By Tribune Staff

Boy Scouts of America Spirit Trail District presented the 2018 District Award of Merit to Ronald B. Bowles of Lee’s Summit on April 26. The District Award of Merit is the highest recognition a Scouting District can bestow upon an individual. The award is presented to registered volunteer Scouters for noteworthy service to youth. Candidates for the award must be a registered volunteer Scout leader. They must have rendered noteworthy service to youth in Scouting, outside Scouting, or both. A minimum of five years of accumulated service to youth is suggested.

Bowles has been involved in Scouting since 2004. He began as a parent always ready to do what ever was needed for the Scouts in the Cub Scout Pack. From that point his list of service and leadership in Scouting has included Troop Assistant Scoutmaster, Merit Badge Counselor, Camp Scoutmaster, Mic-O-Say Dancer adult volunteer, host to an International Scout from Ecuador, H. Roe Bartle Camp Commissioner for four years, Venturing Crew Advisor, and Troop Committee Chairman. He has also volunteered at district events such as Merit Badge Academy, Cub Scout Family Campouts, and Day Camps. Bowles is an Honorary Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow.

In addition to his service in Scouting, Ron has also freely given his time and efforts to the community through his past involvement in Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation Hockey League, Lee’s Summit Soccer Association, Lee’s Summit High School Band Boosters, Lee’s Summit West High School Air Force Junior ROTC Boosters, Salvation Army Project Warmth, Aldersgate Youth Ministry, host parent for Lee’s Summit High School Italian exchange student, Dollars Against Diabetes, and Lee’s Summit R7 Chinese exchange program.

Bowles sinks his heart and soul into Scouting and into serving our youth. His actions have shown that he is selfless in his quest to make sure that all youth have an outstanding experience in Scouting and other community programs.