Scouting Builds Positive Character

Scouting Builds Positive Character

Have you heard how Scouting promotes positive character development?  A new study sheds light on the effectiveness that Scouting has in fostering positive character development in youth. The results proved exactly what we expected: Scouting is succeeding in its goals and missions.  

After a two-and-a-half-year period, Cub Scouts showed significant positive development in attributes of being cheerful, helpful, kind, obedient, trustworthy, and hopeful. Cub Scouts were also significantly more likely to embrace values such as “helping others” or “doing the right thing” than non-Scouts. The study showed that as boys spent more time in Scouting, these positive attributes increased. But there were no significant increases in these traits among non-Scouts. In fact, non-Scouts reported decreased scores in several of these areas.

Read more at this link:  click here.   

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Council Calendar

9          Popcorn Sale Ends!
9          Final Popcorn Orders Due On-line
19        Executive Board Meeting at Markel
19        Maintenance & Properties Committee Meeting
20-21   Final Popcorn Distribution
20-21   Scout Shop Closed for Inventory
26-28   Scout Shop & Service Center Closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday

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Recruiting Success Story

A Recruiting Success Story: Baylor G. of Pack 2831

A few weeks ago, a pack committee member came into the Scout Service Center to pick up badges for their pack meeting the next evening.  They also turned in some new youth applications and picked up a recruiter strip for a new Tiger Cub, Baylor G., who personally recruited 4 of his friends to join Cub Scouts.  When his District Executive, Matt Malone, heard about Baylor’s recruiting efforts and success, he arranged for Baylor to receive an official Cub Scout watch at the pack meeting.

The story behind this recruiting success involves a village of folks.  Here’s the story of this young Scouting promoter as told by his Dad, Matt Gill, Cubmaster of Pack 2831…

“During our September Pack Committee meeting, we distributed the peer-to-peer recruiting ‘business’ cards provided by Council for our Scouts to hand out to their classmates and buddies. We printed stickers on the back that listed our Join Scouting nights at three schools. The Scouts wore their uniforms to school the week before the Join Scouting night at their school and passed out those cards. 

It helped that Baylor's teacher, Beth Moore at Woolridge Elementary, has a son in our pack and her husband Scott is our campout chair.  

The pack posted 8 yard signs with our pack website on it at busy retail and neighborhood intersections in our area, and the targeted schools.  Our website has all the new Scout and parent info on the front page during this period of time.

Baylor shared stories of his fun at the Philmont Training Center Family Program during our summer road trip to New Mexico. I studied the new Cub Scout program while the children participated in all kinds of adventures, from pony and horseback riding, to shooting sports, GaGa ball, and leatherwork.

He also told his classmates about his Cub Adventure Camp stories, including when he helped his brothers Gray (Tiger)and Landon(Webelos) find one of the four hidden spaceship parts that weekend. 

Thanks to all of the work by many BSA staff and volunteers this summer, an impact was made on little Tiger Baylor.  

His excitement for Scouting was stoked, and he could not help but share it with his friends.  Now he just has to learn to tell time with the hour and minute hands on his watch...”

If your pack is interested in conducting a recruiting event focused on existing Scouts recruiting their friends into the program, contact your district executive for tips, resources, and best practices.

 

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Recent Personnel Changes

A Message From the Scout Executive

Recent Personnel Changes

I want to call your attention to several recent personnel events relating to our council staff. 

Field Director Jason Smith was selected as the Council Scout Executive/CEO for the Tuscarora Council of the BSA headquartered in Goldsboro, North Carolina effective October 15^th.  He is a native of our council, an Eagle Scout, VMI graduate and a professional Scouter since 2002.  We offer Jason all the best in this new, and much deserved leadership role. 

Director of Development Brett Smiley resigned from our staff effective October 9^th to take a Development Director position with another non-profit organization in Norfolk, Virginia.  Brett, a native of Cumberland, Maryland, an Eagle Scout and Penn State University graduate, had worked in numerous professional roles with our council since 2002 and we wish him all the best in his new role. 

Joseph Orr was promoted to the Senior District Executive position for the Cardinal District effective July 1^st.  He had been serving as the Rivers District Executive since August 2012 after his graduation from Longwood University.  He is an Eagle Scout from the Crater District, served on the Buckskin staff, was on the Camp T. Brady Saunders staff for several summers and was the Chief of the Nawakwa Lodge for two years. 

