by: Ed Murphy, District Chair
Monticello District
Cub Scout Aviation Day, August 29-30, 2026
Cub Scout Aviation Day will be held at the Gordonsville Municipal Airport on August 29-30, 2026. The Saturday daytime activities take place from 1:00-4:00 pm. Cub Scout Packs are welcome to camp overnight on the airfield. Evening activities run 6:30-9:30 pm and there is a Sunday Morning Chapel service at 8:30 am. This year, thanks to generous sponsors, there will be no fee to attend! Four biplane rides will be raffled off to Cub Scouts during Aviation Day, or you can purchase a biplane ride on the registration site. See the website for more details: https://www.virginiaheadwaters.org/events-camping/aviation-day/
Save the Date – Apple Harvest October 9-11, 2026
The annual Apple Harvest Camporee will be held at Camp Shenandoah on October 9-11, 2026. More information will be available on the Council website later this summer.
Monticello District Roundtable
Our next District Roundtable will be on Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 7:00-8:30 pm at the American Legion in Keswick. All adult leaders are strongly encouraged to attend. All unit Key 3 members should attend.
Yours in Scouting,
Ed Murphy
Monticello District Chair
by: Jeff Teagarden, District Chair
Greetings Mountain Valley!
It was great to see so many of you at the New Market Camporee. Scouts and Scouters alike enjoyed a great day of activities learning about the Battle of New Market and its importance and significance during the Civil War. We also learned about VMI’s involvement in the battle, the Bushong farm, and the Field of Lost Shoes. Thankfully no shoes were lost during the reenactment weekend!
Our next Roundtable will be on June 3rd and will be held at Camp Shenandoah. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
As the Cub program year comes to a close, Packs are encouraged to start the new program year off June 1st with continued meetings and events through the summer.
Looking forward to seeing you along the Scouting trail!
Yours in Scouting,
Jeff Teagarden
Mountain Valley District Chair
by: Ed Murphy, District Chair
Monticello District
At our annual Awards and Recognition Dinner on March 5, the Monticello District recognized Scouts and Scouters who have gone above and beyond this past year.
Spirit of Scouting Award
Eric Cutright, Scoutmaster of Troop 1029, was awarded the Spirit of Scouting award in recognition of his more than 20 years of service to Pack 77, Troops 1028 and 1029, and to the VAHC Aquatics Committee. In Pack 77, Eric served multiple years as a Den Leader and Cubmaster. His annual Pinewood Derby workshops are a highlight for many Cub Scouts from multiple packs. In Troops 1028 and 1029, he has served as Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, Life to Eagle mentor, and a merit badge counselor for over 60 different merit badges. Eric organizes the Council Aquatics Committee’s annual swim checks each spring, and he helps organize the Winter Aquatics program. His nomination said “For over two decades, Eric Cutright has embodied the Spirit of Scouting, through Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, to Venturing, to the District and to Council-level service. He is the epitome of cheerful service…”
Outstanding Scout Awards
Adam Brill of Troop 75 received the Outstanding Scouts BSA Scout of the Year Award through his strong leadership, dedication, and positive impact on others in the Troop. “His patience, encouragement, and approachability foster an environment where every Scout feels they belong.” He has shown significant growth by earning the rank of Life Scout, completing a trek at Philmont, and being active in the Order of the Arrow. As Senior Patrol Leader and Quartermaster, he demonstrated responsibility and initiative, improving troop organization and leading effectively. Adam’s reliability, service, and upbeat personality make him a valued role model who embodies the core values of Scouting. “Adam Brill embodies the qualities of an outstanding Scout — leadership, service, resilience, and a genuine dedication to others.”
Caitlin Powell of Troop 360 received the Outstanding Scouts BSA Scout of the Year for her trailblazing leadership and dedication to Scouting. As the first female Cub Scout in Louisa County and a founding member of Troop 360, she has consistently demonstrated courage, service, and strong leadership, including serving as Senior Patrol Leader. She has actively participated in national opportunities, supported troop initiatives, and is working toward Eagle Scout with a community-focused outdoor youth kitchen and learning space project. Beyond her achievements, Caitlin stands out as a compassionate mentor and role model who embodies the values of the Scout Law in her everyday actions. “She is trustworthy in her leadership, loyal to her troop, helpful to her community, friendly and kind to every Scout who needs support, obedient in following and teaching proper Scouting methods, cheerful in even the toughest service days, thrifty in her project planning, brave in both action and advocacy, clean in her example, and reverent in her respect for others’ paths and beliefs.”
