ScoutReach Outreach Program

The ScoutReach Division gives special leadership and emphasis to urban and rural Scouting programs, and is the BSA’s commitment to making sure that all young people have an opportunity to join, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background.

Today, young people are faced with many challenges as they often face fragile families and disintegrating neighborhoods. This program meets the developmental needs of youth in urban settings as diverse as the Latino neighborhoods of South Central Los Angeles and the housing developments of Washington, D.C. The program also focuses on the U.S. rural population, which constitutes approximately 25 percent of the total U.S. population. Some rural communities are stable and growing, whereas others are characterized by decentralized, low-density populations and/or poverty.

Scouting, by emphasizing ethics and moral values, addresses many of the social concerns of parents and youth in our country. Scouting prepares urban and rural youth to be leaders, to accept responsibility, and to care about principles and causes beyond their own self-interest.

Our biggest asset in urban and rural neighborhoods is a well-defined program based on values, learning-by-doing, fun, and positive role models.

Our Mission

To recruit strong adult leaders and to develop solid relationships with chartered organizations in urban and rural communities nationwide to ensure that culturally diverse youth have the opportunity to join the Scouting program.

Ways to Give

The Heart of Virginia Council’s ScoutReach Outreach Programs are making the positive, character-building experience of Scouting available for underserved youth throughout Central Virginia regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood or socio-economic background.  Donors have the opportunity to provide general support to these program efforts or can restrict their support to a specific community within Central Virginia.

Funding Opportunities

The Heart of Virginia Council BSA has put a dedicated emphasis on launching and growing our Scouting programs in Petersburg, Hopewell, and Richmond. Each program is being run as a separate Outreach Program Initiatives in terms of budgeting, program growth goals, and donor funding opportunities.

Richmond Program

Through partnerships with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Richmond Communities in Schools, Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School, Faith Covenant Christian Church, and Faith Community Baptist Church, the Council is providing Scouting to underserved and at-risk in Richmond’s East End.  The Heart of Virginia Council currently serves the communities of Whitcomb Court, Farfield Court, Creighton Court, and Mosby Court with neighborhood-based Scouting programs.

Petersburg Program

Through partnerships with Community in Schools and the Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Council will provide Scouting to underserved and at-risk in Petersburg through both neighborhood-based and in-school program delivery.  ScoutReach program expansion efforts are currently focused on establishing neighborhood-based Scouting programs in both Pecan Acres Estates and Pin Oaks Estates.

Hopewell Program: (Planned Launch Fall 2023)

Through a partnership with the Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority, the Council intends to launch a ScoutReach program in Hopewell in Fall 2023. Initially the Council will focus our efforts on expanding our efforts in the Thomas Rolfe Court neighborhood.  Once the program is successfully launched in Thomas Rolfe and excess capacity is available, then our expansion efforts will shift to pursue the starting of a program in the Davisville Bland Court neighborhood.

Please contact George M. McGovern at 770-468-5600 or georgem.mcgovern@scouting.org for more information about supporting the Heart of Virginia Council’s ScoutReach Program efforts.