Nick Harman was promoted to the Senior District Executive position for the Battlefield District effective August 1^st.  He has been serving the district since August 2012 after his graduation from Virginia Tech.  He is an Eagle Scout from the Battlefield District, served many summers on the Camp T. Brady Saunders camp staff, including two as the Program Director and he was the Chief of the Nawakwa Lodge for one year, and OA Section Chief. 

Matt Malone was promoted to the Senior District Executive position for the Arrohattoc District effective August 1^st.  He has been serving the district since November 2012 after joining our staff from a leadership position in the amusement park industry.  Matt is an Eagle Scout from the Battlefield District and a graduate from the University of Virginia. 

Council program,  online registration and marketing coordinator Ashley Wyatt resigned from our staff effective September 25^th to take a position with an organization much nearer to her new home.  She had been with the council in various positions since 2007. 

Cindy Morris joined our council staff on October 1^st as the council program support coordinator.  She has the primary responsibility to set up and coordinate the online program registration system called DoubleKnot but she will also support numerous other office support functions. 

Please join me in congratulating and thanking all of these current and former staff and be sure to tell the current staff how much you appreciate them! 

Brad Nesheim

Scout Executive

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2017 National Scout Jamboree

The 2017 National Scout Jamboree will be held from July 19 to July 28, 2017. Registration has now gone live at this link: http://www.summitbsa.org/events/jamboree/overview/  The Heart of Virginia Council will be putting together six Troops, each comprised of 36 Scouts and 4 adult leaders and one patrol of Venturers.  Leaders interested in serving as Scoutmasters and assistants for the Council Troop contingents should hold off on registering online and instead prepare a short letter of interest and email to me at jim.mccoig@capitalone.com and Chip Hendricks, 2017 Jamboree Contingent Chair, at Turf0213@hotmail.com.  Learn more about this process at http://hovc.org/articles/2015/09/7897/. Interviews will most likely take place in late 2015.  Adults interested in serving on staff at the Jamboree can also register at this link.  

The Jamboree is now held at The Bechtel Family Summit in West Virginia. The Summit is home to the world’s largest collection of zip lines, the second largest skateboard park in the country, 36 miles of mountain bike trails, is close to the New River for whitewater rafting and has tons of other outdoor adventures and activities.  

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Silver Beaver Award

Nominate a deserving Scout leader for the Silver Beaver Award

The Silver Beaver Award is the highest recognition a council can award a Scout leader.  Typically, a Scout leader is nominated by his or her peers for several years of service often including leading projects on the district or council level.

The deadline for nomination forms has been extended to November 30th and can be found at this link:  http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-103_WB.pdf.  Forms can be submitted to the council service center to the attention of Todd Martin, deputy Scout executive.

A panel of volunteer leaders from across the council territory will meet later in the year to select 8 or 9 recipients to be recognized at the spring Council recognition event April 24, 2016 location TBD.

As a point of interest, the District Award of Merit is the highest award a district can give to a volunteer.  The nomination form can be found at this link:  http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33720.pdf and each district will have a specific due date in the spring for a local district recognition dinner.

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2015 Popcorn Sale

Sell Popcorn Online & Win Prizes! 

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Charter Renewal

Charter Renewal

From: Lloyd Dunnavant, Council Commissioner

Recharter is a term that we use to describe when Scouts, adult volunteers, and charter organizations renew their membership with the Boy Scouts of America and pay their annual registration fees.  All units in our council must complete and turn in their recharter no later than December 31, 2015.

There is no “grace” or “lapse” period.  Units that have not chartered by January 1, 2016 have no status with the council or the BSA, and their members are no longer members of the Boy Scouts of America.

Here’s what this means:

• We have a firm deadline of December 31, 2015 for recharter turn-in.
• Your district’s commissioner staff will be working hard to clearly communicate this to you, and to offer recharter training and a recharter turn-in event well before the December 31 deadline.
• On January 1, units that have not turned in their recharter will be dropped and no longer registered with the Heart of Virginia Council or the Boy Scouts of America and will not be able to receive the benefits and privileges of membership in the BSA, including:
  • Dropped units will not be able to purchase rank advancement at the Scout Shop.
  • Dropped units will not be able to register for council and district events.
  • If a dropped unit holds a meeting or goes on a campout, they will not have BSA Accident and Sickness Insurance Coverage.
  • The adult volunteers and Charter Organizations of dropped units will no longer have liability insurance coverage through the BSA.
• The unit leader, committee chairman, and charter representative will be notified by mail on January 2 if the unit drops.
• Our Commissioners and Executive Staff stand ready to assist you in completing your recharter on time.  In the unfortunate circumstance of an active unit dropping on January 1, we will do whatever we can to assist that unit to regain their membership in the BSA.

