Dave Salow, Crossroads District Scouter, receives the Silver Beaver Award, April, 2022

I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the 1950s. I was a member of a Scout Troop, but I only made it to Second Class before joining the Junior Deputy program, which was a forerunner to today’s Police Explorers. I loved Scouting; hated the winter camping.

My adult scouting career began like most others. I took my grandson to a Pack meeting where I was asked to write the monthly Pack Newsletter for Pack 161 in Williamstown. I was told the job would only take one hour a week. That soon morphed into putting on the uniform and then becoming a member of the committee, then the Assistant Cub Master.

After serving the Pack for several years, I moved to Troop 234, where I joined the Committee and later became the Committee Chair. I continue in that role today and now proudly serve a boys’ Troop as well as a girls’ Troop in Williamstown.

I have served as a Unit Commissioner, and currently as the District Commissioner for the Crossroads District. I am an active member of the District Advancement Committee and the current dean of the Crossroads Scout College. I have attended and taught at Commissioners Colleges in the Garden State and Cradle of Liberty Councils. I earned the Old Colony Chairman’s Award in 2018.

I attended Wood Badge in September of 2020 and received my beads last August.

I served eight years in the U.S. Air Force. The last two years as a member of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

My wife JoAnne and I both are retired now, her after 20-plus years as a Financial Analyst, and me as a Senior Field Service Engineer for 42 years. My non-Scouting activities include Woodworking and working on our home.

I am thankful for being allowed to take this journey. I have met some truly outstanding people who were dedicated and passionate to the ideals of Scouting. Thank you for letting me come along.