Table of Contents
Friends of Scouting
Has your unit held its 2021 Friends of Scouting presentation? It is a great opportunity to hear about some of the council’s highlights and accomplishments over the past year, and to illustrate to families how the program is funded. All units that hold a Friends of Scouting presentation will receive a special ribbon for their unit flag. Contact your district executive to schedule your presentation.
You can donate online via the donate button at the top of this page. The look of our online donation portal has changed, but, as before, all Friends of Scouting donations stay local and benefit the same Scouting program you love. You can also fill out a Friends of Scouting pledge card and email it to shannon.foster@scouting.org.
Progress as of May 15, 2021:
Each district shares a portion of the overall goal.
Progress as of May 15, 2021:
Upcoming Events
Many events have been canceled or postponed due to COVID-19.
Click here for a continuously updated list of event changes. Tidewater Council’s official updates and policies can be found here.
Camp Card Sale
Now through July 3
Earn your way to camp with Camp Cards! Camp Cards are cards that offer valuable discounts to local retailers. Some of the discounts are single-use, while many can be used throughout the year. Scouts sell the cards to family, friends, neighbors, and community members. Units earn a 50% sales commission, which they can use to pay for camping adventures.
The Camp Cards have great discounts from The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium, iFly Virginia Beach, Harris Teeter, Tractor Supply Co., and more! See the full list of vendors here.
Contact your district executive to sign up for the sale.
Win a Week of Camp!
For every 20 Camp Cards that an individual Scout sells, they will receive an entry ticket into a drawing for a campership. Entries are due by 5 PM on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. See page 4 of the Camp Card Guide for details.
Best Hacks for the Best Packs
May 19
Learn how to grow your Cub Scouting fun from those who know!
Come to “Best Hacks for the Best Packs” training to:
- Plan your program year
- Recruit adult leaders
- Build a budget
- Raise the funds for your pack
- Bring new families to your pack
Both in-person and virtual participation are available. For questions or to submit your best hacks, contact Bill Lawrence.
This training is absolutely FREE, but registration is required.
Annual Leadership Breakfast
NEW DATE!
May 25
In order to provide more community members with the opportunity to see keynote speaker Rocky Bleier in person, we have changed the date of our Annual Leadership Breakfast to Tuesday, May 25.
Join us to hear from this veteran of the U.S. Army and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, and four-time Super Bowl champion! Friends of Scouting donors who give at or above the Patron Level ($500) will receive an autographed memorabilia item.
RSVP to Susan Miley-Petrehn at susan.miley-petrehn@scouting.org.
Popcorn 101
May 25
Popcorn season will be here before we know it. Has your unit selected its Unit Popcorn Kernel?
If you are a brand new Unit Popcorn Kernel, or even have a couple years of experience, it may seem challenging to get started. We are pleased to invite you to Tidewater Council’s first-ever Popcorn 101 Training. We will cover the basics to give you the building blocks for a successful sale.
This training is absolutely free, but registration is required. Choose to attend either in-person or virtually!
Council Banquet
May 27
It’s a Celebration of Scouting! Join us at 6 PM on Thursday, May 27. The Annual Recognition Banquet is held each year to recognize Eagle Scouts and the volunteers of Tidewater Council. In addition to dinner served by our own Blue Heron Lodge cook crew, we look forward to honoring:
Silver Beaver Award Recipients:
John Wayne Abernathy
Al Barr
Anne Bussiere
Living Legends of Tidewater Council:
Willie Adams
Roger Crane
Hal Scott
Ron Kilmer 2020 Class of Eagle Scouts
Summit Award Recipients
NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Awards
and more!
We are excited to host the event this year and have confidence in the COVID-19 protocols in place for the safety of our guests. We are restricted to the number of participants, so please register early. Registration is now open and will close on May 20, or sooner as capacity is reached. This year’s event will be held at the Khedive Shrine Center, 645 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA. Feel free to reach out to Ron Kilmer or Christy Cooper with any questions or concerns.
