All Scouts and Scout leaders—as representatives of an organization whose motto is “Be Prepared”—should be sure they are always ready with an appropriate first-aid kit when it’s needed. Your kit may be simple, or more complex if you are trained to use it properly. But the kit must always be on hand and stocked with every essential item. First-aid kits should be present wherever you might need them. That likely includes having a kit in your car, your home, your meeting location, and with your outdoor equipment for the next hike or camping trip.

[Learn More]

Please join us in welcoming our new Huguenot Trail District Executive, Natasha Labandera, to the Heart of Virginia Council team! "As a devoted wife and mother to a lively 2-year-old son, family is at the core of my life, and I relish spending quality time outdoors with them. Originally from South Florida, I embraced a new chapter in Virginia two years ago, captivated by the seasons and the rich history that this beautiful state has to offer."

[Get to Know Natasha]

The forecast looks great, so what are you waiting for? Get ready to GLOW on Saturday, October 7th! We're de-lighted to host our first ever Fall Family 5k Glow Trail Race & Kids Fun Run Presented by Virginia Family Dentistry! With a giant campfire program complete with s'mores, glow slushies, and other fun treats, it's an event that will outshine the rest! Whether you like to run, walk, cheer or volunteer, we can't wait for you to join us! Don't forget to register to tent camp overnight after your race at beautiful Cub Adventure Camp

[Ready, Set, GLOW!]

Exploring is a worksite-based program whose purpose is to provide experiences that help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. This Law Exploring post will be introducing participants to the careers available in the legal field including attorneys, judges, criminal law, the court system and more. Each meeting will occur at a different location – the first meeting will be at the Law Offices of Harrell & Chambliss LLP.

[Join This New Post]

This signature sporting clays event is fun for both experienced shooters and novices. Corporate sponsors use the event to entertain clients and reward business associates. The courses are carefully laid out around the beautiful Heart of Virginia Council Scout Reservation in Goochland County, and consist of multiple stations with unique presentations.  A pre-shoot will be held the day before.

[Register Your Team]

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]

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]

Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including all meetings. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth or female adult program participants.

[Get All the Details]

Congratulations to Scouts who are earning their own way with the Popcorn and Peanut fundraiser! Don’t forget - next weekend is the Food Lion Show & Sell and there are a few spots open. With less than 30 days in the sale, it’s time to get poppin!

[Achieve Your Legoals!]

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!]

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!

[Register Your Unit] [More Information]

School's back in session, and everyone's heading into the weekend tired! Get in your pjs and have delicious, hot, cheesy pizza and appetizers delivered straight to your door from Papa John's! 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]

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]

It's that wonderful time of year when we're welcoming brand-new Scouts and families into the program. What they all deserve are well-trained leaders. We have you covered with in-person training this fall.

[Fall Training Opportunities]

[Scheduled Training Page]

[Heart of Virginia Council Calendar]

To deliver the promise of "Doing our Best," please join us for In-Person Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader Training. The online version allows you to satisfy the trained requirement, and in-person allows you to DO THE ROLE WELL!!! In-person also allows you to begin networking, and gathering and sharing ideas beyond your unit - one of the largest goals of Scouting. This is the perfect opportunity to properly train your new Pack leadership team!

[Attend DL Training]

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 October 7th - 8th (two spots left!) or October 14th - 15th at Camp T. Brady Saunders.

[October 7th - 8th]

[October 14th - 15th]

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 opportunities are October 7th - 8th or October 14th - 15th at Camp T. Brady Saunders!

[October 7th - 8th]

[October 14th - 5th]

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 20th or 28th at Camp T. Brady Saunders.

[October 20th]

[October 28th]

Wilderness First Aid is a course that focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment for an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available. This training prepares participants to identify and address medical issues that can arise in the backcountry. Join us November 3rd through 5th at Camp T. Brady Saunders!

[Get Trained in Wilderness First Aid]

The South of the James Training Team is offering Scoutmaster / Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training on Saturday, September 30th 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!]

The largest digital Scout event is fast approaching, and you're invited! The Jamboree On The Air - Jamboree On The Internet (JOTA-JOTI) brings together hundreds of thousands of young people through the radio & internet to make global connections, have fun, gain new skills, and learn about solutions to the issues they care about most.

[Learn More and Register]

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

ScoutReach