Celebrating Freemasonry and Scouting, and Honoring a Member of Both

Masons and non-Masons (including those affiliated with Scouts BSA) will come together on December 3, 2022, 10:15 A.M., at Clarence F. Smith Daylight Lodge No. 866, F. & A.M., located at 14750 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405, for a formal public ceremony at which the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award will be presented to Bro. Steven Engstrom.

All Masons, Scouters, Scouts, friends, and family are invited to the public ceremony. See the invitation posted online at https://www.facebook.com/Visiting-with-Clarence-F-Smith-Daylight-Lodge-108895338421743 .

The award ceremony celebrates both the intersection of Scouting and Freemasonry and Bro. Engstrom’s outstanding service to youth through the program of Scouts BSA.

The Daniel Carter Beard Award is approved by the Boy Scouts of America, administered by the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation of the Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Pennsylvania, and promoted by many of the Grand Lodges of Masons in the United States. Although rare, it may be presented to any Master Mason who has made significant contributions to youth through Scouting.

The award itself is named for Daniel Carter Beard, a Brother Mason active in New York in the 19th Century. Beard created a youth program in the late 1800s called the “Boy Pioneers,” which was merged into the Boy Scout program in 1910. When the BSA was formed, Beard became its first National Commissioner.

Bro. Steve Engstrom is a member of Clarence F. Smith Daylight Lodge No. 866, F. & A.M. and has been an active Scouting volunteer (adult volunteers are referred-to as “Scouters”) for more than 20 years, serving in many roles in the Western Los Angeles County Council BSA. Bro. Engstrom was nominated for this award by his Lodge. The nomination was approved by Lee Harrison, the Scout Executive and CEO of Western Los Angeles County Council BSA, and the award was authorized by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of California.

To further exemplify the connection between Scouting and Freemasonry, the award will be presented by Bro. David I. Karp, a co-founder and the first Secretary of the National Association of Masonic Scouters (“NAMS”). NAMS was formed in 2007 as an organization created for members of the Scouting Movement who are also Masons. It is recognized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Grand Lodge of California among others. Bro. Karp is also an active member of Clarence F. Smith Daylight Lodge, No. 866, Free and Accepted Masons of California.

Relatedly, NAMS’ purpose, according to its website at https://www.nams-bsa.org/ , is to foster and develop support for the Boy Scouts of America by and among Freemasons while upholding the tenets of Freemasonry. This includes, but is not limited to, encouraging Masonic Lodges and other Masonic organizations to charter and support BSA units. providing opportunities for Masonic fellowship at Scouting events and promoting the awarding of the Daniel Carter Beard Award to deserving Masons.

NAMS’ membership consists hundreds of present and former adult Scouting volunteers nationwide and some from foreign jurisdictions. As does the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, NAMS continues the tradition of supporting and encouraging the confluence of Scouting and Freemasonry.

Congratulations to Brother Steven Engstrom who personifies the synergy between Scouting and Freemasonry.

CONTACT:

David I. Karp, for Clarence F. Smith Daylight Lodge No. 866, F. & A.M.

818-515-9361, davidikarp@karpmediation.com

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