Message to Parents

A Message to Parents of New Scouts

Scouting’s programs and outdoor adventures prepare youth for a lifetime of character and leadership.

Welcome to Scouting! 

If you are new to Scouting, chances are you are joining a Cub Scout Pack of boys in grades 1-5.  Packs operate best when families jump in and have fun together.  Everyone can help the Pack be successful so the boys can have fun.  If you haven’t volunteered to help already, ask your Cubmaster where they need support.  We all want our boys to develop into responsible young men and everyone can do something to help. 

Want to learn more about Scouting? After checking to see if your Pack, Troop or Crew has a website, go to the Heart of Virginia Council website at www.scoutingvirginia.org.  The council covers 24 counties and four cities in central Virginia and oversees the program locally.  Want to know more about the impact Scouting can have on a young person?  Check out http://www.scouting.org/Parent.aspx.

To sign up to receive our full monthly e-newsletter, The Courier, click here. To get The Friday Five, our short weekly informational e-mail, click here.

Like our Facebook page and see regular updates to events and local Scouting stories in your newsfeed:   https://www.facebook.com/ScoutingVirginia

The best place to buy a uniform and other Scout supplies is in the Scout Shop located in the council’s service center located at 4015 Fitzhugh Ave. Richmond, VA 23230.  Our Scout Shop folks will be glad to help you find the uniform you need.  We are open from 9:00 to 5:30 Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 9:00 to noon. 

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To help keep our youth safe, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with resources for the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing programs.

All leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training and we highly recommend that parents take it as well after reading the pull-out section in the front of every youth handbook.  The training only takes 30 minutes online and can be completed after creating a free www.MyScouting.org account.  You can also take other online training courses through your MyScouting account.  

Thank you for choosing Scouting for your child and we hope you have a great experience.  If you need to reach the Heart of Virginia Council office you can call us at 804-355-4306 or e-mail at info@scoutingvirginia.org.

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Council Calendar

3        Scouting For Food Bags Out
8        Richmond Area Sporting Clays Classic
10      Scouting For Food Bag Collection
14      Commissioner Cabinet Meeting
14        2016 FOS Key Leaders Orientation
16-18 Order of the Arrow Fall Fellowship & Awards Banquet
17      Tiger Rally at Cub Adventure Camp
20      Executive Committee Meeting
21      2016 FOS Council Leadership Phase Kick-off
24-25 Cub Scout Creepy Hollow

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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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New Cub Scout Program

New Cub Scout Program Starts Now

We’re excited about the start of the Cub Scout year and the new program.  While this was officially launched June 1st, implementation really begins now.  Make sure your Pack is up to speed on the changes:

1.  Check out www.scouting.org/program updates

2.  Make sure your den leaders have completed online training, or preferably, are signed up for instructor based training.  Check out the training calendar at http://hovc.org/training/

3.  Den Leaders have leader guides?   Our Scout Shop at 4015 Fitzhugh Ave. Richmond 23230 has a full assortment of Den Leader guide and youth handbooks.  Are you ready to go?

New Den Leader resources can also be found at the Cubscouts.org website.

The new Cub Scout Pack meeting plans can be found at this link:  http://www.scouting.org/Home/CubScouts/Leaders/CubmasterResources/PackMeetingPlans.aspx

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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 need to register online through the same link. A selection process will be determined soon and announced.  Interviews will most likely take place in early 2016.  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.

Nomination forms are due October 31st 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 (date and 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

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SALE!

The Popcorn Sale is underway and runs through November 9, 2015.  It's not too late to sign up!  Units are reporting great successes and we have popcorn inventory on hand for you to start right away.  To participate in this year's sale, fill out the Popcorn Sale Unit Commitment Form by clicking the link HERE. Email your completed form to heather.dunton@scouting.org. 

Additional Popcorn Pick-ups

Starting Wednesday, October 1st, you will be able to pick-up additional popcorn at the Kloke warehouse.  Pick-ups will be every Wednesday from 12:00PM-2:00PM by appointment only. You will need to email Heather at heather.dunton@scouting.org and let her know you would like more popcorn and include an Additional Inventory Pick Up Sheet. 

