Now through January 8th, we are collecting food item donations to help those affected by Hurricane Helene in southwest Virginia. A list of requested items and further instructions can be found on our Hurricane Helene Relief Collection page on the HOVC.org website. While you're out shopping for your holiday meals, consider adding a few additional items to your cart. | |
Hello, Heart of Virginia! | |
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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—28th
New Year's: January 1st
*The Leadership Center will remain open with regular business hours.
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Guide to Advancement, Updated for 2025
The Guide to Advancement is the official resource outlining the principles, policies, and procedures for advancement in Scouting programs. It provides detailed guidance on how Scouts can progress through ranks, earn badges, and achieve awards within the program framework. The guide emphasizes the importance of experiential learning, skill mastery, and personal growth, while maintaining fairness and consistency across all Scouting units. It serves as a reference for leaders, parents, and Scouts to ensure advancement is meaningful and aligns with Scouting’s mission to develop character, citizenship, and fitness.
[Get the Updated Guide]
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Martin Luther King Day of Service Emblem
January 20th, 2025
Scouting America is proud to announce the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service emblem, designed to commemorate participation in the MLK National Day of Service. The MLK Day of Service emblem is not an award. Instead, it is a seasonal emblem to recognize Scouts who participate in MLK Day service projects, and to encourage Scouts who haven’t to do so in the future.
[Learn More About This Special Emblem]
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Scouts BSA, Exploring, Venturing, & Sea Scouts | | |
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Race Through Space, 2025 HOVC Klondike Derby
February 28th—March 2nd
The tradition of the Klondike Derby continues, hosted this year by Troop 709-B from the James River District, the winners of the 2024 event. Teams of 4–8 race through various "towns," testing their Scout skills and earning "gold" to spend at the Gold Nugget Auction, with flexible options for transporting gear like backpacks or wheeled carts. Registration for the 2025 HOVC Klondike Derby is $15 for youth and $10 for adults, covering patches, ribbons, wristbands, camping, and activities—just bring your food and gear for a weekend of excitement!
[Register Your Team Today!]
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Merit Badge Updates
Effective January 1st, 2025
Scouts BSA is excited to share the planned updates to Merit Badges that will take effect on January 1, 2025. These updates will be reflected in Scoutbook and on our online Merit Badge Hub (https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/) towards the end of December. These preliminary updates are subject to change before final implementation on January 1, 2025. Merit Badge Counselors should review the "Merit Badge Requirements Update file" linked on the page below.
[Learn More]
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Did You Read the December Courier? | |
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Get these five stories and so much more by reading the Courier, our monthly newsletter! Scheduled for the last Friday of the month at noon, the Courier features all the news, special events, and useful information you need to get the most of your Scouting experience.
[Read This Month's Courier]
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"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

-Thomas Edison, American inventor and businessman, who privately demonstrated his
incandescent light at Menlo Park on this day in 1879.
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