Brother Dan Beard

Freemasonry's relationship with the Boy Scouts started with a Freemason named Daniel Carter Beard. Bro. Beard was made a Mason in Mariner's Lodge No. 67, New York City, NY, and later affiliated with Cornucopia Lodge 563, Flushing, NY. In the late 1800's he founded a male youth program called the "Society of the Sons of Daniel Boone." By 1905, the program had become "The Boy Pioneers." The man who would create the first "Boy Scouts," and be known as its founder, was Lord Robert Baden-Powell of Great Britain. Lord Baden-Powell, who was not a Mason, read of Beard's program and, based on his own military experience, developed what is known as the "Boy Scouts." In 1910, the Boy Scout program came to America when Bro. Beard merged his organization into the "Boy Scouts of America" and became its first National Commissioner.
Bro. Beard, known affectionately as "Uncle Dan" by millions of Boy Scouts, worked tirelessly to create the Scouting Program that we know today. He developed the elements of the Scout badge and the Scout uniform, and wrote and illustrated various early publications of the Boy Scouts of America. Bro. Beard exemplified the Masonic ideals throughout the Scouting program.

The Grand Lodge of New Jersey

Has supported the Boy Scouts in New Jersey since their inception. Several Past Grand Masters and innumerable members have been both Scouts and their adult leaders throughout our history.

Most Worshipful Douglas R. Policastro, the Grand Master for 2006-2007, undertook as one of his personal goals that of more firmly cementing our relationship with the Scouts, for the mutual benefit and support of both Fraternities.

He met with representatives from other Grand Jurisdictions who had already created definitive programs concerning Scouting and created a new committee to oversee the development of New Jersey’s own program.
Among his enactments was the authorization to create 2 new awards of honor - The 'Scout of the Year' award and the 'Scouter of the Year' award.
The ‘Scout of the Year’ award honors one Scout from the entire state of New Jersey who has consistently exemplified all of the tenets of both Scouting and Masonry, not only in his Fraternity, but also in the community at large.
It is attended with a certificate and honorarium.

The ‘Scouter of the Year’ award honors one Mason who has dedicated his life to both Fraternities.

The ‘Daniel Carter Beard Award’ is another honor that is to be bestowed to only 8 Master Masons  a year for their work in Scouting.

Under his direct supervision, in 2006 Masons assisted the Scouts in building shelters at their facilities.

More programs are currently being developed to continue to improve our connections with our fellow Fraternity.
Throughout Masonry’s history, men of character and stature have always joined its ranks. What better new members, than those young men in the Scouts who have already professed to the same tenets that we embrace- Morality, Charity and Brotherhood?

If anyone has an interest in learning more about the committee or wishes to become involved, please contact the Chairman- R.W. George H. Heflich, Jr.