Isaac Yates of Pack 77 received the Cub Scout of the Year Award for his consistent participation, positive attitude, and growth in Scouting. Since joining as a Tiger, he has actively taken part in camps, service projects, special events, and Pack activities, always showing enthusiasm and kindness. He also supports the Council through strong involvement in Popcorn and Peanuts sales. “It has been a joy to watch Isaac grow and mature over the years as a Scout from a shy Tiger to an outgoing and leading Webelo. I am certain he will continue on and do great things throughout his career in Scouting and beyond.”
Jacob Stadler of Pack 222 received the Cub Scout of the Year Award for his exceptional commitment to Scouting despite joining less than two years ago. He has already participated in numerous camping trips and explored multiple troops to thoughtfully prepare for his next steps. Jacob was the top Popnut seller in 2025 and went above and beyond during Scouting for Food by personally engaging with neighbors to increase donations. “His enthusiasm and leadership are further reflected in earning his recruiter strip and actively promoting Scouting through a wide range of events.”
Eagle Scout Project of the Year Award
Hudson Irby has earned the Eagle Scout Project of the Year award for his service project by partnering with the Woodberry Cemetery Association to improve a historic African American cemetery he had previously helped clean. He led efforts to install benches, solar streetlights, a flagpole light, a new entrance sign, and a flag retirement pit to enhance safety, visibility, and community use. The project was funded through his extensive Scouting fundraising efforts and donations, and completed with about 300 hours of volunteer work from 22 participants. His work not only upgraded the cemetery’s infrastructure but also helped raise awareness and engagement within the local community.
Unit Scouter of the Year Awards
We recognized the following volunteers who were nominated by their unit for the Unit Scouter of the Year Award:
Natasha Roberts & Derek Ester, Pack 12
Kara Watts, Pack 77
Andrew Craven, Pack 79
Johanna O’Laughlin, Pack 79
Charles Kleff Jr. Pack 154
Michael Holder, Pack 197 and Troop 197
Warren Litton, Pack 206
Eric & Amanda Maule, Pack 222
Renee Brown, Troop 3
Richard Wilkinson, Troop 12
Jay Gillenwater, Troop 75
Sarah Lindegren, Troop 111
Matthew Esch, Troop 154
Patricia Witmer, Troop 180
Elina Sila, Troop 241
Amanda Willis, Troop 360
Heidi Jackson, Troop 1003
Zachary Paukert, Troop 3125
Paul Bieri, Order of the Arrow Orion Chapter
To our Unit Scouters, thank you for all that you are doing for Scouting and all that you continue to do to support our Scouts.
District Award of Merit
Audrey Storm (Pack 77, Troops 1028 & 1029 and Pack 222) and David Storm (Pack 77, Troops 1028 & 1029) have each been awarded the Monticello District Award of Merit. This is the highest honor that a District can give a volunteer Scouter.
Audrey Storm has received the District Award of Merit for her outstanding service and leadership at the unit, district, and council levels. As a longtime Cubmaster of Pack 77, she transformed the unit into one of the strongest in the district and has helped sustain other struggling packs and troops through mentorship and leadership roles. At the district and council levels, she has served as a Unit Commissioner, district committee member, and Council Vice-President for Membership, guiding growth during a challenging period. Audrey’s dedication, impact, and commitment to youth development make her highly deserving of this recognition.
David Storm has received the District Award of Merit for his dedicated service at the unit, district, and council levels. As Committee Chair of Pack 77, he helped grow the unit into one of the strongest in the district while also supporting Troops 1028 and 1029 as an Assistant Scoutmaster and merit badge counselor. At the district level, he has played a critical role as Friends of Scouting Chair, organizing and delivering presentations that support a major portion of the council’s funding. His commitment, leadership, and willingness to take on challenging responsibilities have made a lasting impact on Scouting in the Monticello District.
This is the first time in Monticello District history that a husband and wife have earned the District Award of Merit in the same year! Congratulations to Audrey and David, and a sincere thank you for all that you are doing for the District and for Scouting.
Monticello District Roundtable
Our next District Roundtable will be on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 7:00-8:30 pm at the American Legion in Keswick. All adult leaders are strongly encouraged to attend. All unit Key 3 members should attend.
Yours in Scouting,
Ed Murphy
Monticello District Chair
by: Jeff Teagarden, District Chair
Greetings Mountain Valley!
Our next Roundtable is IN PERSON at Asbury United Methodist Church in Harrisonburg on April 8th (note the date change). All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
The District Award of Merit is a prestigious Scouting America honor presented annually to registered adult volunteers who render outstanding service at the district level. It recognizes noteworthy service to youth and is the highest honor a local district can bestow. Two Mountain Valley Scouters were recently recognized as the 2026 recipients of District Award of Merit for Mountain Valley District:
Cory May is an invaluable leader within the Mountain Valley District, currently serving as a Unit Commissioner, the Assistant Roundtable Commissioner for Packs, and the Chartered Organization Representative for Troop 124. She is known for her reliability, her upbeat spirit, and her constant willingness to step in wherever help is needed. Her guidance and mentorship have strengthened multiple units and supported their growth and success.
