Last update: 02/20/25  - Subscribe to Newsletter below or email your friendly neighborhood DE: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

District Award of Merit - Any registered adult volunteer can qualify but only 1 for every traditional 25units can be awarded. Nominations are confidential and are presented to a selection committee of previous Award of Merit or Silver Beaver recipients. More information here: District Award of Merit | Boy Scouts of America(scouting.org) Application here: 33720.pdf (scouting.org)

Unit Leader Award of Merit - Cubmasters, Scoutmasters or Crew Advisors who were active in the position for at least 18 months. Must be fully trained leaders and meet various requirements. Unit Committee Chair completes nomination form and is endorsed by the senior patrol leader or president of the unit. Unit or District Commissioner (Dick Hancock) certifies complete and Scout Executive and Council Commissioner or President approves it. Blue Ridge Mountains Council then processes the award. More information here: Unit Leader Award of Merit | Boy Scouts of America(scouting.org) Application here: 512-003_WB.pdf (scouting.org)

Journey to Excellence -All units can qualify by meeting certain achievements for level of Bronze, Silver or Gold. Use application and details will be verified. More information and applications here:

Journey To Excellence | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org)

William D. Boyce New-Unit Organizer Award - Volunteers who organize one or more traditional Scouting units (only one per unit is recognized). Upon completion of successful organization of a new traditional unit and all paperwork is completed, processed and the new unit obtains at least bronze level Journey to Excellence. Approval of the District Committee Chair (Jeff Wright) is required. More information and applications here: WD-Boyce-New-Unit-Award.pdf (scouting.org)

Training Awards (applications can be found at the bottom of this site Training for Adults | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org)):

Scouters' Training Award -Any leader in a Pack, Den, Troop or Venturing unit, even District Committee members based upon tenure, training, and performance.

Scouters' Key Awards -Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Venturing Crew Advisor, District Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioner or District Committee Members can qualify if they fill the require tenure, training, and performance.

James E West Fellowship – To recognize gift of an endowment fund of at least $1000

Special Needs Scouting Service Award – Any leader who serve the community of members with disabilities/special needs of the Scouting movement

**New** Old Southwest Inc. (Roanoke City) has a bunch of projects they could use a hand on. Most are landscaping opportunities (invasive plant removal and native plantings), possible benches, urban wildlife habitat design, Monach Butterflies / pollinator Garden, Gish house landscaping / tree planting, Gish house Beehive and orchard, Gish house energy efficient improvements. Contact: Stephen Bendele at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 703-715-7024

Habitat for Humanity - project classes available for packs or troops, Scouts aged 14 and up can volunteer and work in Habitat RESTORE and Scouts/Adults aged 16 and up can work on project sites to build houses - great volunteering opportunities! No training required and might tie in with some Merit Badge possibilities. Don't forget, Eagle Scout opportunities are available too! Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Virginia Musem of Transportation has several ideas that could use an Eagle's Touch - contact: John Jamison at 540.342.5670 EXT 106 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church on Grandin Rd is developing a pollinator garden and want a gazebo in the middle. They believe it would be an amazing Eagle Scout project! Please contact Lawrence Legg at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Unity Church on Green Ridge Road is looking for a scout who might be interested in repairing an old bridge on their property. This church hosts the Virgnia Master Naturalists program and many other conservation activities. Contact David Sink at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Lewis Pillis with Tree Stewards This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - signs for the Garden City natural area replaced with treated wood and routed letters.

Friends of Virginia Rivers Leah Schultz This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - have many local river kiosk projects they would love to pass along to an Eagle Scout.

UNIT VISITORS:

Importance of Trees in the Urban Environment by the engaging speaker, Acadia Lewis from Virginia Tech, Virginia Forest Education Foundation program This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. **possible check offs for the Environmental Science merit badge

Native Trees in the Environment by Lewis Pillis with Tree Stewards This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Units can also sign up for volunteering opportunities to plant!

Sound the Alarm and Home Fire Safety through Red Cross. Fun talk with activities for kids! Scouts can then help support the program by educating their friends and family about home fire safety and help register households for free installation of fire alarms. Contact: Jordan Brown, Disaster Services Program Manager office: (540)777-3613 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Blue Ridge Orienteering Club has some events throughout the year! Check them out: Blue Ridge Orienteering Home Page

Roanoke City Councilman, Phazhon Nash - an Eagle Scout who is willing to talk at any scout unit about the Community Merit Badges! Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to help coordinate this.  

March:

March 1st - Skills Enhancement Training - Locust Grove UMC at 3415 Locust Grove Ln, Salem, VA 24153 Registered adults and parents of youths are welcome for this fun training event! More information Blue Ridge Mountains Council - Skills Enhancement Training

March 13th - Roundtable!! Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church 1837 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA 24015 7:30PM

15th - HAC - High Adventure Event Day!

April:

10th - Roundtable!! Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church 1837 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA 24015 7:30PM

11th-12th - Trout-o-ree Blue Ridge Mountains Council - Spring Trout-O-Ree 2025

Scouting for Food middle of this month TBD

25th - District Pinewood Derby at Transportation Museum

May:

2nd-3rd - Klondike Camporee (for scouts and cubs)

8th - Great Valley District Awards Dinner

Thank you for making scouting possible!

If you would like one of your unit events listed here, or to help with one of the events, please email your Great Valley District Executive at - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2024 Goals for the District:

• 2 New Unit Coordinators to assist in helping new units grow - talk to Dick Hancock.
• Increase adult volunteers engaged and trained - more district training events scheduled.
• Increase in Roundtable attendance from all units - Mel has regained control of all Roundtables and has some great plans for the meetings.
• Increased Crossover engagement from pack to troop - Troops should engage earlier to interact with local packs and spread the fun of scouting!
• 8% growth in scouting youth registered by the end of the year - working on "Adopt a School" program between units and local schools, contacting local PTAs and asking for support, even searching help from School Boards to help open up opportunities to talk with the local youth.
• FOS - working with local units to encourage donations from families, businesses and persons who want to support scouting.

If you would like one of your unit events listed here, or to help with one of the events, please email your Great Valley District Executive at - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you for making scouting possible!