Known as “Coach Rick” by the many he’s mentored on the playing field, Rick Strom received this year’s Silver Beaver Award for his dedication to the Boy Scouts and his community.
The prestigious award is given out by the Boy Scouts of America and was presented to Strom late last month.
The Silver Beaver was introduced in 1931 and has since had numerous recipients form the Grays Harbor Area. It recognizes Boy Scout leaders who have provided notable service to the youth in their community.
Strom found out he was chosen to receive the award through Facebook, before the award ceremony.
“I found out a little early, but I was floored,” said Strom. “I was not expecting it.”
Strom is the Scoutmaster of Troop 100 in Hoquiam, which he founded in 2010, 100 years after the Boy Scouts of American were founded. In order to get the troop up and running, Strom needed to start a troop committee, find a sponsor, and recruit members.
On top of organizing the troop, Strom also puts out a monthly Scout newsletter and works on merit badge lists. He has also been involved with Relay for Life, Scouting for Food and has been a lifetime Grizzly Booster.
Additionally, he is a member of the City of Hoquiam Urban Forestry and Community Service Board.
“He’s an energizer bunny kind of guy,” said Boy Scouts Coastal Waters District Chairman Dennis Brumbaugh.
“Anytime I’m needed, I just role up my sleeves and help, I guess,” said Strom.
A Harbor native, Strom began scouting in 1964 as a Cub Scout and earned an Eagle Scout rank on Dec. 9, 1975, 38 years to the day before his son, Tanner, became an Eagle Scout on Dec. 9, 2013.
Scouts engage in a number of outdoor activities and are also active in community service endeavors.
Scouts aim to teach their members how to be responsible adults and productive members of society. And, for Strom, the organization is a great way to accent the successes of young men, rather than their failures.
“We don’t see enough in the media or anywhere saying so much about the good things kids do as much as we do about the stuff that kids are doing wrong. … We try to teach boys good citizenship,” he said.
Strom remembers volunteering for the Lion’s Club as a kid with his dad and said the experience “never rubbed off.”
Since he’s become a scoutmaster, Strom says eight of his troop members have earned their Eagle Scout. Strom says receiving the honor is rare.
“I enjoy watching the kids have a good time and watching them grow as leaders and young men. I’ve seen a handful of kindergartners work their way up to juniors and seniors in high school now. I‘ve been with them quite a while. I like to see the kids flourish,” said Strom.
Strom made it clear that he isn’t involved in Boy Scouts for the accolades, but was honored to be presented with an award that has been recognized others that he looks up to. “I’m in some pretty special company, I think,” said Strom.
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