Dr. David Yoder was honored May 14 by the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach and The Recorder at the 34th Annual Local Heroes Awards. A longtime scoutmaster for Scout Troop 277 at Christ Episcopal Church, he and fellow scoutmaster James Streit (also honored) have helped many young people become future leaders.
Tell us about your years of mentorship and leadership with Scout Troop 277 at Christ Episcopal Church.
Being a Boy Scout was a big part of my life when I was young. I enjoyed the outdoors and I feel that values of Scouting have stuck with me throughout life.
As my kids got to the right age, I was thrilled when they wanted to be a part of Scouting as well. Over these past eight years, I have been fortunate to volunteer in many different positions with Cub Scout Pack 277 and Scouting Troop 277.
My roles have changed as needs changed — from just being a parent, to being a den leader and committee chairman to my latest role as scoutmaster for the troop. I feel very lucky to have worked with so many young people and watch them learn and grow and succeed.
I also acknowledge that I follow many other amazing volunteers before me and with me who have made Troop 277 a great part of our community for over 60 years.
Working with young people sounds like a very inspiring and fulfilling thing to do. Can you tell us a little about the intangible rewards of giving of your time this way?
From making it through a long hike to overcoming a fear of heights and rappelling down a wall to confidently speaking in front of a large group, we see these young people succeed in so many different ways. It really is great to be a part of that process.
I feel that in a society that can have many negative influences, Scouting continues to have a positive impact. I’m proud to be a part of this, and I’m encouraged to see the boys in Troop 277 grow into young men. This influence takes time, though. With our other leaders, we have worked to help these Scouts grow from wild first graders through the challenges of middle school and into successful high school students. They have had fun and learned and become better leaders and better people. That long-range outcome is what keeps me involved.
I’m proud that our troop has several Scouts who become Eagle Scouts every year. I think it’s especially telling about the character of these young men when they have teachers and clergy and others from the community coming to support and congratulate them. It’s a great feeling to be a small part in helping these young people grow into good people.
Do you ever hear from former Scouts who have moved on in life?
We are lucky to have long history here in Ponte Vedra Beach. We often have former Scouts return to our meetings when they are home from college. It is amazing to hear the things that these young people are doing — from college to the Naval Academy and West Point. It is also great for our now-high-school Scouts to see them come back and learn from them.
One of our Scouts was a challenge when he was in middle school and early high school. But over the years, he grew into a much better leader and became an Eagle Scout with our troop. Now, we are lucky to have him helping with hikes and attending some meetings as an adult. Seeing that progress into someone that the younger boys can look up to has been inspiring.
What was your reaction to being selected as a Local Hero?
Of course I was honored. I don’t know if anything I have done is worthy of the title hero, though. I enjoy putting time into Scouting because I enjoy it, and I believe in its values. I want to see my kids and other kids have the opportunities that this organization allows.
I will say that there should be a long list of heroes in our troop and in Scouting in general as there are countless adults who volunteer their time, money and energy to make it successful.
Tell us a little about your background, your education or career.
I grew up in Indiana and was active in Scouting all through school. My first job was spending summers working at a Scout camp in Minnesota. It was pretty special last summer to get to go back to that camp with my son and go on a canoe trip with him and Troop 277.
Professionally, I am a dentist and owner of Palm Valley Family Dentistry. I opened this office in 2013, and Ponte Vedra Beach has been a wonderful place. We have so many great patients and it's really a joy to see them year after year.
Have you lived in this community long? What do you like most about it?
I have a wonderful family — an amazing wife, Katie, and two great kids. Ben and Lilly. Katie is a Jacksonville native, and we moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 2010 when we were both done with all of our education. Ponte Vedra Beach is a great place to live and have a family. My wife and I are thankful to have a safe community to raise our kids and great schools for them.