Here’s what you can do to help ensure a smooth recharter process for your unit:

• Recruit a reliable and dependable person to be your recharter processor.  This needs to be a volunteer who does what they say they are going to do.
• Give your commissioner and district executive the contact information for your recharter processor.
• Make sure they attend recharter training in your district.
• Announce and collect all needed membership fees from parents and adult volunteers early.
• Make sure that your processor gets completed adult applications for all new adult volunteers in your unit.
• Make sure that your adult volunteers are current with their training, especially Youth Protection Training, which must be renewed every 2 years.  Please review the date of YPT for all unit adults.  If their YPT expires before 1/31/16, we suggest that they renew that training, just to be safe.
• Communicate regularly with your recharter processor to ensure that they have all the needed information and that they have not run into a snag.  Make sure they know that this is important.
• Let your commissioner or district executive know if there is a problem.  They stand ready to assist you with your recharter.

Our goal is for every active Scouting unit in the Heart of Virginia Council to turn in their paperwork and fees at their district recharter turn-in day in early December, so that we have time to review and process your recharter by December 31, 2015.  Thank you for you attention to this matter, and for the very important work that you do to deliver the values of the Scout Oath and Law to our young people.

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BSA License Plate

Good news for the license plate effort!  Scouter and State Delegate Randy Minchew of Loudon County will sponsor a bill in the 2016 General Assembly to authorize a Scouting license plate.

Sign up for a license plate:
1.  Have your vehicle's VIN and Title # ready.

2.  Complete and sign the DMV application at this link: click here  Payment of $25 or $35 (personalized plate) is due with submittal of application.  Mail the form with check to: Heart of Virginia Council, P.O. Box 6809, Richmond VA 23230. 

3.  To pay online, click here,  Then email the signed application to Robin.rush@scouting.org or mail signed application to above address.

Go on our council Facebook page and share this post:   https://www.facebook.com/ScoutingVirginia

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Friends of Scouting

We are proud to announce the upcoming Friends of Scouting Annual Campaign Dinner which will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. We are honored and excited to have Rex Tillerson, Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil as our keynote speaker. Mr. Tillerson is an Eagle Scout and former national president of the Boy Scouts of America.

 

For more information about this event go to http://hovc.org/friends-of-scouting-dinner/.

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JTE News

Journey To Excellence

JTE Scorecards are available for 2016.   Scorecards and other resources are available at http://www.scouting.org/jte.aspx

Webelos To Scout Transition – an objective for both Packs and Troops, this is critical to the retention of 5th graders as they complete their time in Cub Scouting and move up to Boy Scouting.  Troops should not take for granted that the boys and their families will automatically move up.  Keep a close line of communication and presence with neighborhood Packs and Webelos Dens.  A transition plan for Packs and Troops can be found at this link:  http://scoutingvirginia.doubleknot.com/document/webelos-to-scout-transition-plan/138853.  

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Den LeaderTraining

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United Way

To: Scout leaders, Scout parents, Supporters of Scouting

Many employers in our area conduct a United Way, Combined Virginia Campaign, or Combined Federal Campaign in the fall, often with requests and incentives for employees to participate.  If you participate in a company campaign, please consider designating your gift to the Heart of Virginia Council, Boy Scouts of America using United Way of Greater Richmond- Petersburg code #2416, CFC code #17567, CVC code #3444, or LGS code #7308.

Be advised that in June 2015, the United Way of Greater Richmond-Petersburg stopped allocating dollars to support Scouting programs. Donor designations are now the only way that the Heart of Virginia Council receives support through that United Way.  If you do not designate your gift to support Scouting by writing “#2416, Heart of Virginia Council, BSA” in the designation section of the pledge form, none of your United Way contribution will go to support Scouting.

United Way charges a 15% administrative fee for processing designations. If you’d like 100% of your contribution to go to Scouting, consider giving directly to the Heart of Virginia Council.

Please call Scout Executive Brad Nesheim at 804-204-2611 or email him at brad.nesheim@scouting.org, if you have any questions.

Thanks for your support and consideration.

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Philmont

Plan to send a Scout to Philmont in 2017!
The council has reserved four crews for the 2017 Philmont Council Contingent.
Applications will be available January 2016.

Call Ellen M. Milano (804) 204-2610 for details.

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Richmond Area Sporting Clays Classic

Thank you to all of the teams and sponsors who participated in this year’s event!

