Stephen McBath honored by Boy Scouts of America

Boy Scouts of America has recognized a Capital Region BOCES employee with a top volunteer award that acknowledges his near lifelong commitment to the youth development organization.

NERIC Service Desk Technician Stephen McBath, who is based in the Malone Central School District, this summer received the Silver Beaver Award — the highest recognition a local Boy Scouts of America council can give an adult volunteer.

A former scout himself, McBath is a past troop leader and the current chair of the Eagle Scout Committee for the Northern Lights District, where he is responsible for approving all Eagle Scout projects. Eagle Scout is the highest rank a scout can achieve; to earn the ranking a scout must complete an in-depth project that first must be approved by the committee.

McBath is also a member of the High Adventure Committee for the scouts' Longhouse Council, which covers Cayuga, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, Oswego and St. Lawrence counties. On the High Adventure Committee, McBath helps organize training for scouts interested in attending one of the organization’s three High Adventure Camps in Florida, Minnesota and New Mexico.

McBath is also the father of two Eagle Scouts.

He was nominated for the Silver Beaver Award by a peer who noted his long record of service to the organization and commitment to the development of young people.

Nominations are reviewed by a council committee, which conducts independent interviews before bestowing awards.

“Scouts has given me the opportunity to help young people gain confidence and grow. It is a great honor to be a part of an organization that helps so many move forward,” McBath said. “It’s tremendously rewarding to help make a difference in a scout’s life. This award was a complete surprise, and it is very humbling to have a fuss made over what I do.”

McBath began working with NERIC in August 2011. He lives in Canton.