College of the Canyons has been named the Community Organization of the Year by the Boy Scouts of America.

The award was presented to COC faculty members Tim Baber, chair of the college’s welding technology department, and Regina Blasberg, chair of the college’s engineering technologies department, during the BSA’s annual WLACC Bill Hart District Recognition Dinner on March 3.

Baber and Blasberg were both recognized as part of the Boy Scouts of America’s NOVA program, which incorporates learning with hands-on activities while introducing elements of science, technology, engineering and mathematics for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers.

College of the Canyons has routinely hosted scout groups from across the Santa Clarita Valley for on-campus Merit Badge Day events.

Faculty members from the college’s welding technology department regularly host Welding Merit Badge events designed to introduce participating scouts to the world of welding, with college partner Lincoln Electric also stepping in to help provide access to the tools, equipment, materials and training needed for scouts to earn their merit badges.

“It has been remarkable to see local scouts experience welding for the first time,” said Baber. “We have even had some of the Scouts from our first merit badge event return to campus years later as COC welding students.

In December, faculty members from the college’s land surveying department hosted a similar experience for Scouts looking to obtain their Surveying Merit Badge. The event was so popular that a follow up event has been scheduled for later this semester.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award and look forward to future merit badge events, as well as other opportunities to work with both dedicated scouts and surveyors,” said Blasberg. “As a faculty member, it’s always rewarding to see students engaged and excited about land surveying.”