 |
|
To support Scouting in the Heart of Virginia!
|
|
|
|
A Message to Parents of New Scouts
By Bill Givler, Director of Field Service,
bill.givler@scouting.org
Scouting's programs and outdoor adventures prepare youth for a lifetime of character and leadership.
Welcome to Scouting!
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.
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.My.Scouting.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
.
|
|
|
Council Calendar
8 Tiger Rallly at Cub Adventure Camp
12 Commissioner Cabinet Meeting
13 Richmond Area Sporting Clays Classic
14-16 Order of the Arrow Fall Fellowship & Awards Banquet
16 VESA God & Church 6 week Program (Grades 6-8)
18 Eagle Society Reception
20 Executive Committee Meeting
22-23 Cub Scout Creepy Hollow
29 Scouting For Food Bags Out
|
|
|
Small Cub Scout Dens -
A Problem You Can Fix!
Sometimes after the dust has settled from our Join Scouting Campaign, a Cub Scout Den might wind up with less than 6 boys. This can quickly become a real problem for the den leader, for a number of reasons:
- It's hard to play games with a small number of boys.
- There are fewer parents to help share the load of snacks, den dues, helping out at den meetings, etc.
- It's easier to be motivated to deliver a great program when you know there will be a room full of excited Scouts.
What can you do to fix this? Hold a Bring-a-Buddy event targeted at that specific grade level.
Here's how:
1. Set a date for the "bring a buddy" night. Work with your District Executive to get peer-to-peer recruiting cards.
2. At a den meeting, announce the recruiting campaign to your Scouts. Ask Scouts to list non-Scout friends they would like to invite to the "bring a buddy event." Provide Scouts with peer to peer recruiting cards and pens. Have the boys write the invitations themselves on the backs of 10 cards per Scout. Instruct them to give these cards to their friends at school, tell them about all the fun you are having, and invite them to join Scouts at the event.
3. Give Scouts two weeks to distribute materials and talk with their friends. At your meeting after the first week, remind Scouts about the upcoming "bring a buddy" event and encourage them to bring at least one friend with them.
4. Hold the "bring a buddy" event. Make it special. If the den budget can handle it, consider serving food. At the very least have fun, hands-on activities that boys enjoy. Have the parents of the new Scouts complete youth applications, pay fees, and welcome them to Scouting.
Incentives Available:
- Official BSA Recruiter Strip - every Scout who recruits a friend into Scouting earns this patch. It is available at the Scout Service Center for free. Unit Leaders can pick up a Recruiter Strip when they turn in the new Scout's application.
- Flashlights for Recruiters - every Scout who recruits a friend into Scouting between October 1 and November 15 will receive a free LED Flashlight.
|
|
|
Friends of Scouting Dinner
An Evening with Rocky Bleier
Vietnam Veteran and Super Bowl Winner
Please save the date for the 2017 Friends of Scouting Dinner, Thursday, February 23rd at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. We are excited to announce that our keynote speaker for the evening will be Rocky Bleier.
Mr. Bleier embodies heroism, determination, teamwork and leadership. After being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968, Bleier was drafted by the U.S. Army to fight in Vietnam. Told he would never walk again after receiving severe wounds, he bravely rehabilitated himself to condition for re-entry into the NFL. Defeating all odds, Bleier regained his running back position on the Steelers' squad. The four time Super Bowl champion, and former Boy Scout, continues to inspire audiences of all generations.
Friends of Scouting
Annual Giving Campaign Dinner
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Greater Richmond Convention Center
5:30 p.m. V.I.P. Reception
6:00 p.m. General Reception
7:00 p.m. Dinner and Program
|
|
|
Bobcat Challenge
The Heart of Virginia Council is excited to announce the first annual Bobcat Challenge, an opportunity for Cub Scout Packs and New Cub Scouts to receive additional recognition for earning their Bobcat Badge.
The Rules:
Only new Scouts who join between August 1, 2016 and November 30, 2016 can participate. To be entered into the Bobcat Challenge, they must earn their Bobcat Badge by December 31, 2016. Proof of Bobcat rank attainment is through an Advancement Report submitted by the Pack leadership. Advancement Reports must be received by December 31, 2016 to count towards the Bobcat Challenge!
Prizes for the Youth:
Every new Scout who qualifies will get a pair of Cub Scout binoculars AND they will be entered into our Grand Prize drawing for a campership for the Scout and one parent to attend Cub Adventure Camp in the summer of 2017 for free!
