Mon, 09/27/2021 - 6:15pm
BELGRADE — Heidi O'Donnell of Camden Troop 200 received the highest award a local Scouting District can bestow upon a volunteer Scouting on Saturday, September 25 when she was presented the District Award of Merit during the annual District Scouters' Recognition Dinner held at Camp Bomazeen.
O'Donnell has been involved as a leader with both Girl Scouts and Scouting since her son Matthew Clayton was a Tiger Cub Scout in 2011 and her daughter Taylor Clayton first registered with Girl Scouts. Both joined her at Camp Bomazeen to receive the award. Matthew is currently working towards his Eagle Scout rank and Taylor has submitted her Gold Project award. Overall, Heidi has 42 years of service with the Girl Scouts USA program after starting as a Brownie in first grade.
Heidi has been involved at various levels of both programs and has also served on Camp Bomazeen staff and worked at several Merit Badge colleges. Like Cahn, she was a member of the 2017 National Jamboree staff and also attended the 2019 World Jamboree. O'Donnell was co-trek leader for Philmont in 2019. Outside of Scouting, Heidi has been involved with the YMCA and was awarded its Volunteer of the Year in 2016.
"I love being part of the scouting program – both Scouts BSA and Girl Scouts,” said Heidi, in a news release. “It is my hope that my involvement in scouting has made a positive impact on many. I know it has had a significant effect on myself and my two children and I am grateful that they were both there to celebrate with me. I look forward to many more years in scouting and encourage others to consider helping to make scouting strong in their communities as it is fulfilling work on so many levels."
John Wood, a long-time Scouting volunteer from Hope said, "Scouting has been this young lady's life. She is well deserving of this award."
District Chair Joe Shelton said, "We are very blessed to have so many outstanding volunteer Scouting leaders in Kennebec Valley. They make this program happy and it is only fitting that we take the opportunity to recognize those who have given so much."
Also receiving the District Award of Merit was Russell Cahn who currently serves as Scoutmaster of Troop 631 Augusta. His Scouting career began when he joined Cub Scouts as a leader in New York Pack 349 where he served as Den Leader for Tigers, Wolf, Bear and Webelos dens. He was also Little League Coach from 2009-2014 in Forest Hills, NY. When the family moved to Maine, he and his family quickly got involved in Augusta's Cub Scout Pack serving as Assistant Cubmaster and Den Leader. When his son Tyler was old enough to cross over, Russel joined Troop 631 in Augusta as an Assistant Scoutmaster and became Scoutmaster in 2020. Russell also served as the Cub Scout Rangemaster for Kennebec Valley District and served as Rangemaster for Pine Tree Council since 2017. Cahn teaches several merit badges and was a member of various Merit Badge Colleges. He also was a member of the 2017 National Jamboree Staff and the 2019 World Jamboree contingent.
Julie McKenney, Cub Day Camp Director at Bomazeen and Kennebec Valley District Activities Chair, praised Cahn. "Russell's knowledge from his previous unit in New York helped shift the way the Kennebec Valley District holds their Pine Wood Derbies. His guidance has molded the derbies into a far more enjoyable format for our Scouting families."
Cahn's wife, Tracy, is a member the Chair of the Troop Committee and their son Tyler is working on his Eagle Scout project. Both were present when the award was presented to him by District Advancement & Recognition Chair Luanne Chesley of Vassalboro.
"Scouting allows me to share knowledge about the outdoors and the values of Scouting that they otherwise would not receive,” said Cahn. “Scouting gives them outstanding experiences that will help them develop into leaders."