Employer Boy Scouts of America Name Elbert Fretwell Successor Arthur A. Schuck Predecessor James E. West | Term 1943–1948 Died 1962 Titles Chief Scout Executive Children E. K. Fretwell | |
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Books Extra-curricular activities in secondary schools | ||
Professor Elbert K. Fretwell, PhD, (1878-1962) was an American academic and early leader in the field of youth development through recreation and extracurricular activity. He served as the second Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), serving from 1943 to 1948. Upon his retirement from the BSA, Fretwell was given the title of Chief Scout.
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His son Elbert K. Fretwell Jr. was also a noted professor of education and served as Chancellor of University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Academia
Dr. Fretwell was an associate professor of Scouting and recreational leadership and later, professor of education at the Teachers College, Columbia University.
In 1918 Dr. Fretwell was appointed by the Surgeon General of the United States together with the American Red Cross to supervise recreation work in United States Army "reconstruction hospitals."
Boy Scouts of America
Professor Fretwell was a volunteer for many years in the Boy Scouts of America. He was recognized for his services with the Silver Buffalo Award in 1939. He also received the Silver Tamaraw of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.
Upon the retirement of Dr. James E. West in 1943, Dr. Fretwell was appointed Chief Scout Executive and served until his retirement in 1948.