This will be a night of food and fellowship you will not want to miss!
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
June 4-5
Join us at Camp Moonyah in Chesapeake for Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS). In this hands‐on course, adult leaders work together as a patrol and learn the practical skills they need to lead Scouts in the outdoors. IOLS builds and expands on the concepts and themes introduced in Scoutmaster Position‐Specific Training. Upon completion, leaders will feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain the First Class rank. Along with Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training, this course is required for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters to be “position‐trained.”
Princess Anne District Awards Fellowship
June 5
Princess Anne District will host its annual Volunteer Award Fellowship event at Memorial United Methodist Church. The event will recognize adult volunteers for outstanding service in Scouting, including District Award winners and recipients of the District Award of Merit. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will not be a dinner, but each registrant will receive a goody bag. Bring your family and friends for an evening of fun and fellowship! For more information, contact Tom Callahan at padctideh2o@gmail.com.
Cub Scout Range Master Training
June 5 and June 19
Attend Range Master Training to become a certified Range Master for Cub Scout shooting sports. Range Masters are required to attend this training to operate the ranges during Day Camp and other district/council events. You must be registered with BSA and at least 18 years of age. This training is valid for two years. Range Masters are required to operate water bottle rocket launches and other devices that shoot items into the air at unit activities.
Popcorn Training
June 7 and June 12
Join us to learn about the 2021 Tidewater Council Popcorn Sale!
This popcorn training is designed for both new and returning popcorn kernels. We will focus on the new procedures, return policies, and opportunities that can benefit your unit. Attending this training is also a requirement for a possible end-of-year bonus opportunity. Sound intriguing? Sign up today!
There are two training dates available. You may choose to attend on either date, either virtually via Zoom teleconferencing or in-person at the Mary Jayne Breeden Council Service Center, 1032 Heatherwood Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455:
- Monday, June 7 from 7-8 PM
- Saturday, June 12 from 10-11 AM
Three Rivers Awards Gathering
June 10
Three Rivers District will present its District Awards at a fun-filled event on Thursday, June 10 at 7 PM at Izaak Walton League, 2150 Trailsend Lane, Chesapeake. Join us for a scavenger hunt, desserts, Kona Ice Truck, and presentation of the Three Rivers District Awards. There is no fee for the event, but the Kona Ice Truck does charge for their products.
Beaver Day
June 12
Join us at Pipsico Scout Reservation to spruce up and set up our camp for our summer season!
Beaver Day is June 12 from 9 AM – 5 PM. Lunch will be provided by the Order of the Arrow Cook Crew to all who come up to provide service to camp. In order to ensure we have enough food for all our volunteers, please sign up on Black Pug.
There are projects for everyone, skilled and unskilled alike. Whether you are a master carpenter, an amateur gardener, or a lawyer, you can be a “Busy Beaver” on a project of your choice. Useful equipment to bring includes weed eaters, hand tools (rakes, bow saws, axes, etc.), and/ or portable power tools.
Chainsaws and experienced operators are also needed. All Personal Protective Equipment must be used (chaps, hard hat, ear and eye protection), and the operator must go through Pipsico’s Chainsaw Safety Course before work begins.
In exchange for service hours, camping from Friday at 6 PM to Sunday at 10 AM is offered at no cost. These opportunities are referred to as “Beaver Days” and are free camping opportunities at Pipsico. Units may use these service hours for their Journey to Excellence (JTE) scorecard and for youth rank advancement.
How to Be a Better Trainer
June 12
A pair of upcoming training courses, The Fundamentals of Training and Trainer’s EDGE, are for anyone interested in different training methods. These courses equip leaders with ideas, techniques, and materials for improving presentations. Learn how to select approaches that will communicate your messages most successfully and with PIZZAZZ! Both courses will be held at Deep Creek UMC in Chesapeake.
