Merit Badge Counselors Needed for Winter Camp | | |
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We are currently looking for merit badge instructors for Winter Camp 2023. Many leaders serve as merit badge instructors for the camp. We especially need volunteers to teach merit badge classes for the Sunday and Monday sessions and Eagle Required merit badges, especially Environmental Science, Sustainability, Personal Fitness and Personal Management. Volunteers help to make this event a success.
[More Info & Registration]
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The Heart of Virginia Council is excited to announce One Day of Service! This will be an incredible service opportunity for all units in the Heart of Virginia Council to support our local communities. One 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, 2023!
[Participate in One Day of Service]
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The Boy Scouts of America is excited to announce the Fall 2022 Esports Tournament Series! What may have seemed like a far-fetched concept to Scouts 50 years ago is a serious passion of many Scouts today. That’s why the BSA has teamed up with Rally Cry to bring Scouts a tournament series this fall. Throughout the month of October, Scouts will be able to compete in single-day tournaments in Rocket League, Madden 23, and Smash Ultimate in separate age groups of 8-12 and 13-17!
[Sign-Up Today!]
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Scout Leaders, Scout Parents, and Scouting Supporters - thank you! If your employer conducts a United Way campaign, please consider designating your gift to us by writing "Heart of Virginia Council, BSA" in the designation spot. Your designations are now the only way that the HOVC receives support through the United Way!
[Learn More!]
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2023 Jamboree Price Increase Coming Soon | |
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Jamboree is more than a destination. It's the adventure of a lifetime, and there is simply nothing else like it on the planet. Open to Scouts BSA, Venturing, Explorer, and Sea Scouts who are 12 years of age and older. We've launched a National Jamboree page on the Heart of Virginia Council website to keep you up-to-date on #NatJamboree23 details! The cost to attend increases after October 25th, so get registered today!
[HOVC 2023 Jamboree Page]
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Get Set Up for Your Fall Fundraiser | | |
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Our fall Popcorn and Peanut Sale is well underway! Units are still joining in on the sale, so we want to make sure you know how to help your Scouts set up with online accounts. Visit the links below to sell popcorn and peanuts online, and don't forget to visit our Popcorn Guide for help getting registered!
[CampMasters Popcorn]
[Whitley's Peanuts]
[2022 Scouts Popcorn Guide]
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Buy a Pie to Keep Them Dry
A Fundraiser for New Tents and Platforms at Heart of Virginia Council Camps!
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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 18th and 19th at the Leadership Center. Don't forget to take our Pie Poll! Will Fruits of the Forest defend it's 2021 championship title, or will there be a new winner in 2022?
[Buy a Pie to Keep Them Dry!]
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What's New at the Scout Shop | |
Scout Shop Sale - Now through October 31st | |
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Get your new year in Scouting kicked off with a fresh new uniform from August 2nd through October 31st. Buy your uniform top and save 20% on your uniform bottoms. All the details, including our handy Uniform Flyer (which includes a helpful shopping checklist) are on the link below.
[Visit the HOVC Scout Shop]
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We are LOVING these adorable tiger slides in the Scout Shop! Aside from securing your neckerchief, they would make a cute craft for painting or coloring with markers, and we've even heard that you can remove the ring and put a magnet on the back to decorate your refrigerator. How else can we use these adorable slides, on sale now for only $1.50?
[Visit the Scout Shop Webpage]
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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).
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Virtual Cub Scout Leader Forum | |
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Take the mystery out of den meetings! The free Virtual Cub Scout Leader Forum is a new learning opportunity offered by the Heart of Virginia Council's Roundtable team. This is a series of virtual meetings aimed at helping Cub Leaders find the resources to lead memorable den meetings, and demonstrate technology tools to simplify den management. Join us virtually October 11th and November 8th.
[Register by October 11th]
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Cub Scout Creepy Hollow at Cub Adventure Camp | | |
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🎃Cub Scout summer camp is over, but it's never too early to plan for your next fun event at Cub Adventure Camp! Creepy Hollow is a fun overnight family camping event where packs and families come to camp to participate in a variety of fun and exciting program activities like a Haunted Forest, pumpkin painting, shooting sports, fishing, and more. Get Creepy Hollow on your schedule for the weekends of October 15th - 16th or October 22nd - 23rd.
