Hello, Heart of Virginia! | |
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Communicable Disease Prevention
We’ve all caught some kind of infection, or sickness, from someone else. These illnesses are known as communicable or contagious diseases because they are spread from one person to another. They might occur when a healthy person becomes infected through contact with a sick person or by touching something that a sick person has come in contact with. Communicable diseases are caused by germs—both viruses and bacteria—and some examples include colds, flu, and strep throat. You can catch infections in several ways, but all involve germs coming in contact with mucous membranes or through breaks in the skin.
[Scout Safety Moment]
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🚨 Unit & Membership Renewal Steps 🚨
Unit & Membership Renewal is in full swing, and we're working hard to ensure a smooth process for our units, and the parents and volunteers they serve. Our Unit & Membership Renewal page has been updated with easy-to-follow steps (images and a PDF), as well as our Renewal Handbook, a handy flowchart, and several specific renewal guides for individual memberships, parents of youth to be renewed, and payment options. Mark your calendars, as unit renewals are DUE by December 15th.
[Download Your Copy]
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Charlotte Pemberton to be Honored with the Distinguished Commissioner Service Award
Wednesday, December 4th
The Heart of Virginia Council is proud to announce that Charlotte Pemberton has been selected to receive the prestigious Distinguished Commissioner Service Award in recognition of her outstanding service to Scouting. For more than 16 years, Charlotte has been a steadfast leader and advocate for Scouting, serving in various Commissioner roles across the Council. Learn more about her exceptional service by following the link below.
[Learn More About Charlotte]
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⚜️ Summer Camp 2025
Registration Is Open Now
Summer Camp is a core part of Scouting, and we are excited to have everyone back out at camp for the summer of 2025! Camp T. Brady Saunders has been offering an outdoor experience to the youth of Central Virginia and beyond since the summer of 1964. Our camp has amazing facilities and a diverse program offering geared toward all levels of Scouting.
[Go to Summer Camp!]
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Winter Holiday Closures
December and January
The Heart of Virginia Council Leadership Center and Scout Shop will observe the following Winter Holiday closures.
Christmas: December 24th—25th
Scout Shop Inventory: December 26th—30th
New Year's: January 1st
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Required Youth Protection Training
True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in Scouting. It is the mission of Youth Protection volunteers and professionals to work within the Boy Scouts of America to maintain a culture of Youth Protection awareness and safety at the national, territory, area, council, district, and unit levels. Youth Protection Training through My.Scouting.org is required for all registered volunteers, but parents are encouraged to also complete the training.
[Log In to My.Scouting.org]
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🚨 Silver Beaver Nominations Remain Open 🚨
The Silver Beaver Award is the highest award a Scout Council can bestow. It is awarded for noteworthy service of exceptional character to youth by registered Scouters within a Council. It is given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. The Silver Beaver Award is given to those who do not seek it. To receive the Award, a Scouter must be nominated by a registered Scouter on the official form provided by the National Office. Nominations are due by November 30th!
[Get the Details]
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Glenn A. & Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award (ESSPY)
The ESSPY Award recognizes a service project of an exceptional nature by a Scout to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity. Each year, local councils select a council-level winner, and from that pool, each service territory selects a territory-level winner. A national winner is then selected from the 16 territory finalists. Nominations are due by January 31st, 2025.
[Learn More and Make an ESSPY Nomination]
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National Duty to God Award Nominations
Due February 28th
The National Duty to God Award recognizes adult individuals who have demonstrated an exemplary history of transformational leadership in supporting and promoting the spiritual foundation of Scouting. It acknowledges the unswerving dedication to faith, fellowship, and national service of those whose character embodies the moral principles and shared ideals of Scouting America. Nominations are open to candidates from all faiths and religious groups chartered by the Boy Scouts of America.
[Get the Details]
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Scout Scholarships & Awards | | |
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2025 NESA Scholarships
Window Opens December 1st
College can offer life-changing experiences to those who choose to go that route. It’s also crazy expensive. That’s why the National Eagle Scout Association grants scholarships each year to Eagle Scouts who choose to continue their educational journey in college. “NESA scholarships aim to ease some of the financial burden of education and provide a platform for you to amplify your impact on the world,” says David Ehrlich, NESA vice president of finance and scholarships. “It’s not just about what you can achieve; it’s about the positive change you can bring to your community and beyond.”
