Friends of Scouting is the Colonial Virginia Council's annual giving campaign and is the largest and most important source of funding. Your support enables Scouting's programs and outdoor adventures to prepare young people for a lifetime of character and leadership.
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Chesapeake Bay: City of Poquoson and the counties of Gloucester, Matthews, and York
Colonial Trail: City of Suffolk and Counties of Isle of Wight and Surry
First Colony: City of Williamsburg and James City County
Monitor Merrimac: Cities of Hampton and Newport News
Siouan Rivers: Cities of Emporia and Franklin and counties of Brunswick, Greensville, Southampton, and Sussex
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Newsletter Submissions & Join our Mailing List
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Next Newsletter Deadline:
5pm December 10th
Send all submissions and requests to join our newsletter to
cvc595newsletter@gmail.com
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Upcoming Council Training
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Leave No Trace Trainer Training
Date: December 19-20
Location: Murphys Mills Cabin, Suffolk, VA
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CPR and Basic First Aid
This course covers adult and child/infant CPR with AED, how to respond in an emergency, and render basic first aid. This meets and exceeds the requirements for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Level 1 Provider.
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Fair Winds and Rolling Tumbleweeds--Field Director Transition
As many of you know, Amanda Wroten was offered and has accepted a position as the Director of Development for the Buffalo Trail Council working for former CVC Assistant Scout Executive David Chapman in Midland, Texas. Amanda's last physical day with the council will be December 31st. A send off celebration is planned at St. George Brewing Company on December 17th from 5pm to 7pm. Please be sure to stop by share with others who might be interested.
Scouters: Thank you for the opportunity to serve the Colonial Virginia Council in various capacities (Community Relations Director, Council Committee Member, Development Director and Field Director) for almos t 12 years. I showed up fresh out of college, with no Scouting experience, and answered a blind advertisement in the newspaper only to find my dream job and family. As a child who was in and out of the hospital I never had the opportunity to go camping or participate in group activities with my peers. As many like to joke - my first campout was my ordeal and the first campfire I lit was my vigil - not exactly how you are supposed to do it! As an adult professional I believe I learned the same valuable lessons our Scouts learn every day - each time I placed on my uniform. Scouting opened up an entire new world for me - teaching me to be come a climbing instructor and develop a passion in mountaineering. Each volunteer, family, Scout, and donor in the Colonial Virginia Council has deeply touched my life in a way that I cannot express. You have all been there for me in my darkest moments and in the sunshine of the brightest days. You are more than our program - over the past 12 years you have become my extended family. Although my professional interests in Scouting will take me to Texas, I remain committed to the strong program we have developed in the Colonial Virginia Council and look forward to returning for the fall Wood Badge course and every 8-12 weeks to visit while I am in town for ongoing medical care. My scouting email address (amanda.wroten@scouting.org) and cell phone number (757-593-8491) will not change. Please feel free to stay in touch. From the bottom of my heart thank you for welcoming me in to your lives and for sharing this amazing program with me. It is truly an honor to have served under your leadership. I hope life will bring me back to this area in a professional capacity in the future. Until we meet again, thank you for all that you do for our kids. Yours in Scouting, Amanda Wroten Field Director
Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award
The Colonial Virginia Council is now accepting applications for the Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year. The form must be completed by January 1, 2016
Day Camp 2016 Patch Contest
Day Camp 2016 is only 6 months away!
One lucky Scout will have his patch design selected to be our camp patch. See the flyer below for entry details
Wreaths Across America
National Wreaths Across America is a project that occurs on the second Saturday of December every year held at Veterans Cemeteries across the country. We have 3 local locations that need assistance placing wreaths:
Albert G. Horton Jr. Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk
Friends of Scouting Patches
The Colonial Virginia Council, Boy Scouts of America has a limited number of patches
 from the 15 patch set - "12 Points of the Scout Law" to rerelease. Each individual patch is available for a $75 donation and a limited number of 6 full sets are available for a donation of $1,000 (includes 15 patches). You may shop our online storefront and pay online or contact Amanda Wroten at 757-595-3356, ext. 209 to pay via cash, check, or credit card over the phone. We ask that all donations be above and beyond your current Friends of Scouting gift.
