The 2018 Palmetto Council Banquet was held on March 3, 2018 at Grace Lutheran Church. During the banquet, the 2017 Silver Beaver Class was presented as well Journey to Excellence recognitions, Whitney M. Young award, Medal of Merit and a Hornaday Award.

2017 Silver Beaver Class

Scott Miller

Scott Miller is truly passionate about everything he does and puts every effort into learning all he can about whatever he does, but he has always had a special place in his heart for the Boy Scouts. The leaders, experiences and “life lessons” he learned early on through the Boy Scouts has helped mold his integrity and the overall “selfless servanthood” character that makes him the man, father and leader he is today.
Scott began his Scouting career as a member of Troop 185 where his dad served as Scout Master for several years. When he was elected into the Order of the Arrow, he was the youngest Boy Scout to receive that honor at the time. He was also part of the Indian Dance team. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1992. He and others worked diligently to complete his service project before he had to report to boot camp as he had joined the Army National Guard at the age of 17.
He is currently Chief of Boiling Springs Fire Department, serves as a reserve police officer with Landrum Police Department, volunteers with different service organizations and sits on various committees, and advisory boards throughout the community, including the Executive Board of the Palmetto Council. He has worked diligently with the properties committee at Camp Bob Hardin as well as helping to provide medical staff for summer camp at Camp Bob Hardin. He is always willing to help anyone and he is a prime example of what a mentor to the community should be.
Scott is married to his wife Shannon and they have five children, Sierra, Allison, Samantha, Joni and Jeremy.

Keith Smith

Keith Smith began his scouting career as a lad on August 1st, 1979 with troop 597. He went on to achieve the rank of Eagle on June 4, 1982. He spent numerous summers working at the former Camp Palmetto, now known as Camp Bob Hardin. Little did he know his relationship with this camp was just beginning. After taking some time away from scouting to begin his career and start a family. He returned to scouting and served as a Council Committee Member and a Unit Commissioner from 2007- 2009. During this time he had the opportunity to work with several troops and build numerous bonds with other volunteers. He then moved on to serve as a District Chair from 2010-2011.
Since 2011 he has served on the Council’s Executive Board and currently serves in the position of Vice President of Properties. This position takes him back to Camp Bob Hardin quite a bit. A place that he truly can say is one of his favorite places. One of the major highlights from his job as the Vice President of Properties is the new shower house addition. Which after much struggle was opened to campers this past summer. He also is an advocate of Wood Badge and was a participant in course SR-820 in 2008. This antelope has continued to serve Wood Badge for the last 7 years and will serve as Senior Patrol Leader in the upcoming course in 2018. De-wayne would be so proud at how he has been able to suck the darkness out and insert light into the lives of so many people but his family is prouder. When you see this silver beaver around greet him with a BAM and remind him how wonderful a flushing toilet in the shower house sounds.

Bill Binkley

William “Bill” Binkley began his Scouting career in 1986 when he joined Troop 540 in Glastonbury, Connecticut. He earned his Eagle Scout award in 1991. Bill graduated from
Johnson & Wales University where he majored in culinary arts. After college, he began working in the food industry in Atlanta, GA.
In 2010, Bill joined the Scouting program again with his son, William, in Pack 178. In 2013, Bill helped found Troop 540 at Grace Lutheran Church. Bill is a proud Eagle Scout and He has been very instrumental in forming and growing the Palmetto Council chapter of NESA. One of Bill’s proudest moments was watching his son earn his Eagle in 2015. Bill has helped in many Scouting roles including Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, SEALS staff, District Advancement Chair, Council Advancement Chair, Council Executive Board Member and Eagle Board of Review Chairman. Bill is known for his friendly personality, cheerful smile and his willingness to always help make a difference. He has been recognized for his hard work with the York District Committee Member of the year award and the District Award of Merit. Bill is married to his wife, Marielys, and they have one son, William.

Journey to Excellence

Palmetto Council - GOLD
Skyuka Lodge - GOLD
Catawba District - GOLD
York District - SILVER

Medal of Merit

Whitney M. Young

James E. West Fellowship Contributors

Josh Bouldin, Cole Taylor, Boyce Lawton, Robert Mercer

Hornaday Award