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VIRGINIA BEACH — It’s been many years since Philip “Cutch” Armstrong, Bill Campbell and John Scheib earned their Eagle Scout ranks from the Boy Scouts of America.
Still, all three continue their active volunteerism with the organization that has meant so much to them throughout their youth and into adulthood. The trio recently joined an elite group of Eagle Scouts throughout the nation bestowed with a distinguished service award.
On May 11, the three Virginia Beach men received the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award. Established in 2010 during the organization’s 100th anniversary, the award is given to adult Eagle Scouts with recognized accomplishments and exhibited devotion to their community, career, hobby and beliefs.
James Parnell, scout executive, said the Tidewater Council has only given the award six other times since 2019.
“It’s very important to recognize our adult volunteers,” Parnell said. “And this is a way to acknowledge those Eagles who embody and truly live up to the charge and deliver it in a way that’s very impactful.”
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Philip “Cutch” Armstrong
Armstrong, who earned his Eagle Scout rank with the Tidewater Council’s Troop 366 in Norfolk in 1973, said he became a leader to help create a safe experience for youth.
The inspiration he received working with other leaders dedicated to the same goal kept him going.
“I like giving back and I got a lot out of it,” he said.
Currently the council’s vice president of marketing, Armstrong served in multiple roles throughout the years, including den leader, cubmaster, committee chair, pack trainer, unit commissioner, district chair, council membership vice president, council training chair, council nominating chair and Silver Beaver chair.
An alumnus of James Madison University, Armstrong worked as a marketing director, creative director, production manager and producer for local television stations including WTKR, WTVZ, WHRO and WVEC. He retired from Cox Media in 2021 as the state’s marketing manager and director of marketing and client solutions.
Scouting has been a constant throughout his life, Armstrong said. He’s quick to encourage others to get involved with scouting, whether as a child or an adult leader.
“In Boy Scouts, they’re making you a leader from the day you walk in that door, and their goal is to make you a good citizen, be in good physical shape, be a leader and to think for yourself,” he said.
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Bill Campbell
Campbell became an Eagle Scout in 1957 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, under the same scoutmaster that guided his father.
After earning his undergraduate degree in art from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campbell earned his master’s degree in advertising from Northwestern University and commenced his career in Chicago, Illinois. He relocated to Hampton Roads and became creative director for Lawler Ballard Advertising.
In 1980, he cofounded Barker, Campbell & Farley Advertising, an award-winning agency. Twenty years later, he retired and the company is now in its third generation of ownership.
It wasn’t until his sons started their own paths to Eagle Scout that Campbell rejoined scouting.
“I just feel like it’s such a great organization that teaches such good values and it deserves a lot of support,” Campbell said.
Troop 378 committee member Campbell later used his professional expertise as the council marketing committee chair.
Traveling to New Mexico to camp with scouts at Philmont Scout Ranch was among his favorite experiences, he said.
The weeklong getaway included shooting a muzzleloader, mountain biking, hiking to the top of Old Baldy and witnessing a scout receive his Eagle award at 12,441 feet.
“That was just really thrilling because I was serving as an assistant scoutmaster for the troop and I was also filming a video of it,” he said.
He appreciates being able to stay engaged with youth.
“It gives you a chance to help youth become better citizens and people,” he said. “And develop skills they can use later in life.”
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John M. Scheib
Scheib had the distinction of becoming the first Eagle Scout in Troop 25 in 1986 in Waynesboro.
A member of the Tidewater Council executive board since 2010 and current executive vice president, Scheib led the 2020 campaign for Friends of Scouting, doubling its contributions.
“I think it’s rewarding to be part of what I consider to be the best youth development program going,” he said.
A graduate of the University of Virginia, Scheib earned his law degree from Villanova University. The former senior leader at Norfolk Southern Corp. is a partner at Gentry Locke Attorneys in Norfolk.
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From Eagle mentor in Troop 419 to assistant scoutmaster in Troops 587 and 5587, Scheib has guided more than 20 youths to scouting’s highest level.
Scheib is also the proud father of two Eagle Scouts: his son, Will, and daughter, Ava May, who was among the first girl groups admitted into Boy Scouts of America.
“It’s very rewarding to see the growth in young people when they’re put in an environment where their individual achievement is recognized and they are taught an ethical code to live by,” he said.
The summer resident camp director at Pipsico Scout Reservation in Spring Grove, Virginia, for the past three years, Scheib said it is one of the most rewarding things he’s done personally or professionally.
The five-week camp continues to grow in terms of staff and youth participants, said Scheib, who stepped up in 2021 to open the camp in compliance with then-changing COVID regulations.
“We just crossed this week with 1,013 registrants for this coming summer, which is the highest since 2016,” he said.
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com