Questions about the 2015 Popcorn Sale can be directed to:

Program Support Executive – Heather Dunton, 804-355-4306, heather.dunton@scouting.org

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Friends of Scouting

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

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Voice of the Scout

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Scouting For Food

Scouting For Food to Benefit FeedMore

Scouting For Food starts October 3rd with bag delivery. Encourage all your unit’s Scouts and families to participate in Scouting For Food.  If there are scheduling conflicts bags do not have to be put out Saturday morning but could b distributed to assigned neighborhoods later that day or Sunday.  But bags do need to be collected Saturday morning October 10th starting at 10:00am.

It is not too late to get involved. If your unit would like to participate send an e-mail to info@scoutingvirginia.org and put Scouting For Food in the subject line, or call 804-204-2613.  

A Scout is Helpful. Scouting For Food is the one Council-wide service project to address a serious need in our area. By participating your Scouts will develop a greater sense of purpose, a sense of service to the community and it puts the Scout Oath and Law into action.

Rain plan...deliver bags another day (any day between now and Thursday the 8th), at the unit's discretion.  Pickup will remain on the 10th, rain or shine. 

 

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JTE News

Journey To Excellence

Service projects: Participate in service projects, with at least one benefiting the chartered organization. 

This is JTE requirement #8 for Packs and Troops, and #7 for Crews.  

Learn more about Journey To Excellence at www.scouting.org/JTE.  

Log Scouting For Food and other service hours at:  www.servicehours.scouting.org.  

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Sporting Clays

For more information about the Richmond Area Sporting Clays Classic, please contact Brett Smiley at brett.smiley@scouting.org or 804-204-2612.

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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

Reaching the Tooth of Time

2016 Council Philmont Expedition 620-205

Join the Heart of Virginia Council Philmont Expedition in 2016!

It will be the adventure of a lifetime!

Application deadline is October 1, 2015

For questions or more information call Ellen M. Milano at (804) 204-2610.

Click here to download the 2016 Youth application.
To download the 2016 adult application, click here.

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Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation

   

Upcoming Events on the Reservation

• October 17 – Tiger Rally at Adventure Camp
  • http://www.cubadventurecamp.net/tiger.html
• October 24 – 25 – Creepy Hollow at Adventure Camp
  • http://www.cubadventurecamp.net/fall.html

TIGER RALLY
TIGER CUBS AND THEIR ADULT PARTNERS

Saturday, October 17, 2015
10:00AM to 3:00PM

Cub and Webelos Adventure Camp
1699 Maidens Rd Maidens, VA

$8.00 per person

• Tiger Parade starts at noon
• Preorder a hot dog lunch or pack a lunch

Carnival type activities including:

Rocket Throw	Fishing
BMX Bikes	Wrist Rockets
Tiger Games	Tiger Parade
Arts & Crafts

                                            
Tiger Rally activities offered are designed to meet the needs and skills of boys who are entering the 1st Grade or are 6 years old, however older siblings are welcome.

Information Available at www.cubadventurecamp.net

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Creepy Hollow

A Howl-O-Ree Event

October 24 – 25, 2015

Cub & Webelos Adventure Camp

Join us at Adventure Camp for a weekend of Fall & Haunted activities.  Spend the night in your own tent, one of our bunk houses, or just visit for the day.

Once a year, the horseman rides, and this night he could be looking for you!

The Heart of Virginia Council invites all Cub And Webelos Scouts to visit

Activities will be related to Fall & Halloween themes.  Other events include BB’s, Archery, Fishing, Haunted Trail, Trick or Treat, Crafts, a Costume Contest and so much more!

FEES & REGISTRATION:  $20 per person which includes:

• Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast
• All Program Materials
• The Trading Post will be open during the event

Program Guide Available at www.cubadventurecamp.net

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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

October

1          District Commissioner Meeting, 6:30PM, Hopewell UMC
1          Tiger Leader Training, 6:30PM, Hopewell UMC
1          District Roundtable Meeting, 7:00PM, Hopewell UMC
1          OA Chapter Meeting, 7:00PM, Hopewell UMC
3          Scouting For Food Bags Out
10        Scouting For Food Bags In
10-11   IOLS/Scoutmaster Outdoor Training, Camp T. Brady Saunders
10-11   Outdoor Webelos Leadership Skills, Camp T. Brady Saunders
17        Tiger Rally, Cub & Webelos Adventure Camp
16-18   OA Fall Fellowship, Camp T. Brady Saunders
21        District Committee Meeting, 7:00PM, Trinity UMC
23-25   Arrohattoc District Zombie Bootcamp Camporee, Albright Scout Reservation
24        Arrohattoc District Cub Scout Fun Day, Albright Scout Reservation

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
18        District Committee Meeting, 7:00PM, Trinity UMC

Fall Trainings

All 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.