Fundamentals of Training
In Fundamentals of Training, participants learn the tools of good training, including characteristics of good trainers, how people learn, and training methods. This course is required for Pack Trainers and recommended for anyone who will be training others, including camp staff and youth who take on the responsibilities of Troop Guide and Instructor. This is a half day course.
Trainer's EDGE
Trainer’s EDGE emphasizes the importance of “experiential learning,” or learning by doing, as well as numerous other contemporary training strategies. The strategies taught in Trainer’s EDGE can be applied to a wide range of training programs. Trainer’s EDGE builds upon the foundation of Fundamentals of Training. This full-day course is required for anyone serving on Wood Badge or NYLT staff.
First Aid / CPR / AED
June 19
The Adult First Aid/CPR/AED course incorporates the latest science and teaches students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid emergencies, such as burns, cuts, scrapes, sudden illnesses, and breathing and cardiac emergencies. Successful students will receive a certificate for Adult First Aid/CPR/AED valid for two years.
This is a blended learning course. Participants must complete the online portion of the course before taking one of the skills demonstration sessions, which will be offered at Pilmoor Memorial UMC in Currituck. There will be three sessions, each limited to eight participants.
National Youth Leadership Training
June 21-26
Tidewater Council will hold a week-long National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) course at Camp Kiwanis, Pipsico Scout Reservation on June 21-26. NYLT is a 6-day, action-packed program designed to provide youth with leadership skills.
The NYLT course centers around the concepts of what a leader must BE, what a leader must KNOW, and what a leader must DO. The key elements are then taught with a clear focus on HOW TO. The skills come alive during the week as the patrol goes on a Quest for the Meaning of Leadership.
Age requirements apply:
- Scouts BSA: 13 years of age or older and at least a First Class Scout by June 21, 2021
- Sea Scouts and Venturers: 14 years or older by June 21, 2021 and under age 21 as of June 26, 2021
Cost:
- $285 if paid by May 21, 2021
- $295 if paid on or after May 22, 2021
If you have any questions, please contact Course Director Frances Creel at nylt6958@gmail.com.
2021 Cub Scout Day Camps
June & July
Weird Science is about to hit Cub Scout Day Camp. Day camp is an outdoor experience for Cub Scouts, which promotes a year-round program and encourages Cub Scouts to benefit and grow. The daily program centers on Cub Scout and Webelos electives as they relate to the outdoor program. The Scouts will work on activities that are challenging and age appropriate.
There are a wide range of activities, varying between camps, but common activities include:
- Shooting sports (BBs, archery, wrist rockets, and/or sling shots)
- Sports and games
- Science
- Nature
- Crafts
- Skits and songs
- Mealtime programs
All registered Cub Scouts are eligible to attend day camp. All day camps are run with a Camp Director and a Program Director, along with a staff of volunteers to conduct the camp programs. You are invited to be part of the staff – contact Rich Becker for more information.
Registration ends on June 1. Camp locations and times are subject to change.
Virginia Beach Day Camp
Dates: June 21-25
Location: Tabernacle Baptist Academy
Time: Monday-Thursday 9 AM-4 PM; Friday 9 AM-1 PM
Registration link: scoutingevent.com/596-TabernacleDayCamp2021
Elizabeth City Twilight Camp
Dates: June 21-25
Location: Forest Park Church
Time: 3-7 PM
Registration link: scoutingevent.com/596-ForestParkDayCamp2021
Norfolk Day Camp
Dates: June 28 – July 2
Location: Elks Lodge
Time: Monday-Thursday 9 AM-4 PM; Friday 9 AM-2 PM
Registration link: scoutingevent.com/596-ElksLodgeDayCamp2021
Chesapeake Twilight Camp
Dates: June 28 – July 2
Location: Great Bridge Baptist Church
Time: 3-8 PM
Registration link: scoutingevent.com/596-GreatBridgeDayCamp2021
Portsmouth Twilight Camp
Dates: July 12-16
Location: Coast Guard Base Portsmouth
Time: 3-8 PM
Registration link: scoutingevent.com/596-PortsmouthDayCamp2021
Summer Camp at Pipsico 2021
June - July
Camp Local! Sign up today for Summer Camp at Pipsico Scout Reservation.
