Master Plan: The Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation

The Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation Master Plan was undertaken to provide a framework for the maintenance, growth and direction of the roughly 600 acres of land owned by the Heart of Virginia Council in Goochland County, Virginia.

The reservation is made up of four camps: Camp S. Douglas Fleet is the short-term camping facility, a small rustic camp which was determined not in need of much change and therefore not a major part of this Master Plan; the Cub Adventure Camp, which serves Cub Scout programs; Camp T. Brady Saunders, which is oriented towards older youth (ages 11- 18); and Finley Albright Conservation Area, the newest addition with a focus on wilderness adventure, environmental conservation, ecology, and biodiversity.

This master plan will provide a guide for investments as well as a framework for immediate to long term improvements, by guiding the location of major built elements and addressing broad land use, infrastructure, pedestrian and vehicular circulation.

The planning principles which directed the planning effort embraced the ideals of scouting:

“The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”

One of the ways scouting meets that mission is stated in the goal to “Offer a Premiere Outdoor Experience.” Providing quality outdoor experiences at the Heart of Virginia Reservation is one of the ways the Council strives to meet that goal. This master plan establishes the foundation for that effort.

While the planning effort considered the traditional “summer camp” use, it focused on making the reservation a year-round asset by assuming weekend and holiday events and programs conducted for scouting at camp, as well as community use by non-scout groups when compatible income-producing opportunities present themselves. It viewed needs and priorities through the lens of creating a quality “visitor experience”, making sure the facilities are the first choice to scouts for summer programs, weekend events and for rental use by outside groups.

The plan should be considered a flexible, living guide for the maintenance and development of the reservation over the next 20 years. It is intentionally broad and conceptual in scope to allow for flexibility in implementation and to adapt to changing realities. It is hopefully aspirational and serves to create a vision of the future of the camp.

This study document is organized in four main sections:

Part 1, an executive summary;

Part 2, an overview of the camp conditions and recommended improvements;

Parts 3 and 4, more detailed analysis of each camp and budget estimates for the recommended improvements; and

Part 5, attached resources to support some of the conclusions.

This study was funded by a generous grant from the Luck Companies Foundation.