Neligh Man Named 2018 Cubmaster Of The Year

Kraig Nelson of Neligh was named the 2018 Diamond Dick District Cubmaster of the Year last week.

The district has eight counties and 18 Cub Scout Packs, according to Tracy Yost, senior district executive for the Diamond Dick District.

Neligh’s Pack 167 cubmaster has been guiding kindergarten through 5th grade scouts for about a year and a half. A Neligh Police officer who moved to town just two years ago, Nelson didn’t waste any time becoming a leader in the local scouting program and has more than tripled its membership.

“The Neligh scouting program was phenomenal for a really long time and then it just kind of fizzled out and was almost nonexistent until Kraig came,” Yost said. “He rejuvenated all the leaders, and rebuilt the program with the right people.”
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Nelson, who became an Eagle Scout in 1999, is “definitely giving back everything he got out of scouts and then some,” she said.

“He’s been growing the membership, having strong popcorn sales, making sure the boys have a safe place to meet by making repairs to the cabin, and just really got the  excitement going again,” Yost said. “He even made sure all of the leaders in his unit were recognized too.”

Receiving the Scouter's Training Award for Cub Scouts were Kraig Nelson, Pack 167 Cubmaster; Adam Mortenson, Pack 167 Assistant Cubmaster & Bear Den Leader; and Vanessa Nelson, Pack 167 Committee Chair.

Individual Unit leaders were also honored for their dedication to lead and teach their assigned den's within Pack 167.  They are: Adam Mortenson - Bear Den Leader Training Award; Amy Wright - Webelos Den Leader Training Award; and Dawn Gregory - Webelos Den Leader Training Award.

But, according to Mortensen and Vanessa Nelson, the highlight of the evening was when Kraig Nelson was named Cubmaster of the Year for the district.

“I know the Boy Scouts wouldn’t be what they are without him,” Mortensen said.