- Week #1 – June 27 to July 3 – WEEK FULL
- Week #2 – July 4 to July 10
- Week #3 – July 11 to July 17 – WEEK FULL
- Week #4 – July 18 to July 24
Check-in on Sundays between 1 PM and 4:30 PM.
Pipsico offers Scouts and Scouters the opportunity to immerse themselves in a positive camping environment, at a beautiful property, with a friendly camp staff. Tidewater Council, BSA is proud to offer quality programs for everyone. Pipsico is geographically located along the James River and adjacent to the epicenter of Virginia’s colonial attractions and thrilling entertainment, such as Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit for pipsicobsa.com for answers to Frequently Asked Questions, including health and safety protocols.
Huskanaw
Our First Year Camper Program – “Huskanaw,” meaning “Rite of Passage,” is a unique program. The Huskanaw program area encompasses over an acre of property, filled with amenities specifically designed to focus on requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks. The setting teaches new and younger Scouts about troop structure, the value of the Patrol Method, the importance of the Buddy System, and the benefits of learning and applying new skills using the E.D.G.E. Method (Explain Demonstrate Guide Enable).
Meet our Awesome Camp Staff
Camp Provisional!
Provisional campers are Scouts who come to Pipsico Scout Reservation as individual Scouts, rather than coming with a troop. You will be grouped with other provisional Scouts into a provisional troop, and will still enjoy the full, fun, and awesome Pipsico experience!
Attending summer camp at Pipsico Scout Reservation as a provisional camper is a great opportunity for Scouts who can’t attend their troop’s selected dates or location, who prefer to camp locally at Pipsico, or who want an extra week of camp!
If you are interested in serving as an adult provisional leader, please contact Camp Director John Scheib at jscheib@pipsicobsa.com.
Cub Scout and Webelos Family Resident Camp
July 29 - August 1
Pipsico Scout Reservation is the ultimate in outdoor Scout camping in Tidewater Council. Cub Scout and Webelos Family Resident Camp is a great way to enjoy a safe haven for each Scout amid a beautiful wilderness camp, while learning about the out-of-doors. These fun-filled days spent in camp will make memories that will last a lifetime.
All Cub Scouts, leaders, den chiefs, parents, and siblings are encouraged to participate during their stay at Pipsico. As you travel through the day’s activities, everyone will have the opportunity to participate in hiking, games, and swimming. Plus there will be some activities just for our Cub Scout-aged participants, such as crafts and shooting sports. Pirates of Pipsico, set out for the adventure of a lifetime at Cub Scout and Webelos Family Resident Camp!
News
Scout Shop
With summer almost here, plan to stay cool with our new Scout uniform shorts and Class-B T-shirts!
New Uniform Shorts
We are now fully stocked with the new uniform shorts, a light-weight blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex. Boys’ and girls’ sized shorts sell for $26.99. Men’s and women’s sizes are $32.99. We still have a small supply of the previous style of shorts at discounted prices.
Half & Half Tees
Besides the polyester wicking T-shirts, we now have our “Half & Half” Tees. With a blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester, these new T-shirts feel like cotton but keep you dry like polyester. The price point is great too – just $12.99 for youth sizes and $14.99 for adult sizes. Come check them out on the uniform aisle. We still have the 100% cotton T-shirts in stock on our back wall. Prices remain $9.99 for youth sizes and $10.99 for adults. Stock up before going to camp or that weekend outing.
Sock Sale
Thorlos Hiking Socks Sale: May 25 through June 19! Buy two or more pairs and get 25% off each pair. There’s no better time to stock up than before camp!