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Tiger & Lion Rally at Cub Adventure Camp | |
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The Tiger & Lion Rally is a special event at Cub Adventure Camp just for our newest Scouts! New Tiger and Lion Scouts are invited to camp for the day and have fun while becoming familiar with our Cub Scout camp facility. Activities run from noon to 3:00pm on Saturday, November 5th and include a parade, archery, wrist rockets, fishing, biking, crafts, a scavenger hunt, and more age-appropriate fun.
[Get Details and Register]
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Catholic Cub Scouts, Earn Your Religious Emblem | | |
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Cub Scouts and their families are welcomed to participate in this six week (November 6th - December 18th) facilitator supported faith journey held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Glen Allen, VA to help them earn their religious emblem. Two different emblems programs are offered depending on the Scout’s rank. The Light of Christ emblem is available for Tiger and Wolf Scouts. The Parvuli Dei emblem is available for Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light Scouts.
[Register to Attend]
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Your journey to a Philmont trek in 2024 has begun! The registration portal will open at 9 a.m. MDT on Saturday, Oct. 1st and close on Thursday, Dec. 1st. All units who enter their information during this time will be entered into a lottery drawing to determine availability for their preferred dates. A wilderness and learning adventure that will last your lifetime is just around the corner.
[Enter the Lottery]
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Help Needed at Creepy Hollow | |
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WE NEED SCOUT VOLUNTEERS! Each year, Creepy Hollow is a such a success thanks to volunteers like you. This is the PERFECT opportunity for older Scouts to earn some service hours (see the link below for details) and demonstrate servant leadership to our Cub Scouts. Consider joining our team next month!
[I Want To Help!]
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Geocaching Merit Badge Opportunity | | |
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Geocaching is great for fun and exercise. It’s a sport that’s a perfect fit for Scouting, and it’s a great way for Scouts and non-Scouts to share their enjoyment of the outdoors. Use your Scout skills and follow the Scout Oath and Scout Law as you embark on this new pastime. Learn how to Geocache from experienced local cachers and earn your Geocaching Merit Badge on October 8th at the Leadership Center!
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Battlefield District
Merit Badge Camporee
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The Battlefield District invites Scouts throughout Council to attend their Merit Badge Camporee the weekend of October 14th at Hanover Courthouse Ruritan Park. A course catalog and event flyer, along with Medical Record forms, can be found on the registration website, linked below! The cost is $15 per Scout, $10 per adult.
[Get Registered!]
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Arrohattoc & Crater
Fall Camporee
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Join Arrohattoc and Crater Districts for a weekend of outdoor activities at the Pirates of the Appomattox Fall Camporee on October 21st - 23rd at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds. Registration is open and closes at 9:00 pm on October 17th. The cost to attend is $15 per Scout and $5 per adult.
[Register Your Unit]
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Engineering Merit Badge Opportunity | |
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Scouts who are working on the requirements for the Engineering Merit Badge learn about the process of building and creating products and structures. They investigate the variety of careers available in engineering. Scouts explore how engineers use a step-by-step approach to make improvements for society. Sponsored by Clover Motor Co., this opportunity takes place on October 22nd in Chesterfield.
[Get Registered!]
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Automotive Maintenance
Merit Badge Opportunity
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Scouts, start your engines! Earn your Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge at Leete Tire and Auto Center on Saturday, November 12th. The cost is $7.00 per Scout. A list of prerequisites and items to bring are included on the registration site, linked below. There are 20 spots open, so don't delay.
[Get Registered!]
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Full-Time District Executive |
Heart of Virginia Council is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time District Executive position. A full description of the opportunity, including job requirements and desired skills, along with compensation details and application instructions, can be found using the link below.
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Part-Time ScoutReach Program Aid |
ScoutReach Program Aids help deliver a quality Scouting program for underserved youth in our community. They also assist with leading volunteers to help grow the program and instill Scouting values in the lives of youth. Full details, including application instructions, can be found using the link below.
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Join the Adventure! (Camping and Outdoors) | |
Huguenot Trail Day of Service | |
Huguenot Trail District Boy Scouts of America is hosting a Day of Service on October 29th from 9:00 am to noon. The goal of Day of Service is to maximize Scouting’s service in Central Virginia. Huguenot Trail will be spearheading several park system “clean-ups” in the eastern and western portion of the District. Packs, Troops, and Crews and their families are invited to participate in clean-up up activities that will support the park systems. Activities may include trash pick-up, graffiti covering, spreading of mulch, and invasive plant removal. There is a job for everyone from Lion Cub to Eagle Scout!