Zombie Bootcamp Camporee

Be sure to get your unit registered for our upcoming Zombie Bootcamp Camporee being held October 23-25 at Albright Scout Reservation.  You can register by going to the Council Calendar at www.hovc.org.

Cub Scout Fun Day

Packs be sure to stay tuned for more information regarding our upcoming Cub Scout Fun Day that is going to be held on Saturday, October 24^th at Albright Scout Reservation.  Activities will include BB Guns, Archery, Fishing, games and more!  Registrations can be submitted via the Council Calendar at www.hovc.org.

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/

October

7         Commissioner Meeting, 6:30PM at New Hanover Presbyterian Church
7         Roundtable @ 7:30PM at New Hanover Presbyterian Church
12       OA Chapter 5 Meeting, 7:00PM at Fairfield Presbyterian Church
20       District Committee Meeting, 7:30PM at Fairfield Presbyterian Church
23-25 2015 Battlefield District Fall Merit Badge Camporee

Your pause for safety this month is: Scouting for Food Safety

Trucks are designed and constructed to transport materials and equipment, not people. Under no circumstances are passengers to be carried in the bed of or towed behind a pickup truck. Trailers must never be used for carrying passengers. Taken from the Guide to Safe Scouting (http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss11.aspx)

Fall Merit Badge Camporee

October 23-25 at the VFW on Flag Lane in Mechanicsville. Please keep checking the district facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BattlefieldDistrictInTheHeartOfVirginiaCouncilBsa?ref=hl for more details as they become available. . We hope to have registration open soon.

Scouting for Food

The Scouting for Food Drive will take place on October 3rd for placing the bags in the neighborhood and then on October 10th we will be going back to get them and take them to drop off points in the district. Remember your pause for safety this month.

District Dinner

On Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 6:30PM we will be having the Annual District Dinner. Should I go 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 years Eagle Scouts (since last years district dinner). Bring two dishes to share that feed 8-12 people or one dish that feeds 16 people. The District will provide meat, drinks and bread. Please plan on attending and bring your family. Your challenge to this is to bring your next door neighbor and your boss. Yep, 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

October

3    Scouting for Food Bags Out
6    District Committee/Commissioner’s Meeting, 6:00PM First Baptist Church
6    Cub Scout /Boy Scout Roundtable, 7:00PM First Baptist Church      
6    OA Chapter Meeting, 7:00PM First Baptist Church\
10  Scouting for Food Bags Collected

November

3        Election Day
3        District Committee /Commissioner’s Meeting, 6:00PM First Baptist
3        Cub Scout/Boy Scout Roundtable, 7:00PM First Baptist Church
6-7     Capitol District Camporee - Camp Fleet                
20-2   Final Popcorn Distribution
26-27 Scout Service Center closed for Thanksgiving

Capitol District Camporee – “Mafeking Night Patrol” Camp Fleet

November 6-8!  I hope you have the camporee on your calendar.  There is an exciting ‘night time’ program planned. Get your Scouts prepared for a winter camping experience. Sign up materials were distributed at Roundtable or you may register online. Cost will be $10 per participant. Units may arrive Friday evening or Saturday morning. If there is enough interest, we will offer Boy Scout Leader Outdoor Training for any “untrained” adults in you unit who regularly participate in your program & outings. Please contact Donald Hill or George Smith if interested in adult leader training at the camporee. Webelos are invited.

Cub Scout Program Notes

Are you are finding it tough to get and keep boys interested in your program?  Consider adding council sponsored programs such as the Tiger Rally at Cub Adventure Camp on October 17th or the family camping program, Creepy Hollow on October 24th. Scouts and their families will have a great time and these two events will surely get your new and experienced Cub families fired up about Scouting. Register online or contact the service center for more details.

