“Above and Beyond” from the Scout Sign 01/07/2007

Monday, December 4, observed a unique recognition: the Occoneechee Council’s first presentation of the “Above and Beyond” award. This honor is given to a Scouter who exceeds all expectations in providing and supporting “Extreme Scouting” to the youth of Occoneechee Council.

Troop 39's summer 2006 British High Adventure trip featured a stay aboard “The Dockland Scout Project”, a floating Scout Camp on the River Thames in London

Brian Burnham, currently an Assistant Scoutmaster in Chapel Hill, was recognized for his outstanding contributions over the last several years. Brian’s resume is truly remarkable, and his service to Scouts even more so. 

Brian earned his Eagle award with Troop 12 in Charlotte in 1995 followed by a Bronze palm in 1996. He became actively involved as a Scouter in the Orange District after graduating from UNC-CH in 2000. Over the next few years Brian put his Scout skills to work as he throughhiked the Appalachian Trail in 2001, documenting the trip in a best-selling adventure film, titled “TREK”. In 2003, Brian led a tour of 9 cyclists from Bar Harbor, Maine to Tijuana, Mexico, again filming the expedition.

Brian used this experience to lead a group of 5 Eagle Scouts on a cycling trip in 2005 from San Francisco to Virginia Beach, obtaining the longest BSA National Tour permit ever issued. This adventure was documented, and highlighted on the cover, in Boys Life magazine in March, 2006.

Troop 39’s cross-country bike trip began in the summer of 2005 when they dipped their wheels in San Francisco Bay and headed East to Virginia Beach

Over the last 12 months Brian has led high adventure trips to Cold Mountain and Shining Rock, NC, and a variety of other locations, working with Troop 39 and Troop 9 in Chapel Hill. On one of these excursions he led his second 3-week trip to visit England, Wales and the 26th Bristol (England) Scout Group.

During the summer 2006 British High Adventure trip Troop 39 joined the 26th Bristol (England) Scout Group's Summer camp

Brian has also mentored at least three Scouts who have now achieved the rank of Eagle. Gregg Gerdau, Scoutmaster of Troop 9, said, “Brian is a constant inspiration for all of us who believe in the strength of the Boy Scouting Program”. John Roberts, Occoneechee Council VP for Program, presented the award to Brian and stated that “the purpose of the Above and Beyond award is to recognize the effort and dedication of volunteers like Brian who really bring high quality program to our Scouts. We believe that Brian is worthy of being the first recipient of this award in our Council”.