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Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation

   

Upcoming Events on the Reservation

• January 15 – 18, 2016 – Winter Camp
  (Online Merit Badge Registration Opens on November 16, 2015)

Summer Camp 2016

Camp T. Brady Saunders

2016 Program Guide Available at www.bradysaunders.net

Schedule
WEEK 1, June 19 – 25, 2016
WEEK 2, July 26 – July 2, 2016
WEEK 3, July 3 – 9, 2016
WEEK 4, July 10 – 16, 2016
WEEK 5, July 17 – 23, 2016
WEEK 6, July 24 – 30, 2016

Register NOW at http://bradysaunders.net/camp/summer.html

REGISTER NOW ONLY $250 HOLD-A-SPACE FEE PER UNIT!

Fee $265 if registered by March 15, 2016 and ½ of fees paid after March 15, 2016 $295

Leaders $100 per week or $20 per day if not staying the entire week

1 free leader for every 10 paid Scouts

No Program or Merit Badge fees for any regular camp program!

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Cub Adventure Camp

2016

Wild West Adventure – Summer Camp

Heart of Virginia Council
Scout Reservation

REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.CUBADVENTURECAMP.NET

Hold-A-Space for the 2016 summer is only $10.00 per attendee

Cub and Webelos Sessions

     RESIDENT CAMP SESSIONS

     Session 1 – June 26 - 29, 2016
     Session 2 - June 29 – July 2, 2016 
     Session 3 - July 6 - 10, 2016
     Session 4 - July 10 -13, 2016
     Session 5 - July 17 -20, 2016

     WEEKEND ADVENTURES

     Weekend 1 - July 15 - 17, 2016         $65 per person

     Weekend 2 - July 22 - 24, 2016            * Register by March 15, 2016 for an Early Bird rate of $60 per person

Questions?  Contact Mic Mullins 804-204-2625 or mic.mullins@scouting.org

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Albright Scout Reservation

Albright Scout Reservation is a great site for weekend camping.  Situated on 568 acres on Lake Chesdin, it is close and offers three types of camping areas all at NO COST!  It has six traditional campsites for car camping each with a shelter, table and latrine nearby.  Three sites near the lake offer more of a wilderness experience.  There is also a "leave no trace" area and a short backpack trail for a shakedown experience. 

In addition there are two picnic pavilions and a chapel area for unit activities!  Sites and facilities are free to Heart of Virginia Council units and reservations can be made online at http://hovc.org/camps/albright/.

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Arrohattoc District

Chairman: Drew Biehler, 804-639-9170 , drew.biehler@gmail.com
Commissioner: Arthur Chester, 804-370-6129 , bbalref@gmail.com
District Executive: Matt Malone, 804-204-2618, matt.malone@scouting.org
Website: www.arrohattoc.com

November

5          District Commissioner Meeting, 6:30PM, Hopewell UMC
5          Wolf/Bear Leader Training, 6:30PM, Hopewell UMC
5          District Roundtable Meeting, 7:00PM, Hopewell UMC
5          OA Chapter Meeting, 7:00PM, Hopewell UMC
9          Final Popcorn Orders Due
13-15   IOLS/Scoutmaster Outdoor Training, Camp T. Brady Saunders
13-15   Outdoor Webelos Leadership Skills, Camp T. Brady Saunders
14        Cub Scout Leader Training, 9:00AM – 1:00PM, Highland Springs, VA
18        District Committee Meeting, 7:00PM, Trinity UMC
20-21   Final Popcorn Order Pick-up

December

3          District Commissioner Meeting, 6:30PM, Hopewell UMC
3          Webelos Leader Training, 6:30PM, Hopewell UMC
3          District Roundtable Meeting, 7:00PM, Hopewell UMC
3          OA Chapter Meeting, 7:00PM, Hopewell UMC
5          Popcorn Blast Day, Cub & Webelos Adventure Camp
16        District Committee Meeting, 7:00PM, Trinity UMC

Fall Trainings

All of our Scouts deserve a well-trained leader.  Be sure to take advantage of one of the many training opportunities that are taking place this fall.  To register for an event or review the trainings available be sure to visit www.hovc.org/training.

New Units

One of the goals of the District is to assure that we are providing Scouting to as many youth in our area as possible and we are always looking for new leads to help us grow Scouting.  If you attend or know of any local organizations (faith, civic, community outreach, etc) that might be interested in sponsoring a Scouting unit, let us know.  Please contact Matt Malone at matt.malone@scouting.org or 804-204-2618 with any suggestions and we will be happy to pursue them.