This year, Cory played a major role in delivering high‑quality training and district programming. She helped organize and teach the BALOO training course, ensuring new Cub Scout leaders were well-prepared for outdoor adventures. She also took the lead in planning and running the district’s first annual Pinewood Derby, creating an exciting new tradition for our Cub Scouts and their families.
Cory’s dedication, energy, and steady support make her an essential part of our district’s success and a standout example of Scouting service.
Kent Baisley is a long-serving and highly versatile leader within the Mountain Valley District. Over the years he has worn many district hats, and he currently serves as the District Commissioner while also leading Troop 84 as Scoutmaster. His steady leadership, deep Scouting knowledge, and calm, solutions-focused approach make him a cornerstone of district operations.
Kent is a driving force behind several major district events. He plays a central role in organizing Merit Badge University, ensuring Scouts have access to high-quality advancement opportunities. He is also a key organizer of the Klondike Derby, helping deliver one of the district’s most challenging and memorable outdoor programs.
Looking ahead, Kent has taken on the ambitious task of bringing back the New Market Camporee for 2026, reviving a beloved tradition and creating an exciting new opportunity for Scouts across the district.
Kent’s commitment, leadership, and vision continue to strengthen Scouting at every level, and his contributions have a lasting impact on youth and volunteers alike.
The Mountain Valley District is looking forward to our upcoming April and May events:
- Venture Springfest 4/10-12 – open to all currently registered Venturers, Explorers, Sea Scouts, and Scouts of Venturing age (14 yrs old OR 13 and completed the eighth grade, to 21). https://scoutingevent.com/763-SpringFEST
- We had 12 Mountain Valley Scouts and Scouters (including 1 AOL scout!) sign the foot in March. Join the Sore Foot Club hike on April 18 or May 16 for your hike to Elliot’s Knob and be immortalized in the dining hall. https://scoutingevent.com/763-bigfeet_eknob
- Help Council get ready for summer camp by participating in camp work days or your Unit’s adopted site work weekend.
- Register for the New Market Camporee and be a part of bringing this event back to life! https://scoutingevent.com/763-newmarketcamporee
Looking forward to seeing you along the Scouting trail!
Yours in Scouting,
Jeff Teagarden
Mountain Valley District Chair
by: Ed Murphy, District Chair
Advancement Notes – The End of an Era
After about 15 years of service, Jay Fox has stepped down as the Eagle Project reviewer for the Monticello District. In that time, he reviewed essentially every Eagle Scout project in the Monticello District. We estimate Jay has probably read, commented on, and approved nearly 1000 Eagle Projects. The Monticello District wants to thank Jay for his outstanding service to the Scouts of our District.
Pete Fenlon has agreed to take on the role of Eagle Project reviewer. In the near future, we will be creating a Monticello District email address that will automatically be forwarded to the District Eagle Project reviewer. We thank Pete for taking on this essential role.
Friends of Scouting
All units should schedule a Friends of Scouting presentation at a Pack Meeting, Troop Court of Honor, or other event where parents will be present. Please contact David Storm to schedule a day and time for your unit’s presentation.
Awards
The annual Monticello District Awards and Recognition Dinner will take place on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 6:30-8:30 pm at the American Legion, 3025 Louisa Road, Keswick, VA. After a quick opening, a potluck dinner will be served and the award ceremony will follow dinner. Look for the potluck signup in your mailbox in the next few weeks.
Awards to be presented include the District Award of Merit, the Spirit of Scouting Award, Outstanding Scout of the Year (Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing), outstanding Eagle Project of the Year, and the Unit Scouter/Volunteer of the Year Awards. Nominations for awards are still open. You can see the list of awards, nomination deadlines, and past winners here.
Every unit should nominate a Scouter or volunteer for the Unit Scouter of the Year Award for their noteworthy service to the unit over the last chartered year. This award can be presented to a person, a couple, a business, or whomever the unit feels has provided noteworthy service to the Pack, Troop, or Crew. This award can be given to someone who is not a registered leader.
Christmas Tree Sales for Camp Shenandoah
The Monticello District has wrapped up Christmas Tree sales for the 2025 season. We ordered 1056 trees that were sold at 7 lots spread across Central Virginia. Total gross sales amounted to just over $110,000. After paying for the trees and other costs, we expect to return about $22,000 to the units and $15,000 to Camp Shenandoah. We greatly appreciate the hard work of our volunteers and Scouts who staffed the lots, often on long, very cold, shifts!
