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PHOTO: Luanne Chesley, advancement and recognition chair, presents the District Award of Merit to Russell Cahn, of Augusta. (Submitted photo)
BELGRADE- Russell Cahn, of Augusta, received the highest award a local BSA district can bestow upon a volunteer on Sept. 25, when he was presented the District Award of Merit during the annual District Scouters’ Recognition Dinner, held at Camp Bomazeen.
Cahn is Scoutmaster of Troop 631, at St Augustine church, but his Scouting career began when he joined Cub Scouts as a leader in New York, where he was den leader for Tigers, Wolf, Bear and Webelos dens. When the family moved to Maine, he and his family quickly got involved in Augusta’s Cub Scout pack, and he was assistant cubmaster and den leader. When his son Tyler was old enough to cross over, Cahn joined Troop 631 as an assistant scoutmaster. He became scoutmaster in 2020. He has also been the Cub Scout rangemaster for Kennebec Valley District, and has been rangemaster for Pine Tree Council since 2017. He teaches several merit badges and was a member of many merit badge colleges.
He also was a member of the 2017 National Jamboree Staff and the 2019 World Jamboree contingent.
Julie McKenney, Cub Day Camp director at Camp Bomazeen and Kennebec Valley District activities chair, said, “Russell’s knowledge from his previous unit in New York helped shift the way the Kennebec Valley District holds their Pine Wood Derbies. His guidance has molded the derbies into a far more enjoyable format for our Scouting families.”
Cahn’s wife, Tracy, is a chair of the troop committee, and their son Tyler is working on his Eagle Scout project. Both Tracy and Tyler were present for Cahn’s award presentation.
The award was presented by District Advancement & Recognition Chair Luanne Chesley, of Vassalboro.
“Scouting allows me to share knowledge about the outdoors and the values of scouting that they otherwise would not receive,” Cahn said. “Scouting gives them outstanding experiences that will help them develop into leaders.”
Also receiving the District Award of Merit was Heidi O’Donnell who volunteers in Scouting with Camden Troop 200. She has been involved with both Girl Scouts and Scouting since her son Matthew was a Tiger Cub Scout in 2011 and her daughter Taylor first joined Girl Scouts. Both joined her at Camp Bomazeen to receive the award.
Matthew is working towards his Eagle Scout rank and Taylor has submitted her Gold Project award. Heidi has been involved at various levels of both programs and has also served on Camp Bomazeen staff and worked at several merit badge colleges. Like Cahn, she was a member of the 2017 National Jamboree staff and also attended the 2019 World Jamboree. O’Donnell was co-trek leaders for Philmont in 2019
District Chair Joe Shelton of China said, “We are very blessed to have so many outstanding volunteer Scouting leaders in Kennebec Valley. They make this program happy and it is only fitting that we take the opportunity to recognize those who have given so much.”
