This year’s Cub Scout Aviation Day, scheduled for 12:30-4pm during the day and 6:30-9:30pm during the evening of Saturday, August 29, will be one of a kind! The event’s theme is America 250. In addition to the aircraft fly-ins, aviation-related exhibitors, space activities, and camping, the planning team is thrilled to announce that the VA250 Mobile Museum will be in attendance during the afternoon. There is also a flag competition that combines our nation’s anniversary, aviation, and scouting. Be sure to read about it in the new Leader Guide.
In honor of this historic moment in U.S. history, sponsorships have been secured to make the event FREE OF CHARGE to all Cub Scouts and their families. These sponsors include Community Coins Cville, Talbert & Bright Engineering & Planning Consultants, Reynolds Subaru in Orange, Jessica Martin’s State Farm Insurance in Orange, the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1563 of Gordonsville, and the Town of Gordonsville. All entry fees are covered thanks to the generosity of these businesses and organizations, so be sure to thank them and consider supporting them.
With the elimination of participation fees, there are a number of developments. There will not be advanced registration for the event. The first two hundred Cub Scouts in attendance will receive an Aviation Day patch. T-shirt orders will be taken during the event at a cost of $16 and will be distributed through unit leaders during district roundtable meetings and through other means as needed. Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted. All campers, including adults, are required to provide a completed A&B Medical form, and each family must complete a Town of Gordonsville Camping Waiver. Four biplane rides will again be raffled off during the event. Those interested in purchasing a biplane ride at $175 can do so via the event page located at https://www.virginiaheadwaters.org/events-camping/aviation-day/. Please share this information with families of your unit. Rides can also be purchased at the event, but priority is given to those who purchase in advance. Biplane rides will take place during the afternoon activities. Only one person can ride per flight. The event leader guide and additional information about Aviation Day will soon be available on that website.
Due to the elimination of participation fees, the planners particularly need Scouts BSA and adult volunteers to assist during the daytime activities. Please contact Pat Watts, watts.patrick@gmail.com, if members of your unit are able to assist. A training meeting during late summer will soon be announced. The event is also in need of a van or bus and a driver to provide transportation to and from off-site parking. Contact Daman Irby at irby@virginia.edu if you are able to assist or have a recommendation.
This is sure to be a year to remember! Mark your calendar and encourage the families in your unit to plan to participate in Cub Scout Aviation Day!
Scouting America recently announced an important change that will simplify the membership and unit renewal process nationwide. By February 2028, all members and all units will have a single, common renewal month of February. This change is in response to feedback from unit leaders and other Scouters who asked for a simpler, more consistent renewal experience.
Key updates include:
- Beginning September 2026, all units due for renewal will renew to February 2028
- All memberships and unit charters will have a common renewal month of February by February 2028
- To simplify the process and in response to unit leaders’ requests, Scouting America is returning to unit control of member renewals. If the unit does not renew a member, that member may renew themselves after the unit-only period closes
- The current 60-day grace period will end December 31, 2026
- Members renewing in November 2026 will still receive a 30-day grace period through December
- Members renewing in December 2026 must renew by December 31 to avoid being dropped
To support the transition during 2026 and 2027:
- Beginning in September 2026, new and renewing units will use the standard charter fee plus pro rata fees through February 2028
- No changes for new and renewing members through 2026
- Unit leaders should watch for updates from their local council, as additional guidance and implementation details may vary by council during the transition period
This is a significant operational change designed to reduce complexity and create a more streamlined experience for volunteers, families, and councils alike.
Behind every great Scout unit is a team of dedicated adult volunteers. And behind those volunteers is someone who supports, encourages, and connects them when they need it most. That someone is a Commissioner.
If you want to make a meaningful difference beyond your own unit, becoming a Commissioner may be the perfect next step. Commissioners focus on people. They build relationships with unit leaders, offer guidance and encouragement, and help connect Packs, Troops, and Crews with helpful council resources. The Commissioner badge is distinguished by a wreath of service surrounding it, symbolizing their shared responsibility for and commitment to unit service and reflecting what the role is truly about: strengthening units by serving the volunteers who lead them.
