by Charlotte Clark, July 2025
Great Falls Council held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, July 19, to reveal the brand-new David Hawley Memorial Nature Pavilion at Camp Sam Wood. The pavilion is one of several upgrades to the camp property over the past year, many of which have been funded through the generous bequest of Mr. Hawley, an Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster, camping chair, and board member since 1985 of the local Scouting America council.
Mr. Hawley, of Warsaw, N.Y., a former teacher at Pioneer Central Schools, passed away in November 2023, but he left the council with a legacy gift to help cover maintenance and project expenses at Camp Sam Wood in Pike, N.Y., which is one of three Scout camps operated by the Great Falls Council.
The Dave Hawley Memorial Pavilion was constructed over the past nine months and replaced a previous structure that was suffering the effects of time and decay. The pavilion serves as a designated space for programming, ceremonies, meals and fellowship for campers and visitors to Camp Sam Wood.
Dave Hawley was involved in Scouting
throughout his entire lifetime
“Dave’s legacy is much more than a pavilion,” said Gary Decker, CEO and Scout Executive for Great Falls Council. “Dave was the Scoutmaster of Troop 4055 in Arcade for nearly three decades and was actively involved on the board of directors for Genesee Council, Iroquois Trail Council and Western New York Scout Council before his passing. He made a huge difference in the lives of so many young people during his years as a volunteer. We are honored to name the pavilion in his memory.”
Mr. Hawley received the Silver Beaver award in 1975 and was Wood Badge trained, having also earned four “beads” (recognitions) for his additional leadership to the Wood Badge program. The Silver Beaver recognizes volunteers whose service to Scouting goes above and beyond. Wood Badge is an advanced, national leadership course for Scouting volunteers and professionals.
“I knew him for 50 wonderful years,” added Jim McMullen, Chief Operating Officer for Great Falls Council, and former Scout Executive for Iroquois Trail Council. “He was one of those people you could always count on to have a positive attitude and show up to help before you even knew you needed it,” he added.
“Dave loved everything about Scout camp and never missed a chance to help on the work weekends leading up to summer camp,” Mr. McMullen added. “His memory is celebrated by many in our Scouting community, and we truly miss him being around.”
Donna Seyler (Council board member), George Bacalles (Council camping chair), Stephan Clarke (Dave Hawley’s brother-in-law), Mary Clarke (Dave Hawley’s sister), Jim McMullen (Council COO), Don Ames (Council advisory committee member), and Gary Decker (Council CEO)
Mary Clarke, sister of the late Dave Hawley,
cuts the ribbon with her husband, Stephan Clarke
