Winter Camp 2013

This last weekend was the 5th Winter Camp at the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation.  It was a great weekend.  Coming into it there was a lot of rain and it actually snowed over an inch the night before Winter Camp began.  However, on Friday the clouds parted and we had 4 great days of sunny weather with cool temperatures during the day and cold temperatures at night.

This year we brought in new event tents to help spread out the merit badge classes and give the instructors more room to teach.  They were a great successes and we will be seeing them return for Winter Camp 2014. 

Every year the merit badges change a little at Winter Camp.  This is because Winter Camp is a volunteer effort.  Without the dedication of volunteer merit badge instructors, Winter Camp would not be possible.  We had over 60 people volunteer their weekend to not only teach merit badges, but to run the dining hall and provide meals for the campers.  I would like to thank each of them for their dedication to Scouting and providing an example of service to others through Scouting.  Thank you for everything!

Some of the new merit badges we were able to bring to Winter Camp this year included:

• Indian Lore
• Law
• Cinematography
• Genealogy
• Cooking
• Pioneering
• Geocaching
• Automotive Maintenance
• LNT Training Course
• Totin' Chip

We had 675 people participate in Winter Camp 2013.  This was the largest gathering we have had at Winter Camp.  To make this work we split the dining hall into two shifts, creating a smaller feel than last years Winter Camp and spread out classes throughout the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation.

2014 is going to be another exciting Winter Camp.  It will take place on January 18 - 20, 2014.  I have looked through all the evaluations and some of the merit badges that we are trying to bring in for Winter Camp 2014 include:

• Citizenship in the Community
• Robotics
• Orienteering
• Meteorology
• Space Exploration
• Chess
• Crime Prevention
• Metalworking
• Firem'n Chit

Of course I cannot say for sure which merit badges will be in Winter Camp 2014.  We need your help to make these merit badges a reality.  If you are skilled in any of the merit badges taught at Winter Camp, we can use your help to make 2014 the best Winter Camp ever!

This past weekend was a great weekend of Scout camping and fellowship.  For all of you in attendance, I had a great time seeing you at camp.  For those who did not make it, I hope to see you at camp soon!

Visit www.bradysaunders.net for the most updated information on Winter Camp 2014.

-Mic Mullins
Camp T. Brady Saunders Camp Director

100th Anniversary "I'M GOING TO SUMMER CAMP" Commemorative Patch

Its hard to believe how quickly 2012 came and went.  Its now 2013, the 100th anniversary of Scouting in the Richmond area.  On July 12, 1913 the first Troop was created in what would eventually come to be known as the Heart of Virginia Council. 

Camp T. Brady Saunders is proud of our council's history and will be celebrating it each week of summer camp this year.  There will be special displays and programs offered throughout the summer to help teach our Scouts about the history of Scouting.  On Friday July 12, 2013 the camp will be opening its time capsule, buried in front of Eagle Plaza.  The items it contains will provide a glimpse of what scouting was like in our council 25 years ago.  There will be special celebrations and food at the event.

To kickoff the camps involvement we are offering a special commemorative patch to all our Scouts and Scouters who register for camp at The Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation by January 31st, 2013.  This patch will be issued to each registered Scout and Scouter in February and can be worn with pride. 

It will be one of a series of patches featuring the 100th Anniversary design.  Be sure to register in January (or if you have already registered) to receive this limited time collectors edition patch and join Camp T. Brady Saunders in celebrating 100 years of scouting in the Richmond area!