Scouts Honor Local Sheriff's Offices

TAMPA BAY, FL — The Boy Scouts of America’s regional Greater Tampa Bay Area Council will honor local sheriff’s offices with Participating Citizenship Awards in a series of virtual Badge of Honor Events from Oct. 26 to 28.

The Participating Citizenship Award “recognizes the selfless service of local heroes,” including deputies of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Offices, according to the council’s director of field service, Dwayne Jones. Local premieres of each county’s honoree tribute will feature guest appearances by Sen. Rick Scott, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout Ronde Barber.

“This event is a great way to thank the local sheriff’s departments for exceptional work in our communities,” District Executive Kelsi Meliah said.

Hillsborough County’s ceremony is slated to be streamed on Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. The council will also recognize the sheriff’s offices of Pasco, Hernando, Sumter, Citrus, Polk and Highlands counties during separate streamed ceremonies throughout the week.

“Through all of this, we are excited to know that many of the tenants of Scouting such as helping our neighbors, checking in on those in need, and putting others before ourselves has strengthened our sense of community and civic duty,” Jones said. “Participating citizenship is at the foundation of the lessons learned in the Scouting programs.”

The Boy Scouts of America partners with numerous agencies across the country to offer the Law Enforcement Exploring Program to young men and women ages 14 to 21. Locally, the program gives youth in Hillsborough Counties an experiential education of the criminal justice system with training and competitions through Explorer Post 238.

The Greater Tampa Bay Area Council also hosts sheriff’s deputies and state troopers during its regular training sessions at Sand Hill Scout Reservation’s outdoor shooting ranges. Even police canines train on the property on occasion.

“The community wouldn’t be what it is without law enforcement keeping our families safe,” Holly Swenson, a parent with Troop 433, said.

The Badge of Honor Events will also provide an opportunity for viewers to donate in support of local programs like Exploring and traditional Scouting. According to the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, this will help Scouting’s districts and properties weather what has been a challenging year for all nonprofit organizations.

To watch any of the award streams, viewers can go to tampabayscouting.org and select “Badge of Honor,” to see the schedule and links, or call 352-459-9375 for details.