District Roundtable

Calling all Adult Leaders and Scout Parents!  Are you looking for ways to improve your Scout Unit’s programs while also finding out how to more easily manage all of the logistics of running a successful Pack, Troop or Crew?  Join us on the first Thursday of every month at Hopewell United Methodist Church (6200 Courthouse Rd) at 7:00PM.

Looking for info on what’s happening in the District?

Leaders and families in the Arrohattoc District can stay up to date by visiting the district website at www.arrohattoc.com/. The district also maintains a mailing list for information on Packs, Troops and Crews. Visit http://arrohattoc.com/district/mailing-lists to subscribe to one or all the mailing lists and stay up to date on events and news of the Arrohattoc District.

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Battlefield District

 

District Chairman:  Dr. William Hefele, 363-0334, whefeledds@yahoo.com
Commissioner: Herb Sening, 240-7381, herbsening@comcast.net
Senior District Executive: Nick Harman, 204-2622, nick.harman@scouting.org
Battlefield District Website:  http://hovc.org/battlefieldscouting/

November

4    Commissioner Meeting @ 6:30PM at New Hanover Presbyterian Church
4    Roundtable @ 7:30PM at New Hanover Presbyterian Church
7    Battlefield District Dinner @ 6:30PM at Fairfield Presbyterian Church
10  Order of the Arrow Chapter 5 Meeting @ 7:00PM at Fairfield Presbyterian Church
17  District Committee Meeting @ 7:30PM at Fairfield Presbyterian Church

Fall Merit Badge Camporee

A great time was had by all. Thank you to the youth and the adults who staffed the event! Great Job Scouts and Scouters!

District Dinner

On Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 6:30 PM we will be having the Annual District Dinner. Should I come to this? Are you asking that question? Yes you need to come! It is for anyone! I say again ANYONE who is interested in Scouting! It is Recognition time for the 2015 Battlefield District Award of Merit recipients and current year’s Eagle Scouts (since last years District Dinner). Bring two dishes to share that feeds 8-12 people or one dish that feeds 16 people. District provides meat, drinks, & bread. Please plan on attending and bring your family. Your challenge is to bring your next door neighbor and your boss. Yes, we want you to bring two people outside of your immediate family to this dinner. The cost is $ 6.00 per person and you can either pay at the door or you can register online at http://scoutingvirginia.doubleknot.com/event/1750235. Also please send an email to battlefieldscouting602@gmail.com if you can come so we can get a head count.

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Capitol District

District Chairman: Jonathan Murdoch-Kitt, 804-321-5100, jonathan@murdochkittlaw.com
District Commissioner: Terrence Thompson, 704 883-6425, tthomp466@gmail.com
Senior District Executive: George Smith, 804-204-2632, george.smith@scouting.org

November

3        Election Day
3        Capitol District Committee Meeting  First Baptist Church, 6:00PM
3        Cub Scout/Boy Scout Roundtable Meeting, 7:00PM
3        Order of the Arrow Chapter Meeting, 6:30PM
6-8     Capitol District Camporee Camp Douglass Fleet              
9        Popcorn Sale Ends
11      Veterans Day
20-21      Scout Shop Closed for Inventory
26-28 Thanksgiving Day Scout Shop & Service Center Closed

December

1   District Committee Meeting, First Baptist Church, 6:00PM
1   Cub Scout/Boy Scout Roundtable, First Baptist Church, 7:00PM
5   Capitol District Charter review Day, Scout Service Center, 10:00AM-1:00PM

District Camporee

“Meeting Night Mafeking” November 6-8

It’s not too late to attend the camporee. New Scouts and Webelos are welcome. Register online via the council website or contact your executive, george.smith@scouting.org or 804- 239.5065 if your Troop would like to register.

Scouting for Food

Special thanks to all Packs and Troops in the district for participating in the food collection drive. The program with Feed More supports local families and communities. It also demonstrates to your Scouts the importance of serving others. Special thanks to O.J. Robinson for chairing the district effort and congrats to Nicolette Miller and the leaders and Scouts of Troop 418, sponsored by St. Stephens Episcopal for collecting over 100 bags and being highlighted in the press, a positive message about the Boy Scout program.

Popcorn Sales End on November 9^th

Remember that popcorn sales can support your unit budget for the entire year. It’s not too late to increase your unit sales. Popcorn will be distributed on November 20-21. Are you prepared for a final sales push?

