Jayhawk Area Council

Serving Scouting in the Topeka, Kansas area

News

2025 Silver Beaver Award Honorees

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The Jayhawk Council Awards Committee is pleased to announce the honorees for the Silver Beaver Awards. Please join us at the Council Recognition Banquet for the presentation of the awards on February 7, 2026, at the Bishop Professional Center.

First, the Jayhawk Area Council would like to thank the  Selection Committee for their time and dedication to selecting the two best Nominations to receive the Silver Beaver Award.  The Council is allowed to select two individuals each year, based on our size of Council, for this prestigious Award.  The Silver Beaver Award recognizes the time, dedication, and commitment a Scouter has made as an adult to provide leadership and support at the Unit, District, and Council levels.  These recipients represent the “best of the best” in providing the best Scouting experience for our Youth.

 Silver Beaver Award goes to….

Chaz Havens –

Dr. Charles “Chaz” Havens has lived the values of Scouting for nearly four decades. He joined the program as a Tiger Scout in Pack 15 in 1986 and fondly remembers early adventures like touring the local fire station and watching a firetruck leave on an emergency call. Chaz earned his Arrow of Light and continued into Scouts BSA with Troop 59 and later Troop 69, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1998—one week before his 18th birthday, thanks, as he says, to “a swift kick of encouragement from his mother.”

Scouting became a family journey when his son joined Cub Scouts at Pack 59. Chaz returned to serve the next generation as a Den Leader and Cubmaster, and later followed his son to Troop 249, where he served for several years as Scoutmaster. At the district and council levels, he has been deeply involved as a merit badge counselor, Wood Badge staff member, Trainer’s Edge trainer, District Training Chair, and committee member on the Camp Jayhawk Revitalization Committee. Chaz also organized the highly successful Washburn Tech Merit Badge Day for four years, helping hundreds of Scouts explore careers, build skills, and connect with community mentors.

Whether in his role as an educator, Marine, community volunteer, or Scout leader, Chaz Havens believes in the power of mentorship, hard work, humor, and helping young people grow into confident and capable adults. He is grateful for the impact Scouting has had on his life and is committed to ensuring that same opportunity for future generations.

Matt Woodward –

Matt Woodward has made numerous contributions to the Jayhawk Area Council advancing the mission of Scouting and developing tomorrow’s future leaders. On the local level, he has served as a Merit Badge Counselor, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Scoutmaster. In each of these roles, he has served with distinction.

On the district level, Matt has served as the Sunflower District Chair since 2023 and currently serves as the Outdoor Programs Committee Chair for the Jayhawk Area Council. In these roles, he has worked tirelessly to deliver the promise of Scouting to youth across the 11 counties throughout Northeast Kansas.

Throughout his scouting journey, Matt has believed that every youth deserves a Trained Leader. He became an Order of the Arrow member in 2018, Completed Wood Badge in 2019, earned the Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor in 2023 and received the District Award of Merit in 2025.

Matt Woodward is our second recipient of the 2025 Silver Beaver Award. Join us on February 7th, 2026, to celebrate these Honoree’s and the 2025 Eagle Scout Class!

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Winter Safety Moment Highlight

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There is magic to camping in winter. It is one of the most challenging outdoor adventures. However, potentially extreme weather conditions, cold temperatures, and unique hazards associated with outdoor winter activities require careful planning to ensure safety.

Keeping warm is the most important part of cold-weather camping and outdoor activities. Use the “C-O-L-D” method to stay warm.

  • C = Clean: Insulation is only effective when the insulating layers are kept clean and fluffy. Dirt, grime, and sweat can reduce the ability of a garment to keep you warm.
  • O = Overheating: Avoid overheating by adjusting the layers of your clothing to keep from sweating during warmer temperatures. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid energy drinks (sports drinks are OK).
  • L = Loose layers: A steady flow of warm blood is essential to keeping all parts of your body heated. Wear several loosely fitting layers of clothing and footwear that will allow maximum insulation without blocking your circulation. Having clothing that is brightly colored (orange or red) is also a good idea, so hunters and sportsmen can see you in snowy conditions. Always wear a hat.
  • D = Dry: Sweaty, damp clothing and skin can cause your body to cool very quickly, possibly leading to frostbite and/or hypothermia. Keep dry by avoiding clothes that absorb moisture. Always brush snow off your clothes before you enter a heated area. Keep the clothing around your neck loose so that body heat and moisture can escape instead of soaking through your layers. Following these straightforward steps will help you ensure everyone stays dry, warm and safe.
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