The purpose of psychological first aid is to provide basic care, comfort, and support to anyone experiencing stress. All of us experience stress. Family issues, the death of a loved one, natural disasters, trauma, or even exams, arguments, or breakups can be stressful. Individuals respond differently to stress, depending upon our coping mechanisms. Negative symptoms of stress include physical complaints, behavioral changes, or emotional instability. Results may be devastating when people can’t find ways to cope effectively with what happened.

[Learn More]

We are thrilled to announce our Keynote Speaker for the 2024 Friends of Scouting Dinner, presented by Lansing Building Products. Kyle Petty will join us on April 11th at the Greater Richmond Convention Center Grand Ballroom. Kyle Petty is an auto racing icon, a champion of philanthropy, and one of the most popular personalities in NASCAR. He is a storied race car driver, a vibrant TV personality, a talented musician, a dedicated philanthropist, a published author, and a motivational speaker.

[Additional FOS Dinner Details]

This Veterans Day (November 11th), our friends at the Virginia War Memorial have invited us to participate in their support of the Richmond Marathon. Scout Leaders, Scouts, and families are invited to register for 30-minute blocks to pass out water, snacks and encouragement to runners. Plus, your registration includes game time in the Army E-Sports Trailer! Tours of the Virginia War Memorial will be available, as well.

[Register Here!]

Have you been to the HOVC Leadership Center lately? Our Customer Service Survey, which is open through October 31st, is an opportunity to tell us how we're doing, what we're doing well, and ways we can improve. Your experience is important to us, and we'd love to hear from you about your visit.

[Take Our Survey]

We would like to congratulate Ian Pollard with Troop 2886 on the completion of the P.R.A.Y. program, God and Church. Ian earned his religious emblem over the summer through Trinity United Methodist Church in Chesterfield. The Religious Emblems programs are developed by the national religious organizations to encourage their members to grow stronger in their faith. The Scouting agencies have approved of these programs and allow the awards to be worn on the official uniforms.

[Learn More]

There is a treasure hidden in plain sight at the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation in Goochland, Virginia. Anyone who has gone to Camp T. Brady Saunders or has camped overnight in Camp Douglas Fleet has driven right by this little gem. Upon entering the Reservation, turn left. The first building you see is the Nawakwa Scouting Museum, operated by the Nawakwa Lodge of the Order of the Arrow (OA).

[Learn More]

We invite you to visit our Heart of Virginia Council Master Plan page to learn more about where we've spent more than $855,000 to improve our Scout Reservation, and how we intend to continue making improvements in the years to come! These projects cannot be completed without the support of the units who participate in our annual fundraising (Popcorn & Peanuts, and Camp Cards) or our very generous donors! Thank you!

[View the HOVC Master Plan]

Congratulations to our units who are well on their way to earning FREE RANK PATCHES for the year! Qualifying units sold at least $400 in product (popcorn, peanuts, and/or Camp Cards), hosted a Friends of Scouting Family presentation, and are gearing up to complete their Unit Renewal by December 15th!

[Learn More]

Scout Life magazine suggests monthly themes for Cub Scout units to use while planning meetings and outings. Scouts will read stories related to these themes in the magazine, on scoutlife.org and in the Scout Life app with suggestions that follow the 12 points of the Scout Law. Get your own FREE Planning Calendar with suggested themes and Scouting dates that will help you plan your monthly meetings with ease.

[Get a FREE Calendar (PDF)]

Each Thursday, we're sharing posts dedicated to Cub Scout Recruitment on our Facebook page. Units are encouraged to share these posts to their own Facebook pages (personal and unit-specific) throughout recruitment season!

[Visit HOVC on Facebook]

Adult leaders and youth members have a responsibility to recognize, respond to, and report Youth Protection violations and abuse. Serious Youth Protection policy violations or behaviors that put a youth's safety at risk must be reported to the Scout Executive. Online reporting is available at Incident Reporting. All persons participating in Scouting programs are mandated reporters of child abuse! Reports must be made to local law enforcement and child protective services.

[Get All the Details]

Your holiday heroes are back; pumpkin, pecan, Boston cream, apple, fruits of the forest, French silk, and cheesecake have returned for our most delicious annual fundraiser. Order your desserts now through November 1st, and we'll have them ready for pick-up on November 17th and 18th at the Leadership Center. Don't forget to take our Pie Poll! Will our New York Style Cheesecake defend its 2022 championship title, or will there be a new winner in 2023?

