Popp Award

This award honors Malcolm “Skip” Popp, who gave his life to rescue a scout on a troop outing.

Malcolm Craik (Skip) Popp, Jr. was born March 3, 1938 in Chelsea, Massachusetts. He was the proud father of six children. As his sons came of age, Skip and several other fathers in the neighborhood felt the need for their sons to participate in scouting and organized the first Cub Pack at Buckingham Elementary School in 1965. As his sons advanced through scouting, he became the Assistant Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 1046. On May 22, 1971, while on a scout camping trip to the Shenandoah River’s South Fork, Skip drowned after successfully rescuing a scout from the flood swollen waters. After pushing the boy into the arms of the boatmen Skip slipped below the water and was swept away.

Nomination Process

To be eligible for this award, Scouts or Scout Leaders must be affiliated with a Scouting group within the limits of the City of Bowie, and/or a Scouting group for which 50% or more of their youth members are City of Bowie residents. They must also be registered with the Boy Scouts of America or Girl Scouts, USA.  Past recipients have demonstrated leadership in Scouting and have made a positive impact on their community and the City and have performed “extraordinary and distinguished community service.

The deadline to apply is Friday, March 17, 2023 at 5 p.m.  Please contact Lori Cunningham at lcunningham@cityofbowie.org or 301-832-7451 if you have questions.

Popp Award Press Release 2023

Popp Award Nomination Form 2023

Boy and Girl Scouts