Changes to program fees will take effect beginning January 1, 2024. It's important for all Packs, Troops, Crews and Posts to review the announcement below as we head into the new year.

[Read the Full Announcement]

Start up your saws, prep the paint, grab your graphite, and get ready to go! It's Pinewood Derby Time! Come on out to the HOVC Scout Shop to grab a kit for yourself (or a bunch for your unit), and browse our extensive selection of car accessories, race awards, and other fun Pinewood gear.

[Visit the Scout Shop]

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]

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, 2024!

[Learn More About the Program Changes]

Each Friday at 3pm Eastern, Scouting Magazine host Cub Chat Live on Facebook. These brief chats cover a variety of topics, from membership to Pinewood Derby planning, recruitment to the program updates coming this summer. These are fun opportunities to hear all about Cub Scout topics and interact with the folks at National.

The next Cub Chat Live is scheduled for Friday, January 5th! See you there!

[Learn More & Watch the Archives]

It might be hard to imagine camping with your Cubs in the winter months, but now is the perfect time to plan an awesome spring 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!]

As part of continuous improvements, changes have been made to rank and merit badge requirements. A list of those changes that will take effect on January 1, 2024, can be found using the link below and includes an update to Eagle Palms, the Cyberchip, and merit badges with significant and minor changes. The Merit Badges page on the National website and Scoutbook will be updated accordingly.

[Read All About It]

Thank you to all the volunteers who stepped up to help make Winter Camp 2024 happen. We are still looking for additional merit badge instructors for our Monday morning (January 15th) session. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Vincent Milone at vamilone@gmail.com.  Registrants: Please continue to check the Winter Camp Site for updated information.

[Winter Camp Site]

The National Eagle Scout Association awards committee has recently UPDATED the Glenn and Melinda Adams Eagle Scout Project of the Year Award nomination form for this year. Completed nomination forms should be submitted to pamela.miscikowski@scouting.org no later than January 31st, 2024.

[Learn More About It!]

The James River District is hosting their annual Klondike Derby in February. This event is open to Cub Scouts, Webelos and AOLs, Scouts BSA, and Venture Crews. Challenges will be program- and age- appropriate. Scouts BSA and Venturers will use orienteering skills to navigate from station to station. A Leader Guide and registration will be available soon. Are you keeping up with other James River happenings? The James River District Facebook page is a great place to stay in-the-know.

[Register Here]

2024 Winterfest is an exciting, fun-filled, and competitive event for Explorers and Venturers. This is an action-packed 2-day event, February 9th - 11th, filled with competitions, aquatic and STEM events, shooting sports, climbing, sports tournaments and more! Many events are related to various career fields such as Fire Service, Law Enforcement, and EMS.

[Get the Details & Register]

Save the Date for the Eagle Scout Commencement on February 25, 2024, where we'll recognize our Class of 2023 Eagles at Randolph Macon College. Family members, Scout Leaders, and Eagle Scout Alumni are encouraged to attend this very special program to recognize the young men and women of who have achieved the highest rank in Scouting in 2023 as well as the Adams Service Project of the Year Award winner, Eagle Class honoree, and the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award winner.

[Learn More]

Those who service automobiles must understand each principle, and how these principles interact to provide smooth, efficient performance. Owners of cars also benefit by understanding how their vehicles operate. This enables them to understand why certain periodic maintenance is required to keep their vehicles in tip-top shape. Join in on an Automotive Maintenance Merit Badge Workshop on March 23rd or April 13th.

[Register for March 23rd]

[Register for April 13th]

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]

Buckskin is an immersive leadership experience for Scouts BSA Troops in the Heart of Virginia Council. Buckskin offers a 360 degree 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 in their troop and their community. Save the Date for July 21st - 27th, 2024!

[Learn More About Buckskin]

You might be prepping your holiday biscuits, but over here at the Heart of Virginia Council, we're ready to roll on Summer Camp, 2024! Pre-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]

Whether you’re new to our Black Pug reservation website, or need a refresher, this is a great tutorial to help you get pre-registered for summer camp during the deposit phase. Visit our TBS Summer Camp page and follow along to get your unit's registration started.

[Get the Tutorial]

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 Live is scheduled for Wednesday, January 10th! See you there!

[Learn More & Watch the Archives]

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]