[Read All About It]
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Scouting America Unveils New Medals for the Distinguished Conservation Service Award
Conservation and the Scouts have been partners for a long time. Camping, hiking, and respect for the outdoors are a part of the Scouting heritage. Many of the requirements for advancement from Tenderfoot through the Eagle Scout rank call for an increasing awareness and understanding of the natural sciences. Many former Scouts have become leaders in conserving our environment and protecting it from abuse. Right now, Scouts are involved in learning about environmental problems and actively working to make a difference.
[View the Video!]
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Friends of Scouting Dinner with Keynote Speaker,
Mike Massimino
Save the Date: April 8th, 2025
The Friends of Scouting Dinner, presented by Pike Electric and Burford's Construction, is the Council’s primary means to raise the funds needed to support and grow Scout programs for nearly 9,100 Scouts and adult volunteers across 24 counties and 4 cities in Central Virginia. This year, we are thrilled to be joined by our keynote speaker, Mike Massimino. Mike is a New York Times bestselling author who served as a NASA Astronaut from 1996 to 2014. You might recognize him from the Big Bang Theory!
[Read More About It]
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Pinewood Derby Workshop
Saturday, January 11th, 2025
Ready to build the coolest Pinewood Derby Car ever? Don't have the right tools? No problem! The Scout Shop has got you covered with our Pinewood Derby Workshop! Bring your car kit, and we'll help you bring your design to life with a custom cutout. Want to add some personal flair? Bring your own decorations, or pick up awesome decals in the Shop! We'll even have paint ready for you to make your car stand out on race day.
[Register for the Workshop]
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Customized Weekend Experiences
As you plan your program year, now is the perfect time to consider booking a customized Weekend Experience at the Heart of Virginia Council Scout Reservation. Craft adventures around the activities your Scouts enjoy the most, like camping, fishing, range & target sports, climbing, boating, sports, and more!
[Plan Your Weekend Experience]
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Scouts BSA, Exploring, Venturing, & Sea Scouts | | |
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🚨 In My Scouting Era 🚨
December 7th
The In My Scouting Era event is almost here! Bring your friends to Camp T. Brady Saunders and experience the fun of Scouting on December 7th. Enjoy waterfront activities, range and target activities, hiking, climbing, s'mores, and more! This event is FREE to girl Troops who bring prospective members who are not yet registered. Everyone will receive a fun, limited-edition laptop decal! Registration closes December 2nd.
[In My Scouting Era]
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Snag Your Winter Camp Swag
Merit Badges have been announced, prerequisites have been posted, the menu is ready, and now your Winter Camp swag is in the Heart of Virginia Council apparel store. Short-sleeved tees, long-sleeved tees, and cozy hoodies come in a variety of colors. Don't wait - gear up before they disappear!
[Snag Your Swag!]
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Winterfest Registration Opens November 1st
February 7th—9th, 2025
Winterfest is an exciting, fun-filled, and competitive event for Explorers, Venturers, Sea Scouts & older youth registered in Scouts BSA troops. Winterfest is an action-packed 2-day event 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.
[Learn More About Winterfest]
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James River District Klondike Derby
February 7th—9th, 2025
The James River District Klondike Derby, happening February 7-9, 2025, is an action-packed winter camping event for Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts. Scouts will test their skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities as they compete in various activities and stations, earning “gold nuggets” based on their performance. These nuggets can be used at the evening equipment auction, adding excitement and motivation for each team. While Cub Scouts have the option to participate in the day-only events, Scouts BSA teams will enjoy overnight camping and the chance to showcase their meal planning and cooking skills as part of the competition.
[Go for the Gold!]
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2024 Eagle Scout Commencement
February 23rd, 2025
You are cordially invited to attend this year’s celebration of those Eagle Scouts who have climbed the trail and reached its highest summit in 2024. Each year the Eagle Class is named after someone who, through their encouragement and example, has fostered an environment to enable Scouts to attain Scouting’s highest honor. This year's honorees are Don and Doug Hill. All Scouts who have earned Eagle in 2024 are invited to attend, with their parents and Scoutmaster, free of charge.
[Learn More and Register]
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New Fishing Merit Badge Design
We're hooked on history! Since 1911, the Fishing Merit Badge has inspired young anglers to learn and respect the sport of fishing, making it one of Scouting’s longest-standing traditions. Now, over a century later, this beloved badge has been reimagined with a brand-new design—and it’s ready for you at the Heart of Virginia Council, Scout Shop.
