Albany Resident Receives Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award

Albany resident Peter Schakow was awarded the Boy Scouts of America's Silver Beaver Award at its Mount Diablo Silverado Council's annual dinnerSaturday, March 16, at the Concord Hilton in Concord.

The Silver Beaver Award is the highest recognition a Boy Scout council can bestow on an adult volunteer leader. The award is presented to those volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the Scouting program.

Nominations are recommended by the local council and approved by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. It is given to those who do not actively seek it.

Schakow joined the Scouts as a boy halfway around the world in Denmark. His tenure in BSA coincided with his son’s joining Cub Scout Pack 3 in Albany, where he and his family have lived since 1980.

Schakow served in multiple positions in the Pack, including Den Leader, Webelo Leader and Cubmaster. He also served as Assistant Scoutmaster and Committee Chair of Albany's Boy Scout Troop 14.

After his son received his Eagle Scout Award in 1997, Schakow continued as a Unit Commissioner in the Herms District, a position he still holds today. He has also served as a District Finance Chair, and is currently serving as Herms District Chair and Council Executive Board Member.

He has earned his Cubmaster Award, Wood Badge beads, the Distinguished Commissioner Service Award, and Doctorate of Commissioner Service Award from the NorCal Commissioner’s College. Schakow was a registered Girl Scout leader while his daughter was a Girl Scout.

He currently serves as the President of the Board of Aldersly, a Danish Retirement Community in San Rafael, is Immediate Past President of the Danish-American Chamber of Commerce of Northern California, and serves as Trustee and Vice Chair of the Commission For The Preservation of Pioneer Jewish Cemeteries and Landmarks in the West.

In addition to these volunteer commitments, Peter is also the President and Co-Founder of Hope Or Cope, LLC. Peter and his wife Charna have two children — daughter Jannika, and son, Michael.