LOCAL BOY SCOUT HONORED FOR RESCUING BOY FROM DROWNING Camden, NC – Barrett McDougald, age 12, will receive the National Certificate of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America for saving a boy from drowning. McDougald will have a National Court of Honor as part of Boy Scouts of America Tidewater Council’s Annual Council Recognition Dinner on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 7:00 pm onboard the Spirit of Norfolk. McDougald, a Tenderfoot Scout from Camden, is being recognized for rescuing a drowning 7-year-old boy at a day camp at Victory Christian School in Elizabeth City in August 2018. During the day camp’s swimming abilities evaluation, the 7-year-old camper went under the water. Without hesitation, McDougald quickly dove into eight-foot deep water to rescue the distressed swimmer. McDougald towed the boy to the side of the pool, where older youth assisted in pulling him to safety.
McDougald credits the Swimming merit badge he earned in Scouting, just one month earlier, with teaching him the skills he used to rescue the drowning boy.
McDougald is a member of Troop 158, chartered by Shiloh Baptist Church in Shiloh, North Carolina. The BSA’s National Certificate of Merit is awarded to youth and adults who have performed a significant act of service deserving of special national recognition. Tidewater Council is the 5th oldest Boy Scouts of America council in the United States, established in 1911. Today, the council serves youth in the North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans, as well as four cities in Virginia. Boy Scouts of America is one of the world’s largest youth organizations. More information about the Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America is available at: www.tidewaterbsa.com, e-mailing bill.deany@scouting.org, or calling 757-497-2688.
Tidewater Council Boy Scouts of America
