Two Brothers Win Prestigious Silver Beaver Award on Opposite Ends of the Country

FREMONT, Calif., February 25, 2010 – The Boy Scouts of America, acting through its National Courts of Honor, recently awarded its annual Silver Beaver Awards for distinguished service to youth.

In an interesting turn of event, two brothers, Alan Olsen from Fremont, California and Arlen Olsen from Clifton Park, New York, both received Silver Beavers on the same weekend for their distinguished service to scouting.

Arlen recalls when he first learned that Alan was also to receive the Silver Beaver Award, “I was talking to Alan and Dad in the car at my niece’s wedding telling them that I would be receiving the Silver Beaver in January. They both said that was a very high honor. A week later, Alan e-mailed me that to his surprise he would be awarded the silver beaver as well.”

Silver Beaver recipients are nominated by local BSA councils and are registered leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. According to the Boy Scouts of America, the Silver Beaver is an award given to those people 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 actively seek it.

Alan Olsen has served in the San Francisco Bay Area Council where he is a cub master and chairs the annual “Friends of Scouting” fundraising campaign. Through his leadership he was able to raise one million dollars last year to support five districts and more than 300 packs, troops, teams, crews and at risk youth in San Francisco and Alameda counties.

Arlen Olsen has served as a Council Vice President, Friends of Scouting Chair, Scoutmaster and in many other capacities with the Twin Rivers Boy Scout of America Council in Albany, New York.

Alan Olsen said of scouting, “I can think of no other program that teaches young people much needed values than scouting. Not only do they learn the joy of service, but learn leadership skills, self sufficiency and personal responsibility. I am honored to receive the Silver Beaver Award.”

Arlen added, “It’s very fulfilling to work with boys and see them grow and develop, and gain self-confidence and leadership skills as they serve in the Boy Scouts of America troops. I am also honored to receive this award.”

Alan and Arlen grew to appreciate scouting through their father’s influence while growing up in Helena, Montana. “My father is a great example and scouting and I will always be grateful that he helped me become involved,” said Alan Olsen. “All three of his sons and seven of his grandsons are Eagle Scouts.”

Alan’s most memorable scouting adventure occurred when he was twelve years old.

“We were camping in Moose Creek, Montana when a blizzard hit. My 65 year old Scoutmaster, Ben Evans, gave the boys his tent. He parked his cot and slept in the open air as the blizzard raged that night. Everyone survived and I learned a lot from my scoutmaster,” remember Alan Olsen.

“Ben taught me about leadership through his example. He mentored me throughout my scouting experience and played an important role in my life. He also started the Eagle Scout Association in Montana; at 13 years-old, I was honored to be amongst the first to join. My Eagle was presented to me by the Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice. I vividly remember, in front of everyone, he tried to get me to kiss my mom!”

Arlen’s most memorable scouting adventure occurred when he received the Eagle Scout award during the bicentennial year with the chief justice of Montana presenting the award and the lieutenant Governor hosting a separate ceremony honoring the new Eagle Scouts.

Both Alan and Arlen are proud of their own son’s accomplishments. Alan is the father of five scouts, two of which are already Eagle Scouts. Arlen two oldest sons are Eagle Scouts, his daughter has earned her Girl Scout Silver Award, and his youngest son is a Life Scout.