Leader Guidebooks
With new training scheduled, there’s always a need for Leaders’ Guidebooks. Cub Scout Leader Guidebooks are $9.99 (for Cubmasters, Assistant Cubmasters, committee members, and the chartered organization representative). The den leader handbooks are $9.99, and are available for the Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light den leaders. Troop Leader Guidebooks are $12.99 and come in Volumes 1 & 2 for those training to be a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster. The Troop Committee has their own handbook for $6.99. These books are handy for personal use and make great additions to the unit’s resource library.
Unable to Shop In-Person?
Too busy to shop? We continue to ship orders by USPS. Just call us at 757-497-2688 or email polly.fugate@scouting.org.
Scout Shop Hours
Our next holiday closing will be May 29-31 for Memorial Day weekend.
2022 Philmont Contingent
Due to high interest, we have added a 4th crew for our 2022 Council Philmont Contingent. We have limited additional spaces available for youth participants only. If you are interested, please contact Bill Lawrence at bill.lawrence2@scouting.org.
National Summertime Pack Award
Does your Cub Scout pack have a plan to offer opportunities to earn the National Summertime Pack Award this summer? This award can be earned by individual Scouts, and there is also a recognition for units. Tidewater Council will provide the recognition for the unit awards; packs will need to purchase the recognition items for individual Scouts.
Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award
The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award encourages Cub Scouts to be active in the outdoors.
Cub Scouts may earn the award multiple times, once in each program year, as long as the requirements are completed each year. The first time the award is earned, the Cub Scout receives the pocket flap patch. Each successive time the award is earned, a wolf track pin may be added to the flap. Leaders should encourage Cub Scouts to build on skills and experiences from previous years when working on the award for a successive year.
The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award starts every June, with requirements to attend Day Camp or Resident Camp and to earn the Summertime Pack Award.
National Outdoor Awards Program
Do you enjoy camping under the stars, rafting a whitewater river, or hitting the trail afoot, on a bike, or even on a horse? Can you pitch a tent, find your way, and bandage an ankle using only materials in your pack? Are you prepared to do any of these in rain, snow, sleet, or heat? If so, the National Outdoor Awards are for you. There is nothing virtual about these awards—you can earn them only by demonstrating knowledge and experience in the outdoors. So, if you are a member of Scouts BSA, Sea Scouting, or Venturing and think you are tough and disciplined enough to hike or ride the miles, camp the nights, run the rivers or lakes, or do the work to conserve the land, check out the National Outdoor Badges or the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement.
Cub Scout Elective Adventures Update
Effective May 31, 2022, the National Council BSA will be retiring 19 of the current Cub Scout Elective Adventures. More information on the decision is available here.
The Adventures that will be retired are:
- Lions
- None
- Tigers
- Family Stories
- Earning Your Stripes
- Tiger Tales
- Tiger Theater
- Wolf
- Collections and Hobbies
- Grow Something
- Hometown Heroes
- Motor Away
- Bear
- Beat of the Drum
- World of Sound
- Make it Move
- Robotics
- Webelos & Arrow of Light
- Looking Back Looking Forward
- Maestro
- Project Family
- Build My Hero
- Adventures in Science
- Fit It
- Movie Making
Journey to Excellence
Scouting’s Journey to Excellence (JTE) is the BSA’s planning, performance, and recognition program designed to encourage and reward the success of each unit. JTE supports excellence in providing a quality program at all levels of the BSA.
We are midway through the year and it is a good time to review unit progress towards reaching Gold. Downloadable JTE tracking workbooks make it easy to track progress and manage goals.
BSA Safety Moment
It is recommended to include a BSA Safety Moment during meetings to inform Scouts and parents and keep everyone safe. Numerous downloadable BSA Safety Moments are available here.
Life Jackets/ Personal Floatation Devices
A common misconception in the world of water is that life jackets and other types of personal flotation devices (PFDs) are only necessary for nonswimmers. But in both swimming and boating, U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets and PFDs can be the difference between having a fun time in and on the water and having it be your last time in the water.
