This Sunday is Scout Sunday.  Troop 840 will be participating in the St Michael’s Sunday Service this year.  We have 2 Scouts doing the readings, and other Scouts will be handing out bulletins before the service begins.  There will be several Scout related presentations, as well as recognitions during the service as well.

This is a troop function, and everyone is expected to participate in Scout Sunday.  We will be meeting in the scout room at 10:00am.  Proper attire is required:  Class A Uniform with neckerchief and slide;  Merit badge sash;  Pressed uniform shirt;  Pressed long Scout pants, scout socks, dress shoes – NO SNEAKERS!! SHORTS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE!!!   Hats are not necessary.  Unless you contact me individually, you are expected to be at St Michaels Sunday morning for Scout Sunday.

This year, after the service, we will be inviting the congregation to come down to the newly renovated Scout Room, which will be dedicated the Chermside Scout Room during the service.  We will be sharing cookies and lemonade with the parishioners in the scout room.  In order to do this, we will need each scout to bring 1 dozen cookies with them on Sunday.  Please bring them to the scout room when you arrive at 10:00am.

Please let me know if you have any questions relating to Scout Sunday.  Again, if you are unable to participate, you need to let me know ASAP.

Thanks

Mr. Doherty

Troop 840’s own triathlon High Adventure trip will be August 1^st – 5^th to the Mount Rogers area in south west Virginia. We will canoe/tube, backpack, ride bikes and have a great time … and eat at the Homeplace on the way home! Please see the e-mail that was sent out to the Troop on January 19^th for more details. Please let me know by January 31^st if you are interested or contact me if you have questions.

Thanks,

Nick Helmore

The council will be holding a Day of Training on Saturday, February 11th.  The deadline for registration is Friday, February 3^rd. You must preregister by going to the links below or going to the Heart of Virginia Council Calendar and clicking on the link listed on that day. Cost for the training is $20 and includes all materials and Lunch.  For more information on the three trainings being provided please go to the links below.
Cub Leader Training
Scout Leader Specific Training
Venture Leader Specific Training
At this point there are two outdoor skills training courses set for Boy Scout leaders:
February 25-26    Introduction to outdoor leader skills course
March 30-April 1  Introduction to outdoor leader skills course
Commissioner College will be conducted on February 11th as well.  If you have considered serving as a unit commissioner, or mentor, review the information at this link and register by February 3rd for this annual commissioner training:  click here.
To visit the Training page of the council website, click on this link:  http://hovc.org/training/.

The Heart of Virginia 2011 Council Recognition Night, a festive evening of fun, fellowship, inspiration, and recognition, is being planned for Thursday, March 22, 2012.  The Gala features a program of entertainment with a reception following the event. The Council’s highest volunteer recognition, the Silver Beaver Award, will be presented to deserving Scouters.  Adult volunteers will be recognized for their work done during the 2011 Scouting year.  Everyone in attendance will receive a copy of the 2011 Annual Report of the Heart of Virginia Council, BSA, celebrating our highlights and achievements from the past year.  New this year is an optional traditional Scouting dinner at 6:15 PM, followed by the Gala at 7:00 PM.  The cost is only $15-$20 per person.
Scouts who earned the Eagle rank during 2011 are invited as guests of the council.  Please consider supporting an Eagle Scout by being a sponsor for this event.  The cost is only $25 per Eagle Scout and sponsors will be listed in the program.
For more information and to reserve your spot please follow this link>>

The Patrick Henry Program is looking for instructors for the upcoming program.  Communications Merit Badge Counselors are needed for January 21 and 28 and February 4, 2012.  Public Speaking Merit Badge Counselors are needed for January 21 and 28, 2012.  You do not have to currently be registered as a Merit Badge Counselor to apply,  registration can be obtained prior to the beginning of the program.  If you would like to participate as an instructor, please contact Lauren Billings at lauren.billings -at- scouting.org or phone (804) 204-2619

The Virginia War Memorial will be hosting Scouts for American Heritage and all three Citizenship merit badges on March 3, 2012.
Registration for the merit badge program at the Virginia War Memorial is now live at:  https://www.doubleknot.com/registration/calendardetail.asp?ActivityKey=1064650