If every Scout brings a friend to a meeting by April 1, how many lives will be impacted?
How many more youth in our community will learn essential life lessons in character, citizenship, leadership, and personal fitness?
If every Scout brings just one friend to a meeting, and only 25% of those friends decide to join, local Scouting will serve 1,000 more youth in April than it does today.
Encourage your Scouts to bring a friend to experience Scouting’s adventures!
Friends of Scouting is Tidewater Council’s annual giving campaign. The Friends of Scouting campaign provides 21% of the council’s annual budget – that means more than a fifth of every dollar in the council budget comes from the generosity of Scouting families, alumni, and community supporters. Friends of Scouting keeps the overall cost of Scouting affordable so all families can participate. Tidewater Council’s goal is to raise $500,000 through Friends of Scouting in 2024.
All Friends of Scouting donations stay local to support families in northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia.
Each district shares a portion of the overall goal:
Has your unit scheduled its 2024 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.
Join the Tidewater Coin Club for the Virginia Beach Coin Show at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
Saturday, February 17: 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday, February 18: 9 AM – 4 PM
There will be a Coin Collecting merit badge program at 10 AM on Saturday. Advanced registration is required; please contact Eddie DeVault at eddiedevault911@gmail.com or Fran Ryan at fryan88f250@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
Klondike Derby is coming soon!
Sign up for the 2024 Klondike Derby in beautiful Camp Lions, Pipsico Scout Reservation. Using your sled, compete in skills from first aid, wilderness survival, lumberjack skills, branding, fire building, cooking, pioneering, and shooting sports with black powder rifles.
The Blue Heron Lodge will conduct an Order of the Arrow call-out ceremony on Saturday night.
Sign up today at scoutingevent.com/596-KlondikeDerby24.
If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Mike Maruska at mikemaruska1179@gmail.com.
Buy, sell, and trade Scouting collectible memorabilia at the 2024 Virginia Beach Trade-O-Ree. Check out the event flyer for more information.
As Scouts, we know how fortunate we are to have a warm meal every night — whether around the campfire or at the kitchen table. And we know that not everyone is so lucky.
That’s why we participate annually in Tidewater Council’s Scouting for Food drive. It’s another reminder to our local communities that Scouts are here, doing Good Turns.
Scouting for Food takes place on two consecutive weekends. On the first weekend, Scouts distribute bags or doorhangers to let their neighbors know about the drive. On the second, Scouts revisit those houses to pick up bags full of canned food, cereal, pasta, peanut butter, juice, and other nonperishable items.
In 2024, Tidewater Council is providing units with printed door hangers, patches for youth participants, and a flag ribbon for each unit participating – FREE OF CHARGE.
Please read the 2024 Scouting for Food Information Sheet and sign up to get started!
The Rovers are back!
The Rovers are a group of young adults aged 21-34 with a passion for the outdoors, giving back to the community, and hanging out with like minded peers.
Our goal is to provide a community for young adults who would have previously “aged out” of other Scouting programs. You don’t stop learning and growing when you turn 21, so we want to continue fostering the values of Scouting as young adults.
The Rover program benefits the entire Scouting community. Other Scouting programs will have access to younger adult volunteers. Rovers will have the opportunity to give back and to participate in outdoor adventures without feeling like they are taking time away from other activities. As Rovers grow, we also hope to support career building, higher education, vocational workshops, and more.
For anyone looking for a good place to stay involved in Scouting while having your own adventures, look no further!
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) and the VFW Auxiliary have scholarship programs and contests available for youth.
The information below has been shared on behalf of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary, Post 392 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1211, which serve the Virginia Beach area. If you are located in another part of the council, please contact your local VFW Post for submission information.
Annually, the VFW recognizes individuals who have risen above their peers in exemplifying the qualities of the highest youth Scouting ranks. For members of the Boy Scouts of America, those awards are Eagle Scout (Scouts BSA), Summit Award (Venturing), and Quartermaster (Sea Scouting).
Recipients can be awarded scholarships at both the local and national levels.
The VFW National Auxiliary recognizes young artists (grades 9-12) and encourages patriotism in youth with the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. National scholarships are awarded to the winners.
The Illustrating America Art Contest introduces, encourages, and recognizes young artists (grades K-8) with patriotism through art. Winners are awarded with gift cards.
This VFW Auxiliary national singing contest is for students in grade K-12. Students submit a video solo performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Winners are awarded with gift cards.
