Dan Atkinson, Cubmaster and Den Leader
Dan is an attorney and member of Wilkes Atkinson & Joyner, LLC, in Spartanburg, where he has practiced for nearly 20 years. He is married to Amanda Atkinson, who works as a Speech Language Pathologist in Spartanburg School District 7, serving Pine Street Elementary School. He is the father of three children, including a son who is a member of Pack 22, and a son and daughter who have graduated from Pack 22 to Troop 22B and Troop 22G. He is a graduate of Furman University and the Washington & Lee University School of Law. The Atkinson family are proud members of Trinity United Methodist Church. Dan is a Certified Lay Speaker in the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Dan joined Scouts as a Wolf in Pack 78, in his hometown of Laurens, South Carolina, and he has been involved in the Scouting movement for much of his life since then. From 1999 to 2004, he served on the Staff at Camp Old Indian, the summer camp for the Blue Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He eventually served as Program Director and Camp Director there. He was selected as COI’s Outstanding Staff Member in 2001, and he received the Order of the Arrow’s Vigil Honor in 2002, for outstanding service to Summer Camp and Atta Kulla Kulla lodge, with Dan’s peers bestowing him with the name Wulelendam Takachsin, which translates to “Joyful Leader.”
Dan is a 2001 graduate of the BSA’s National Camp School for Program, and he is a 2004 graduate of the BSA’s National Camp School for Camp Management. In 2015, he received the Silver Beaver Award from the Blue Ridge Council, for outstanding service at the Council level. In 2018, he received the District Award of Merit from the Daniel Morgan District, for outstanding service to Scouts in Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union Counties. He was recognized at the Daniel Morgan District’s Cub Scouter of the Year in 2021, and he received the Cross and Flame Award for service to Scouting and the United Methodist Church in 2023. He is currently President of the Palmetto Council, BSA. In 2024, he was elected to the Local Council Chair Cabinet, a group of 15 local council chairs and presidents who report directly to the National Chair of Scouting America.
Dan has served as District Chairman for the Daniel Morgan District, which includes all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Explorers in Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union Counties. He has also previously served a member of the Executive Council of the Palmetto Council of the Boy Scouts of America, as Legal Counsel. He is fully trained as a Cubmaster and Scoutmaster, and he has completed Wood Badge, the advanced training for Scouting America leaders.
“Scouting has changed my life in so many positive ways. I have gotten to meet personal heroes, and I have developed new heroes by seeing so many men and women selflessly sacrifice for young people. I got to know my wife working at a Boy Scout summer camp. Cub Scouts gives me so many wonderful experiences with my wife and children, and, above all, it is fun. I hope you will consider joining us for the fun of Pack 22.” Dan Atkinson, Cubmaster
Amanda Atkinson, Assistant Cubmaster
“You worked at Boy Scout camp?!”
Yes she did, and she loved every minute of it.
Amanda Atkinson began her relationship with Scouting America in 2002 as a Scoutcraft merit badge counselor for Camp Old Indian, Blue Ridge Council. She later rose to Handicraft Director. As Pack 22’s assistant cubmaster, she helps to organize pack outings and plan programing. When she isn’t singing silly songs or building indoor campfires, she’s a proud member of the special education team with Spartanburg School District 7, serving as a speech-language pathologist. She loves that Cub Scouts involves the whole family (including her own cub and two Cub Scout graduates) and teaches children to feel proud of meeting goals and learning new things.
Her favorite Scouting moments include cheering for a scout who was afraid to finish a slack-line adventure, but did, and seeing the pride in children’s faces as they earn their first adventure loops. She uses her experience working with kids with special needs to offer suggestions for making pack activities inclusive, and her love of children is on display at every step.
Joseph Spivey, Arrow of Light Den Leader
Joseph Spivey grew up on a horse farm in Alabama. Joseph got a degree in mathematics from Emory University, then continued his math education at Duke University, where he specialized in topology. Topology is often described as “rubber geometry” where mathematicians ask about properties of shapes that do not change even when they are bent and stretched. Joseph teaches math at Wofford College, and has a wife and two wonderful children. He likes to play games, perform magic, garden, and bake.
Joe is a small business owner, Rotarian, percussionist and section leader with the Spartanburg Community Band, an avid bicyclist, and the outdoorsy type. He’s married to a talented actress, seamstress, and educator and they have two, high-energy boys.
Joe McClure, Den Leader
Joe joined Scouting in the early 90’s with Troop 23 in the Indian Waters Council. He took the outdoor life to heart and is an avid fly fisherman, camper, and general outdoors man. He has camped and fished all over the Southeast, out West, and in Alaska.
He loves to bring the appreciation of all Scouting to the youth! He is happily married to a wonderful woman, who is the Children’s Director at Trinity United Methodist Church. They have four awesome kids and never enough time! In 2023, Joe was recognized with the Cross and Flame Award for outstanding service to Scouting and the United Methodist Church. Joe looks forward to working with the Webelos Scouts this year.
Justin Williams, New Member Coordinator
Justin Williams is a native of Morganton, NC where he earned his Eagle Scout award. He began his professional career with Scouting in Jacksonville, FL and has also served Councils in St. Paul, MN, Appleton, WI, and Detroit, MI. He has been the Scout Executive/CEO of Palmetto Council since 2019. He is excited to now experience the Scouting program as a parent. He also works with the Tiger Den, of which his daughter is a member.
her favorite Scout songs with the girls in her den.
William Gray, Den Leader and Pack Committee Chair
As a lifelong resident of Spartanburg, William’s entire Scouting career has been affiliated with the Palmetto Council. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Council, and serves on the Board as the immediate past Council President. William is excited to have welcomed his daughter, Lenora, into Cub Scouts at Pack 22 two years ago, where she has thoroughly enjoyed all of the fun outdoor activities!
Professionally, William is a Principal and the Office Director of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture’s Spartanburg location.
Scouting taught him the importance of community impact through service and he is proud to be able to work and serve his hometown both professionally and as a volunteer.
Rich Rhodes, Den Leader
I am looking forward to a wonderful experience as the Bear Cub Den Leader, after three great years with Lions, Tigers and Wolves. I started the scouting program when I was 6 years old. I was at Pack 1 for 4 years as a Cub Scout and at Pack 118 for six years as a Boy Scout. I am proud to be an Eagle Scout, and I look forward to helping others pursue their scouting experience.
I am a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Boiling Springs. My wife, Rachel Rhodes, teaches English at McCracken Middle School, and we have two sons, Everette, who is 7, and Oliver, who is 4.
Melissa Peake, Den Leader
This is my 6th year in Cub Scouts as a den leader with my daughter, Emily. I have been helping around Cub Scout Packs for around 9 years, since my son began his Cub Scouting journey. I enjoy Family Scouting and all of the adventures we go on … even staying overnight on the USS Yorktown.
Kate Kendall, Den Leader
This is my third year as a Den Leader, and I am excited to be a part of Pack 22 and watch my twins, Millie and Georgia, advance through their Scouting career. I am looking forward to meeting and working with the Cub Scouts of the Wolf Den this year.
Pack 22 - Spartanburg, SC 