Association of Baptist for Scouting

 Jeff is a wise, thoughtful, and excellent leader. He is a person of vision, faith, and integrity. He has given exemplary service to Scouting, fortifying, and demonstrating the efficacy and value of the Scout program. He has staffed eight Jamborees as a Chaplain. At the World Jamboree in 2019, he was Coordinator between the Chaplaincy and Medical Services. His chaplaincy service at the Jamboree draws a lot from his many years of service and training as Director of Pastoral Care for a sizable Georgia healthcare system. He has served as Course Director at Philmont Training Center for National Chaplain Training and as a Course Director for National Association of Baptists for Scouting at PTC. He served as a Philmont Chaplain for a summer. He has served on the National Religious Relationship Committee for many years. He is actively involved in the refurbishment of the back country chapels at Philmont that serve all faiths. He has been in Scouting America for 35+ years. He is the Past National President of the Association of Baptists for Scouting. The Chattahoochee Council has honored him with the Silver Beaver Award. He has received the Baptist Good Shepherd Award. Among the words which come to mind when describing Jeff are: Godly individual; humble servant; exemplary man who “walks the walk and talks the talk”; unselfish and unassuming chaplain; individual whose character is above reproach; and a person of tremendous influence at the national level for Scouting.  

The Silver Buffalo recipients for 2024 were announced recently. As is customary, several very deserving individuals were chosen for this special recognition. According to the Scouting America website “The Silver Buffalo Award, created in 1925, is bestowed upon those who give truly noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth. This award, Scouting’s highest commendation, recognizes the invaluable contributions that outstanding American men and women render to youth. The service must be national or international in character and may or may not be directly connected with the BSA.”

One of the recipients this year is ABS member, and past ABS President, Donna Copeland of Bartlesville, OK. Donna is active with her local council - Cherokee Area Council 469 - currently serving on their executive board. She has been a member of the National Religious Relationships Commi0ee since 2006. She has participated in every Philmont Chapel Refurbishment since its inception in 2019. She led the Baptist Faith and Beliefs area for the 2017 National Jamboree and was the Coordinator for the Faith and Beliefs program area at the 24th World Jamboree in 2019 and again for the 2023 National Jamboree. In addition to being a Wood Badge Course Director (SR749 in 2006) she was a NAYLE Course Director in 2011 at Philmont. She traveled to Japan in 2009 for an international youth conference with the Scout Association of Japan. Donna is an important member of our Association of Baptists for Scouting having guided us as President during the Covid pandemic and concurrent BSA bankruptcy. She was honored with the Silver Beaver award in 2000 and the National Duty to God award and the Silver Antelope awards in 2018. She is a Vigil member of the OA.

Donna and her husband, Dale (also an active Scouter), are the parents of two Eagle Scout sons, Jon and Nathan, and Two Eagle Scout grandsons, Nick and Lukas. All of them have completed Philmont treks. Nick will be the Chief Ranger at Philmont this coming summer and Lukas will experience his first season as a Philmont ranger. Dale is working with the Philmont Chaplaincy efforts again in 2025. You could say that Scouting runs in their family.

She is active in her church, Trinity Baptist, playing piano and teaching as needed. In addition, she leads weekly Bible studies with area women, hosted by a local independent retirement facility.

As she demonstrates in her life, she believes that Duty to God and serving are not something you do, they are something that you are. Our hearty congratulations to Donna for this wonderful, and well deserved Silver Buffalo award.

The chaplaincy team for the 2024 summer camping season at Philmont Scout Ranch was one of the best in recent memory, according to R. Chip Turner, the Chaplain Coordinator. In addition to conducting daily worship services in the various chapels located in camping headquarters, the chaplains rotated responsibility for the eight ongoing assignments throughout the ranch. Final selection of the 2025 team is expected soon. 

 Two exciting new developments will be included in the 2025 season for chaplains: 

Dale Copeland will serve as Associate Chaplain Coordinator. Dale has held several Philmont staff positions in past years, including being a chaplain on the 2023 team. At the conclusion of the 2025 season, Dale will become the new Philmont Chaplain Coordinator. Chip Turner said of Dale: “I am so pleased that Dale is willing to accept this role for upcoming seasons. A prime concern of mine in choosing to “retire” as coordinator in August, 2025, was finding the right person to take Philmont chaplaincy to a new level. Dale’s vast experience in Scouting at every level from local unit to national, linked with a vision for Philmont chaplaincy ideally qualifies him for this role. He will have no greater supporter than I.” 

Thanks to the visionary leadership of the ABS board, the organization will fund a Baptist Chaplain Intern for the 2025 season. This will not only give a seminary student extremely valuable experience in further preparation for vocational ministry but will also help expand the possibilities for additional ministries during the summer camping season. More details on the role and the person to be selected will be available in coming weeks.