Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
Kennebec Valley District Chair Kelly Pillsbury, Tammy Smith, District Advancement & Recognition Chair Luanne Chesley and, in back, Bryce Smith. (Submitted photo)
BELGRADE — Tammy Lynn Smith, of Winthrop, and Jeffrey DeHart, of West Gardiner, recently received the scouting District Award of Merit during a special ceremony held at Camp Bomazeen.
Gearry Judkins, of Farmington, couldn’t attend but will also receive the same recognition at a later date.
The District Award of Merit is a national award of scouting presented locally to a registered Scouter who has rendered service of an outstanding nature at the district level, said Kennebec Valley District Chair Kelly Pillsbury.
Many scouting people give so much at their local Cub Pack and Scout Troop level, Pillsbury said. The award is for those who help all the Scouts of Kennebec Valley District, which includes the towns and cities in Lincoln, Knox, Kennebec, Somerset and Franklin counties.
“All three of these Scouters have given so many years of great service to our district and to Camp Bomazeen,” Pillsbury said. “I was shocked that they hadn’t received the District Award of Merit previously.” The awards were scheduled to be presented at the annual District Scouting Recognition Dinner in March, but were rescheduled and presented at Camp Bomazeen on Aug. 12, attended by more than 100 scouting leaders.
Smith is the district commissioner, which is one of the top positions of responsibility in scouting. She is tasked with making sure every Cub Pack, Venture Crew and Scout Troop in the district has the support they need to succeed. Smith has previously volunteered at Merit Badge Colleges, various outdoor activities and helped deliver solid programs at Camp Bomazeen. She was nominated for the award by former 
“I go where I am needed,” Smith said. “If someone calls, it is because they need help with something whether it be picking up an application, help with an event or a question needing answering. They are all just as important to keep Scouting working properly. Scouting never ends. Each day I devote some time to answering emails, text or phone calls. So depending on what is going on or is needed is what I give.”
DeHart runs the Scout Troop in West Gardiner and has served on the district training committee for four years, where he shares his outdoor skills and knowledge with others. He participated in 11 winter scouting Klondike Derbies. But most are familiar with his work at Camp Bomazeen’s Bushcraft Program, where is is known as Turtle.
As a founding member of the program, his level of outdoor knowledge and calm manner were instrumental in building the Bushcraft Program into one of the most popular programs at Camp Bomazeen. DeHart was nominated for the award by Christopher Bernier, of Winslow, who is the director of the Bushcraft Program.
“Turtle is a dear friend to me but also to every Scout,” said Bernier. “Without his support in scouting, our program would not be as amazing as it is.”
DeHart said, “Creating great memories and teaching what I know to the kids is really what keeps me going.”
The awards were presented to Smith and DeHart by Pillsbury and District Advancement & Recognition Chair Luanne Chesley, of Vassalboro. The third recipient, Judkins, will receive the award at a separate and appropriate event befitting his years of service to scouting and honoring him for his work with the new Scout programs at Camp Bomazeen over the years and at various district activities.