For those in Virginia Beach, please submit the entry on a flash drive to VFW Post 392 Auxiliary. For all others, please contact the local VFW Post for submission instructions.
All Scouts, prospective Scouts, leaders, parents, and volunteers are invited to attend the Tidewater Council University of Scouting. This jamboree-style event offers interactive trainings and certifications, hands-on activities and adventures, merit badges and advancement opportunities, and personalized Scout quests to earn prizes and rewards.
Many hands make light work, and we want your help teaching a class, counseling a merit badge, leading a program station, and organizing the event. All units are encouraged to run an interactive program station demonstrating a Scout skill or activity. Community partners are invited to promote their programs, teach skill sessions, and run interactive program stations.
Earn your degree or your doctorate while studying Commissioner Science, Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and Older Youth Programs.
Classes include:
Visit activity stations, complete quests, and earn prizes and rewards!
Activity stations include:
Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) is a one-and-a-half day course that introduces leaders to the Cub Scout outdoor program. BALOO is designed for leaders interested in adding a camping component to their pack activities.
BALOO consists of an online pre-requisite component and an overnight, hands-on practical. The course teaches BSA’s Cub Scout level camping policies and the necessary tools to help units carry out a successful camping experience. When a Cub Scout pack or Webelos den camps, a minimum of one adult who has completed this training must be present on the overnight experience.
Tidewater Council’s next BALOO course will be offered in Shiloh, NC on March 15-16.
We are pleased to announce the keynote speaker for Tidewater Council’s 2024 Annual Leadership Breakfast: Gary Clark!
As a wide receiver for James Madison University’s football team, Gary Clark earned the 1982 Virginia Offensive Play of the Year award and All-American honorable mentions in his junior and senior years. He was inducted into the JMU Hall of Fame in 1994 and is the first person at JMU to have his jersey retired.
Clark played for two years with the United States Football League’s Jacksonville Bulls before joining the NFL in 1985. Over eight seasons with Washington, Clark earned two Super Bowl rings and made four Pro Bowl appearances. He ranks third in the team’s history in receptions and receiving yardage. Clark is often regarded as the heart and soul of the Joe-Gibbs-era in Washington.
To learn more about how you, your company, or your community group can host a table at the Annual Leadership Breakfast, please contact Christy Cooper at christy.cooper@scouting.org.
Scouters and their families are invited to attend this special evening of recognition for outstanding adult leaders. Join Three Rivers District on Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30 PM at New Creation United Methodist Church, 4320 Bruce Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321. The $20 registration fee includes the meal and awards.
Hear ye, hear ye! Come, all ye lads and ladies, to the Highlander Games!
Combining the traditions and skills of the great Scottish Highland Games, Scouts and Scouters from the Three Rivers District will gather April 5-7, 2024 at Pipsico Scout Reservation for the Highlander Games. Expect loads of fun! There will be activities, challenges, and competitions, based on skills only a true Highlander possesses. Get into shape and make plans to join us for this unique event!
Save the date – registration is coming soon.
Come have a fun day with your family at Apex Entertainment! Play games, drive cars, and putt around for a good cause. Proceeds support Scouting in our community.
Each $20 Family Fun Day voucher will include a round of bumper cars, a round of mini golf, a non-redemption arcade card, and more! Registration is coming soon.
We “Saved the Antelope” in 2021, we impacted “3 Gens Out” in 2022, we said “Thank You to everyone who said ‘Yes’” in 2023, and we can’t wait to “Build Tomorrow’s Leaders” in 2024! Please join us at Wood Badge this April and May to take part in an opportunity to learn communication skills, project planning, team building, and much more!
This is a two weekend event: April 12-14 and May 4-5, 2024 at Pipsico Scout Reservation.
The first 30 fully paid participants will receive a Wood Badge swag bag! Reserve your spot now for just $50.00!
If you have any questions, please contact the Course Director, Karen Allgaier, at twcwb2024@gmail.com or 757-985-9553.
Princess Anne District’s 2024 Spring Camporee is just a couple months away. Registration is now open!
The Camporee will be held at Izaak Walton Park in Chesapeake. Join us for:
If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Jessica Harlan at just.smile@mac.com.
If you would like to come out and counsel a Merit Badge on Saturday, please contact Mike Maruska at mikemaruska1179@gmail.com or 757-641-2373.
Save the date for Tidewater Council’s Recognition Banquet: Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
Join us to recognize youth and adults, including 2023 Eagle Scouts, Silver Beaver Award recipients, National Outstanding Eagle Scouts, and many more!
