Trailer Theft

A unit's equipment trailer holds valuable gear essential for successful outings. Preventive measures are key to deterring theft, although no method is foolproof. The objective is to make stealing the trailer a difficult and unattractive prospect for potential thieves. Utilize physical security, visual deterrents, electronic measures, and location to keep your trailers safe. Further protect your gear by verifying coverage with your chartered organization's insurance carrier.



[Scout Safety Moment]

🚨 Glow Trail Run 5K and Kids 1-Miler

October 5th

Get ready to shine! Join us for a unique glow-in-the-dark race where you can run, jog, or walk through our stunning all-terrain trail course, all under the stars! Don't miss out on this unique after-dark adventure! The 2nd Annual Glow Trail Run 5K and Kids 1-Miler takes place on October 5th at Cub Adventure Camp and Camp T. Brady Saunders and is open to everyone (so bring a buddy or two)!

[Get Glowing!]

🚨 Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Counselor Orientation - October 6th

Registration Closes Soon

The HOVC Advancement Committee urgently invites selected unit members to attend mandatory Orientation sessions to become Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Counselors. Each Troop must have at least one designated and trained Counselor to meet the badge’s important objectives. Unit leaders and Committees, act now to choose who is best equipped to guide your Scouts on this vital journey. Currently, 30 units are without a qualified Counselor—don’t let your Scouts miss out! Secure your Troop's spot today!

[Attend Orientation]

Key 3: Are You Checking Your BeAScout Leads?

Hey Unit Key 3! Are you keeping up with your BeAScout leads and applications? More families than ever are discovering the excitement of Scouting online, and they’re ready to jump in—don’t leave them hanging! Now’s the time to review, follow up, and welcome new members to your pack, troop, or crew. Want to manage those leads like a pro? Learn more at Scouting's Online Registration page.

[Learn More About Online Registration]

Unit Key 3: Have You Updated Your BeAScout Pin?

Did you know that potential Scouts are utilizing the BeAScout website to search for units in their area? This might be your first opportunity to make a good impression, prompting the family to visit with and join your unit. Your Key 3 should regularly review the BeAScout pin for your unit to ensure the details being shared are current and complete.

[Learn How to Update Your Pin]

The All-New HOVC.org Is Live!

The newsletters aren't the only thing changing around here; the Heart of Virginia Council website has been completely redesigned! The new website, still found at hovc.org, has had more than just a facelift; it has been thoughtfully reorganized to make it easier for you to find information pertinent to your relationship with Scouting. The Events Calendar is easily located no matter what page you browse to, the site has a modern look and functionality, is mobile friendly, secure, translatable into several languages, and easily modified for users with low vision. Plus, we've made it easier than ever to learn about and join Scouting!

[HOVC.org]

Updates to the Guide to Safe Scouting

Effective September 1st

Important changes to the Guide to Safe Scouting have been made, effective September 1st. These changes impact accommodations, the buddy system, and participation by parents and guardians. 

[Get the Details]

Camp T. Brady Saunders Makes "The Best" List

We’re thrilled to announce that Camp T. Brady Saunders was named 2nd runner-up in the 2024 Richmond Times-Dispatch "The Best" contest for Best Summer Camp! A huge congratulations to Camp Hanover (1st place) and Camp Thunderbird (2nd place) — it’s an honor to be in such great company. Watch out, Camp Hanover: we’re shooting for #1 in 2025! Thank you to our Scouting community for voting every day for Camp T. Brady Saunders throughout the contest! We appreciate you and are more determined than ever to make sure you continue to enjoy camping with us!

Silver Beaver Nominations Open Now

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 a Nomination Form provided by the National Office. Nominations are due by November 30th!

[Get the Details]

Jamboree on the Air / Internet October 18th—20th

Scouting is a worldwide movement with one mission: "Creating a Better World." With 57 million Scouts in 216 countries, we're part of something BIG! Join in on the Jamboree on the Air / Internet the weekend of October 18th - 20th and connect with Scouts from around the world. Submit videos of yourself sharing your incredible talents, sign-up to participate in fun virtual events, and more.

[JOTA / JOTI Website]

Popcorn Kernels, Nut Captains, and Other

Fashion-Forward Scouters

Some new apparel has popped onto the scene, and we're going nuts over our fun tie-dye shirts! Catch the eye of potential customers at your show and sell events, support your Scout as they sell door-to-door, or just represent the Heart of Virginia Council's fabulous fall fundraiser.

[Grab Some New Garb!]

Popcorn & Peanut BINGO

Scouts are out and about fundraising for their adventures! Download BINGO sheets to play at your next Show and Sell (found on the Popcorn Virginia website under Resources > Unit Leaders & Scouts). The first 300 Scouts to claim BINGO receive a special 2.5" vinyl sticker for their laptop or water bottle.

[Download Your BINGO Sheets]

Cub Chat Live, 3pm on Fridays

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!

September 27th: Camping guideline updates for Webelos and Arrows of Light

October 4th: Fun required adventures for Bobcat across ranks

October 18th: Fun outdoors required adventures across ranks

[Tune In]

Creepy Hollow at Cub Adventure Camp

October 19th—20th & 26th—27th

Join us at Cub Adventure Camp for a weekend filled with fall fun and spooky thrills! Whether you stay overnight in your own tent or just visit for the day, the Heart of Virginia Council welcomes all Cub and Webelos Scouts to experience this event with your Pack or as a family campout. Arrive on Friday to set up camp, or come for the day on Saturday to enjoy a variety of Fall and Halloween-themed activities. Highlights include BB shooting, archery, fishing, a haunted trail, crafts, a costume contest, and so much more!

