Welcome to HOVC, Morgan! Morgan joins us as our new Battlefield and Rivers District Executive. She is a recent graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University, majoring in Environmental Studies. Prior to being hired by the Heart of Virginia Council, she worked for the VA Department of Conservation and Recreation in their Youth Conservation Corps program and was able to help build trails, kayak racks, and fire pads.

[Read more about Morgan]

Please note that the Leadership Center and Scout Shop will be closed Friday, April 7th in observance of Good Friday, and Saturday, April 8th in observance of Easter. Please take this in consideration when planning to visit us the first week of April! We'll be excited to see you and serve you on Monday, April 10th.

Is your Scout fundraising with Camp Cards this spring? Scouts should report to their Camp Card Leader every other Monday how many Camp Cards were sold during that 2-week period. Scouts’ names will be placed in the bi-weekly Council drawing to win a prize (one entry per 10 cards sold)! The sooner Scouts sell their cards and the more cards they sell, the better chance they’ll have to win cool prizes including an assortment of awesome camping gear and equipment! 

[Leaders, Enter Your Scouts Here!]

Join us in celebrating our 2022 Class of Silver Beavers. Frank Howard, Mike Henley, Candy Johnson, Chip Phillips, Tim Towslee, and Tom Yoke have made a tremendous impact in the lives of youth in Central Virginia through their hard work, self-sacrifice, and years of dedicated service. Save the Date for our Recognition Event on Sunday, April 23rd at Cub Adventure Camp.

[2022 Class of Silver Beavers]

Scouting units are invited to register now to participate in the May 6th Scouts Trash the Trash Day! This special event is an international Messengers of Peace project for Scouts around the world, where each Scout is challenged to bring a friend or family member around to collect 2.2 pounds of trash! Are you participating?

[Trash the Trash]

This will be an incredible service opportunity for all units in the Heart of Virginia Council to support our local communities. The Day of Service will include many opportunities, including a canned food drive to support Feed More (and partner agencies), service projects at county parks, and service projects for local elementary schools. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 13th! Visit our page below and let us know about the service opportunities YOU want to participate in.

[Day of Service]

Get ready to GLOW on Saturday, October 7th! In celebration of our 110th Anniversary, we're de-lighted to share plans for a Fall Family 5k & Kids Fun Run! With a giant campfire program complete with S'mores, glow-in-the-dark t-shirts and other fun treats, it'll be an event that will outshine the rest! Whether you like to run, walk, cheer or volunteer, we hope you'll join us! S'more details to follow!

[Take the 5K Poll & Interest Survey]

Order in this spring break! Get delicious, hot, cheesy pizza and appetizers from Papa Johns! Use code SCOUTS and 10% of your order will come back to Council through the Dollars 4 Dough program and for the benefit of Scouts.

[Dollars 4 Dough]

Effective September 1, 2023, the following rule goes 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]

Scouts and their parents expect all Scouting activities to be conducted safely. To ensure the safety of participants, the BSA expects leaders to use the four points of SAFE when delivering the Scouting program. Supervision, Assessment, Fitness and Skill, Equipment and Environment. Are you using the S.A.F.E. Checklist to plan your unit events?

[Get the Details]

Campfires are a powerful part of the outdoor experience. They can be lively with laughter, storytelling, and fellowship. The campfire can also be a time of reflection, learning, and great peace. Safe behavior around a campfire ensures a good time can be had by all while mitigating the inherent danger of the fire. Here are some helpful reminders on behavior that can make your next campfire a positive and safe experience.

[Learn More!]

April Roundtables offer leaders hands-on experience and provide a forum for leaders to offer and receive help from their fellow Scouters.

[Get Roundtable Dates]

The South of the James Training Team is offering both BALOO and IOLS at T. Brady Saunders the weekend of April 15th - 16th. IOLS is required for Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Crew Advisors, and Associate Crew Advisors. Packs and Webelos Dens must have a BALOO trained leader in attendance.

[BALOO (Cub Scout Packs)]

[IOLS (Scout BSA Troops, etc.)]

Shooting Sports is one of the most popular activities at the camps, and proper supervision is a must to continue holding activities on the ranges. To open a range at camp, we must have two 21-year-old supervisors, a Range Safety Officer, and an instructor for the firearm in use. Supervisors must complete an NRA course to be certified. Upcoming opportunities include Shotgun Shooting on May 13th - 14th and Cub Scout Range Master on June 4th from 9am to noon.

[Get the Details!]

The HOVC Advancement Committee is pleased to offer Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Orientation sessions for those selected by their units to serve as merit badge counselors. Save the Date for Sunday, May 21st from 2:00pm to 3:00pm at the HOVC Leadership Center! This session is approximately 90 minutes in length and will begin promptly at 2pm. The class size is limited to 20 participants. Registration is open!

[Register Today!]

Do not delay - registration is open for NYLT! Come out to Camp T. Brady Saunders the week of June 11th through 17th for this exciting, action packed program designed to provide Scouts in Troops, Crews, and Ships with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home units and life! NYLT is exceptional youth leadership training in a fun environment.

[Attend NYLT]

The Trainer's EDGE helps develop the skills of leaders and trainers. It focuses on improving the participant’s leadership, communication and training skills. The Trainer’s Edge is the required train-the-trainer course for Wood Badge, Commissioners’ College, NYLT staff and all other BSA training courses. The Course is highly beneficial for all leaders and trainers. Take advantage of this great opportunity to impact the quality of the programs our youth receive through and creating well-trained leaders!

[Get Out on the EDGE]

The South of the James Training Team invites you to join their Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills Training (IOLS) at T. Brady Saunders during the July 10th -13th week of Summer Camp. This is required training for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters and couldn't be more convenient. Get trained while your Scouts earn merit badges this summer!

[Attend Summer Camp IOLS]

Registration is officially open! Buckskin offers a 360º leadership experience that integrates classroom teaching with hands-on practice and reinforcement. This exciting combination will equip your Scout with the tools, experience, confidence, and enthusiasm needed to make a difference as a leader. Get Buckskin on your summer calendar, July 30th - August 5th!

[Get Trained]

Wood Badge is an advanced, national leadership course open only to registered Scouting volunteers and professionals across all programs. The next opportunity to receive this important training is coming up over two weekends in April 2024. Mark your calendars for April 12th - 14th and April 27th - 28th, 2024, at Cub Adventure Camp! More details to follow - we hope to see you there!

[Get the Details!]

Arrohattoc

Battlefield

Cardinal

Crater

Huguenot Trail

Rivers

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