Prizes for the Pack:
The Cub Scout Pack in each district with the highest percentage of new Cub Scouts earning their Bobcat Rank on December 31, 2016 will be treated to an Ice Cream Sundae Party at a pack meeting chosen by the Cubmaster between January and May 2017.
|
|
|
A Message to Unit Leaders, Unit Committee Chairs, and Charter Organization Representatives
From: Lloyd Dunnavant, Council Commissioner
Recharter, also known as charter renewal, 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 be rechartered no later than December 31, 2016.
Important points to remember about recharter:
- The council has a firm deadline of December 31, 2016 for recharter turn-in. However, your district commissioner staff must review your recharter prior to Dec. 31, so they will have an earlier recharter deadline. Please meet your district's deadline - it exists to prevent a last-minute crisis.
- Your district's commissioner staff will be working hard to assist you with the recharter process, and will offer recharter training and a recharter turn-in event well before the year-end 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. Here's what that means specifically:
- 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 with 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. Annual registration with the BSA is $24. The insurance fee is $4 per person. An annual subscription to Boys' Life magazine is $12.
- Make sure that your recharter 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 2/28/17, 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 retain their membership in the Boy Scouts of America on January 1, 2017. I 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.
|
|
|
Register For the 2017 National Scout Jamboree and Receive a Limited Edition Patch!
 Where can you get the best of Scouting in one place?
At the 2017 National Scout Jamboree!
Join us in 2017 for one of the Boy Scouts of America's coolest traditions.
The 2017 Jamboree is the place to make new friends, experience adrenaline-raising activities, explore the Summit's stunning adventure playground, and unite with tens of thousands of fellow Scouts and Venturers who all share your same values, interests, and commitment to the outdoors.
The Summit is home to the world's largest collection of zip-lines, the country's second largest skateboard park, 36 miles of mountain bike trails, and has many more high adventure activities.
When you register to attend the 2017 National Jamboree with the Heart of Virginia Council Contingent you will receive a special limited edition patch! Wear this patch on your uniform to promote Jamboree to your Scouting friends!
The Council is creating six Troops for the 2017 Jamboree (and one Crew). To take part in this amazing event, Scouts need to register individually through this website:
www.bsajamboree.org.
Click HERE for more information.
Watch the Jamboree promo video HERE!
|
|
|
Richmond Area Sporting Clays Classic
The October 13th Richmond Area Sporting Clays Classic to benefit Council camps and camping programs promises to be another great event. Over 52 four person teams will be participating at the Cub Adventure Camp. To see a list of participating teams and sponsors click
HERE.
There is still some room in the morning flight and we are still taking station sponsors for anyone wanting to promote their business and support Scouting at the same time. Contact todd.martin@scouting.org.
|
|
|
 Please visit http://hovc.org/training/ to register for any of the below Trainings.
October 6 Cub Leader Specific Training
October 8-9 Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)
October 8-9 Outdoor Webelos Leader Training (OWL)
October 10 Merit Badge Counselor Orientation
October 13 Cub Leader Specific Training
October 21 Den Chief Training
October 22 Boy Scout Leader Specific (Indoor)
October 22 Cub Scout Leader Specific Training
October 24 Cub Scout Leader Specific
|
|
|
EASY Fundraising with 50% Commission!
Looking for an EASY fall fundraiser? No inventory to order. No product to deliver. No money collection. Minimal time commitment. 50% COMMISSION! Yes, that's right... 50% commission!
Trail's End has a new online selling system and there's MORE than just POPCORN! How about Milk Chocolate Pecan Clusters or French Roast Coffee? These products are in addition to the Sweet Caramel with Sea Salt Popcorn, Aged White Cheddar Popcorn and more! Scouts can set-up their own online selling pages and help your Unit earn more money for your Scouting program! Scouts can share their online fundraising page, customers purchase product online and Trail's End ships directly to the customer. Your Unit receives your 50% commission check at the end of the sale!
Scouts are awarded prizes for selling, too! Scouts who sell $300 or more get 5% back on an Amazon gift card and can choose a BSA branded Rosewood Handle Knife (just one of the prizes available in this fall's prize program)! Scouts can visit www.trails-end.com to register! If you have questions, please contact heather.dunton@scouting.org.
|
|
|
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
HERE.
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 March 30, 2017.