Recharter News: NOTE

All district unit charters will expire on December 31, 2015. This year does not include a lapse period with carry over into 2016. If your pack or troop or crew is not registered by the end of the year, it will not be registered on January 1, 2016 and all coverages & privileges associated with being a Scout unit will be suspended. That includes registration of additional members, liability insurance and online access.

Youth Protection Training & Unit Leader Training Requirements

All adult leaders registered in the BSA must have a current youth protection certificate on file online. In addition, each Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster and Cubmaster must be officially trained in order to be registered as a unit leader. This is council policy and there are no exceptions, Please check your unit roster carefully and take advantage of the training sessions on the calendar in the metro area.

Historically, these are the top two challenges to a successful pack and troop recharter process.

District Charter Review Day

December 5, 2015 10:00AM to 1:00PM, Scout Service Center

If you have questions or need assistance with the recharter process, commissioners and staff will be on hand to assist. Please take advantage of this opportunity to review your unit ahead of the due date.

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Cardinal District

District Chairman:  Michael Ballato,  402-6982, MBB@BallatoLaw.com 
District Vice Chairman: John Hunnicutt, 212-5161, jhunnicutt3602@verizon.net
District Commissioner: Carl Whitaker, 449-1762,WhitakerCarl79@yahoo.com
Senior District Executive:  Joseph Orr, 204-2620, joseph.orr@scouting.org

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Crater District

 

District Chairman: Dr.  Virginia Cherry,  434-246-4164, vcherry44@gmail.com
District Commissioner: William “Bill” Simms, 804-586-6382, winglvr70@hotmail.com  
District Executive: Allen Crump, 804-263-5016, allen.crump@scouting.org

 November

2   District Commissioners Meeting- Wesley United Methodist Church, 6:30PM
2   Crater Roundtable- Wesley U.M.C., 7:00PM
9   OA Meeting, 7:00PM
16 District Committee Meeting- Wesley United Methodist Church, 6:00PM

RECHARTER 2015

The BSA’s annual recharter program for units is an important part of our membership process.  It ensures that our membership is accurate and up to date annually, but it can be an involved process and many units have let the process drag on for a long time.   Some units have even waited well into the new year to recharter their units.  This creates major problems from advancement issues all the way to insurance problems (if a unit isn’t registered, neither are the youth and leaders who belong to that unit.)  Insurance will not cover claims made by a unit which is not currently registered.  Continuing this year, any unit that does not recharter by the end of December will not receive any support from Council.  This includes rank advancement and buying insignia at the Scout Shop.

If you have any questions about recharter, please contact your unit commissioner as soon as possible.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO ROUNDTABLE?

If not, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to learn more about Scouting and meet other dedicated leaders from the Crater District.  Roundtable is a chance to learn about everything that is going on in the district and council while also getting top-notch training from experienced Scouters and special guests.  Everyone in the district is invited and encouraged to attend.  We meet on the first Monday of every month at 7 pm at Wesley United Methodist Church.  See you there!

WANT TO BE A COMMISSIONER?

The Crater District is looking for Unit Commissioners to help make Scouting possible all over the district.  We need Scouters who believe in the Scouting program and want to help other units deliver this great program to their Scouts.  If you are interested, please contact District Commissioner, Bill Simms or District Executive, Allen Crump.

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Huguenot Trail

District Chairman: Bill Mulvihill, 804 380 2794, bmulvihill@markelcorp
District Commissioner: Heather Mulvihill, 804 338 7912, ukfools@verizon.net
Senior District Executive: Geoff Angle, 434-390-0466, geoffrey.angle@scouting.org
District Website: www.huguenottrail.org

November

5        Roundtable (7:00PM, Mt. Pisgah UMC)
7-9     Blackstone UMM Merit Badge Weekend
18      District Committee Meeting (7:00PM, Location TBD)
20-21 Popcorn Distribution

Membership

JOIN SCOUTING NIGHTS

Troops and Crews, please continue with “Bring A Buddy” events or host a Troop or Crew Open house.  There are opportunities to showcase Scouting at each of our middle schools as well as high schools and we would expect Troops to take full advantage of that. Keeping a troop population vibrant and healthy can be a simple thing, but not without it’s challenges. 

There have been some sad tales this year and last, related to recruitment, or lack thereof.  Troops without a strong relation with a Pack, or leadership that can’t work out differences like mature adults can cripple a program, often delivering a mortal blow.  All it takes is one or two years for a troop to miss a crossover opportunity or a good open house, and it’s gone….

