FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2024
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
Virginia Beach, Va. – The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), in partnership with the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia (WFV), has awarded Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America a Virginia Wildlife Grant Program (VWGP) award totaling $16,892. The grant will expand archery programs at Pipsico Scout Reservation, a 916-acre camp in Spring Grove, Va.
“We are excited and grateful for the support of DWR and WFV,” said James Parnell, Scout Executive for Tidewater Council. “They are making a difference throughout Virginia by connecting people to the outdoors. We are honored to be a part of achieving that mission.”
The grant provides archery supplies and equipment that will enhance and expand the archery programs at Pipsico. With the introduction of sporting arrows and 3D targets, expanded availability of recurve bows, and investments in efficiency and equipment maintenance, Tidewater Council will offer youth a series of increasing challenges to keep them engaged.
“We don’t want Scouts to earn the Archery merit badge and then never pick up a bow again,” said Parnell. “Increasing archery challenges boosts retention in the sport. Youth are excited to learn new skills, and we want them to feel that sense of accomplishment as they progress to more challenging styles of archery, to eventually become lifelong archers.”
Tidewater Council is one of ten VWGP recipients for 2024. The program focuses on projects supporting archery, boating/paddling, fishing, hunting/recreational shooting, and wildlife viewing.
Tidewater Council offers archery as part of its character-building Scouting programs for boys and girls ages 5 through 20. In addition to skills development and safety training, Scouts enjoy archery experiences at summer resident camps, day camps, and weekend events.
Scouting teaches life lessons centered on character, fitness, citizenship, and leadership development. Through Tidewater Council’s archery programs, youth learn safe and responsible handling of equipment, marksmanship and discipline, leadership and citizenship, appreciation of nature and natural resources, conservation ethics, and, for many, a lifelong hobby.
About Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America
Tidewater Council is the 5th oldest Boy Scouts of America council in the United States, established in 1911. Today, the council serves approximately 4,000 youth and 1,700 adult volunteers in the Virginia cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, and the North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans. More information about Tidewater Council is available by visiting TidewaterBSA.com, emailing james.parnell@scouting.org, or calling 757-497-2688.
About the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program
The Virginia Wildlife Grant Program is a joint effort of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia (WFV). It provides funding to organizations with a common mission of connecting people to the outdoors and supports activities such as archery, boating/paddling, fishing, hunting/recreational shooting, and wildlife viewing. The grant prioritizes programs that are aligned with DWR’s R3 Plan as well as the Inclusive Excellence Plan. For more information, visit dwr.virginia.gov/virginia-wildlife-grant-program.
###
