Dr. Randall Ogata, well-known Mercer Island Cub and Boy Scout leader and local dentist, has received the highest award that a Boy Scout Council can bestow upon a volunteer.

This award, called the Silver Beaver, is given to recognize adult leaders who distinguish themselves among leaders of a Council for unselfish service to youth members of the Boy Scouts of America. The award was presented to Randy at the annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration by Kevin Baker, Vice President of Program for the Chief Seattle Council on March 28, 2018.

Anyone who knows Randy is impressed by his boundless energy, dedication, positive spirit, and can-do attitude. He is often referred to affectionately as the “energizer bunny” of Scouting. There is no question that he has helped the Scouting program in the Cascade District succeed. The Cascade District, which is in the Chief Seattle Council, includes areas of Bellevue, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Medina, Mercer Island, and Yarrow Point.

Randy is a member of the Cascade District Committee, Cubmaster of Pack 624, and Onboarding Chair for Boy Scout Troop 457. Randy organized the Mercer Island Scout Leaders Forum, informally known as “Square Table”, to bring all the units on the island together to share resources and coordinate activities. This program has kept recruitment and retention high on Mercer Island.

Randy has organized several District bicycle rides and canoe flotillas. He created the Cascade District Tiger Safari, which introduces the newest Cub Scouts to outdoor adventures at Camp Edward. Randy is a certified Archery instructor and Range Officer and can frequently be found volunteering his services at Council camps and District events. Randy is leading the effort on Mercer Island to implement the BSA’s new Family Scouting Program, which welcomes girls into Cub Scouting this year, and has formed the island’s first girl Den.

Randy is Wood Badge trained and will staff this year’s fall Wood Badge course. Wood Badge is the premier advanced leadership training for adult leaders in the Boy Scouts of America. Randy was recognized with the Cascade District Award of Merit in 2015.

Randy is a certified Orthodontist and owns University Orthodontics. He is very involved in state and national dental associations, and is an ethics instructor at the University of Washington, School of Dentistry. He is involved with myriad community organizations, including Rotary, YMCA, and Asian Counseling Services. He served as a member of the board for Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church and has been a volunteer dentist at Kiero Nursing Home.

Randy and his wife Wendy are the proud parents of Tenderfoot Scout Blake and Bear Scout Drew Ogata.