Your life jacket fits when you put your arms up in the air and the jacket does not rise to your ears. If it does, you need to find a smaller life jacket that fits. It will make the difference in an emergency.
Ensure that leaders are properly trained for aquatics activities. Adult leaders supervising a swimming activity must have completed Safe Swim Defense training within the previous two years. Adult leaders supervising activities afloat, including boating, must have completed Safety Afloat training within the previous two years.
Community Service
A service project is a special “Good Turn” that puts Scout spirit into action. Service is Scouting’s greatest legacy and the primary reason that the Boy Scouts of America is the world’s premier youth organization. We currently have several opportunities for youth to give back to our communities through service. Here are some current projects needing assistance:
- Marshview Park is a little known gem in an undeveloped wetland area between Seatack and Shadowlawn. Many years ago when it was privately owned, some parts of the park were used to dump construction debris in the wetlands. Virginia Beach recently improved the trails and park facilities at this location and several groups of volunteers have started to remove some of the debris, but we need a hard working crew to get serious about finishing the job. The city will bring a dumpster as close to the site as possible, but we will need wheel barrows and strong backs to pull the debris out of the wetlands and transport it to the dumpster. We are looking for at least ten people, including leaders, for about three or four hours. There is also the potential for a unit to adopt this area as a long-term service project, as there is additional work that needs to be done, including invasive plant removal, trail maintenance, and park improvements. Contact Vince Bowhers at vince@lrnow.org or 757-773-1636.
- Rain garden project to benefit the SPCA. Contact Clay Bernick at clay@lrnow.org or 757-377-3120.
- Various projects for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Contact Clay Bernick at clay@lrnow.org or 757-377-3120.
- Build two five- to six-foot wooden benches with plant boxes and complete a butterfly garden for the ViBe District Mediterranean Avenue Parklet. Contact Vince Bowhers at vince@lrnow.org or 757-773-1636.
- A few projects on the horizon for those Scouts wanting to be a part of planning, execution, and maintenance are slated for the future. A landscape project in the ViBe District, a living shoreline project in Great Neck, and a couple fall tree plantings. Contact Vince Bowhers at vince@lrnow.org or 757-773-1636.
Summer of Service
Nationwide, Scouting families are answering the call to provide service and make an impact in our neighborhoods and communities. Join us for a Summer of Service!
- Plan: Find a way to serve others, whether it’s a spur-of-the-moment opportunity or a planned project.
- Serve: Do your project or activity between April 1 and October 31.
- Post: Show your Scout Spirit by posting about your service on social media using hashtag #SummerOfService.
- Report: Tell the BSA about your service.
- Celebrate!: Print certificates and order patches to commemorate your service.
Youth Protection Training Update
The Youth Protection Training modules will be updated on June 1, 2021. If you are partway through the training, please complete the full course prior to June 1 to ensure that you receive credit for the completed training. If you do not complete the entire course prior to the changes, you will lose the partial completion and will have to restart the training.
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Youth
Introduction to Leadership Skills courses for Troops (ILST), Crews (ILSC), or Ships (ILSS) teach youth with leadership positions about their new roles. The Scouts will learn how to reach success most effectively in that role. ILST, ILSC, or ILSS should be held whenever the unit changes youth leadership positions. Once the unit has completed the course, please submit the roster to the council office for recording.
Hazardous Weather
Direct contact leaders must complete Hazardous Weather Training to be considered position-trained. This 40-minute training presents safety precautions for eight different types of weather, as well as planning, preparation, and traditional weather signs. Hazardous Weather Training is only available online and must be renewed every two years. Completion of this training is automatically recorded in the BSA training records database.