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 HERE
and each district will have a specific due date in the spring for a local district recognition dinner.
|
|
|
Voice of the Scout
The Heart of Virginia Council wants your input, so take part in the Voice of the Scout Survey in late September or early October!
Look for an email from the Boy Scouts of America in your inboxes!
Beginning late September, parents, Scouts over 14, Venturers, volunteers, and chartered organization representatives will begin seeing surveys delivered into their email inboxes for Voice of the Scout. The surveys have been designed to be very brief but will give needed insight into the quality of experiences at the unit, district, and council.
Voice of the Scout will help guide our decision-making for our future programs and operational delivery. Please take a few minutes of your time to participate.
|
|
|
Scout Shop Sale
The Scout Shop would like to help you get started with a uniform
for your son!
Receive 15% off the purchase
of the Cub Scout
shirt, belt and pants!
(When purchased together)
We also stock a wide variety of Scouting supplies, handbooks and gifts.
The Scout Shop is located at:
4015 Fitzhugh Ave., Richmond, VA
The Scout Shop hours are:
Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5:30 PM,
Saturday: 9 AM - 12 NOON
This offer is available to Cub Scouts only,
|
|
|
United Way
To: Scout leaders, Scout parents,
Supporters of S
couting
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.
|
|
|
Scouting For Food to Benefit FeedMore
Scouting For Food starts with the October Roundtables. FeedMore representatives will be on hand to distribute bundles (400 brown paper grocery bags per bundle) to units.
Bag delivery is on or around October 29th. 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 be distributed to assigned neighborhoods later that day or Sunday. But bags do need to be collected Saturday morning November 11th 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 804-2
04-2613.
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 gre
ater sense of purpose, a sense of service to the community and it puts the Scout Oath and Law into action.
|
|
|
National Youth Leadership Training
It's Here!
The Heart of Virginia Council will hold its first NYLT Course on August 6 thru 12, 2017 at Cub Adventure Camp!
Mark your calendars now.
Be on the lookout!
Detailed information will be released soon!!!
|
|
|
Register NOW for the 2017 Wood Badge Course
Registration is now open for the 2017 Wood Badge Course
- Click HERE for more details and to register.
- First weekend Friday, Sept 22nd thru Sunday 24th, Cub Adventure Camp
- Second Weekend Saturday, October 14th, 15th and 16th, Camp T. Brady Saunders
Wood Badge is the pinnacle of training for leaders and volunteers in all Scouting programs. The Wood Badge experience enables Scouters to become better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills and by creating a bond and commitment to the Scout movement. The Wood Badge course combines both classroom training and practical outdoors experiences.
|
|
|
Den Chief Training
Friday, October 21st
6:00pm-8:30pm
Finley Albright Scout Reservation
Pavilion 2
The Den Chief Training Conference combines fun and
enjoyment with an excellent character building experience. Participants will learn leadership, organization, and most importantly, how to work with Cub Scouts. This training is for boys who are or want to be a Den Chief to a Cub Scout Den. It is also for registered adult leaders who want to learn the duties and role of Den Chiefs.
We recommend youth be a First Class Scout (or close to advancing to 1
st Class.)
Den Chiefs need this training to be considered "trained."
The cost is $10.00 per person.
|
|
|
Philmont
How will you spend your summer in 2017!
The Heart of Virginia Council sends a contingent to Philmont Scout Ranch located in Cimarron New Mexico each year.
It is not too late to sign up, there are several openings in our crews.
It is an adventure of a lifetime!
Call Ellen M. Milano (804) 204-2610 for details.
|
|
|
Philmont Training Center
The Philmont Training Center (PTC) is the national volunteer training
center for the Boy Scouts of America. Since 1950, PTC has provided a unique environment for training volunteer and professional leaders, and a fun family program for every member of the family. Each year, more than 6,000 Scouters and family members attend PTC.
Each conference features the latest tools and techniques, audiovisuals, discussions, idea sharing, and activities led by a faculty of experienced Scouters. All registered Scouters are invited to attend training center courses. Learn more at this link http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/PTC.aspx.
