Proposed CVC / HOVC Councils Merger Background and Frequently Asked Questions

Scouting America’s Current Realities

Scouting America continues to provide one of the nation’s most effective youth leadership development programs. However, competition for young people’s time and attention has grown increasingly strong. While ongoing efforts at every level of the organization (national, territorial, and local) have made Scouting more accessible and engaging, overall youth participation has gradually declined over the past several decades.

As a result, some of the infrastructure originally built to support Scouting is now larger or unevenly distributed compared to current needs. To ensure long-term strength and sustainability, the National organization has encouraged councils to collaborate more closely, share resources, and identify opportunities for improvement.

In that spirit, leaders from the Colonial Virginia (CVC) and Heart of Virginia Councils (HOVC) began discussions in the summer of 2025 to explore ways to work together. Those conversations revealed that a true merger, rather than a simple resource-sharing arrangement, would provide significant benefits to Scouts, volunteers, and families across both Councils.

Following consultation with National representatives, both Councils agreed to begin a formal merger evaluation process. This process, which involves review and approval by each Council’s leadership and key stakeholders, is designed to ensure a thoughtful, transparent approach. The FAQs and timeline that follow outline the major steps and considerations in that process.

Last Revision Date: 11/14/2025