(Click images to enlarge)
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Chesapeake Bay District
Served by District Executive Eric Smith: eric.smith@scouting.org
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"The Encyclopedia of Gear"
Who knows camping gear better than the Boy Scouts?
Troop 226 would like to invite all Cub Scouts and prospective Cub Scouts to our Open House and Gear Demonstration
Philmont Opportunity
Troop 226 in Yorktown still has youth spots available for next summer's trip to Philmont Scout Reservation in Cimarron, New Mexico. Contingent 720-C Check-in is July 20, 2016, and Check-out is August 1, 2016. Planned travel dates are 7/19/16 via air carrier to Denver, and via charter coach from Denver to Cimarron, NM, with several sight-seeing stops, meals, and overnight accommodations along the way. (See blueskyadventures.net for more info.) Upon Check-out, our charter will take us back to the Denver airport for the trip home. Planned budget is $1700, which includes Philmont registration fee, air travel from/to southeast Virginia, and charter transportation in the Rockies, but excludes personal gear. Interested youth must meet age and height/weight requirements to participate - see Section C of the BSA camp physical form. Please contact Bill Walker, Troop 226 Chaplain, at cb5eil@gmail.com, or 757-617-0342 (cell) with questions and for more information.
Chesapeake Bay Cub Scout Roundtable
Ho, ho, ho!! Hello all, this is the last Roundtable for 2015, don't miss out!!! On the agenda: Opening, Closing and Ceremony that can be used in your den and pack meetings, Scout Law: Trustworthy, Pack Activity: Disability Awareness game or activity, Interesting Topic: Scouting and special needs,Breakouts for den leaders: All- Special Needs- Tigers: Team Tiger Adventure, Wolf: Howling at the moon, Bears: Bear Claws, Webelos: Cast Iron Chef, Arrow of Light: Camper, Cubmasters: Monthly Themes, Committee: Chartered Organization Relations, we will also have a game, cheer or applause for you. Please come and bring a friend, we have noticed that there are hardly any webelos/Arrow of Light people attending, I urge you to bring these folks as they can greatly benefit, this goes for den leaders and cub masters as well. Simply just sending the cubmaster to get info is not enough as we have specific sessions just for den-web- Arrow of Light and committee. Please lets have a full house this Thursday and remember we start at 7 pm, thanks Claudia Clifton Ches. Bay Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner.
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Colonial Trail District
Served by District Executive Zach Oman: zachary.oman@scouting.org
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Religious Emblems Program
My name is David Willis and I am the Colonial Trail District Religious Emblems Coordinator (REC). My job is to ensure all Units are aware of the opportunities within the District for Scouts and Scouters to earn the Religious Emblem (RE) of their faith, recruit Unit RECs, and to enable others to promote classes of their own.
My vision is for all Scouts to truly understand what "Duty to God" means in order to fulfill the Scouting Values and "prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes". "Duty to God" is the basis for Scouting's Mission Statement and is the foundation upon which Scouting was built. All Scouts and Scouters need to understand that there are boys with different faiths and beliefs. However, instead of focusing on the differences we can unite in our similarities since we share the same Scouting Values. For when we focus on our similarities and work together, we all win in the game of life.
Over the course of the year I will be working to educate everyone at District Roundtable on the ways Scouts and Scouters can earn the RE of their faith, through displays, presentations, and handouts. In the meantime, if you want more information or if you would like me to make a presentation to your unit or charter organization about the various Faith Based Initiatives available, please email me at d.j.willis533@gmail.com. Perhaps you currently have scheduled your own classes that others might be able to attend? Please let me know that, too, so that I can get that information out to everyone!
