advancement chairs, and committee chairs; and all districts are welcome to attend any of the presentations, the necessary information is the same for all districts, and we will touch on any small differences.

For those who attend, the slide show is available below for you to review at any time.

Click on the photo to download the presentation.

Mayflower Council is proud to honor and recognize our 2020 Silver Beaver Award recipients and North Star Award recipient. They are shining examples of Scouting service in our council!

Click image to download

Here’s How Pack 1620, Plymouth Continue to Meet During the Winter Months Despite COVID.

Thanks to their charter organization, Rotary Club of Plymouth and One-Stop Painting & Renovating they are providing fabulous programs that keep the Cub Scouts coming back! Den Leader Cory Mace went to the Rotary Club and asked if they knew of a local business who would be willing to open up space for the pack until their regular meeting location is available again. Jeff Cohen, owner of One-Stop Painting was happy to help out.

Have you helped your unit receive positive press? Send it along!

Eagle Scouts have been leading positive change in their communities for more than a century. That tradition continues with the historic inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts announced on February 8, Scouting’s 111th Anniversary.

Of the nine new female Eagles in Massachusetts, four are from Mayflower Council!

• Ellora H. – Troop 11 Westboro/Hopkinton
• Molly J. – Troop 1920 Plymouth
• Eleanor S. – Troop 823 Northborough
• Grace W. – Troop 209 Newton

These young women have excelled in Scouting and are part of the 6% of Scouts who achieve this significant rank – all accomplished since February 2018 when girls were officially welcomed as Scouts BSA.

Two of our new Eagles were even featured on local news broadcasts:

• Fox 25 News featured Eagle Scout Grace W. Click here to watch the broadcast.
• Spectrum News1 featured Eagle Scout Eleanor S. Click here to watch the broadcast.

Help celebrate the leadership accomplishments of the inaugural class as we highlight the positive impact Scouts make in communities every day by joining us for a special celebration of the inaugural Class of female Eagle Scouts on Sunday, February 21, 2021! Check out what’s in store for this live virtual event: scouting.org/bethechange/

Congratulations to these young women and to all Scouts who have attained Scouting’s highest rank – Eagle Scout!

The North Star Award is a high-level award presented by councils on the behalf of the National Court of Honor for nonregistered volunteers who have made a significant contribution to Scouting; on same level as the Silver Beaver Award, which is for registered volunteers.

Mayflower Council would like to congratulate Patrick Maher as the 2020 North Star Award recipient.

Patrick F. Maher

Patrick was born in Brooklyn, NY into a family deeply rooted in a service culture including teachers, librarians, military, and religion. His first volunteering was in his church. His family moved to Newton just as he and his two brothers reached the age of Scouts BSA and joined Troop 31 in legacy Norumbega Council while his sister joined Girl Scouts. His father, an Eagle Scout, class of 1936, became Patrick’s model for living the Scout Oath and Law. Following his brothers, also Eagle Scouts, Patrick achieved Eagle Scout at 12 years and 11 months. Many activities required for the six ranks and merit badges were completed at Nobscot Scout Reservation. In addition to troop leadership and instructor positions, Patrick was active in Musketahquid Lodge as a Vigil Honor member, serving as Chief of the Watanka Indian Dance Team. He worked at Hidden Valley Scout Camp for two summers serving as archery instructor and outpost activities director.

Patrick’s educational path included graduating Boston College High School (with honors) and Boston College (two degrees: College Arts & Science – BA, Mathematics and Carroll School of Management – MBA, Information Systems). Those three degrees combined with his Eagle Scout rank allowed Patrick to claim quadruple Eagle status.

Patrick’s professional career consisted of 30+ years of successful global experience in sales, sales management, and sales training in the technology industry for IBM, Wang Laboratories, Honeywell Bull Systems, and SolidWorks. For 17 years he taught/coached sales skills, tactics, and strategies to sales people and managers in direct and indirect channels.

As his three sons grew older and became deeply immersed in youth sports, Patrick joined in with them coaching little league, youth soccer, youth basketball and YMCA youth sports. In addition, he served on the board of directors for little league and youth soccer. His volunteering with 70 youth sport teams spanned 24 years.

As a champion of open space, Patrick has served as a member of the Waban Improvement Society, was elected to the Waban Area Council, the Newton Tree Conservancy and for over 10 years has been a self-appointed ‘park ranger’, where he regularly provides trail maintenance for Newton’s Cold Spring Park. Patrick has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, WGBH Telethon, and is a regular blood donor to the American Red Cross.

