Dr. Michael Matzinger Honored with Silver Antelope Award for Distinguished Service to Youth

GREENSBORO, N.C. - May 5, 2025 - PRLog -- Dr. Michael Matzinger has been selected to receive Scouting America's Silver Antelope Award, one of the organization's highest honors. This award recognizes his exceptional character, visionary leadership, and decades of impactful service to youth.

Over his more than 30 years as a dedicated Scouting volunteer, Matzinger has made a lasting difference in the lives of countless young people. As a nationally respected advocate for inclusivity in Scouting, he has worked tirelessly to ensure that every eligible youth can experience the program's life-changing benefits.

Matzinger is the founder of seven Scouting units in the Old North State Council, three of which he continues to lead. He has served as Scoutmaster of Troop 600 (boys) for 19 years, Skipper of Ship 3 for 17 years, and Scoutmaster of Troop 219 (girls) for six years. Under his guidance, 89 young men and nine young women have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. His mentorship has also supported three Scouts in earning National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) scholarships, including the nation's first female recipient.

A champion for diversity and inclusion, Matzinger served four years as the founding Advisor of a Venturing crew supporting over 60 African American young men—the largest crew of color in Scouting America's history. He works extensively with youth who have special needs and disabilities and trains organizations on how to create accessible outdoor experiences.

Matzinger's service extends globally. In 2019, he led a territory troop to the World Scout Jamboree and has collaborated with the Scouting America Transatlantic Council and the National Organization of the Scouts of Ukraine.

At the national level, Matzinger serves as one of three vice chairs of Scouting Alumni, the largest alumni network in the U.S., leading communications, data, and membership initiatives to engage over 30 million members. He also chairs the communications group for the National Commissioner Service Team, supporting more than 477,000 adult Scouting volunteers..

A lifetime member of NESA, Matzinger received the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award in 2022. His family's Scouting legacy continues through his two sons, both of whom are Eagle Scouts.

Outside of Scouting, Matzinger is equally active in civic and professional arenas. He is Board Chair of the Black Suit Initiative, a board member at Lionheart Academy, and Area Coordinator for the International Federation of Scouting Rotarians. Professionally, he is the President of Burlington Chemical Company, holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, and is the primary inventor on 32 patents.

Matzinger will receive the Silver Antelope Award during a special luncheon at the 2025 Scouting America National Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, on May 14.

About Scouting America

Scouting America provides the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be "Prepared. For Life.®."