FOCW is honored to present the 2025 Sentinel Award to Jay Frushour. Jay began his scouting career as a Cub Scout in Lakewood, CA, and eventually became a Boy Scout. He worked his first aquatics job at 16 with Camp Tahquitz, foreshadowing quite the water-based career. After his first set of degrees, Jay joined the Coast Guard in Washington, D.C. – trying at every turn NOT to be assigned work offshore (we’d expect nothing less!). He eventually became a teacher in Long Beach, CA.
Thankfully he made it back to Scouting. He worked Aquatics at Camp Cherry Valley (but didn’t like the ocean), was the Program Director at Camp Kern (but missed the waterfront), and was offered the Reservation Director at Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation. Thankfully, someone steered him to Whitsett before he accepted.
Jay has served Whitsett at the helm of the Waterfront for over 30 years and counting. He notes: “Whitsett is the only camp where I’ve ever felt truly comfortable…it’s a family, people really care”. Leading scores of staff and helping thousands of scouts over the years at Lake Ida, Jay became synonymous with both the Whitsett Aquatics program and growing in skill and character through the fun and challenges it uniquely offers.
Camp visitors may never see Jay in the water while teaching and guarding at the Lake. Outside the lake, they will see him volunteering in the kitchen or commissary, driving for trash runs or trips down the hill, playing chess, running away from anything that even looks like a snake, or simply saying “hello” at the front corner of the dining hall (which he was honored to have done with our beloved Mr. Bob). As camp chaplain, Jay has led weekly Scout’s Own services at the camp chapel and served as spiritual and emotional support for many staff, scouts, and leaders far from home.
Recently, Jay formally joined the FOCW as a committee volunteer because – despite ALL he has given to SO MANY at Whitsett – he said “I can’t keep taking, I need to give”. Those who’ve gotten to know him know that’s code for “Whitsett means so much to me, I have to find a way to give back even more”. His help is invaluable and he is inspiring others to follow in his footsteps.
The Whitsett Family only takes a backseat to his family back home – a principle instilled in him by his parents and sister. We also celebrate his wife, Nora, and daughter, Sarah. Not only did they sacrifice by allowing him to spend summers away from them for so many years, but they’ve also worked and volunteered at camp over his tenure at the waterfront, in the office, and with the retired Horses program.
Please join us in celebrating Jay by attending his award ceremony at this year’s Friends and Family Adventure Weekend or by donating in his honor to the Waterfront Revival Fund (put “For Jay” in the notes field and FOCW will share with Jay).
