Lake Orion Scoutmaster Receives Highest Honor from Michigan Crossroads Council
(Brandon Kathman, May 18, 2023)
Lake Orion, MI – The Boy Scouts of America’s Michigan Crossroads Council awarded a Lake Orion volunteer with their highest honor, the Silver Beaver medal, during the local district’s annual banquet on April 8.
Troop 128 Assistant Scoutmaster Tom Houlihan stood before his family and fellow “Scouters” as Jennifer Sanker, a vice president for the state-wide council, presented him with the medal. To be considered for the honor, volunteers must demonstrate exceptional character, extraordinary service and be nominated by their peers. Furthermore, the council is only permitted to grant a few each year. Many volunteers are repeatedly nominated for several years before being selected.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” Houlihan said of the award. “It’s a huge honor, and I’m humbled to be a part of the team. All I can do is continue working and try to live up to it.”
A keystone of the Scouting movement in Oakland County, Houlihan was recognized for his role at the council level as well as within his troop, most recently creating the Emergency-o-ree campout in October of 2022. Held at Camp Agawam, the event utilized partnerships with first responders to teach several hundred Scouts about emergency preparedness.
Houlihan works as a deputy sheriff with Oakland County assigned to corrections. Prior to this, he served in the United States Marine Corps, and he endeavors to foster in his Scouts an appreciation for those who have served. He has raised three sons, all of whom earned the rank of Eagle Scout, including Casey Houlihan, 19, who received his rank in 2022.
“Scouting is a way for him to help the youth and set them on a good track,” Casey Houlihan said. “He has always joked with the kids, ‘I’m in Scouting so I don’t have to meet you professionally.’ It’s just his passion; he has loved it for years.”
Those interested in learning more about local Scouting should visit beascout.org or call the district office at (947) 886-5736.