Silver Beaver 2015
Larry Riveland’s service in the Northeast Iowa Council exceeds 40 years. His successful leadership was developed, in part, by his experience as a Scout in the Northeast Iowa Council. He is an Eagle Scout. He attended the 1964 National Scout Jamboree as a member of the Northeast Iowa Council contingent and has served on the Camp Klaus staff.
Larry grew up in a Scouting family. His father was a past president of the Northeast Iowa Council. In 1967, an ad-hoc council committee selected him from a pool of candidates to represent the Northeast Iowa Council as part of the Service Corps at the World Scout Jamboree in Idaho.
For 5 years, Larry served as Scoutmaster for his troop. Most leaders from the Dellaykee district are aware that the concept of “youth density” is even more sensitive when it comes to smaller towns. A small-town troop doesn’t have the opportunity to draw from other areas within the same city. Maintaining a troop, even when the number of Scout-age boys is down for a few years, is always a concern. When Larry was Scoutmaster, the size of his troop more than doubled. This is a testament to his leadership while serving in that position.
His Scouting contributions have not gone unappreciated. Youth leaders of Timmeu lodge honored him with the Vigil recognition. In 1999 he was the recipient of the District Award of Merit.
In addition to serving as Scoutmaster, Larry served for 13 years as a Committee Chairman, and an additional 14 years as an active Unit Committee Member. Multi-tasking during this time, he also served as an Assistant District Commissioner, a Unit Commissioner, and a Merit Badge Counselor.
In addition, for many years Larry served as the Community FOS coordinator. As a small business owner, this Scouter has used his business contacts to help facilitate annual FOS contributions, regardless of size. He knows and appreciates the fact that consistent support of any kind helps to strengthen Scouting in his community.