Patrick is a founding member of the Nobscot Alumni Association and a proud participant with the Nobscot Hammer Crew providing service to Nobscot every week. He also provides guidance for units wanting to conduct volunteer service to Nobscot.

Patrick considers himself fortunate to have benefited from many adults’ and friends’ guidance. One was Ed Bearfield, his Scoutmaster. Mr. B regularly told his Scouts to leave their campsite better than they found it. It took time for Patrick to realize he was not just talking about his weekend campsite at Nobscot. His referenced “campsite” was actually one’s life’s journey. Patrick has followed his Scoutmaster’s guidance in many different aspects of his life including family, friends, community, and career. It has been his “North Star” through his life.

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!

Michael S. Stecker, MD

Mike was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up on Long Island. His Scouting experience began in Cub Scouts in Pack 270 Syosset and Pack 585 Plainview, ultimately earning the Arrow of Light (1977). He crossed over to Troop 13 Plainview earning the Ner Tamid religious award and the Eagle Scout rank (1982). Mike was elected to the Order of the Arrow, completing his Ordeal (1980) and sealing his bonds in the Brotherhood (1983). He attended Onteora Scout Reservation for summer camp (1978-1980, 1982) and later worked in the camp office (1983).

After high school, Mike attended Wright State University (1988) and the State University of New York at Stony Brook, School of Medicine (1992). He was a general surgery resident for two years at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital and then completed a diagnostic radiology residency program at Nassau County Medical Center (1998), including serving as chief resident his final year. Following that, he completed a fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (1999).

Mike’s professional career as an interventional radiologist began in Indiana where he was an attending physician and assistant professor at Indiana University (1999-2005). The family then moved to Massachusetts where he is currently in his sixteenth year as attending physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, consulting staff at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. He was inducted as a Fellow of the Society of Interventional Radiology (2008) and American College of Radiology (2020).

Mike met Jennifer at Wright State, and they were married in June 1992. They currently reside in Easton and have two children; Maxwell is a Life Scout in Troop 47 Randolph, and he and Morrissa are Venturers in Crew 29 East Bridgewater. Mike became re-involved in Scouting when Max joined Pack 76 Easton; he has served as a committee member for all of the units in which Max and Mo have participated. Mike began helping on the Squanto District Committee after Max crossed over to Scouts BSA, served as the Squanto/Sachem District Chair (2012-2019), and continues to sit on the Mayflower Council Executive Board. After stepping down as district chair, Mike embarked on unit service, becoming a unit commissioner, and he has earned his Bachelors of Commissioner Science. He is also a merit badge counselor and has assisted at merit badge university for over 5 years.

Mike has received various Scouting awards including the training awards for Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, and district programs, District Committee Key, Shofar Award (2014), James E. West Fellowship Award (2015), and the District Award of Merit (2016). He is a life member of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) and recipient of the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (2017). Mike became a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow (2017); completed the centennial Wood Badge training program (N1-251-18); is a Legacy Society Fellow of NESA, Order of the Arrow, and Scouting Alumni & Friends; and is a member of both the Camp Squanto and Onteora Alumni Associations.

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!

Charles Murphy

Charlie Murphy is from Carver, Massachusetts. Charlie was a Cub Scout and Webelos for Pack 35 Annawon Council for 4 years. The oldest son of Charles Sr. and Linda, Charlie has three siblings: John, Michael and Marilyn. As a teen, Charlie assisted his mother as a Sunday school teacher for the First Baptist Church in Plymouth.

Charlie graduated with a vocational degree in offset printing communications in 1987 from Old Colony Vocational School. He has been employed as a production manager for 26 years at We Print Today in Kingston. He is a counselor for the Graphic Arts Merit Badge.

Charlie married Monique Cote in 1991, and the two have 4 children together. He is the father of Leah, Nicholas, Brendan, and Payton. Monique passed away in 2008, losing a battle with breast cancer. This left him a widow at the age of 39 with children ages 6, 8, 13, and 15. Charlie married his wife Michelle in 2010, and they happily live in South Plymouth.

