ABOVE: Melissa Walders, the new District Executive for the Twin Valley Council. Walders started her new role on earlier this month.

SHERBURN – The Twin Valley Council has welcomed a new District Executive, Melissa Walders. Walders is originally from Frost, Minn. but was most recently living in Las Vegas, Nevada. Walders, along with her husband Levi and three children have now relocated to Armstrong, Iowa so that she can serve the Boy Scouts troops. Her sons have all enrolled in the Boy Scouts program, which had provoked her interest to seek a professional career in the organization.

Walders mentioned that returning back home to the Midwest was a good change of pace for the family of five, especially in regards to safety.

“The small town setting that we grew up in seemed more ideal. We had an opportunity to buy a home here in Armstrong. The kids are doing so much better up here,” Walders said. “We had a lot of great memories down there (in Las Vegas), but it was time to move our family.”

The Boy Scouts is a well-known organization across the nation. It offers community engagement, enrichment and skill development for all children.

Walders is a Waldorf University graduate, earning her Bachelors of Arts in Electric Media Public Relations. Prior to her new position in Sherburn, Walders was employed by the Las Vegas Area Council as a field and marketing secretary, as well as a volunteer for Lion Guide, Cub Master, Den Leader, and Pack Committee Chair Member. Walders and her family were named “Scout Family of the Year” by the Las Vegas Area Council.

Walders remarks she wasn’t in Girl or Boy Scouts growing up, but she loved the outdoor setting. Upon her oldest son bringing a recruitment brochure home from kindergarten, the family became more tethered with the Boy Scouts agenda. Melissa and her husband then became more involved in the program leadership.

“We felt it was important to be involved,” Walders stated. “[The scouts] learned a variety of skills. The character development aspect was an important part for us.”

She noted that the scouts benefited both her sons and the other children. The scouts reportedly learned life skills, engaged in leadership experiences and made lasting memories and friendships while learning about service to the community.

With Walders’ new professional role as District Executive, she will heed the duties of serving the district with service and maintaining significant programs for scouts to learn from. She will be mostly working with troops, units and packs from the Faribault County and Martin County areas.

Walders replaces outgoing district executive, Erik Karre, who took a new role as Field Director.

As the Field Director, he’ll oversee the work of Walder and several others in the professional Boy Scouts field. Karre was ecstatic about Walders accepting the position of here.

“She started May 20th, and it’s really great to have her here.” Karre commented, noting that Walders came to the position with a lot of talented assets and experience.

Karre has been in the field for twenty years, having started in Nebraska and has assisted here in Minnesota for six. He received a promotion, which allowed him to move to Mankato to continue his field of work.

Walders is excited for her new role and for what she’ll be able to bring people through it.

“Seeing the kids grow and learn, it’s a very rewarding experience.” Walders added, “What we found is that [the organization is] not just good for the scout but for the family, too.”

Scouting serves children across the nation from 5 to 18 years of age. For more information on how to register or be involved in Boy Scouts in Martin County–visit the Scouting of America website.