No prior Scouting experience is required and you don’t need all the answers. Experienced Commissioners will train and mentor you as you grow into the role. What matters most is a heart for service and a desire to help other volunteers succeed.
Learn more at in-person Commissioner training on Saturday, April 25 at 10:00 am at the Council Office. There is no cost for this training. Find out how you can serve those who serve Scouts and help every unit thrive. For questions, please reach out to Matt Phillipi.
Join us on Tuesday, April 14 at noon at the Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville for the annual VAHC Friends of Scouting Luncheon. This cornerstone fundraiser for the council will feature Todd DeSorbo, 2025 ASCA Coach of the Year, coach of the five-time back-to-back national champion UVA Swim Team, and USA Swimming Head Coach for the Paris 2024 Olympics, as the keynote speaker.
The FOS Luncheon is a chance to share the Scouting story with key supporters and community leaders, highlighting the direct impact Scouting has on youth development, character, and leadership. Plan to attend this fundraiser and hear Coach DeSorbo’s inspiring story of leadership lessons in and out of the pool!
Friends of Scouting (FOS) is our council’s annual giving campaign, providing the vital funding needed to deliver high-quality programs and services to the youth we serve. A cornerstone of these offerings is Camp Shenandoah, which plays a key role in the Scouting experience across our council. All units are asked to schedule a FOS visitation, during which a fellow Scouter will briefly share how your unit and its families can make a meaningful impact in supporting Camp Shenandoah. Please schedule this visitation to take place before June 1, 2026, during a unit meeting, event, or program where parents are present.
As a thank-you, every youth and leader in units where at least 50% of families submit a pledge card at their FOS visitation will receive a special Camp Shenandoah neckerchief. To schedule a FOS visitation for your unit, please contact Tom Greenwood.
We are proud to recognize and congratulate the council’s top three Popcorn and Peanuts (PNP) sellers for their outstanding efforts this year. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work played a significant role in supporting Scouting programs across our council.
🥇 Brandon C., Troop 79, led the way with $6,781 in sales.
🥈 Marshall B., Troop 1028, followed closely with $6,012 in sales.
🥉 DJ C., Troop 12, rounded out the top three with $5,011 in sales.
Congratulations to Brandon, Marshall, and DJ on this remarkable achievement and thank you to all Scouts and families who participated in this year’s PNP sales campaign!
Congratulations to 2026 Silver Beaver Award recipients:
John Athayde and Adam Sowers
The Silver Beaver Award is the highest recognition a Scout council can bestow. Introduced in 1931, it is awarded for distinguished service within a council by registered adult Scouters of exceptional character and is given to those who deliver the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. Congratulations to this year’s Virginia Headwaters Council recipients of the Silver Beaver Award: John Athayde and Adam Sowers.
John and Adam will be presented with the Silver Beaver Award at the Council Recognition Dinner on February 21 at Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church in Fishersville.
John Athayde
It is with great pride that the Virginia Headwaters Council announces the selection of John Athayde as a 2026 recipient of the Silver Beaver Award.
John Athayde is an Eagle Scout whose service to Scouting has continued well into adulthood. He has served as Tiger Den Leader, Lion Den Leader, Assistant Cubmaster and Cubmaster. A Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, John exemplifies the principles of servant leadership. On the district level, he has served as a Webelos Camp Staff and Cub Scout Day Camp Staff and has been recognized with the District Award of Merit. A member of the Council Executive Board, John serves as Vice President of Technology and Communication where he has led a complete overhaul and redesign of the council website, moving it to a more modern WordPress backend, deployed a shared Google Workspace for council officers, led the transition within the council to BlackPug, and was instrumental in deploying a reliable high-speed internet solution for Camp Shenandoah. As his nomination attests John “has propelled the Virginia Headwaters Council from the Stone Age to the Space Age … his reimagining and implementation of the council’s information technology systems and frameworks have transformed the council into a modern and agile enterprise.”