[Learn About the Fishing Merit Badge]
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Customized Weekend Experiences
As you plan your program year, now is the perfect time to consider booking a customized Weekend Experience at the Heart of Virginia Council Scout Reservation for your Troop, Crew, or Ship. Craft adventures around the activities your Scouts enjoy the most, like camping, range & target sports, climbing and rappelling, boating, welding, COPE, and more!
[Plan Your Weekend Experience]
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Troop Talk Live, 3pm on 2nd Wednesdays
The second Wednesday of each month at 3pm, 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, the Path to Eagle, and more.
December 11th: TBA
January 8th: TBA
[Tune In]
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Calling All Radio Scouts
The FCC Amateur Radio Service and Scouting share a common mission: service to others. The Camp TBS Amateur Radio Club (ARC) was formed in 2019 while the affiliated operating station was constructed. The station is located at Camp T. Brady Saunders. The goal of this project is to provide a space for STEM programs in radio and teaching the Radio Merit Badge. Membership is informal and offered to BSA registered youth and adult volunteers at no cost.
[Join the Club!]
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Crafts & Cocoa with Santa
Saturday, December 14th
Parents, enjoy a peaceful shopping experience while your kids dive into holiday crafts, sip on hot chocolate, and visit with Santa! Our Scout Shop Elves will happily wrap your gifts on the spot, free of charge. Plus, throughout December, take 15% off everything* in-store (*excluding program items like uniforms, patches, handbooks, etc.). This special event takes place at our Scout Shop on December 14th from 9am to noon, with a visit from Santa from 10am to noon... you never know who might drop in for this fun event!
[Register Here!]
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December Scout Shop Sale
15% off Everything*
Throughout the month of December, enjoy 15% off everything* in the Scout Shop! This offer excludes program items like uniforms, patches, and handbooks. Please stop by and see a Scout Shop Associate for details!
[Visit the Scout Shop]
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Regular Scout Shop Hours
We have returned to regular business hours for the remainder of the year. Please visit our Scout Shop website for hours, potential closures, and more important information.
[Visit the Scout Shop]
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Unit Flag Orders
Whether you're replacing an old and tattered unit flag, or you want one with the new Scouting America logo, all purchases now go through Carrot-Top Industries. Create a customized flag on their website, linked below. New Scouting America artwork will be available in the new year.
[Snag a Flag]
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24-Hour Notice for Orders & Free Rank Patches
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 orders. We also require you provide us with 24-hour notice before picking up your free rank patches (for qualifying units).
[Visit the Scout Shop]
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Patch Sewing Service
Did you know that the Scout Shop offers a Patch Sewing Service to save you time and frustration (especially if you don't own a sewing machine, and the thought of hand-stitching or using Badge Magic makes you shudder)? We offer brand new uniform shirts with all the pre-sewn bells and whistles, and can even add Unit Numerals, badges of office, and even merit badge patches for just $3.50 per patch.
[Visit the Scout Shop]
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December Roundtables
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.
[Learn More & Get the Dates]
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Heart of Virginia Council Strategic Plan
Scouting has a rich history of positively impacting the lives of over 130 million youth, and we have a bright future ahead of us. We have modernized our traditional programs with the innovations of science and technology, while infusing safety into all aspects of our program. We continue to enable the girls and boys involved to develop lifelong friendships and build the life skills needed to become the future leaders of our communities, businesses, and country.
[Read Our Full Strategic Plan]
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Heart of Virginia Council Master Plan
We invite you to visit our Heart of Virginia Council Master Plan page to learn more about where we've spent more than $950,550 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]
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Recognition, Memorials & Honors | | |
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The Eagle's Nest
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. The Eagle's Nest celebrates the accomplishments of those Scouts who have attained that highest rank in Scouting.
[Visit the Eagle's Nest]
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Memorials & Honors
Tributes and memorials are a way for us to honor, cherish, or remember our Scouting mentors and loved ones. Honors and Memorials can be made at the Leadership Center or by mailing donations to 8090 Villa Park Drive, Henrico, VA 23228. Please include a memo denoting the individual(s) you are donating in honor or memorial of.
[View Our Memorials & Honors]
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Review Us on Google
The HOVC Communications team continues to work hard to provide existing, new, and potential Scouts with the best possible experience! That includes access to great, accurate information… and we think YOU are an important source! We would love to hear from you about your positive experiences with HOVC.
[Leave a Review]
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Friday 5 & Courier Newsletters
Get the top news stories of the week and month by subscribing to our Friday 5 and Courier newsletters. We'll keep you updated on the news you need every Friday at noon. Subscribe and view the archives by visiting the link below.
[Get the News]
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