Take your family to the mountains of New Mexico for a week of family fun and Scout leader training. Don't pay top dollar for a dude ranch experience when you can have family budget friendly week at Philmont Scout Ranch.
|
|
|
Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation
Upcoming Events on the Reservation
- October 8 - Tiger Rally
- October 14 - 16 - Order of the Arrow Fall Fellowship
- October 21 - 23 - Creepy Hollow - A Howl-o-ree Event
- October 28 - 30 - Cardinal District Fall Cub Family Camping Event
Visit
www.nawakwa.org
for more information regarding Order of the Arrow Events at
Camp T. Brady Saunders
|
|
|
TIGER RALLY
TIGER CUBS
AND THEIR
ADULT PARTNERS
Saturday, October 8, 2016
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 hotdog 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.
|
|
|
A Howl-O-Ree E
vent
October 21 - 23, 2016
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:
$15 per person which includes:
* All Program Materials
* The Trading Post will be open during the event
For and additional fee of $10 it also includes:
* Lunch, Dinner and Breakfast
|
|
|
Summer Camp 2017
Camp T. Brady Saunders
WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR STAFF AT CAMP T. BRADY SAUNDERS IN 2017
http://bradysaunders.net/camp/staff.html
2017 Program Guide Available at
www.bradysaunders.net
Schedule
WEEK 1, June 18 - 24, 2017
WEEK 2, July 25 - July 1, 2017
WEEK 3, July 2 - 8, 2017
WEEK 4, July 9 - 15, 2017
WEEK 5, July 16 - 22, 2017
WEEK 6, July 23 - 29, 2017
Register NOW at
http://bradysaunders.net/camp/summer.html
REGISTER NOW ONLY $250 HOLD-A-SPACE FEE PER UNIT!
Fee $280 if registered by March 15, 2017 and ½ of fees paid after March 15, 2017 $310
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!
|
|
|
Cub Adventure Camp
2017
Summer Camp
Adventure Camp
Heart of Virginia Council Scout Reservation
REGISTER ONLINE AT www.cubadventurecamp.net
- Hold-A-Space for the 2017 summer is only $10.00 per attendee
Cub and Webelos Sessions
RESIDENT CAMP SESSIONS
Session 1 - June 25 - 28, 2017
Session 2 - June 28 - July 1, 2017
Session 3 - July 5 - 8, 2017
Session 4 - July 9 -12, 2017
Session 5 - July 16 -19, 2017
WEEKEND ADVENTURES
Weekend 1 - July 14 - 16, 2017 $65 per person
Weekend 2 - July 21 - 23, 2017
* Register by March 15, 2017 for an Early Bird rate of $60 per person
Weekend 3 - July 28 - 30, 2017
Questions? Contact Mic Mullins 804-204-2625 or mic.mullins@scouting.org
|
|
|
Albright Scout Reservation
Albright Scout Reservation is a great site for weekend camping. Situated on 568 acres on Lake Chesdin in Chesterfield County, 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/.
|
|
|
Arrohattoc District
October
6
District Commissioner Meeting, 6:30PM, Hopewell UMC
6
OA Chapter Meeting, 7:00PM, Hopewell UMC
6
Roundtable, 7:00PM, Hopewell UMC
8
Tiger Rally, Cub & Webelos Adventure Camp
8-9
Scoutmaster Outdoor (IOLS), Camp T. Brady Saunders
19
District Committee Meeting, 7:00PM, Trinity UMC
21-23
Arrohattoc Fall Camporee, Albright Scout Reservation
22
Cub Scout Fun Day, Albright Scout Reservation
22-23
Creepy Hollow, Cub & Webelos Adventure Camp
29
Scouting For Food Bags Out
November
3
District Commissioner Meeting, 6:30PM, Hopewell UMC
3
OA Chapter Meeting, 7:00PM, Hopewell UMC
3
Roundtable, 7:00PM, Hopewell UMC
5
Scouting For Food Bags In
12-13
Scoutmaster Outdoor Training (IOLS), Camp T. Brady Saunders
14
Scoutmaster Indoor Training, 6:00PM-10:00PM, Council Service Center
16
District Committee Meeting, 7:00PM, Trinity UMC
19
Cub Scout Bring A Buddy Shoot-o-ree, Cub & Webelos Adventure Camp
19
Popcorn Pick-Up
Fall Schedule
We're looking forward to another busy and exciting Fall. We've got a full slate of activities, trainings and community service opportunities. Be sure to visit
www.arrohattoc.com and
www.hovc.org to get all of the updates on everything happening in the District and Council!
Training Opportunities
Be sure to visit
www.hovc.org/training to review the upcoming training courses being offered within both the District and Council. We have many opportunities for your Unit's leaders to gain additional knowledge to help provide your Scouts with the best program possible.
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.
