MARQUETTE — The Hiawathaland District of the Michigan Crossroads Council, Scouting America recently held its annual dinner at Bay College to recognize outstanding leaders for exemplary service.

The recipient of Hiawathaland District Scoutmaster of the Year is George Larson of Troop 346, Neganee.

George’s father’s experiences and tales of scouting in Detroit in the 1930s intrigued him and led him to join Troop 359 in Marquette when his family moved there in the 1960s.

He enjoyed learning Scout Skills, going on camp outs and hikes, and participating in court of honor programs. He attended Camp Red Buck the final two years of its existence. He achieved the rank of life scout.

When his son was a Cub Scout, George earned the Den Leaders Award and then became Scoutmaster for Troop 696 in the Southwest Michigan Council. Four of his six Arrows of Light Scouts earned their Eagle Scout Award, including his son.

He completed the Scouters Training Award and was awarded the District Award of Merit by the Southwest Michigan Council. Returning to Marquette County, he became leader of Troop 346 in Negaunee which had seven scouts. They have since tripled in numbers and are incorporating young women into the troop. In 2025, he organized the District Camporee.

The District Award of Merit is presented to Scouters who render service of an outstanding nature at the district level. It was awarded to Pete Kenn who is currently Cubmaster for Pack 3346 in Negaunee.

Pete earned the Eagle Scout Award in Troop 105 in Sault Ste Marie and served on the waterfront staff at Camp Hiawatha. He began his volunteer service as a Den Leader in 2019.

Pete has been actively involved in various district activities and programs at Camp Hiawatha during his tenure with the pack. He has been instrumental in the pack’s efforts to introduce Scouting to the surrounding communities and demonstrates an outstanding display of Scouting Values.

Information about the programs of Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) is available at https://michiganscouting.org/