Your SDE is ready to assist in multiple ways.  But it is best to be proactive with regards to membership.  The mantra “Be Brief, Be Bright and Be Gone!” alludes to the upward flow of Scouting; not only the youth aging through the three traditional programs, but of leaders and volunteers moving into greater circles of influence, from Den to District to Council to Region.  No Scoutmaster should feel he or she cannot leave their post.  An ideal rotation would be three years; one to learn on, one to perform, and one to train a successor. 

One would hope that mere word of mouth travelling through the schools would attract new youth, but we need to take it at least one step further.  Have your Scouts invite a minimum of three friends to a specific event.  Just like the adults, the youth of Troop and Crew age generally aren’t going to show up unless there are asked to, and they aren’t going to stay if things aren’t fun.  Let’s do our best to show them how amazing Scouting can be!

Program

When new leaders are recruited, they need two things immediately:  Youth Protection Training and Leaders Specific Training.  If only in the committee and not leading the youth on outings, only YPT is required.  However, Venture Youth Protection is required for the Venturing program (yes there are some important differences).  YPT is valid for two years, and then must be renewed!  This can sneak up on a volunteer, so please stay on top of it!  

Leaders Specific Training can be a little more challenging but for Cub Scouts, everything except BALOO and Webelos Camping training is offered online.  Districts around the Council offer training at different times of the year, so please don’t feel restricted to Huguenot Trail only to get things done.  Also, keep in mind that it is joint training between Arrohattoc and Huguenot Trail.  If a training event doesn’t appear on our calendar, it is likely on theirs.

Recharter

Recharter turn in dates are to be scheduled on or before December 8-10^th at the Council Office.  If your Recharter is not submitted by December 31st, your Unit will not be able to purchase Advancement items in the Scout Shop.

If you have not already started your Recharter, please do so as soon as possible.

• Should you need help with the Recharter process, please contact your Unit Commissioner or District Commissioner, Heather Mulvihill.  hbmulvihill@gmail.com
• As always, please submit all Scout applications within days of signing. This will stream line Recharter and actually make Recharter easier for you. Don't wait to turn in new member applications with your Recharter; it slows down the Recharter entry into the computer.

Journey to Excellence

"Scouting's Journey to Excellence" is the BSA's council performance recognition program designed to encourage and reward success and measure the performance of our units, districts, and councils. It is meant to encourage excellence in providing a quality program at all levels of the BSA.

Translated that means units should use the JTE to continually assess their progress during the course of the year.  High scores translate into good programs and better retention of youth and leaders.  This year we will publish our unit scores on our District Website and in future issues of the Courier.  We want to show off how well our units do!

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/JourneyToExcellence.aspx

Recruiting and Retention

This year the District Key 3 would like for you to consider passing out flyers and re-recruiting at the schools you covered last month. Please consider recruiting at your Charter Church should you be chartered with a church. Even though we had an incredible recruiting in September, member numbers are still low. By recruiting again in October the boys who had Fall sporting conflicts will have the opportunity to join in Scouting activities for the remainder of the Scout year. We would like to see an increase in membership to within the average margin. 

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Rivers District

   
District Chairman: Marty Shirilla, 804-436-7289, shirilla@lancastersheriff.net
District Commissioner: Freddy Dunn, 804-925-5485 or freddunn78@gmail.com
Director of Field Service: Bill Givler, 804-938-2614, bill.givler@scouting.org

November

5         Roundtable @ Beale Memorial Baptist Church, Tappahannock
13-15  Search and Rescue Camporee, Locust Grove
17       Commissioners Meeting
17       District Committee Meeting
21       BALOO Training, at Tappahannock Scout Hut

December

3         Roundtable @ Beale Memorial Baptist Church, Tappahannock
15       District Committee Meeting
15       Commissioners Meeting

CAMPOREE

The Search and Rescue Camporee on November 13-15 is going to be awesome.  Got questions?  Call Camporee Chairman Tim Pleasants at 804-339-2443.

BALOO TRAINING

On Saturday, November 21, Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation will be held at the Scout Hut in Tappahannock from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.  Visit hovc.org to register.  When a pack goes camping on its own, you must have BALOO-trained leadership!

POPCORN

You’ve got until November 9 to wrap up your popcorn sale.  Make this last week count!  Please contact Stacy Garnett, Rivers District Popcorn Kernel, at staceygarnett@verizon.net if you have questions or need assistance.  All orders must be submitted by November 9!