[Learn More & Sign Up]
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Winter Camp at T. Brady Saunders | |
Don’t sit around this winter being bored – come chill out with your friends at Winter Camp! Scouts are invited out to T. Brady Saunders January 13th – 16th, 2023 to get out of the house, have some fun, and earn merit badges. We can’t think of a cooler way to enjoy winter than being at camp.
[Register for Winter Camp]
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Philmont Scout Ranch: The Ultimate in Scouting Adventures |
Philmont Scout Ranch is a national high adventure base, owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America. The Heart of Virginia Council Contingent is sending three 12-day trek crews to Philmont Scout Ranch in 2023. Sign up now to reserve your spot!
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2023 Back-At-Camp Council Camporee |
It's time to get back to what we all love to do - Scouting with lots of friends! This will be a fun and memorable weekend for all Scouts and a time to catch up with old friends. Think of this as a Council-sized National or World Scout Jamboree! Save the date: April 21st - 23rd, 2023 at the Goochland Reservation!
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Advancement, Training and Life Skill Opportunities | |
October District Roundtables | |
October Roundtables offer leaders hands-on experience and provide a form for leaders to offer and receive help from their fellow Scouters.
[Get Roundtable Dates]
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In-Person Den Leader Training | | |
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Time is running out to register for our Fall In-Person Den Leader (and Assistant Den Leader) Training! This is an opportunity to complete your required Den Leader training with face-to-face instruction, where you're encouraged to ask questions and have conversations with your instructors and peers... a format many leaders prefer over the online version. We hope you'll join in on Thursday, October 6th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Powhatan. The cost is only $5.00.
[Register Today!]
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Fall BALOO / IOLS -
Huguenot Trail
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Huguenot Trail is offering both BALOO and IOLS at T. Brady Saunders. 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 - Oct 15th - 16th]
[IOLS - Nov 5th - 6th]
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Fall BALOO / IOLS -
Battlefield
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Battlefield is offering both BALOO and IOLS at Hanover Courthouse Ruritan Park the weekend of September 14th - 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.
[Get Registered Today!]
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The 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 den in a Cub Scout Pack. It's also for registered adult leaders who would like to learn about the duties of a Den Chief. Join us on November 18th!
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Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Counselor Orientation | |
The next orientation opportunity for new Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Counselors is on the calendar for Sunday, November 20th at the HOVC Leadership Center from 2:00pm to 3:30pm. A list of prerequisites and other materials can be fond on the registration website, linked below.
[Register for Orientation]
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Winter National Youth Leadership Training |
Registration for the National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) winter session is open! Scheduled for December 17th - 23rd, this exciting program is designed to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their Troops and other situations. Let your Scouts know that they can get much more out of their winter break by attending NYLT.
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Hazardous Weather Training | | |
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Each fall, we invite brand new (and experienced) youth and families to join us on the adventure that is the Scouting program. It just happens to be that many units will plan their fall camping experiences during hurricane season! It's situations like this that make Hazardous Weather training so important. This free 30 minute course covers hazardous weather conditions that Scouts need to consider, so they can plan ahead!
[Get Trained]
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2022 Shooting Sports Manual | |
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A brand-new BSA Shooting Sports Manual is available for 2022! The updated document clarifies who can operate which types of shooting sports programs for which BSA program level. It also serves to clarify the proper supervision and qualifications needed for unit coordinated shooting sports programs.
[Learn More]
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Coming in the Fall of 2022 | |
Recognition, Memorials and Honors | | |
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Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America program. Only four percent of Boy Scouts achieve this remarkable milestone. [Eagle Scouts]
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Tributes and memorials are a way for us to honor, cherish, or remember our Scouting mentors and loved ones. [Honorees]
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2023 Eagle Challenge Brick Program | |
A great way to honor your Eagle Scout is to sponsor a personally engraved Eagle Brick. The cost is $200 per brick which includes engraving of up to eighteen characters per line (letters, space and punctuation) with a maximum of two lines. To be included in the 2023 Eagle Brick Unveiling Ceremony, brick orders must be received by July 7th, 2023.
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Like being in-the-know? Our Facebook page is regularly updated with news and information we feel is most helpful to our Scouting community. Swing by and give us a like and a follow, and don't forget to share the posts that are most meaningful or helpful to you.
[Visit fb.com/ScoutingVA]
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Check out your district for upcoming events and important news! | |
Heart of Virginia Council
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