Pipsico Scout Reservation 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 is proud to offer quality programs for everyone.
Week #1 – June 23 to June 29, 2024 – FULL
Week #2 – June 30 to July 6, 2024
Week #3 – July 7 to July 13, 2024
Week #4 – July 14 to July 20, 2024
From July 29 through August 3, 2024, Arrowmen from around the country will have the opportunity to gather at the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO to attend the 2024 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC). Attendance is expected to exceed several thousand, as Arrowmen from around the USA come together to share ideas, learn from one another, and, most importantly, experience an outstanding event unlike any other in Scouting. NOAC is open to all active members of the OA.
The estimated fee to attend is $1,450 and can be paid in six installments until May 15, 2024 at scoutingevent.com/596-noac2024. The final fee will be adjusted when transportation costs are finalized.
Save the date for Tidewater Council’s next Philmont trek in summer 2025! If interested in joining the council contingent or getting more information, contact Bill Lawrence at Bill.Lawrence2@scouting.org. Registration is coming soon.
The New Member Joining Fee will be eliminated on April 1, 2024. This will be a cost savings of $25 per new member.
Effective April 1, 2024, the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America will implement the following annual national membership fees:
For information about need-based financial assistance or unit fundraising opportunities, please contact the district executive.
A new process for adult application flow will be implemented beginning Monday, March 4.
At that time, the adult application flow will change to require the completion of the criminal background check (results received) before the new adult volunteer can assume a leadership role.
Please keep in mind that criminal background checks require processing time. To ensure youth safety, adult leaders may NOT assume a leadership role until they have passed the background screening.
If you are looking for excitement this month, there are several fun-filled events! Many packs have Pinewood Derby races, and many units celebrate Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, or Scout Jumuah. Some Scouts are moving up from Arrow of Light to a new troop. The Scout Shop is ready to meet these needs!
Pinewood Derby season isn’t finished! Some packs are holding races a little later this year, and the Scout Shop has a good stock of all the accessories, including the newest car decals ($4.99), weights, high-speed graphite, and many other things to get the fastest car! Lose a wheel? We have the tubes with four wheels and axles in various colors for just $2.49.
For many units, Scout Sunday was February 11. However, units and chartered organizations are free to schedule their Scout Sunday on any Sunday in February.
The 2024 BSA Scout Sunday patch, an elegant church-shaped patch with colorful stained-glass windows ($3.99) is in stock at the front table in the store. Scout Sunday Program Covers ($13.99/100 pk.) and inserts ($7.99/25 pk.) are also available.
Arrow of Light Wooden Plaques ($34.99) make the perfect keepsake for Arrow of Light Scouts who are crossing over to troops. The plaques include engraving plates and are made for wall hanging. We usually keep a half dozen on hand, but we can order more when needed.
As we approach crossover time, please be aware of the needs of new Scouts coming into your troop. We can help with basic uniform needs. Scout leaders, please inform them of the following:
Cub Scout handbooks are now $10 OFF at Tidewater Council’s Scout Shop. For the remainder of this school year, Cub Scout handbooks are $14.99 each.
This discount applies only to the current Cub Scout handbooks.
The Cub Scout Program is changing at the end of May 2024. If any packs have extra awards to return for the current program, they must be returned by Feb. 29, 2024. Since Scout Shops cannot return awards to National Supply for credit, we are unable to accept returns of these items after this date.
As always, we are happy to ship orders by USPS for anywhere in the continental US. Just phone (757-497-2688) or email the order to polly.fugate@scouting.org or staci.vankirk@scouting.org. Once the order (including shipping) has been calculated, we can call you back for a VISA or Mastercard number.
The Scout Shop is always closed on Mondays, so there are no additional holiday closings for February.
Regular store hours are:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Want an easy NO-RISK fundraiser that offers 50% profit? Do you have Scouts who haven’t raised enough to attend day camp or summer camp? Does your unit have new members? Then the Camp Card fundraiser is for your unit!
Contact the district executive to register and pick-up cards.
Training and resources are available online at TidewaterBSA.com/2024campcardsale. Review these resources for deadlines and important information.
And then – simply sell. This is a super easy fundraiser that scores Scouts some serious bucks toward camp.
Camp Cards include valuable discounts to local retailers and Bonus Savings that are available for your choice of retailers nationwide.
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.
An indoor trampoline park is an enclosed gymnasium-like space holding many connected trampolines that turn it into a massive trampoline area. What may seem like a fun and safe activity can actually pose many risks. You can identify and help to mitigate those risks with a little research and some discussion with your chosen facility.