I am organizing a Religious Emblems (non-denominational) program to assist those of various protestant faiths in earning the RE of their faith, as well as meet rank advancement requirements. The goal is to be completed by Scout Sunday (February 7th, 2016). The classes are set to begin at 4 pm on Sunday, November 1st at Beech Grove UMC in Driver and are open to Scouts and Scouters in the BSA and GSUSA; non-scouting siblings are also welcome! Deadline to register is Wednesday, October 28th. Other RE programs are also available for Roman Catholics, Muslims, Mormons, and many others. I would also be willing to help you or your charter organization promote your own class. I look forward to working with you and assisting you in the future!
Colonial Trail District Cub Scout Roundtable
The Cub Scout program change is here! Are you working the new program without problem? Need Help?
We would like to invite you to the monthly Colonial Trail District Cub Scout Roundtable! Join us as we do our best to help each other be prepared to deliver the best program we can!
Roundtable is exactly what it implies - an equal opportunity for Scouters (leaders and other interested adults), as a group, to exchange ideas and discuss relevant issues in our packs. Cub Scout Roundtable is a form of commissioner service and supplemental training for volunteers at the unit level. The objectives of Roundtable are:
- To provide leaders with program ideas, information on policy and events, and various training opportunities.
- To provide a forum for sharing experiences and enjoying fun and fellowship with other Scout leaders, fostering a great deal of camaraderie.
- To inspire, motivate, and enable all types of unit leaders to provide a stronger program for their Cub Scouts
We hope you will join us!
Cub Scout Roundtable Commissioner: David Willis (d.j.willis533@gmail.com)
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First Colony District
Served by District Executive Eric Smith: eric.smith@scouting.org
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Please email your news to cvc595newsletter@gmail.com
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Monitor Merrimac District
Served by Field Director Amanda Wroten: amanda.wroten@scouting.org
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2016 District Pinewood Derby Rules
Please see the 2016 Derby rules below. Registration form will be coming soon.
Thank You
"I just wanted to thank you for the outstanding job that your kids did at our performance on November 19th!" --Mitzi Emblidge
Recharter
The Council Recharter Packets are now available at the Service Center/Scout Shop. We will also bring them to the next Committee Meeting and Roundtable. The turn in date will be December 5th at the Council Service Center.
13th Annual Archery Day
Slots for Archery Day are filling up quick! Please be sure to get your registrations in as soon as possible so your son has a chance to shoot! We are working on some take away items to make this a special event!
Date: Saturday, December 13th
Time: 9:00 am Location: Wilcox, Newport News All participants will receive a patch (ordered after the event) and a participant's recognition item.
Holiday in the Woods
WEBELOS Is and WEBELOS IIs are invited to attend the Troop 368's annual "Holiday in the Woods'. You are invited to Camp out with the Troop. If you do not want to camp, join the troop for its Saturday activities to include a Holiday Dinner and Campfire. Or just come out for the Dinner.
Date: December 5 Time: 7:00 p.m. Location: Endview Plantation Click here to view the flyer.
Click here to view the invitation
Rifle Merit Badge
Superior Pawn and Gun is excited to offer the opportunity for Boy Scouts to earn their rifle shooting merit badge. Our professionally trained staff includes several former scouts, Eagle Scouts, scout leaders, and merit badge counselors that love helping the scouting community. For more information or to set up a class contact Steve at 757-723-6033 or HamptonSuperior@gmail.com
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Siouan Rivers District
Served by District Executive Zach Oman: zachary.oman@scouting.org
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Recently Scouts from Troops 17, 125, and 232 completed the God & Country Religious Emblem Program. Thank you to Mr. Mark Drumheller and Mr. Jamie Weist for guiding these young men. |
Woodbadge Association Reunion Dinner
Date: Sunday, January 31
Location: Benns Church, Smithfield, VA
Time: 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Sons of the American Revolution Essay Contest
The Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution, is soliciting applications for the 2015 Eagle Scout Scholarship award. Winning submissions will be recognized at three levels: The local scholarship award winner will receive a Bronze Eagle Medal and $100 in cash: the winner of the State Competition will receive a Trophy and $500 in cash; the winner on the National level will receive an $8000 cash scholarship. The first runner-up at the National level will receive a $4000 cash scholarship; and the second national runner up will receive a $2000 cash scholarship. Eagle Scouts who have not reached their 19th birthday by January 1, 2015 and who are still actively registered in a scouting unit are eligible to apply. Eagle Scouts may apply annually if the scout continues to meet the age requirement. The application requires a short essay relating to the Revolutionary War and a completed ancestry chart. Applications can be downloaded at http://www.sar.org/Youth/Eagle_Scout Completed applications should be mailed to R .Bruce Meyer 15242 New Towne Haven Lane, Carrollton, Virginia, 23314 or e-mailed to esr-sar@charter.net . They must be received not later than December 15th, 2014 to allow time for review and further submission.
