Due to 4-5 feet of snow and now heavy melting combined with two months of on and off raining, we postponed the Boy Scout community service events scheduled for Feb. 13 and Feb. 27. We will reschedule when it gets warmer.

We are hopeful you will still be able to come out at a later date. Thanks for considering this worthwhile event and opportunity for your boys and families.

EVENT DETAILS:  Earn Two maybe three Boy Scouts Merit Badges for Community Service Exchange at Sanctuary on the Trail™ Native American Church of Virginia.
     Community Service hours are needed to help prepare for 3-D archaeology scanning by removing leaves, limbs, forest brush around a Paleo-Indian site found in Bluemont Va.
     All help is appreciated. In exchange, we will work with scouts, leaders and parents to complete the students work towards Archaeology and Indian Lore Badges.

WHAT:  Earn Two maybe three Boy Scouts Merit Badges for Community Service Exchange at Sanctuary on the Trail™ Native American Church of Virginia. Community Service hours are needed to help prepare for 3-D archaeology scanning by removing leaves, limbs, forest brush around a Paleo-Indian site found in Bluemont Va. Any help is appreciated. In exchange, we will work with scouts, leaders and parents to complete the students work towards Archaeology and Indian Lore Badges. 

If you would like to bring hot dogs and food you're welcome to camp out and eat around the fireside. Depending on how many participants we have we will also arrange for an outside john. the area we will be working is a beautiful mountainous area near a mountain stream. we will give you a tour of the property along with taking a look at a subterranean sweat lodge under construction. 

WHEN.  Sat. February 13th and Sat. February 27th from 10 am to 4:30 pm. those who would like to camp out overnight please call us on what day you would plan to camp out either on the Friday night or stay over on Saturday night. You do not have to attend both days, but are encouraged to if you can help us longer.

SUPPLIES.  Please plan to bring your own tools and supplies for example work gloves, rakes, adults with chainsaw, shovel, hiking shoes, and cold weather gear. Camping gear.

WEATHER.  Inclement weather plan in case of rain or snow we will reschedule for March.

THE WORK.  We are separating the time out for working and clearing property with the earning of the badges which involves   signing off on the Indian lore badge and the archaeology badge and possibly the art badge. Our goal is to help you earn the badges while here in one day and sign off with your troop master before you leave.

HOW MUCH TIME.  Helping one day for about 4 hours we think is enough  work time. Then allow 2-3 hours to go over the badge work. if you want to come on both days or multiple days we appreciate your help, there is a lot to do and it can be fun working outside. We scheduled 10 am to 4:30 pm for a block of time you can stop in. I will be helping you check in when you arrive. My husband Chris will be leading the work groups.  We do not want rocks moved as they may be artifacts. We will explain it all when you get here. 
WHY.  The work involves clearing the brush, trees that have fallen and leaves in order for a company that has volunteered to conduct 3d scanning and underground radar of the property. we believe this is an exciting project to be involved in and we look forward to hosting you here at the sanctuary. We know how hard it is to earn your merit badges especially the rare ones. This is a win win for us both. We think this work is our duty in order to be preserve and understand ancient sites.

PHOTOS.  For photographs of the property please visit our website www.sanctuaryonthetrail.org. See the gallery under the Sanctuary drop down.

CONTACT:  Parents/Scout Leaders Call for availability 540-554-8730 [email protected].

Stephens City, Virginia - "But where?" whispered one of the young scouts waiting for his turn to hold the Native American "talking stick." "But where do you talk? Do you talk into it?"
   Cub Scout Pack 159 leader Allen Mason invited Native American Church of Virginia elders Chris (Comeswithclouds) White and René White (Feather) to give a special 1-hour Native American presentation to close to 50 cub scouts and parents recently. 
  The rain stopped the camp fire, but did not stop the firing of questions and comments for the young scouts.

   The group spent half the allotted time talking about the "talking stick" before the actual presentation could begin. The young scouts were amazed of the power one has with holding a Native American "talking stick" and curious about its history and construction.
  "These young boys were so professional and bright," remarked Chris. "It was our honor to hear such intelligent comments and questions come from such young minds. And equally rewarding when young children stop to listen to what elders like us even have to say."

   "It’s helpful to think of the diversity of cultures as neither good nor bad but simply as different. New cultural values can be learned or understood without people giving up their old values," according to the Boy Scouts of America. "Also important is the recognition that some Indian values might have great value for non-Indians."
    The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
    For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun.  
   The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through over a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.