The Malcolm “Skip” Popp Award is offered by the City of Bowie for Scouts and/or Scout leaders who have performed “extraordinary and distinguished community service within Scout organizations in the City of Bowie.” Nominations must be made through Scouting units, who may nominate Scouts and/or Scout leaders within their groups. Community members are welcome to contact a Scout unit to recommend one of their members for nomination. Nominations are being accepted through Friday, March 24, 2017.
Malcolm “Skip” Popp was an active member of the Bowie community for many years and helped to organize a Cub Scout Pack at Buckingham Elementary School. In May of 1971, while on a camping trip with the Scouts, he successfully rescued a boy from the flood-swollen waters, but lost his life in the effort. In June 1971, the Bowie City Council established an award to memorialize Mr. Popp’s act of heroism. The purpose was to “foster a tradition and spirit for the kind of service to Scouting and love of neighbor that Mr. Popp exemplified in his private and Scouting capacities.” The first medal was awarded to the Popp family in memory of Mr. Popp. Malcolm “Skip” Popp was placed in the City of Bowie Hall of Honor on May 21, 2000.
Eligible Scouts or Scout leaders who are nominated for this award must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America or Girl Scouts, USA. They must also:
- 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 Bowie residents.
- Been a member of a community-based Scouting group at the time of the service for which they are nominated.
- Have performed extraordinary and distinguished service within the Scouting unit as well as within the Bowie Community.
- Have performed this service in the calendar year prior to the nomination deadline. (Calendar year 2016)
Nomination forms, with the guidelines, may be obtained on the City of Bowie website at the link or at Bowie City Hall. Questions may be directed to Popp Award Program Chairperson Sharon Hunt at shunt1@verizon.net, 301-802-0714 or Sally Hein at shein@cityofbowie.org, 301-809-3014.