American Legion Eagle Scout Scholarship
The American Legion Nation Eagle Scout Of The Year Scholarship
This is a annual program put on by The American Legion where a Eagle Scout can earn a $10,000 scholarship towards the college of his choice. All that has to be done is complete the attached application and submit to your local American Legion Post no later than February 1, 2016. Please read nomination form carefully as there are several requirements that have to be met. You can contact Ronald Feracho Sr. at 757-589-1870 or at rferacho13@gmail.com for more information. Click here to view the form.
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Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader!
If you had a magic wand, would you use it to make the Scouting program better and more fun for youth so they stayed in Scouting longer, so it had a larger impact on their lives? What if the same magic wand made leadership roles easier, more rewarding, and led to better retention among adult leaders? Would using that magic wand be a top priority?
Well, such a magic wand does exist-in the form of the learning programs for leaders in the Boy Scouts of America. The Colonial Virginia Council has a policy that all direct contact leaders must be trained in their position. If you still require any training to be considered "Trained" in your position, we encourage you to complete the training as soon as possible.
Common sense tells us training is important, and research shows the importance of trained leaders. A trained leader is knowledgeable and more confident in the role being performed. Trained leaders exhibit a knowledge and confidence that is picked up by people around them. Trained leaders impact the quality of programs, leader tenure, youth tenure, safety, and a whole lot more. A trained leader is better prepared to make the Scouting program all it can be!
National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience
Effective August 17th a new policy concerning training awards will be implemented. Any request for a training award will be checked by the council office for completion of all requirements. If all requirements are met, the council will issue a certificate but it will be up to the unit to buy the medal, device, and knot. Currently the cost for all three is $13.99. Please see the attached document for the current prices for the various training awards. A copy of the certificate will need to be presented to Scout Shop to buy the items.
Any training award that does not meet the requirements will be returned to the unit, through the District Executive, with a note of which requirement(s) have not been met.
As a reminder, the Scout Shop does not keep a large number of awards on hand and they may need to be ordered.
Your youth work hard to earn advancements and awards AND so do your adult leaders. Be sure they are recognized appropriately. Please remember to use the Progress Record Forms with the 2012 requirements for the Adult Leader Training Awards. The old forms will no longer be accepted.
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Brotherhood Walk
Wahunsenakah Lodge has scheduled a Brotherhood walk and ceremony at 3:30 PM on Dec 12 at the Troop 17 Scout Hut. The hut is at 31164 Camp Parkway in Courtland, VA
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Advancement and Registration
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If you need to contact the Council Advancement Team, contact your District Advancement Chairman (listed below) or you can reach the team at advancement@cvcboyscouts.org.
Chesapeake Bay
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Vacant
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Colonial Trail
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Jim O'Briant
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First Colony
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G Riesbeck
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Heritage
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Gary Bergtholdt
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James River
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Tim Ewing
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Siouan Rivers
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Mark Drumheller
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Council Advancement Chair
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Rob Kutz
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Internet Advancement Reporting - Which option are you using?
