Fairfax County Board of Supervisors - Lord Fairfax Honoree (2017)
The Lord and Lady Fairfax Awards Program yearly honors two volunteer leaders from each Magisterial District. The honorees are selected for their outstanding volunteer service in their home districts or for an act of heroism.
Dranesville District – Supv. John Foust
Lord Fairfax: Gary Pan encourages adventure, character development and civic service in the Fairfax County community as the Scoutmaster of Troop 55 of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), the Advisor of BSA Coed Venture Crew 364, and the Director of the Wolf Trap First Time Campers Program Camp. He serves on the Board of Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), the Great Falls Citizens Association, and as a member of the Rotary Club of Great Falls. Previously, Pan served on the Board of Directors of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Junior Achievement of the National Capital Area, and the Entrepreneur Center at NVTC. He has received multiple awards for his dedication to community service.
For more information: http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2017/jun/12/county-honors-lord-and-lady-fairfax/
VolunteerFairfax - Volunteer of the Year (2017)
Volunteer Fairfax leaders recognized Gary Pan in the competitive categories – Adult Volunteer over 250 Hours for his leadership in the community. Gary is one of the founders and the Camp Director for the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts First Time Campers Program. This program provides under-served 5th & 6th grade first-time campers who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience overnight camping. The program was also recognized as the 2017 VolunteerFairfax Youth Program of the Year. This is a unique experience as camping is not usually permitted at the Wolf Trap National Park. We have a special permit to conduct this program. Our intent is to provide youth who do not have extensive camping experience the opportunity to learn to appreciate the great outdoors and gain a sense of independence. Gary Pan, a Scout leader who has lead groups to weeklong summer camps and treks, serves as the Camp Director and can attest firsthand to the “challenges of having 5th and 6th graders go away for an overnight camp out for their first time without the supervision of their parents. This is an opportunity for youth to learn to become comfortable with the outdoors, have fun and build confidence, while not venturing too far from home. This is also a great way for parents to learn to become more comfortable that their child can thrive independently.”
The program provides tents for the event for the elementary school campers and the troop will be lending some troop gear (camp stoves and Dutch ovens). Boy Scout Troop 55 will lead a campout program for the participants which will include instructing on camp set up, working with camp stoves, cooking & clean up, exploring the beauty of the nature park, conducting community service, participating in camp fire (under special permit) activities such as skits and s’mores, and completing a back stage tour of the Wolf Trap Performing Arts Filene Center. Super-activities planned for the camp out experience include: archery, fly-fishing, bird watching, pollinator program, local hikes, and performances on the local stages.
The Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award (2017)
The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Upon nomination by their local Scout council and with the approval of the National Court of Honor, recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not seek it.
President's Volunteer Service Award Recipient Gold (2018, 2014)
Civil Award
The President's Volunteer Service Award is a civil award bestowed by the President of the United States. Established by executive order by George W. Bush, the award was established to honor volunteers that give hundreds of hours per year helping others through the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The award can be granted to individuals, families and organizations located throughout the United States. Depending on the amount of service hours completed, individuals can receive the Bronze, Silver, Gold, and/or the President's Call to Service Award. Gary earned the Gold Award in recognition of over 1,000 hours of community service annually. Notable honorees include community leaders such as S. Truett Cathy, Mark Carman, Zach Bonner.
Eagle Scouts Cycling Across America (2018)
Over the course of two months, Gary served as the adult leader for 10 Scouts who traversed 4,100 miles across America from Seattle Washington to Washington DC.
The Cliff Dochterman Award
Cliff Dochterman Community Service Award presented to Gary Pan
Gary Pan, a member of the Rotary Club of Great Falls, was presented with the prestigious Cliff Dochterman Community Service Award at a recent Rotary awards and recognition banquet.
The Cliff Dochterman Award is the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians’ highest award for service to youth through the Boy Scouts of America. The presentation is made by a Rotary club to recognize a member who acts as a role model and renders distinguished and dedicated service to Scouting through active service, leadership or other exemplary contributions while performing outstanding service to youth as a volunteer Scouting leader and strengthening the relationship between Rotary and Scouting.
Gary was cited for his many years of distinguished volunteer leadership to the Scouting movement and years of meritorious service as a Rotarian. The Cliff Dochterman Award consists of an award medallion suspended on a neck drape accompanied by a framed certificate. It is named in honor of the former president of Rotary International and dedicated Scouter, Cliff Dochterman. In presenting the award, Glenn Yarborough, Jr., District Governor for Rotary International District 7610, noted that in the 20 years serving as a local Rotarian, this is the first time that he has seen this award presented.
Gary currently serves as a Scoutmaster for Troop 55 (www.bsa55.com) and an Advisor for Crew 364, both of which are sponsored by the Saint Francis Episcopal Church (www.stfrancisgreatfalls.org) in Great Falls, Virginia. Gary also serves as the Camp Director for the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts First Time Campers Program (www.firsttimecampers.org). The next First Time Campers Program is scheduled for Columbus Day weekend.
Scout BSA Troop 55G Founding Member
Gary Pan formed the All Girls Unit Troop 55 and currently serves as the Scoutmaster for the unit. Gary believes that girls should have the same opportunities that boys have to build character, gain Scout skills, develop leadership experiences and contribute to the community.
