Stevens of Burrillville wins Scouts’ ‘Silver Beaver’ Award

BURRILLVILLE – The Scouting America Narragansett Council recently recognized one longtime Burrillville volunteer with their highest honor.

Florence Stevens was one of seven volunteers to receive the 2025 Silver Beaver Award for exceptional service to the program.

Stevens has served as cubmaster for Pack 1 Pascoag, as well as a committee chairperson and chuckwagon program chairperson, according to a note on the award from the council.

“Her selfless dedication and exemplary service are truly commendable,” the council stated, adding that Stevens’ contributions have been vital to the success of scouting in the community.

Stevens reportedly joined the program when her son, who is now 28, was in first grade. A young Bradford Stevens would go on to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout in 2016, while her husband, Newt Stevens, would lead Boy Scout Troop 1.

Florence remained focused on the experience for younger local children in the Cub Scout program, serving scouts from kindergarten to grade 5.

In 2011, she became chuckwagon program chairperson, organizing an annual event where participants go from station to station pulling a wagon and practicing scouting skills with games and activities. The event, held in past years at Cub World in Burrillville, will take place on Wednesday, May 7 this year at Buck Hill Scout Reservation.

Stevens has received other recognitions from the organization in the past, including the Scouter’s Key and the District Award of Merit, but the recent “Silver Beaver” marked their highest honor, recognizing outstanding service to youth at a council level. She was presented the honor at council’s annual volunteer recognition dinner, held at White’s of Westport on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

The other recipients of the Silver Beaver Award included Donald Burke, Kurt Gent, Marc Millspaugh, Charlie Normand, Willian Vernon and Cliff White.