UNIT Advancements and Awards Coordinators -
Myscouting.org has changed. Internet Advancement Reporting- IAR is no longer accessible through the myscouting.org website. IAR is now located on https://my.scouting.org/ website. Log in using your same user ID and password; you will be asked to update your profile. Do so. Then click Home to view a drop down menu. Click on Legacy Web Tools. Click on Internet Advancement. Continue as normal for some. OR start using itfor other units.
Great News - The supported browsers are Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer 9, 10, and 11. In Internet Advancement, units may choose Option 1: Enter information manually or Option 2: Upload advancement files generated from PackMasterİ, TroopMasterİ, or ScoutSoftİ.
You need to have your Unit ID and your unit number handy. (The number you use for recharter IS NOT the same number you use to set up your internet advancement profile.) email your DE or advancement@cvcboyscouts.org if you don't know what your number is.
Option 1. Click download council files from scoutnet.
This temporarily allows you access to your unit file while you are logged onto this site. The data you'll see is what is currently in scoutnet. It either has been input manually at the office or it was previously "submitted" to scoutnet by your unit advancement processor. Awards are entered manually by your processor with this option.
What this option doesn't do by clicking download: it does NOT download the scoutnet records to your unit's program whether it be troopmaster, packmaster or scoutbook. It does not track camping nights, service hours, nor individual requirements toward ranks and merit badges.
Option 2.Click upload from your browser.
Before doing this, you MUST input new advancement data into your unit's program - troopmaster, packmaster or scoutbook. Then generate your normal advancement report; but instead of just printing it, you need to additionally save it on your computer. It MUST be saved as an ADVxxxx.cvs file. (The xxxxs are your unit.) You can find instructions on how to save a troopmaster file at http://www.troopmaster.com/scoutnet.html . View your report.If a scout does not upload, enter his data manually then find out why - his name, birthdate, etc. must match exactly with what was on the application when he/she registered. Avoid using nicknames. One wrong entry with personal information fromeither side of the fence will cause a mismatch.
Your session is not complete and will not update into council's Scoutnet system until you confirm your entries by clicking "Submit to Council". Please print your copy and a copy to turn into Council to enable you to purchase the awards. If your printout has "DRAFT"on ityou have not completed the process.
Please remember required signatures.

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Monday through Friday: 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Saturday: 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Fellow Scouters,
Pinewood Derby items have arrived at the shop and I'm looking forward to hearing all your Derby stories and seeing Derby pics in the coming months! Please come in and check out what we have and let me know if there is anything else you would like to see for sale in the hut.
According to National, the 13th Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook will retail for $14.99 for the paperbound edition ( item # 621131) and $19.99 for the coil bound edition ( item # 621132 ). No release date has been set yet, so I will let you know as soon as I hear any new information.
I have ordered a variety of Eagle Scout Court of Honor merchandise; some are recently introduced items, set to arrive early next week. Also, the new version of the Mother's Pride necklaces are in, as well as other parent pride items. Please stop by the hut when you get the opportunity and see what other new items have arrived.
Yours in Scouting,
Jennifer
BSA License Plate
Delegate Randy Minchew from Leesburg, VA will be filing a bill in the Virginia House of Delegates for the upcoming 2016 Session to create a specialized license plate for Scouting. Mr. Minchew is an Eagle Scout, former Scoutmaster and Silver Beaver Award winner. He knows this project has been in the works for a few years now but is reaching out to all of the councils that serve Virginia to get on board and promote this license plate.
The final plate design will be similar to the one above but may be altered to reflect the new brand identity "Prepared. For Life." And perhaps with the action graphic along the bottom. This is not specific to just one BSA council so all Scouting families in Virginia can use this plate.
The cost of the plate will be $25.00, or $35.00 if you want to personalize it. Please complete the DMV application (form VSA10) and mail it to with your check or credit card # to:
BSA License Plate, Heart of Virginia Council, PO Box 6809, Richmond, VA 23230.
Make checks payable to "BSA" and write "license plate" in the memo section.
The Heart of Virginia council will be the collection point for applications. A custodial account has been established and a record of applicants and fees collected is being kept.
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