[Buy a Pie to Keep Them Dry!]

Scouting is a journey that begins with Cub Scouts, where our young members start devoting their time and effort to community service. As they progress through Scouts BSA, their dedication to giving back to society only grows stronger. The countless hours they dedicate to community service are a testament to their sense of duty and commitment to making a positive difference. We take immense pride in nurturing the growth and development of these young individuals, and hope you'll help us further the impact of Scouting in Central Virginia with a Giving Tuesday donation!

Sell $2,000 in Popcorn and/or Peanuts in the Product Sale and Scouts can earn their way to the Blast Day Rocket Launch Party! Scouts will receive their very own Alpha Flying Model Rocket to build! The event will be held at Cub Adventure Camp in Maidens, VA on December 9, 2023 (rain date December 16, 2023). This will also be a "Bring a Buddy" event where Scouts can bring a friend to learn more about Scouting and participate in shooting sports and the climbing tower... more details coming soon!

[More Information]

Put on your spookiest costumes and summon up some eerily delicious, hot, cheesy pizza and appetizers! Use code SCOUTS and 10% of your order will mysteriously return to Council through the Dollars 4 Dough program and for the benefit of Scouts.

[Dollars 4 Dough]

District Roundtable is a monthly program offered by districts that give leaders hands-on experience and provides a forum for leaders to offer and receive help from their fellow Scouters. Each District offers special supplemental training for volunteers at the beginning of the month.

[Get Roundtable Dates & Details]

Den Chief Training combines fun and enjoyment with an excellent character-building experience. Participants will learn leadership, organization, and most importantly, how to work with Cub Scouts. This training is for youth who are or want to be a Den Chief to a Cub Scout, Webelos to Arrow of Light Den. It is also for registered adult leaders who want to learn the duties and roles of Den Chiefs and who will be working with Den Chiefs. Training takes place on October 28th at Camp T. Brady Saunders.

[October 28th]

The South of the James Training Team is offering Scoutmaster / Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training on January 13th during Winter Camp at T. Brady Saunders for registered leaders throughout the Heart of Virginia Council. This training is required for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters.  The cost is $5 and includes water, light refreshments, and "Trained" patches for leaders who have completed all training requirements for their registered position.

[Get Trained on January 13th, 2024]

Wood Badge is the ultimate leadership training program of the BSA. Reflecting the best of nearly a century of Scouting experience and tradition, Wood Badge draws upon current leadership models used to train leaders in organizations throughout the world. Through hands-on activities, learning experiences, and games, leadership models are brought to life. Our next Wood Badge course takes place over two weekends at Cub Adventure Camp. Join us April 12th - 14th and April 27th - 28th, 2024!

[Get Wood Badge Trained!]

A September 1, 2023, the following rule went into effect: All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered in an adult fee required position as listed or as an adult program participant. Registration as a Merit Badge Counselor does not meet this requirement. There are limited exceptions for Cub Scout overnight Programs.

[Read the Full Announcement]

Numerous Scouting programs are conducted in the great outdoors, and the Hazardous Weather training module is dedicated to the effective management of weather-related risks for our Scouting community. It offers a comprehensive discussion on the significance of understanding the risks associated with our outdoor classroom, with a particular focus on three critical areas: lightning safety, managing heat and hydration, and preventing hypothermia.

[Take This FREE Training Online]

Effective as of September 1, 2023, Cub Scout packs who are conducting their own overnight camping activities may now camp up to two consecutive nights. This is a change from the earlier policy on pack unit-coordinated camping, which was previously limited to single overnight experiences. The updated policy also applies to Webelos and Arrow of Light dens, who can now conduct campouts for up to two consecutive nights.

[Get the Details!]

Whether you're working on rank requirements or the Orienteering merit badge, a list of Permanent Orienteering Courses in Virginia is a helpful resource for Scouts and leadership! A two-page list of permanent courses, including instructions, maps, and more will be regularly reviewed and maintained. Keep your eyes peeled for an opportunity to earn your Orienteering Merit Badge in October.

[Show Me the Way!]

Arrohattoc

Dogwood

James River

Crater

Huguenot Trail

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