Elbert K. Fretwell (1878–1962) was an American academic and early leader in the field of youth development through recreation and extracurricular activity.
Upon his retirement from the BSA, Fretwell was given the title of Chief Scout.
[1] His son Elbert K. Fretwell Jr. was also a noted professor of education and served as Chancellor of University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
In 1918 Fretwell was appointed by the Surgeon General of the United States together with the American Red Cross to supervise recreation work in United States Army "reconstruction hospitals."
[1] In 2017, the Boy Scouts of America established the E. K. Fretwell Outstanding Educator Award.