The 2025 Friends of Scouting Banquet at the Richmond Convention Center brought together 95 tables of supporters and raised an incredible $925,000 to support local Scouting. NASA astronaut Mike Massimino delivered an inspiring keynote, with John Reid as Master of Ceremonies and Ian Coddington honored as the 2025 Distinguished Citizen. To become a Friends of Scouting contributor, visit https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/602/appeal/7911. | | Hello, Heart of Virginia! | | |
Closed for Good Friday & Easter
April 18th & 19th
In observance of Good Friday and Easter, we will be closed on Friday, April 18th and Saturday, April 19th. Good Friday is a solemn day for many Christians, remembering the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice. Easter Sunday celebrates his resurrection and the hope and renewal that it brings. As we pause to reflect during this holy time, we are reminded that a Scout is Reverent—showing respect for the beliefs and traditions of others. Wishing you a peaceful and meaningful Easter weekend.
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Unit Program Planning Party (UP3)
April 21st & May 7th
UP3 is an annual event to help units get what they need to deliver an exciting program and fun activities for their Scouts. Districts have paired up to provide a fun and meaningful program. You'll share ideas, resources, and fellowship. Each event will have its own local flair, and new program areas and vendors will be added in the weeks to come. Adult leaders and volunteers - attend both, see all your best Scouting friends, and get the full UP3 experience!
[April 21st UP3] | [May 7th UP3]
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Connect with Us on LinkedIn
We are excited to have officially joined the LinkedIn community! Follow us for upcoming networking opportunities, important news and information, Scouting celebrations, key board meeting takeaways, great event photos, and so much more.
[Follow Us!]
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Come Hang Out at the Cub Family Camporee!
May 2nd–4th
Join us at Cub Adventure Camp for a weekend of fun spring activities including fishing, archery, BB, Crafts, and for 4th and 5th graders, the climbing tower. The Cub Family Camporee takes place the weekend of May 2nd–4th! Event check-in is on Saturday morning, but packs can arrive and camp on Friday if desired. You can also just come out for the day. Cub and Webelos Scouts can attend with either their Pack or as a Family campout. The Climbing Tower will be open! Scouts in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade will get a chance to climb up our 40-foot tower on Saturday after lunch.
[Camporee With Us!]
| | Scouts BSA, Exploring, Venturing, & Sea Scouts | |
Hampden-Sydney College Merit Badge Day
June 7th
Hampden-Sydney College is hosting their annual Merit Badge Day on June 7th, open to all Scouts BSA Troops in the Heart of Virginia Council. Thanks to the support and involvement of the college administration, faculty, staff and community, we are able to offer a great day and merit badge opportunities taught by qualified instructors. While you are there, we hope you will explore their 1330 acre historic campus. Adult leaders will have the opportunity to attend Wilderness First Aid Training and a guided scenic forest hike! Merit badge registration is open!
[Attend Merit Badge Day]
| | | Did You Read the April Courier? | | |
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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"For me, the Earth had always been a kind of a safe haven, you know, where I could go to work
or be in my home or take my kids to school. But I realized it really wasn't that.
It really is its own spaceship. And I had always been a space traveler."

- Michael J. Massimino, American professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University and a former NASA astronaut. He is the senior advisor of space programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and was the Keynote Speaker at our 2025 Friends of Scouting Dinner.
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