ROUNDTABLE

Roundtables is a great opportunity for adult volunteers in Scouting to network with each other, and gain valuable skills, techniques, and program ideas to enhance the quality of their meetings. Roundtables are the first Thursday of the month at Beale Memorial Baptist Church and will start at 7:00pm.  Be there!

RECHARTER

Haven’t received your recharter packet yet?  Get it at Roundtable, and receive advise and assistance in making sure your pack, troop, crew, or ship renews its membership the BSA without a hitch.

NEW DISTRICT EXECUTIVE!

Come meet your new DE at the November 5 Roundtable!

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Exploring

Exploring Chairman: John Smatlak, john.smatlak@dom.com  
Exploring Field Director:  Marcus Ragland,  804-204-2634,  Marcus.ragland@scouting.org
Exploring Website: www.ExploringVA.org

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Eagles Nest

                               Eagles Nest

Eagle Name and Unit            Service Project

David Alexander J. Bedard   2880   HCA and Chippenham Hospital - Community full scale exercise for emergency response plan
Evan William Bishof   505   Mural for the Ashland Convalescent Home
John Colter Booker   2860   Built birdhouses for Amelia Veterans Cemetery
Arthur Edward Chadwick   832   Clean up an old Civil War Mill
Benjamin Christopher Clark   845   Shed construction for Banner Christian School
Matthew Loyd Cornell   6357   State Forest Kiosk
Jonathan Kyle Corson   2860   Built enhanced bike trail features at Pocahontas State Park
Justin Alexander Curtis   730   Greenwood Memorial Gardens remodel
Abhishek Priyadarshan Damle   443   Built benches for outdoor classroom at Bryan Park
Joseph Stuart Downey   505   Information kiosk for Pole Green Dog Park
John Carter Evers   800   Built 3 benches, made a walkway, relocated an information post, planted flowers & mulched for Powhatan State Park
Robert Michael Froehlich   1893   Remodel a turtle enclosure for Rockwood Park
Kevin Daniel Headley   242   Baylor Park Nature Trail Observation Deck
Lazarus MacArthur Joyner   715   Clean-up and landscaping for Three Chopt Elementary
Dave Sitaram Kaul   795   Built and outdoor classroom for Glen Allen Elementary
Nickolas Stephen Kritikakos   760   Garbage enclosure area
Jared Luke Kunkel   185   Horse Trail Bridges
James Carrington Overby   521   Playground renovation for Glen Allen Church of Christ
Jonathan Bailey Payne   303   Monofilament Disposal Centers
Andrew Robert Pitts   1893   Park benches for Midlothian Mines
Harlan Reese Pounders   702   Picnic tables for Habitat for Humanity Gabriel Michael Romito   436   No-sew blankets for Project Linus
Dylan Richard Seeley   533   Sign and post replacement and Memorial Board presentation for VFW Post 9808
Jacob Wharey Sitison   799   Concrete footings for Richmond City K-9 Unit
Justin Spencer Walton   505   St. Paul's park bench project
Austin Tyler Wilson   534   Built playground for New Hope Church
David Michael Winters   505   Built fence at Camp Pamunkey Ridge
Joseph Carl Rettig Zampetti   776   Peter Paul Development Center Mural

The National Eagle Scout Association has established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by a Scout to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity. The award recognizes the Scout for his Scout leadership service project, which is a requirement for earning the Eagle Scout Award. Please use the following link to access the updated application for the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award: http://www.nesa.org/PDF/542-026.pdf.

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Memorials and Honors

In Memory Of

William J. "Billy" Burlee III
Baird Weisleder

Samuel F. Marshall Jr.
Stuart H. Dunn

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Scout Shop Notes

Scout Shop Notes

The Scout Shop Will Be Closed for Inventory Friday & Saturday, November 20th-21st
and Thursday-Saturday November 26th-28th for Thanksgiving

Pack and Troop leaders Please tell new Scouts and parents which items and uniform parts to purchase.  With almost 400 units in our council, the Scout Shop does not know what individual units require or provide.

Per National BSA policy: When purchasing rank and or merit badges, advancement reports must be turned in at time of purchase, including Bobcat and Scout.  To purchase replacement patches, you must have the rank card, merit badge or blue card or copy of the Scout's record. 

All returns must be made within 30 days, with receipt, and items in original condition. 

For orders sent to the Scout Shop, please allow 1-2 business days for processing.  If you email your order, to ensure we receive it, please use the address scoutshop@scouting.org.

Phone (804) 355-0628, Fax (804) 353-6109 
HOURS - Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM - NOON                                                        

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