Citizen of the Year – Boy Scouts of America Coastal Carolina Council
The Boy Scouts of America Coastal Carolina Council honored Derek K. Robbins, President and CEO of Robbins Construction Group, with its prestigious “Citizen of the Year” award in recognition of his outstanding leadership, commitment to youth development, and lasting contributions to the Scouting community.
A cornerstone of this recognition was Robbins` vision to establish Construction Explorer Post #3262, an innovative workforce development initiative designed to introduce young men and women to careers in the commercial construction industry. Under the leadership of Robbins Construction Group, the Explorer Post participated in an intensive eight-month program that provided hands-on exposure to every phase of the construction process. Participants gained practical experience in project planning, site layout, estimating, safety protocols, blueprint interpretation, scheduling, material procurement, and field construction techniques.
As the culmination of the program, the students successfully designed and constructed a storage building that was donated to the BSA Coastal Carolina Council for use at Camp Ho Non Wah on Wadmalaw Island. The project not only provided valuable real-world construction experience but also left a lasting contribution to one of the Council`s most treasured camps, reinforcing the values of teamwork, craftsmanship, leadership, and community service.
Reflecting on the honor, Robbins stated:
"It is truly an honor to receive this recognition, but the real credit belongs to the dedicated volunteers and leaders of the Boy Scouts of America who selflessly invest countless hours mentoring and developing our youth. As the father of two Scouts—one of whom earned the rank of Eagle Scout—I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact Scouting has on building character, leadership, integrity, and a strong sense of service to others. The lessons learned through Scouting prepare young people not only for successful careers but, more importantly, for successful lives. It has been a privilege for Robbins Construction Group to partner with the Coastal Carolina Council and help inspire