Schedule a Popcorn Night for one of Your Fall Troop meetings

Show the film Troop 491: The Adventures of the Muddy Lions. Have your Scouts invite a friend. Welcome the whole family to a showing at your sponsoring institution. The youth will enjoy the film and you can explore with them the important lessons about growing up and making decisions. Our city is featured prominently in the movie and it captures the spirit of Scouting for young people of all ages. Endorsed by the BSA National Office, Troop 491 is a great tool to expose families to the message of Scouting. Contact George Smith for a copy or to schedule a showing. Available on DVD.

Recruiting is an important part of your program. It’s how we keep Scouting alive and vibrant in our communities. I believe that Scouting is more important today than ever before. It’s the only program that teaches the core values and skills useful in developing boys into men. We encourage you to proudly promote your Scouting program and to offer opportunities for other caring adults and parents to join you in catching the spirit of Scouting. Have an open house, host a back to school program or make an announcement on Sunday. Get the Word OUT! Scouting is great!

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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

October

5    District Commissioners Meeting, Wesley United Methodist Church, 6:30PM
5    Crater Roundtable- Wesley U.M.C., 7:00PM
12  OA Meeting, 7:00PM
19  District Committee Meeting- Wesley United Methodist Church, 7:00PM

FALL RECRUITMENT

Join Scouting Nights are winding down around the district.  We had a great September, but there are still kids out there that want to be Scouts!  You will likely be contacted about further recruiting efforts such as peer-to-peer and other campaigns.

POPCORN!!!

How is your unit planning to fund all the cool things you want to do this year?  The best fundraiser for most units is the annual popcorn sale.  If your unit has not yet signed up for the sale, it’s not too late.  Please contact Allen Crump for more information on why this year’s sale is going to be the best ever!  Scouts filling up at least one order form will be a part of our council’s massive Rocket Blast Day at Cub Adventure Camp December 5^th!

As of this article’s writing, we have sold just over half of our $150,000 sales goal.  I know that if we all work together, we can blow our popcorn sale out of the water just like we did last year.  When we beat our goal, I have pledged to wear that ridiculous popcorn suit for a full day.  I’ll have pictures of my costumed adventures to prove that I really did it.  If you guys sell more than $200,000, I will not only wear the suit, but I’ll also dye my hair and beard whatever color you guys choose.

RECHARTER 2016

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.  We will be making important changes in the recharter process that will affect all units this year.  Please keep your eyes open for upcoming announcements regarding this important change.

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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

October

3 Scouting for Food Bags Out
8 Roundtable (7:00PM, Mt. Pisgah UMC)
10 Scouting for Food Bags In
21 District Committee Meeting (7pm, Midlothian Library)

Membership

JOIN SCOUTING NIGHTS

Troops and Crews, it’s time to begin “Bring A Buddy” events or host a Troop or Crew Open house.  There are opportunities to showcase Scouting at each of our Middle Schools and we would expect Troops to take advantage of that.  There has been only one troop in the past five years that says it’s “full”.  And guess what?  They won’t be full next year.  All too often recruitment takes a back seat, and then troops find themselves in a situation they can’t recover from.

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 the upwards 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.  They should have cultivated the next in line to be ready to take over at any time.  For all the myriad reasons adults volunteer, in the end, Scouting exists for the youth. 

The beginning of the school year is simply the greatest and most effective way of recruiting new families to share this amazing thing called Scouting.  Brave the trail and encourage others to blaze new trails and find new horizons.  Scouting needs NEW.

Almost all the school nights have been arranged but it’s going to require a lot of cooperation from everyone involved. The SDE may have been responsible for getting you involved in this long ago, but he can’t do it all to grow a healthy district.  Leaders need to manage, delegate, and set specific, time-sensitive tasks in order to have cooperative parents and fun on outings.  There’s just a little bit of time left to get the last details ironed out.  For the sake of Scouting, let’s make this Fall a record-breaker!

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!   Our District Commissioner, Heather Mulvihill, has already sent out notification regarding Youth Protection Training, who has lapsed, and who will before recharter time.  Please ensure your leaders are properly covered.

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.

Webelos Transition Day

A BIG HAND for Mike Davis, Rodney Parsons and all the help from Troop 800, Troop 876, Troop 897 who helped make the Transition Day 2015 yet another success! Fire building, leather branding, archery, rappelling, and a zip line were just some of the Scouting events the boys were able to learn and take part in.  These highlights are to let these young boy scouts to be know what type of activities they can expect out of our high-performing troops!