Training Awards
Our awesome adult volunteers believe in Scouting and what the program has to offer. Many adults are not aware that they may qualify for a Training Award or Scouter’s Training Key. Please review the progress records that are relevant for your position. If you qualify, you can fill out the form and submit it to your district training chair for processing.
- Den Leader Training Award
- Scouter’s Training Award for Cub Scout Leaders (Updated November 2020)
- Scouter’s Training Award for Scouts BSA Leaders (Updated November 2020)
- Scouter’s Training Award for Venturing Leaders (Updated November 2020)
- Scouter’s Training Award for Sea Scout Leaders (Updated November 2020)
- Cubmaster’s Key
- Scoutmaster’s Key
- Advisor’s Key
- Skipper’s Key
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM) recognizes members of the armed forces who perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct, and consequential nature. The MOVSM is intended to recognize exceptional community support over time and not a single act or achievement. Service members work with their chain of command to be submitted for the award.
Scouters who receive the MOVSM can wear the Community Organization Award on their Scouting uniform. Bring a copy of the MOVSM citation to the Scout Shop when you come to purchase the knot.
World Scout Jamboree 2023
The 25th World Scout Jamboree (WSJ) in SaeManGeum, Korea will feature new and exciting programs by recruiting brilliant ideas from Scouts all around the world. The theme of this 2023 international event is “Draw Your Dream.” Share your ideas for the Jamboree at the WSJ Dream Seed webpage.
Scholarships
Many organizations and universities offer scholarships for Eagle Scouts, Summit Award recipients, Quartermaster Award recipients, Explorers, and more. You can find information about some of these opportunities here. Please share this information with the eligible youth in your unit.
COVID-19 Assistance
Does your family need assistance due to COVID-19? Tidewater Council is a partner agency with United Way of South Hampton Roads and Albemarle Area United Way, as well as a member of the Unite Us Hampton Roads United Coordinated Network and NCCARE360. For coordinated care referrals, please contact us.
Help Desk
The National Council no longer has a volunteer help desk. If you need assistance with any help desk issues, including Scoutbook, online training, and address changes, please contact us at helpdesk@tidewaterbsa.com. In your email, please include:
- Your Name
- Member ID
- Contact Phone Number
- Contact Email Address
- What is the issue? (Password reset, a module is freezing, forgot username, etc.)
- If it is a training issue:
- Username
- Date Training Taken
- Browser Used
Due to high volume, we are unable to respond to phone inquiries; please send all help desk issues via email.
Merit Badge Counselors
Scoutbook now is regularly updating its listing of merit badge counselors. If your merit badge counselor registration is no longer reflected in Scoutbook, please submit a help desk request to helpdesk@tidewaterbsa.com.
Position Changes
The National Council is working on ways to simplify unit membership management. In May, they plan to roll out a new feature in My.Scouting Tools for Chartered Organization Representatives, which will allow them to change the positions of currently registered adults. Once this feature is available, there will be no need to submit a paper application for a change of position within the same unit.
Transfers
If you are transferring a youth from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA and receive the “Person has no valid parent/guardian relationship in our records” error message, please submit a help desk request to helpdesk@tidewaterbsa.com.
Membership numbers are unique to each BSA council. If you transfer from one council to another, you will receive a different membership number.
Scouts in Action
Congratulations to some of our newest Eagle Scouts!
Over 90 Scouts and Scouters had fun at the Albemarle District Spring Camp-Arrr-Ree. The youth used Scout skills to build a pirate ship, teamwork to compete in patrol competitions, and orienteering expertise to find the “X marks the spot.” The adults were put to the test and demonstrated spirit with a friendly pirate attire contest. The weather was great, the fellowship was enjoyed, and Albemarle Scouts experienced another amazing camporee for 2021.
Albemarle Pack 117’s Bear den enjoyed their visit to the Southern Shores Police Department. The Cub Scouts earned their Duty to Country and Forensics Adventures.
Albemarle Pack 125 provided community service by “adopting a road” in Elizabeth City. Great job, Scouts!
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