Raising 4 children in a Christian home, Charlie was an assistant children’s pastor for the Vineyard Church in Kingston. He coached flag football. He assisted in his daughter Leah’s Girl Scout troop and assisted in Leah’s 4 H equestrian group” Equus Friends”. Charlie coached Plymouth South baseball for 7 years. In 2002 Nicholas became a Tiger Cub and asked his father on the way home from his den meeting, “Why don’t you have a tan shirt dad?” Charlie turned around and became an adult leader that day.

Past leadership includes Cubmaster and assistant Cubmaster Pack 51, and assistant Cubmaster Pack 151. Charlie served as Scoutmaster, Chaplain, assistant Scoutmaster and finally committee chairman for Troop 151 Plymouth. Charlie was a founding member of Troop 151 and his three sons are all Eagle Scouts of Troop 151.

Charlie enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife Michelle. He loves cooking, campfires, fishing, making pickles with Leah, concerts, and shooting sports. He supports his community charities by fundraising and creating awareness for the Jordan’s Polar Plunge yearly and assisting the Black Feather Horse Rescue in Plymouth when he can.

Charlie is the director of the Junior Associates for the Wankinquoah Rod and Gun Club in Middleborough. Charlie is the outdoor range director and outdoor range safety officer. He sits on the board of directors for Wankinquoah.

Serving the Boy Scouts of America since 2002, Charlie currently works with the advancement team for Cranberry Harbors District. Charlie serves as a merit badge counselor and Eagle advisor. He has earned the District Award of Merit; Cub Scouter, Scoutmaster, and Cubmaster Training Awards; Unit Leader Merit Award; and Adult Religious Service Award. Charlie is an Order of the Arrow Brotherhood member and a Vigil Honor nominee.

Charlie has been Eagle advisor to most of the 25 Eagle Scouts of Troop 151. Charlie was honored to mentor Miss Molly J. of Troop 1920 Plymouth on her path to Eagle. She earned her Eagle Scout award as part of the inaugural class of female Scouts in Mayflower Council.

Serving since 2013, Charlie is the Associate Pastor of the Vineyard Crossroads Church in Wareham. His duty to God comes first in his life. His favorite verse is Micah 6:8 which reads:

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.

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!

Peter L. Lanciano

Peter is an avid outdoors person who enjoys the challenge of building things – whether they are companies, buildings, developing committees or crafting furniture. Without question Peter is up for most mechanical and personnel tasks of all sizes.

Peter has been involved in Scouting and Exploring for over 50 years. While he enjoyed his early years with Troop 333 in legacy Norumbega Council, he excelled in Exploring as president of the accounting Post 533 sponsored by Honeywell. Later on, after establishing his family, Peter served in multiple roles with Troop 4 Milford for nearly two decades. Dad to three Eagle Scouts (Luke, Gabe, and Sam), Peter is especially proud that they exceeded his early Scouting accomplishments. Peter particularly enjoyed the numerous 50 plus mile backpacking and canoeing events with his sons and the troop.

In addition to serving on the Mayflower Council Executive Committee, Peter serves as co-chairperson of the future council capital campaign and a member of the properties and maintenance committee. An avid supporter of Nobscot Scout Reservation, he is a founding member of the Nobscot Alumni Association and provides extraordinary service with the Nobscot Hammer Crew. Peter doesn’t just have a ‘can-do’ attitude – he has a ‘let’s go beyond’ attitude. He provides a long-term vision for our volunteers and consistently sees needed work projects – then steps up to provide leadership to get it done. Peter alone is responsible for acquiring thousands of dollars in donations of materials for our camp. He is not content to sit on the sidelines, Peter installs cabin windows, rehabs cabin interiors, cuts firewood, grades parking lots (with his own tractor!), rebuilds lean-tos and so much more. For Peter, the bottom line is always what can we do to enhance the experience for kids.

In his professional life, Peter currently serves on two private life science board of directors – one as chairman and the other as chair of the audit committee. Peter is formerly the CEO and co-founder of two successful public life science companies and has over three decades of experience as the CEO in conceptualizing, developing, and financing international life science companies.

Peter has broad-based expertise in the area of corporate strategy and governance for public, private and non-profit companies as well as in-depth experience in product development, commercial launch, finance, mergers, acquisitions and asset sales. He is trained in accounting and computer information systems design, Bentley University, CPA, CDP, CISA and NACD Fellow.

We are pleased by Peter’s commitment to Scouting and that he chooses to lend his considerable expertise and talents to the Scouts and Scouters of Mayflower Council.

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.