Next year, we hope that we will have even more participation from our other troops, to volunteer at a station and help showcase what makes them unique in Huguenot Trail.  NOW is the time to form those relationships with these Cub Scouts, to ensure the growth and longevity of your troop!

Recharter Update: 

• Recharter submission date is set for 11^th of December, 2015.
• Please set a submission appointment for December 8^th, 9^th, or 10^th with Geoff Angle at the Council Office.  If your unit is experienced with the recharter process and is able to complete it earlier, please just set up an appointment at your earliest opportunity.  There is no need to wait.  Our one caveat is that we will not be hosting recharter breakouts at Roundtable this year, as we do not want to detract from that program.  The earlier the better, folks!

 If your Recharter is not submitted by that date your Unit will not be able to purchase Advancement items in the Scout Shop.

• If you have not already picked up your Recharter Package, please do so immediately.  
• If you have not already started your Recharter, please do so immediately.
• 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.

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

October

1          Roundtable @ Beale Memorial Baptist Church, Tappahannock
3          Scouting for Food Bags out
10        Scouting for Food Bags in
17        Tiger Rally @ Camp
20        Commissioners Meeting
20        Committee Meeting

JOIN SCOUTING NIGHT

This year’s Cub Scout Join Scouting Nights were a success and a ton of new boys joined your packs! Please turn in all applications and fees as soon as possible.  Remember that parents are paying for their sons to be registered starting now and not later!  We appreciate everyone’s cooperation with this so that we may keep our records as current as possible. Use the month of October to recruit additional leaders and get them trained!

POPCORN

For those who haven’t signed up yet to sell popcorn there is still a lot of time to do so and a lot of ways for you to fund your units program for the year.  Please contact Stacy Garnett, Rivers District Popcorn Kernel, at staceygarnett@verizon.net to get more information about how you can have an awesome year!

ROUNDTABLE

Roundtables are a form of commissioner service and supplemental training for volunteers at the unit level. It serves as a source of information on events and training and an opportunity to share experiences and enjoy fellowship with other unit leaders. Roundtables provide unit leaders with 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. Please make an effort to participate in these informative sessions, which are designed to assist unit level leadership in program development.

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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

Devin Ray Akers    511   Built bridge at Lee-Davis High School for easier access to lawn equipment
Ethan Everett Downing    2860   Lake view mountain bike trail signs at Pocahontas State Park
William Christian Evans    770   Built picnic tables for James River Association
Samuel Donald Guinn    772   Built Ga-Ga ball pit for Pemberton Elementary School
Richard Noah Jacob    511   Built planter boxes around trees at Broadus Memorial Baptist Church
Zackery Benedict Johnson    869   Built playhouse and sandbox for Salisbury Presbyterian Church
Adam Christopher Kalata    2860   Built horse mounting stands at Pocahontas State Park
Dillard Chappell Laughlin III   770   Built 3 benches for the senior citizens at Essex Village
Austin Edward Marshall    521   Build tables and stools for Church of the Redeemer
James Philip Meyenberg    2860   "Little Library" (free book exchanges) around the Woodlake community.
Colton James Milcarek    832   Lanscaping at Powhatan High School
Brian Timothy O'Keefe    869   Refurbish marching band tower for James River High School
Samuel Edward Parsons    763   Built fish attractors for VA Game & Island Fisheries
Frank Lucas Pezzulli    900   Cemetary clean-up for Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Logan Fitzgerald Powers    175   Restoration of battlement at Petersburg National Battlefield
Richard Anderson Roberts    2860   Bike maintenance station at Pocahontas State Park
Aiden Conner Bryant Smith    2880   Built wildlife cage for A.W.A.R.E.
Brandon Scott Smith    700   Landscaping for the Living Word Assembly
Yeshwanth Kumar Reddy Somu    720   Built picnic tables for Sai Baba Temple
Benjamin Joseph Stafford    175   Renovation of the stew kitchen for the Ettrick American Legion Post
Anthony Quick Vinson II   770   Landscaping at Little Sisters of the Poor
Warren Parker Wilner    720   Built 3 cabinets for use by the Robotics team at Godwin High School

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
Nawakwa Lodge #3 OA

Samuel F. Marshall Jr.
Dan & Cyndie Reppert
Billy & Joyce Warf

In Honor Of

Mark A. Larson
James River Wealth Advisors

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Scout Shop Notes

Scout Shop Notes

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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