September Roundtable Topics:
Cub Scouts - Recharter 2017
Boy Scouts - National Jamboree 2017
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.
|
|
|
Battlefield District
October
5 Commissioner Meeting @ 6:30 P.M. at New Hanover Presbyterian Church
5 Roundtable @ 7:30 PM at New Hanover Presbyterian Church
7-9 2016 Battlefield District Merit Badge Camporee at the VFW in Mechanicsville.
10 Order of the Arrow Chapter 5 Meeting @ 7:00 PM at Fairfield Presbyterian Church
18 District Committee Meeting @ 7:30 PM at Fairfield Presbyterian Church
Upcoming Events:
2016 Battlefield District Boy Scout Fall Merit Badge Camporee
October 7th - 9th, 2016 at the VFW Post 9808, Mechanicsville
The 2016 Fall Camporee and Merit Badge Weekend is being coordinated by Chapter 5
(Nagatamen) of Nawakwa Lodge of the Order of the Arrow. This is done in accordance with the
founding principles of the Order of the Arrow - to promote camping and to develop youth leadership.
Goal - To provide opportunities to Scouts of all ages and experience levels by giving ample exposure to the development and application of such Scouting and life skills as leadership, responsibility, and vocational skills taught in Merit Badges, as well as helping Scouts advance in their quest for the Eagle Rank.
Merit Badge Listing:
Leaders Guide:
(
You must complete Doubleknot and the appropriate Google form to be completely registered. Failure to due both will result in you not being fully registered
. If you have any problems or questions please contact us at
battlefieldscouting602@gmail.com
)
Scouting for Food
The 2016 Scouting for Food campaign will occur the last Saturday in October (10/29) for Bags Out followed by Bags In on the first Saturday in November, (11/5). This is a major Council event and every unit is asked to take an active part. By now each unit should have identified the Unit Scouting For Food Coordinator and those names passed to the District. If this has not yet been done, please do by the next Roundtable meeting in October. Please come to the October Roundtable to learn about the areas units will be asked to cover. Together, we can make this year's campaign the most successful ever. We will also be discussing the new and improved maps we are creating for Scouting for Food.
2016 District Dinner
Saturday, November 5, 2016
- Recognition of the Battlefield District Award of Merit recipients and current year's Eagle Scouts. Bring two dishes to share that feed 8-12 or one dish that feeds 16. The District will provide meat and beverages. All are welcome, please plan on attending and bring your family and anyone who is interested in Scouting. Cost: $6.00 per person Location: 6930 Cold Harbor Road Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111.
|
|
|
Capitol District
District Chairman:
Jonathan Murdoch-Kitt, 804-321-5100,
District Commissioner: Terrence Thompson, 704 883-6425,
Senior District Executive: George Smith, 804-204-2632,
October
6 District Committee Meeting, First Baptist Church, 6:00pm
6 Commissioner Meeting,First Baptist Church, 7:00pm
6 Cub Scout/Boy Scout Roundtable, First Baptist Church, 7:00pm
21-23 District Fall Camporee, Camp Brady Saunders
November
1 District Committee Meeting, First Baptist Church, 6:00pm
1 Commissioner Meeting, First Baptist Church, 7:00pm
1 Cub Scout/Boy Scout Roundtable, First Baptist Church, 7:00pm
8 ELECTION DAY -VOTE
October Roundtable Focus: 'Scouting for Food'
Please plan to attend the October leader roundtable especially if your pack or troop or crew plans to participate in the Scouting for Food event. We will explore territory assignments and best practices from previous years. How can we reach more neighborhoods and get a better return on our efforts? Bring your best ideas and share your success stories. We will make every effort to have the SFF bags at the roundtable, however, we'll have details on bag pick-up at the meeting. Let's have growth in a great SFF campaign in 2016!
It's not too late to sign up for the District Camporee
October 21-23 at Brady Saunders
Register online or contact your executive staff. The camporee theme: "
Meeting Near Mafeking" promises to be a great adventure for your Scouts. Provisional camping is welcome so Scoutmasters, encourage your Scouts who love camping to attend, and participate in the district Fall camporee. Camporees are held to promote Boy Scout camping of course, but importantly, these type of gatherings promote fellowship and the sharing of skills and experiences among Scouts in our area.
Click HERE to register or contact Alan Johnson or George Smith for details.
