Having grown up in a family of scout enthusiasts, Louisa Ritter Householder hoped that one day she would be recognized for the ultimate award for Boy Scout leadership – the Silver Beaver. When she was encouraged to attend last Saturday’s Allohak Council Recognition Dinner, she was hopeful. When she heard her name announced for the coveted honor, she was quite pleased.

 

The Allohak Council includes portions of West Virginia and Ohio. The Silver Beaver Award is a council-level distinguished service award for adult Boy Scout leaders who have impacted the lives of youth through service to the Council. It is awarded to those who implement scouting programs and perform community service through hard work, sacrifice, dedication and many years of service and to those who don’t actively seek it.

 

“I had hoped that someday I would achieve the award,” said Householder. “Both my parents received it back in the 1990s. In our family, scouting was a tradition.”

Her parents, former Bridgeport residents Vaughn and Ana Ritter were let in on the surprise. They flew in from Myrtle Beach for the presentation.

 

Householder said the family first became interested in scouting when her brother Antonio went up through the ranks, starting with Cub Scouts.

 

“Both my parents were involved and I went on a lot of campouts as the tagalong sister,” she said. “I dated a few Boy Scouts and one stuck. Troy was one of those Boy Scouts from the troop. Scouting was important in our family and it was important in his family so we knew any boys we had would be raised to be Eagle Scouts one day.”

 

The couple’s sons, 25-year-old Corbin and 17-year-old Carter, were raised in scouting. Corbin, who now serves in the U.S. National Guard 167^th Airlift Wing based out of Martinsburg, accomplished the Eagle Scout rank. Carter, a senior at Bridgeport High School, is close to achieving that status. His Eagle Scout project has been completed and he is currently completing two merit badges which will satisfy requirements.

 

The Householders believe in scouting because of the life skills and character building which the program teaches. Troy Householder, who was awarded the Silver Beaver in 2008, recently stepped down from his position as scout master of Troop 40 after serving in that capacity for three years. Louisa just stepped down from her position as committee chair after six years of service. Both have worked in scouting since Corbin joined scouting and are phasing out a little as Carter will age out of the program when he turns 18.

 

“We’re still going to be active for a while and will be heading up the chili feed on Feb. 13,” Householder said.

 

The Householders have worked for many years with fundraising, which in addition to the annual chili feed held at the Benedum Civic Center, also includes mulch and popcorn sales. Money raised through those fundraising efforts pays for merit badges, provides scholarships for high-adventure camps and helps pay for campouts and other trips.

 

“We camp out once a month year round, except for December,” Householder said. “Every year, we take a ski trip.”

 

Troop 40 members have been to Gettysburg, Pa., Toronto and Niagara Falls and some great West Virginia destinations, Householder said.

 

“In October, we went to the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad, a neat excursion up the tracks for an hour and a half,” she said. “It dropped us off, we unloaded all our gear and camped overnight. In the morning, the train came back and picked us up and took us back.”

 

The boys have also been caving, canoeing and white water rafting.

 

Householder became a registered leader 13 years ago.

 

“Corbin was in the troop at the time and when Carter was going to start first grade, I became his den leader and worked with him clear through Webelos and transitioned with him into Boy Scouts,” she said. “I’ve served as den leader, assistant cubmaster and cubmaster. I’ve been involved in the pack business, as well as working with the specific den. After that, I continued on – joining troop committees and coordinating trips, banquets and fundraisers.” 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured top/cover left to right : Ross Ritter, Alex Ritter, Carter Householder, Louisa Householder, Troy Householder, Jena Householder, Antonio Ritter, Ana Ritter, Vaughn Ritter