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) offers summer STEM camps for interested high school students (rising sophomore to rising senior). These hands-on, one-week camps involve fun engineering challenges in a group environment, including construction of concrete beams, among many others.
Industry volunteers in engineering, military, Department of Defense, and STEM fields serve as mentors. The connections made at SAME STEM Camps offer great networking and recommendation opportunities for youth who will be applying to colleges and higher education programs.
Scholarship are available; please see the flyer for more information.
Apply by March 15, 2024.
Recent scheduling changes from Dominion Virginia Power have impacted the Camp Baker closure dates.
Camp Baker will now be closed from June 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience. Any questions regarding Camp Baker or Camp Moonyah use can be directed to Ron Misfeldt, City Camps Ranger, at 757-646-1384 or mustangron@aol.com.
The rules and inspection sheet for 2024 Pinewood Derbies are available here.
All Tidewater Council district races and the council derby will use the official Tidewater Council Pinewood Derby Rules & Procedures and the TWC Pinewood Derby Car Inspection Form.
The James E. West Fellowship Award is a national recognition for individuals who contribute $1,000 or more in cash or securities to the Tidewater Council BSA endowment fund. This contribution is in addition to, and does not diminish or replace, the donor’s annual gift to the council’s Friends of Scouting campaign.
Organizations or individuals may contribute an award in honor of someone — an Eagle Scout, a Silver Beaver recipient, Living Legend, any outstanding Scout or Scouter.
With twelve months in the year and twelve points of the Scout Law, why not choose one value to focus on each month? Scout Law-focused Pack Meeting Plans can be found here.
Meeting plans may be used in any order and can be adjusted to fit the needs of the families in the pack.
Does your family need assistance accessing community resources? 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. You may also visit NC 211 or 2-1-1 Virginia for assistance finding resources.
What are your plans for this summer? Are you looking for an awesome opportunity to learn new things, develop new skills, share what you know, meet new people, work an internship, and enjoy Pipsico Scout Reservation?
We are accepting applications for Counselors in Training, Junior Staff, Area Directors, and Commissioners. Program areas include aquatics, shooting sports, Scout skills for new Scouts and for seasoned Scouts, handicraft, nature, cook crew, and more.
You must be at least 14 years of age by June 16, 2024 to be considered. Camp staff is composed of youth, young adults, college students, school teachers, bus drivers, professionals who want to get away from the office, and folks who have an open schedule. Fill out the online application at pipsicobsa.com/summer-camp-programs/staffapplication and we will contact you for an interview.
Visit our Volunteer with Local Scouting webpage for information on additional volunteer opportunities.
Congratulations to some of our newest Eagle Scouts!
Logan S. of Albemarle Troop 127 completed his Eagle Board of Review on January 20, 2024.
Donovan C. of Bayside Troop 62 celebrated his Eagle Scout ceremony on February 3, 2024. He was pinned with his Great Grandfather’s Eagle pin from 1953!
Albemarle Pack and Troop 116 kicked off the Scouting for Food drive with a collection to support Beach Food Pantry in Kitty Hawk, NC. The Scouts collected more than 930 pounds of food!
On February 10, the Cub Scouts of Pack 40 in Edenton, NC conducted a service project to clean up a local cemetery. Well done!
At the Albemarle Freezoree on January 26-28 in Barco, NC, Scouts cooked, learned fire safety, made an axe yard, and worked on wilderness survival skills. Great job, Scouts!
Cub Scout Pack 364 enjoyed a hike at Newport News Park.
Cub Scouts around Tidewater Council have been off to the races with the Pinewood Derby!
The Pinewood Derby promotes character development through sportsmanship. Cub Scouts also are encouraged to be creative, take pride in their work, and learn STEM principles including mechanics, physics, and engineering. Plus, the Pinewood Derby is fun for the whole family!
Pack 374 held a Cut and Cocoa Workshop for families to work on Pinewood Derby cars together, followed by a Paint and Prep Party. They had a strong turnout and a lot of fun at Pack 374’s Glow in the Dark Pinewood Derby!
We want to hear from you! Send stories, photos, and videos of your Scouts in action to alison.harrison@scouting.org (with parental permission, of course).
Tidewater Council, BSA provides programs for young people in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Northeastern North Carolina.
Tidewater Council, BSA is a certified United Way agency, partnering with United Way of South Hampton Roads and Albemarle Area United Way.