Fall Recruiting
Cub Scout
Join Scouting Nigh
t activities wrapped up in the last month. Turn in all new applications and fees to the council office. Please don't hold applications for recharter in December. Remember: families who sign up in September expect to be registered with the BSA quickly. Please share your Pack or Troop recruiting plans with the Membership chairman, Tony Easter or with the executive staff. There are many support materials available and we can assist you when marketing your Scouting program. Roundtable is another great place to share your successful recruiting techniques. It is the duty of every Scout Leader to grow the Scouting program which serves to help strengthen our communities, our families and our nation.
|
|
|
Cardinal District
District Chairman: Michael Ballato, 402-6982,
October
6 Roundtable at 7:30PM, St. Michael's Catholic Church. 4491 Springfield Road. Glen Allen
6 Commissioner's Meeting at 6:30PM, St. Michael's Catholic Church
18 District Committee Meeting at Markel. 6:30PM food, 7:00PM start.
29-30 Cardinal Cub Camporee. Be there!
November
3 Roundtable at 7:30PM, St. Michael's Catholic Church. 4491 Springfield Road. Glen Allen
3 Commissioner's Meeting at 6:30PM, St. Michael's Catholic Church
5 Scoutng for Food Bags In
15 District Committee Meeting at Markel. 6:30PM food, 7:00PM start.
Roundtable Topics for October 6
th
Lots going on:
- Training on Cyber Chip (both cub and boy scouts)
- General Discussion: how does peer to peer recruitment work and is it right for me?
- Cub Leader Specific Training part 1 (separate from the roundtable program)
- Recharter Training (separate from the roundtable program)
- Pick up Scouting for Food Bags
Fall Recruitment for Adults
Many new kids will be joining the Scouting program this fall and with them come their parents. It is important to engage our new parents in volunteering. Some big key items to remember.
- Define the job. Make it specific.
- Define the time frame. How long of a commitment is it?
- Share the importance! Things we do in Scouting are important and make sure they know it!
Cardinal Cub Camporee
Set for Oct 29-30
th at the Cub Adventure Camp in Goochland. It is looking to be a great day and night of camping. Will you be near the fort, the castle, or in the woods of the mountain cabins? Only one way to find out,
REGISTER HERE!
|
|
|
Crater District
District Chairman:
TBD
District Commissioner:
Scott Carrigan, 314-518-8502,
District Executive: Allen Crump, 804-263-5016,
October 2016
3 District Commissioners Meeting - Wesley United Methodist Church, 6:30PM
3 Crater Roundtable- Wesley U.M.C., 7:00PM
10 OA Meeting, 7:00PM
17 District Committee Meeting- Wesley United Methodist Church, 7:00PM
ROUNDTABLE
Our October Roundtable meeting will be at 7:00PM on October 3rd at Wesley UMC. We will be discussing recharter and youth retention strategies for the rest of the year. Please plan to have a unit representative at this meeting so you don't miss out on any information.
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!
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. Your commissioner will be in touch with you soon to ensure this process goes smoothly.
COMMISSIONER SERVICE
Do you want a new adventure in Scouting? Are you looking for a position with a flexible schedule and exciting new experiences? If so, then we have the job for you. We are currently looking for dedicated Scouters to serve as Unit Commissioners. Commissioners are the backbone of District-level unit service. They serve as liaisons between units and the district and they provide much-needed support to the unit leaders. If you would like to help individual units and the Crater District, please contact Scott Carrigan or Allen Crump and we will get you started!
|
|
|
|
Huguenot Trail District
District Chairman:
Bill Mulvihill, 804 380 2794,
District Commissioner:
Heather Mulvihill, 804 338 7912,
District Website:
October
6 Roundtable (7:00PM, Mt. Pisgah UMC)
7-9 Fall Camporee (Finley Albright)
11 Recharter Training (7:00PM, Mt. Pisgah UMC)
14-16 OA Fall Fellowship
15 Webelos Transition Day (Camp Justis)
19 District Committee Meeting (7:00PM, Café Caturra)
29 Scouting for Food Bags Out
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
Attention all Webelos and AOL Scouts:
I hope everyone is adjusting to your kids being back in school again and that things are not too hectic at your house. I wanted everyone to know that we will again be having the Webelos to Boy Scout Transition Day at Camp Justis in Powhatan, Va and encourage all the Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts to attend. Aside from showing our Cub Scouts of all the fun awaiting them in Boy Scouts, this is a great time of year to enjoy the outdoors in a beautiful country setting. As described in the attached brochure (meant to be a folding brochure if you care to print it), we will have a number of activities led by Troop 800, Troop 876 and Troop 897. And we will be encouraging other troops to be there as well. The activities will include camping demonstration, camp fire building, leather working, archery, BB gun shooting and more. The Scouts and parents always seem to have a great time and the entire event including lunch is offered free of charge.
