"A mother's love is more beautiful than any fresh flower." - Debasish Mridha

We'd like to wish the incredible mothers among us a lovely and restful Mother's Day! Thank you for your endless support, tireless volunteerism, and boundless patience. You make this program possible, and we appreciate your many, many contributions.

[Mother's Day Fun]

Our Leadership Center and Scout Shop will be closed on Monday, May 27th in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. We will reopen with regular business hours on Tuesday, May 28th.

[6 Ways to Help Young People Remember the True Meaning of Memorial Day]

The Camp Card sale runs through May 31st! That's right - Scouts selling Camp Cards now through the end of the month will receive a commission of $5 per card... that can add up! ALL Camp Cards & final payments are due June 7th. Don't forget about the bi-weekly Camp Card Prize Drawings, too! The next drawing takes place May 10th on Facebook Live!

[Visit the Camp Card Website]

Cub Scouts... earn the new Summertime Fun Adventure this Summer! The National Summertime Pack award has been reimagined into an exciting elective adventure. This new adventure may be one of the simplest, it has one requirement and that is: anytime during May through August, participate in a total of three Cub Scout activities.

[Learn More & Get the Unit Planner]

Join the Richmond Raceway for a weekend of racing and activities at the 2024 Summer Scout Experience over the weekend of August 9th - 11th! Camp all weekend long, get your own RR branded Scout patch, go on a track walk, and see the Craftsman Truck Series and Cup Series races.

[Get More Scout Experience Flyer]

The Cub Scout program is set to undergo updates for the 2024-25 program year, following years of effort by the National Cub Scouting Committee. Identified through feedback from over 23,000 parents and leaders, the updates aim to enhance the program's simplicity. After a year of socializing these improvements and garnering overwhelming support, the National Cub Scout Committee is officially unveiling the changes, which will become effective on June 1st!

[Learn More About the Program Changes]

Cub Scout Day Camp is often called “the camp that comes to the Scout.” Day Camp is an organized program for Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts under certified leadership, at an approved site. We're excited to open registration for the first of several weeks of camp, taking place at Deep Run Park from June 10th - 14th! More dates will be added soon. Don't forget to invite your buddy!!

[Blast Into Day Camp!]

One of the most rewarding and character-building things a family can do together is go camping. Bring your Scout to a session at Cub Adventure Camp, where we offer a 4-day, 3-night experience for Cub Scouts this summer! You can attend as a family or just as a parent/Scout pair. Meals are served in our air-conditioned Dining Hall, and you can stay in our Tent Village or in a Western Frontier Fort, Yurt, or Cabin.

[Blast Into Adventure!]

The new Cub Scout Handbooks are here! Visit the Scout Shop at 8090 Villa Park Drive in Henrico, or order your handbook(s) by sending an e-mail to us at scoutshophovc@scouting.org, with the subject line, "Handbook Order." If you would like your order mailed to you, include your mailing address along with payment information (Scout Shop Account or personal credit card). We anticipate the demand for the new handbooks will be high, so we will not be able to hold them without payment. (Bulk orders will not be mailed.)

[Visit the Scout Shop Webpage]

Each Friday at 3pm Eastern, Scouting Magazine hosts Cub Chat Live broadcasts on Facebook and YouTube. Each week, they talk about useful tips, tricks and ideas that help your den or Pack!

• 5/3: Program Updates - Top 10 Questions

[Learn More & Watch the Archives]

Now is the perfect time to plan an awesome event for your Pack families! Weekend Experiences at Cub Adventure Camp is a program designed for you, by you. Pick your programming and make it a day or a weekend of Cub Scouting fun! Cubmasters, book your Weekend Experience now!

[Learn More]

Does your pack need volunteers? Check out this 47-minute video, "Volunteer Recruitment for Cub Scout Packs." It is a training on how to recruit Cub Scout Parents to become volunteers in a Cub Scout Pack. The video outlines an annual strategy to identify and recruit parent volunteers as well as conduct a group recruitment event at a Pack Meeting right after new families join.

[View the Video!]

The new Cub Scout program launches in June, and with it comes changes for Arrow of Light dens and the Troops they'll join. Learn more about the changes and how it affects your units at our AOL to Scout Transition orientation on May 22nd at 7pm. We look forward to seeing you at the Leadership Center at 8090 Villa Park Drive in Henrico. Registration opens soon!

[Learn more about the new program]

You might be prepping for your springtime yard work, but over here at the Heart of Virginia Council, we're ready to roll on Summer Camp, 2024! Registration is OPEN for your week (or more) of camp at beautiful Camp T. Brady Saunders! Come see us at camp... you never know who or WHAT you might meet! Register and download our Program Guide below.

[Go to Camp!]

Scouts, will you miss your troop’s summer camp this year, or do you want an additional week of fun and adventure? Then sign up to join Provisional Troop 3 at Camp T. Brady Saunders during Week 5 of summer camp (July 14th – 20th). Become part of a cohesive unit experience while having fun, learning new skills, & earning merit badges. Troop 3 will also offer a few unique experiences beyond the regular camp programs, for both boys and girls.

[Register with Provo Troop 3]

Camp T. Brady Saunders Summer Camp Apparel is officially available for purchase! Visit our apparel store to grab your gear before Summer Camp kicks off in June. Use code EARLYBIRD to have your order shipped directly to the Camp Trading Post, free of charge! Have you registered for Summer Camp at TBS? Check out the registration and plan your adventurous week (or more) with us!

