Show Families Why Scouting Matters!

Dear Unit Key 3 Leaders,

As we move into the heart of our program year, we have an important opportunity in front of us. Membership across our council has remained steady, but we know there are many more families in our communities who would benefit from Scouting. With your leadership, we can get our membership engine moving again.

Families today are looking for programs that build confidence, character, and leadership in a safe and structured environment. Scouting delivers exactly that. Our youth meet weekly, learn practical life skills, explore the outdoors, serve their communities, and grow into capable leaders, all at a cost that remains affordable compared to most youth activities.

What Today’s Parents Want:

Safe, structured activities
Leadership development
Confidence building
Time away from screens
Affordable programs

What Scouting Delivers:

Outdoor adventure
Weekly engagement
Leadership & character development
Service opportunities
Lifelong skills

Your unit plays the most important role in welcoming new Scouts. The most successful units consistently do a few simple things well:

Share photos and stories that show Scouts in action
Invite families personally to visit a meeting
Review their Pins, Invitations, and Leads in My.Scouting.org
Promote the fact that Scouting meets weekly and youth can join at any time

Please take a few minutes to confirm your unit’s information on BeAScout and ensure your meeting location, contact information, and availability are current. This is often the first place families go when searching for Scouting opportunities.

To support your efforts, national marketing resources are available through the Scouting America Brand Center. You will find ready-to-use social media graphics, customizable flyers, logos, and messaging tools designed to help you promote your unit effectively while staying consistent with the Scouting brand.

If you have questions, would like assistance planning a recruitment effort, or want to explore new outreach ideas, please feel free to reach out to me directly. I am eager to support your unit’s growth.

Every Scout begins with an invitation. Together, we can ensure that more young people in our communities have the opportunity to experience the adventure, leadership, and lifelong impact of Scouting America.

Thank you for your leadership and for all you do to strengthen Scouting in the Heart of Virginia Council.

Yours in Scouting,

Matt Henke

Growth Executive

Heart of Virginia Council
matt.henke@scouting.org

Helpful Resources

BeAScout.org: Search for your unit and make sure your pin is updated. Make edits in My.Scouting.org under Menu > Organization Manager > Unit Pins.

BSA Brand Center: This resource has program-specific recruitmet materials, including customizable flyers and licensed photography. Choose a program to get started.

Scouting.org Recruitment Site: Get recruitment materials, social media calendars, campaign kits, and access to training and recruitment webinars, all in one place.

HOVC.org Join Site: Point parents to our website to learn about the various programs and our helpful Monthly Payment Plan.

HOVC.org Recruitment Page: Access printable peer-to-peer cards, applications, our Recruitment Guide, unit QR codes, and more!

HOVC.org Leader Portal: This page includes a wealth of knowledge and information to help you be the best possible leader, including unit planning tools.

Spring & Summer Events

Cub families are invited to welcome spring outdoors May 2–3! Attend with your pack or come as a family, arrive on Friday evening or Saturday morning, and enjoy a full afternoon of program fun after lunch on Saturday. Scouts in grades 3–5 can take on the 40-foot Climbing Tower, along with favorites like archery, fishing, BBs, BMX bikes, STEM activities, and more.

[Join the Cub Camporee]

Summon Thy Courage, and join us at Deep Run Park for our annual Day Camp for Cub Scouts and their buddies the week of June 1st–5th! Cub Scout Day Camp is a unique program; it is usually the first major activity for Scouts after graduating from their previous rank. At Day Camp, Scouts begin to work toward their next rank in the Cub Scout program.

[Learn More About Day Camp]

One of the most rewarding and character-building things a family can do together is go camping. Bring your Scout to a session at Cub Adventure Camp. Adventure Camp offers a 4-day, 3-night experience this summer at the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation in Goochland County.

Session 1: June 12 - June 15

Session 2: June 17 – June 20

Session 3: July 17 – July 20

[Summon Thy Courage, Young Scout!]

The summer gear may be packed away, and that long-lost blue card rediscovered, but the Scouting calendar never really slows down. Now is the perfect time to take inventory, restock essentials, and start thinking ahead to next summer’s adventures. A little preparation now means fewer surprises later and a smoother trail into the 2026 camping season. Pre-registration is officially open for Summer Camp 2026 at Camp T. Brady Saunders.

[Pre-Register Today!]