Hopefully the brochure will answer all your questions, but if not, please let me know. And please forward this note to others in your unit leadership who might be interested in attending our helping to lead the event.
Respectfully,
Mike Davis
Huguenot Trail District Membership Chair
Recharter Update
-
Recharter submission date is set for
7-9th of December.
- Please set a submission appointment for December 7th, 8th, or 9th 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 store.
- If you have not already picked up your Recharter Package by October RT, please do so immediately.
- If you have not already started your Recharter by October 12th, please do so as soon as you can!
- 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
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.
|
|
|
|
Rivers District
District Chairman: Vacant
TBD
District Executive: Joe Hickey, 804-938-2616, joe.hickey@scouting.org
OCTOBER
6 ROUNDTABLE AND O/A CHAPTER MEETINGS
Popcorn Explosion
JSN Training
Cub Scout Cooking by Pack 215
Boy Scout- Avoiding Adult Leader Burnout
8 Cub Scout Shoot-o-Ree
18 District Commissioner/District Committee Meeting
22 Creepy Hollow
29 Scouting for food Bags out
Roundtable
Topics include a talk on The Big Rock by Jesse Ault and a topic on hiking.
Cub Scouts getting family member involved, and the Boy Scouting conversations will be on our upcoming Pumpkin' Chunkin'.
GOAL UPDATE
POPCORN! POPCORN! POPCORN! A little bird has been whispering in my ear saying that Rivers may have a banner year in selling Popcorn. Let's make it so and make it a better year than last!
FOS-$40,000 ($18,161 to date)
Camp Cards- $4,030 (GOAL ACCOMMPLISHED)
Join Scouting Nights
Join Scouting Nights are under way! It's an exciting time for me as it is my first. I already have dates together for in class boy talks, and Join Scouting Nights. I can always use a hand so if your available come on down to help. Please look for the current list of schools on, Bits and Pieces.
UNIT COMMISSIONERS
Unit Commissioners will be gearing up for recharter season. Please start thinking about this over the next few weeks as they will start working on this with unit leaders.
Our Unit Commissioner staff is here to help. If your unit has not been contacted by a commissioner as of today, please let Freddy or myself know and we will get that visitation taken care of. Unit visitations are just a part of JTE Scores, and every point counts. Last year Rivers District as a whole missed out on silver award by only a few points and I have high hopes to exceed the Bronze level.
SOCIAL MEDIA
The Heart of Virginia Council is using social media to provide information and receive feedback from the leaders in the council. The Rivers District also uses social media to keep in touch with everyone. Please be sure to check out the Rivers Facebook page for other information and updates; Rivers District, Heart of Virginia Council, BSA
|
|
|
Exploring
Exploring Opportunities:
As many of you know,
Exploring is a unique career exploration program for young men and women ages 14-20. It provides students with an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of career fields and network with professionals already working in those fields. They get hands-on experience to determine whether or not a particular career field is right for them. They also develop valuable networking contacts with professionals working in your selected career fields, and get to know other teenagers and young adults sharing similar interests and aspirations. Exploring can be the first step in identifying career possibilities while having fun in an exciting and informal environment.
This is a rapidly growing program within the Heart of Virginia Council (more than 20% growth each of the last two years.) There are 2 more programs accepting enrollments for the 2016 program year and both have limited slots.
This is a rapidly growing program. If you know of an employer in the area that might be interested in hosting an Exploring Post, please contact Bill Givler at
bill.givler@scouting.org
or 804-938-2614.
|
|
|
 The family of Eagle Scout Paul Kohler presented a framed collage in his memory to the Heart of Virginia Council executive board on September 15th. Several members and leaders of Troop 498, chartered to St. Benedict School, were present and spoke of Paul's achievement of earning all of Scouting's merit badges, and how he is an inspiration to his fellow Scouts. The frame is hanging in the council service center outside of the Scout Shop.
|
|
|
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 9:00AM-5:30PM, Saturday 9:00AM -NOON
|
|
|
|
|
To support Scouting in the Heart of Virginia!
|
|
|
.jpg){kind=logo}