[Visit the Apparel Store]

[Register for Camp]

The Ranger Challenge was developed to allow Scouts who have attended camp for several years to serve in a leadership position with their troop in the mornings and have an adventure in the afternoon and evening. All Scouts are welcome with the knowledge that the program is both physically demanding and mentally challenging. A certain level of maturity and strength are a must.

[Learn More & Download a Permission Form]

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is a week-long course, held at Cub Adventure Camp, that focuses on leadership development. It is the youth-led version of Wood Badge. Graduates learn leadership through proven training techniques and methods tuned for the youth of today. NYLT is “Fun with a Purpose” using games and hands-on experience to teach relevant skills! Learn the concepts of what a leader must BE, what a leader must KNOW, and what a leader must DO. 

[NYLT Registration Is Open]

Established in 1984, Buckskin proudly stands as one of Scouting's most tenured Youth Leader Training courses. Celebrating four decades of excellence in the Heart of Virginia Council, our 2024 program promises an unforgettable experience for Scouts BSA Troops. At Buckskin, we believe in shaping leaders through immersive experiences. Our 360º leadership approach seamlessly blends classroom teachings with hands-on practice, ensuring your Scout emerges equipped with invaluable skills, confidence, and a passion for leadership.

[Register for Buckskin]

Are you ready to make a meaningful contribution to our nation's heritage and honor the symbol of our freedom? On June 29th, we invite you to participate in the "Honoring Our Colors" Flag Collection Drive, a special event created in partnership with Local Scout Troops. This unique opportunity allows Scouts to play an essential role in the proper retirement of worn American flags while gaining a deeper understanding of their significance.

[Register Your Participation]

The second Wednesday of each month at 3pm Eastern, Scouting Magazine hosts Troop Talk Live on Facebook. These brief chats cover a variety of topics, from accommodating Scouts with disabilities to uniforming, youth leadership to the Path to Eagle, and much more.

The next Troop Talk Lives are scheduled for May 8th and June 12th! See you there!

[Learn More & Watch the Archives]

Whether you're working on rank requirements or the Orienteering merit badge, Camp T. Brady Saunders has a new set of Permanent Orienteering Courses in Virginia! Downloadable course maps and Avenza Topographic maps have been added to the BradySaunders.net website.

[Get on the Course]

Our Weekend Experience at T. Brady Saunders opens parts of camp for weekend use! Weekend primitive camping opportunities are available at S. Douglas Fleet from August through May, based on availability. We offer Troops the opportunity to customize a program specifically tailored for their Scouts. Come out for nature, fishing, shooting, STEM, and more. We even have canoes available for rent!

[Learn More]

We're excited to offer Swim and Water Rescue and BSA Lifeguard training this summer at Camp T. Brady Saunders, from May 31st to June 2nd. This training allows you to be the supervisor on a swimming outing with your unit and to conduct swim tests. Participants must be at least 15 years old and registered with the BSA, must be able to complete the swimmer classification test, and must complete their online Safe Swim Defense, Hazardous Weather Training, and Youth Protection Training online.

[Register Today!]

Every Cub Scout deserves a trained leader! Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) is designed as an introduction to the Cub Scout outdoor program, with one part completed online and the other in-person. Your Pack MUST have at least ONE BALOO trained adult leader in attendance at all Pack overnighters. The next opportunity is scheduled for May 25th - 26th at Camp T. Brady Saunders.

[Register for BALOO]

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) gives Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters the practical knowledge they need to help Scouts to safely learn outdoor skills. Along with Scoutmaster Specifics, this course is required of all direct contact leaders registered in Scouts BSA Troops in order to be considered "Trained." Come get trained with us May 25th - 26th at Camp T. Brady Saunders.

[Register for IOLS]

They've earned their Eagle, and now it's time for them to soar! Celebrate your Scout's accomplishment with our Eagle Scout Graduation Honor Cords. These special cords are red, white and blue double cords with a custom silver Eagle charm attached, to be worn with the high school's cap and gown on graduation day. Our Scout Shop has plenty of Honor Cords in stock. Visit us at 8090 Villa Park Drive in Henrico for these and other beautiful Eagle Scout gifts and memorabilia.



[Visit Our Scout Shop Webpage]

Did you know that we will shop your order and have it ready for you to pick up? This is a service we're proud to offer, and want to remind our customers to please provide us 24-hour notice for all advanced orders. We also need 24-hour notice for all free rank patch orders.

[Visit Our Scout Shop Webpage]

Exciting News out of the Scout Shop! We're thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new Facebook page, @HOVCScoutShop! Scouting enthusiasts, proud parents, dedicated leaders, and lovers of the great outdoors are welcomed to follow us on Facebook and be the first to know about Scout Shop sales, product highlights, and special events. Give us a like and follow, and don't forget to share with your friends!

[Visit Our New Page]

The Heart of Virginia Council Scout Shop, located in the Leadership Center at 8090 Villa Park Drive, is offering a Patch Sewing Service to save you some time and frustration (especially if you don’t own a sewing machine and the thought of hand stitching or using Badge Magic on those patches makes you shudder).

[Take Patches Off Your To-Do List]