Adam Sowers
It is with great pride that the Virginia Headwaters Council announces the selection of J. Adam Sowers as a 2026 recipient of the Silver Beaver Award.
Adam Sowers is an Eagle Scout and a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow whose service to Scouting spans the unit, district, and council levels. Over the years, he has served as Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster, and Den Leader, demonstrating unwavering dedication to youth leadership and development. At the district level, Adam has contributed as a member of the Monticello District Committee, the Apple Harvest Camporee Committee, and as staff for Cub Scout Fun Day. In recognition of his exceptional service, he has previously been honored with the District Award of Merit. At the council level, Adam has served the Order of the Arrow as an advisor in various capacities and currently serves on the Council Executive Board as Vice President of Finance and Fund Development. In this role, his leadership and creativity have supported vital initiatives such as the Friends of Scouting campaign, including the development of impactful videos and promotional materials that inspire engagement and strengthen community support. Adam’s nomination reads in part: “Adam has been a mentor, advocate, and champion for the next generation of leaders. His passion for Scouting’s mission makes him a deserving recipient of this distinguished honor.”
The Outstanding Eagle Scout Award is presented by the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) to an Eagle Scout who has demonstrated distinguished service to their community upon the recommendation of their local council. The award recognizes Eagle Scouts for remarkable achievements well beyond their Scouting endeavors who excel in their profession and inspire others through their positive actions. Congratulations to this year’s Virginia Headwaters Council recipient of the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award: Will Hill.
Will earned the Eagle Scout award from the Baltimore Area Council in February 1965. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Will spent his career in senior engineering and marketing roles with a focus on products in the portable power tools, hand tools, security products, cordless and alternative energy sectors. After retiring from Stanley Black & Decker as Corporate Vice President of Engineering & Technology, Will founded M.A. Warren, a firm focused on investing in start-up companies and advising larger companies on strategic planning and innovation.
Will spent 12 years on the Executive Board of the Connecticut Rivers Council in Hartford and, after moving to Charlottesville, joined the Executive Board of the Virginia Headwaters Council where he serves as the council’s Nominating Chair. A dedicated advocate for Scouting, Will has played a key role in recruiting new Board members for VAHC and filling critical Chair positions. Will provides crucial insight and guidance to the President, officers, and Board and has played an instrumental role in the success of our Council’s operations.
Will Hill will be presented with the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award at the FOS Luncheon on April 14 at the Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville.
Winter Camp at Camp Shenandoah is filling up fast! If you are planning to attend and haven’t yet registered, now is the time. From January 16-19, 2026, Scouts will gather from Friday to Monday for adventure, merit badges, and times of good cheer that will keep the cold at bay. Registration is still open but don’t wait—prices increase after December 22, 2025!
Rates through December 22 2025: Youth: $100 | Adults: $50
Rates after December 22, 2025: Youth:$125 | Adults:$65
Contact Winter Camp Director Robert Clemmer or Winter Camp Program Director Tracey Stakem with any questions.
February 6-8, 2026 • Camp Shenandoah • $20 per person
Get ready to bundle up and test your winter Scouting skills—Klondike Derby 2026 is on the horizon!
What’s Included
Your $20 registration fee covers:
- Event registration
- Official Klondike Derby 2026 patch
- Protein for the Musher’s Banquet (Saturday night)
Note: Units participating in the banquet should bring a side dish sized for their group. Please avoid nuts and shellfish.
Events & Stations
Scouts will take on classic Klondike challenges, including:
- Paul Bunyan skills
- Shelter Building
- Fire Building
- First Aid
- Sled Race
- Team Challenge
- Scouting Trail
- BB Shoot
And yes—the legendary Scoutmaster Dessert Cook-off is back! Will last year’s champion defend their crown, or will a new contender rise?
Who Can Attend
All Troops, Crews, Posts, and AOLs are welcome, both in-council and out-of-council. AOLs may camp with troops and enjoy an age-appropriate program track.
