The Boy Scouts of America was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1910. In 1911 a national office was established in New York to administer the organization. Scouting came to central Virginia officially with Tabernacle Churches sponsorship of Richmond Troop 1. By the end of 1911 there were a dozen troops in the Richmond area.
In 1913 John Stewart Bryan and D.W. Durrett led 60 well-known residents and civic leaders in founding the Richmond, Virginia Council. The first year membership totaled 495 boys in 28 troops. Since the Richmond Council was established 100 years ago, the council name has changed from the Richmond Council to the Robert E. Lee Council and is presently known as the Heart of Virginia (HOV) Council. From 495 boys in 1913 the council now has an approximate membership of 13,000 youth, 464 troops, and 5,000 adult volunteers which include troop leaders, troop committee members, chartering organization representatives, and members at large
The Heart of Virginia Council (HOVC) is divided into 7 geographically dispersed districts (i.e. Arrohattoc, Battlefield, Capitol, Cardinal, Crater, Huguenot Trail, & Rivers) and the Exploring Division, which encompasses the entire council.
Detailed information about programs and the B.S.A. organization can be obtained at Scouting.org
This cache is placed in the recognition of the Exploring Division. It is for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years old. Exploring has 650 youth and 100 adult volunteers in the Heart of Virginia Council Exploring Division.
Local community organizations initiate a specific Explorer post by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community.