Winter Swim 2026
The 2026 Winter Swim will be held on Sunday, January 4 at Fork Union Military Academy and is open to all Scouts (and Scouters for the training session) in VAHC.
The VAHC Aquatics Committee will be offering Swimming Merit Badge, Lifesaving Merit Badge, Scouts BSA Rank Advancement, Pack Program (one adventure for each rank), non-swimmer skills development classes, and also adult “Aquatics Supervision Swimming and Water Rescue” training. This year there will be no SCUBA program and no open swim checks for summer camp (only offered as part of classes). Open Swim checks for summer programs will be offered in May/June.
Pre-registration is required for all classes, all class sizes are limited, and registration is on a first come, first served basis. For more information, questions, or to volunteer to staff the event, please contact Jay Fox or Eric Cutright.
Short Term National Camp Accreditation Program (NCAP)
Scouting America created the short-term NCAP program to ensure all council- organized overnight camping activities, not just long-term camps, meet national standards for quality and safety. The program helps councils improve their short- term camps by providing comprehensive guidelines and a framework for administrators to manage programs and facilities, while also ensuring the well- being of youth members. This helps elevate the camper experience, ensures continuous improvement, and maintains a high level of safety across all Scouting camping programs.
Ensures consistent safety: The program provides clear, applicable short-term standards to help ensure that health, safety, and sanitation provisions are met for all council-organized overnight events.
Promotes continuous improvement: NCAP encourages councils to regularly review and assess their camps, leading to improvements in both the quality of programs and the condition of facilities.
Standardizes all council-run camps: The short-term camp standards were extended to a broader range of activities, ensuring that any council-organized overnight camping event, regardless of length, adheres to the same high standards for quality and safety.
Provides training and resources: The program includes training for short-term camp administrators to equip them with the skills needed to manage these camps effectively, covering areas like risk management, program planning, and facility Oversight.
What is a Short-Term Camp?
A short-term camp is any council-organized overnight camping program, whether one-time or continuing, that is one, two or three nights in length where the council or its agents (districts) provide the staffing and may provide program and food services, and includes camps conducted off council properties. National training courses are subject to the short-term camp requirements, regardless of format or duration.
Dennis Camp, a trained Short-Term NCAP Administrator, has agreed to work with Chris Axford, our Council NCAP lead, to establish the program within the Virginia Headwaters Council. If you have any questions on the Short-Term NCAP program please feel free to reach out to Dennis at 7bczoo@gmail.com or 757-478-7027.
FOS Presenter Training
Join us Sunday, November 9th from 5-6 PM at the Council Office (617 Greenville Ave, Staunton, VA) for our 2026 Friends of Scouting Presentation Training. Learn how to confidently share Scouting’s story and inspire support for our youth programs.
Merit Badge University
Merit Badge University is BACK! Join us November 15, 2025 for merit badge classes. We have an exciting schedule this year, including both Eagle Required and Optional badges. Adult training will be available for leaders, as well. General cost is $10/youth participant with some badges having additional costs for supplies. Bring a lunch and get ready to learn and earn badges!
Featured badges include Citizenship in the World, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Communications, First Aid, Sustainability, Archaeology, Movie Making, Journalism, Art, Plumbing, and more. Please join us for this one-day event at Blue Ridge Community College from 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
Advanced Leadership Training: NYLT and Wood Badge
Empowering the Leaders of Tomorrow
Leadership is a cornerstone of the Scouting experience, shaping young people into responsible, ethical, and capable individuals. Scouting America offers two premier advanced leadership training programs—National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) for youth and Wood Badge for adult leaders. These programs are designed to cultivate strong leadership skills, ensuring that Scouts and their leaders are well-prepared to lead and inspire others.
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). NYLT is a week-long immersive course tailored for youth Scouts, typically between the ages of 13 and 18. This advanced training program focuses on:
- Leadership Skills: Teaching essential skills such as communication, planning, problem-solving, and team-building.
- Practical Experience: Offering hands-on, experiential learning opportunities where Scouts can practice and refine their leadership abilities.
- Youth-Centric Approach: Utilizing scenarios and activities that are relevant to the experiences and responsibilities of youth leaders within their troops.
Through NYLT, Scouts gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be an effective leader, learning to apply these skills within their patrols, troops, and everyday lives. The program is designed to challenge and inspire, fostering a sense of confidence and capability in every participant.
Wood Badge. Wood Badge is the pinnacle of leadership training for adult leaders in Scouting America. This advanced course focuses on:
- Comprehensive Leadership Skills: Covering topics such as project management, conflict resolution, and mentoring.
- Personal and Team Development: Enhancing individual leadership abilities while fostering effective teamwork.
- Practical Application: Combining classroom sessions with outdoor activities to provide a well-rounded, experiential learning experience.
Wood Badge equips adult leaders with the tools and insights needed to support and mentor youth effectively, ensuring that the principles and methods of Scouting are upheld and promoted at all levels. Graduates of Wood Badge return to their units with renewed enthusiasm, ready to lead by example and inspire the next generation of Scouts.
Introducing the 2025 Wood Badge and 2026 NYLT Course Directors
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The 2025 Wood Badge Course Director is Sarah Lindegren. Sarah took Wood Badge in the summer of 2018 at Philmont and has served on staff for three courses in two councils. She’s been participating in scouting with her husband and three sons for 14 Pinewood Derbies. She has served in a variety of roles, from Den Leader to Council Outdoor Ethics Coordinator. Sarah recently completed a Philmont Trek, and currently serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 111 in Charlottesville. For all your Wood Badge questions, send Sarah an email at woodbadge@virginiaheadwaters.org |
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The 2026 NYLT Course Director is Ed Murphy. Ed is an Eagle Scout and has been an adult volunteer in Scouting for over 20 years. He and his wife Susan have two sons, both of whom are Eagle Scouts. He took Wood Badge in the fall of 2009 and has served on staff for five courses. In summer 2024 he attended the Philmont Leadership Challenge. He has served as a Den Leader, Pack and Troop Committee Member, Assistant Scoutmaster, and is currently serving as the Monticello District Chair.
For all your NYLT course questions, send Ed an email at nylt@virginiaheadwaters.org |