Charter Renewal
It is charter renewal season in the Monticello District! If your unit has not done so, please start your charter renewal immediately and submit it as soon as possible. We have been hearing about issues with the system and with individual registrations. Starting now will give you time to work through the issues before the deadline (February 28, 2026). If you have any questions, contact your Unit Commissioner. If you don’t know who your Unit Commissioner is, please contact our District Commissioner, Mike Bonham.
Monticello District Roundtable
Our next District Roundtable will be on Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 7:00-8:30 pm at the American Legion in Keswick. All adult leaders are strongly encouraged to attend.
Yours in Scouting,
Ed Murphy
Monticello District Chair
by: Jeff Teagarden, District Chair
Greetings Mountain Valley!
Happy New Year!! Yes, yes, it’s the end of the month; but it’s still the beginning of what is to be a great year in scouting!!! Who has been observant enough to realize I’ve added an additional exclamation mark each sentence thus far?!!!!?
We have some wonderful events happening this year. To start, Winter Camp was an arctic blast. I’m sure there were some behind the scenes ‘obstacles’ that occurred (as with any inaugural event), but seeing it from an outsider’s perspective, all I saw in the few hours I was there Sunday afternoon were Scouts having an avalanche of fun. Merit badges were earned, test lab merit badges were experimented, and Yukon Cornelius greeted many in the trading post. Smiles were a plenty, despite the chill in the air.
Coming up in February we have a winter favorite – Klondike Derby. Polish up those sled runners and be ready to take on the course Feb. 6-8th.
Click here to register for the Klondike Derby.
Later in the month we have Cub Scout Adult Leader Training as well as Den Chief training on Saturday, Feb. 28 at Asbury UMC in Harrisonburg. Every Scout deserves a trained leader, so let’s have all our sessions full of eager learners!
Cub Scout Adult Leader Training
Finally, our Council Recognition event is February 21st. Come join us in congratulating our Scouts, Scouters, and Eagle Scouts on their accomplishments in 2025. Register to attend here; we’d love to see you there.
Yours In Scouting,
Jeff Teagarden
Mountain Valley District Chair
by: Jeff Teagarden, District Chair
Greetings Mountain Valley!
I wanted to remind everyone that we are reviving the old Google Group and transitioning to using that for mass message distribution. Please subscribe to stay updated on MVD happenings. https://groups.google.com/u/1/g/mtn-valley-vahc-bsa. Note, you must be logged into your Google account before the join button will appear. You do not need a Gmail account to create a Google account; you can use any email address. If you had previously subscribed to this group, now would be a good time to review your notification settings.
Also, this is a friendly reminder that District Award of Merit nominations are due to me by the end of November.
Our November Roundtable (November 5) will be in Harrisonburg at the Asbury UMC, Room 300. I hope to see you all there!
The Mountain Valley District is proud to recognize the Scouts who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout this past month. Each of these young leaders demonstrated commitment, service, and leadership at the highest level of Scouting.
- Isaiah H. — Troop 8, Churchville
Project: Built a podium for a Harrisonburg church’s outdoor chapel service. - Ethen C. — Troop 46, Elkton
Project: Rebuilt a shed for the Elkton Progressive Improvement Committee, including a new roof, doors, and repaired siding. - Thomas D. — Troop 11, Fishersville
Project: Landscaping work to support a church in Charlottesville. - Molly “MK” O. — Troop 314, Stuarts Draft
Project: Partnered with Silver Line Theatre Exchange in Staunton, transforming the unused space above their bathrooms into an efficient costume storage area - Sawyer T. — Troop 8, Churchville
Project: Built a bench behind Staunton High School
These achievements remind us of the strength and promise of Scouting in our communities. We congratulate these Scouts and their families for their hard work and dedication.
Finally, Tracy Norman is stepping down from the District Program Chair position at the end of the year. If you would like to fill that spot or have someone in mind who you think would do great at Program planning, please let me know!
by: Ed Murphy, District Chair
Scouting for Food is upon us!
This event is one of the most crucial service projects we provide for the counties and cities of our Council, providing great variety and additional food for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank as it moves into the holiday season.
We will distribute flyers on the weekend of November 1st and/or 2nd (whichever day is most convenient for your unit) and pick up food on Saturday, November 8th.
Flyers are available for pickup at the Ed Murphy’s front porch; please email Ed for the address.
There is no need to call ahead. Just come get the flyers off the box on the porch. The box has markings on the side that you can use to measure out 200 flyers or 500 flyers. Please take only what you need so that there will be enough flyers for all our units.
The flyers are just that (they are not door hangers). David Storm said his units have had great luck stapling the flyers to plastic grocery bags. They have been able to get local grocery stores to donate the bags and have seen significantly larger donations.
Thanks for all you do for Scouting!
