S9-91-14 staffer receives 2014 Gilwell Award

Kelly Anderson, troop guide for Chattahoochee Council Wood Badge Course S9-91-14, was one of two recipients of the Chattahoochee Council's 2014 Gilwell Award. The award was presented as part of the council's Wood Badge Reunion held Jan. 4 at Camp Lumpkin. This was the reunion's 25th anniversary.

Kelly has been Scouting as a youth and adult Scouter for a quarter century. Currently an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 10, he is also a district commissioner for the Yellow Jacket District and frequent staffer for various district and council training programs. After attending Wood Badge Course SR-321 in 2000, he staffed S9-91-12 in 2012 in addition to his current course staff duties. In addition, he is a three-time assistant course director for the council's National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) course and is slated to serve as the council's 2014 NYLT course director.

The council conceived the idea for the "Gilwell Award" in 1989 to recognize Scouters who continued to provide service to the Chattahoochee Council long after these Wood Badgers completed the requirements for their "ticket." The council modeled the award after the "Silver Spade Award" presented to an outstanding Scouter by the council hosting the Wood Badge Course Director's Workshop at De Funiak Springs, Fla. that year.

Since its first presentation in 1989, it has recognized the contributions of more than 60 Chattahoochee Council Wood Badge volunteers during the years. The award, a single Wood Badge bead mounted on a cedar totem, is presented at the Wood Badge Reunion each year from nominations received by a committee made up previous Chattahoochee Council Wood Badge course directors.

Previous Gilwell Award recipients serving on staff of Wood Badge Course S9-91-14 include Instructor Gary Bolen (1999); Instructor Carol Bowden (2008); Course Director Tom Lytle (2003); and Volunteer Adviser Lisa Sandt (2010).

Read more about Kelly and his Scouting background in the course's Gilwell e-Gazette.