[Get Creepy!]

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)

November 2nd

Ready to take your Scouting Skills to the next level? Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation is an essential training program designed to equip leaders with the tools they need to guide Scouts in the great outdoors. BALOO is perfect for Cub Scout leaders, focusing on the essentials of camping with younger Scouts. You'll learn how to safely plan and execute outdoor adventures, creating unforgettable experiences for your Pack. In order for your unit to have an outdoor camping experience, you must have someone on-site who is BALOO trained!

[Get BALOO Trained]

Cub Scout Program Hub Now Featuring Overview Videos for Each Rank! The Cub Scout Program has undergone updates for the 2024-2025 year, following a lengthy and tremendous effort by the National Cub Scouting Committee. To help Cubmasters and Den Leadership teams best prepare for their upcoming meetings, we've built a Cub Scout Program Hub (the Cub Hub) that outlines each rank adventure, how adventure focuses can be leveraged to achieve them across your ranked dens, and provides additional resources (like individual rank trackers) to support you and keep you organized.

[Visit the Cub Hub]

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]

ScoutQuest Fall Camporee

October 18th—20th

Join the Arrohattoc and Crater Districts for a weekend of outdoor activities at the ScoutQuest Fall Camporee, October 18th—20th at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds. Your patrol arrives back from a hike to find an empty camp. Your Scoutmaster has gone missing. She’s left her walking stick and her tent is wide open and the fire has died out. All that’s left is a folded piece of notebook paper addressed to your Patrol Leader. It’s not like her to leave camp unattended, so you’re understandably worried that something is wrong. Will you solve the mystery?

[Solve the Mystery at ScoutQuest]

Dogwood District Fall Merit Badge Camporee

October 18th—20th

All Troops from the Dogwood District, as well as those from around the Heart of Virginia Council, are invited to attend the Dogwood District Fall Camporee. Chapter 53 of Nawakwa Lodge of the Order of the Arrow has the pleasure of hosting this event for you this year, as we have in years past. This is done in accordance with the founding principles of the Order of the Arrow – to promote camping and to develop youth leadership. The Merit Badges that will be offered range from "beginner" to Eagle required, and will include some badges not typically offered at Scout camps. 

[Earn Merit Badges This Fall]

In-Person Den Chief Training

October 19th

In-Person Den Chief Training offers a blend of fun and character-building, teaching participants essential skills in leadership, organization, and working with Cub Scouts. This training is ideal for youth who are currently serving or aspire to serve as a Den Chief for a Cub Scout or Webelos to Arrow of Light Den. It's also valuable for registered adult leaders who want to understand the duties and roles of Den Chiefs and work effectively with them. We recommend participants be at least First-Class Rank (or nearing it).

[Train Your Den Chief]

Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS) November 2nd—3rd

Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills is tailored for adult leaders in Scouts BSA, covering the fundamental outdoor skills every Scout needs to know, from setting up camp to using a map and compass This hands-on IOLS course ensures you're prepared to deliver the best, safest Scouting experience possible. Invest in your leadership journey and empower the next generation of Scouts with the confidence and skills they need to survive.

Save the Date!

Conclave Music Video Volunteers Wanted

Section E9, Order of the Arrow, is looking for volunteers to participate in the creation, filming, and editing of the 2025 Conclave Music Video. All talented and creative Arrowmen in the E9 are encouraged to apply. Please submit a completed volunteer form by September 30th.

[Complete the Volunteer Form]

In My Scouting Era (Rescheduled)

December 7th

The In My Scouting Era event has been rescheduled! 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!

[In My Scouting Era]

Winter Camp Registration is Open

January 17th - 20th, 2025

Scouts, don’t sit around this winter being bored – come chill out with your friends at Winter Camp 2025 (January 17th—20th)! Enjoy winter climbing at the Patty Dunn Climbing Tower, earn merit badges, and participate in our Troop Cook Off!  Winter Camp 2025 in-Council registration opened September 16th.  Brrr-ing on the adventure!

[Winter Camp Details]

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!]

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]

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.

October 9th: TBA

November 13th: TBA

December 11th: TBA

[Tune In]

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!]

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]

Seasonal Scout Shop Hours through November 2nd

We're excited to extend our Scout Shop Hours through November 2nd in an effort to best serve you during this busy recruitment season. Take advantage of the new hours and our Uniforming Sale, where you'll enjoy 20% off matching uniform bottoms with the purchase of a uniform top. See you soon at 8090 Villa Park Drive in Henrico!

[Visit the Scout Shop]

Uniforming Sale through November 3rd

Now through November 3rd, receive 20% off your uniform bottoms with the purchase of a matching uniform top. Looking for a new activity uniform? We'll give you 20% off all Class B shirts in October! Our uniform sale ends November 3rd, so don't delay!

[Visit the Scout Shop]

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]

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]

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]

22nd Annual Sporting Clays Classic

October 10th

Our signature 22nd Annual 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. Registration is open!

[Join the Shoot]

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]

October 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]