The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association recently released their Fall 2015 newsletter. Dave Hyink wrote an article for the newsletter about the Honorary Life Membership that was awarded to Paul R. Christen. Below is the article.

At its February 2014 meeting, the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association Directors took action to recognize a critical, but little understood, supporter of the Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base. In researching the history of Region Ten, BSA, it was determined that Mr. Christen, as the final chairman of Region Ten, significantly and steadfastly maintained that the Region Ten Canoe Base be incorporated into the National High Adventure program and appropriately supported. Mr. Christen is a highly decorated Scouter.

BSA’s fourth high adventure program, The Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base is named in his honor. The SAA Directors issued a proclamation that highlights his accomplishments and awarded him an Honorary Life Membership in the SAA. They were presented to Mr. Christen in his office in Huron, South Dakota by SAA member Dave Hyink on July 21, 2014.

Proclamation

Whereas: Paul R. Christen began a life service based upon the principles and skills he learned as a member of the Boy Scouts of America where he earned the Eagle Scout Award in 1943,

Whereas: As an adult, he used his Scouting skills not only to save his own life but to continue to serve his country and community as a Scoutmaster and Scouting volunteer,

Whereas: He served as Council President of the Pheasant Council, and followed in the footsteps of the inaugural chairman of Region Ten, Charles L. Sommers, as the final Chairman of Region Ten where one of his most significant accomplishments was to solidify the future of the Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base as it transitioned to a National High Adventure Base in 1971,

Whereas: His exceptional service to the youth of America through Scouting and his success in the business world has resulted in his receipt of the Silver Beaver (Pheasant Council), the Silver Antelope (Region 10), the Silver Buffalo (National Council) and the Distinguished Eagle Scout Awards,

Whereas: His distinguished legacy of support for High Adventure which began in Region Ten and is now evidenced in The Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base at the Summit – joining Philmont, the Florida Sea Base and the Northern Tier Bases,

Therefore, be it resolved that the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. is delighted to convey an Honorary Life Membership in our association to Paul R. Christen. By our hand this day, February 20, 2014, the Directors and Officers of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. so proclaim.

Thank you for honoring Mr. Christen, he has provided so much to scouting and the youth in the organization. We hope to do him proud here by sharing his love for scouting with all those that go through our National High Adventure Base. We are honored to have the base named after you Paul, thank you for all you do!