Colonial Virginia and Heart of Virginia Councils announce merger

Today notice was sent by Colonial Virginia Council of Newport News and Heart of Virginia Council of Richmond announcing their planned merger to form a single new Council. The letter cited historically declining youth participation resulting in an uneven distribution of infrastructure to support the program and encouragement of the National Scout organization to improve service delivery and sustainability. The letter describes both councils as strong and financially stable, and lists proposed benefits.
 
While the letter describes needed review and approval by each Council’s leadership through a thoughtful and transparent process, it is very clear that the merger has been decided upon and will occur, following the provided timeline. There will be a new Council name, and the two Order of the Arrow lodges will be consolidated within six months of the formation of the new Council.
 
There are no details regarding whether the consolidation of the Lodges will result in a new Lodge name and number like there was after the merger of Shenandoah Council and Mason Dixon Council in August of 2023 when Shenshawpotoo 276 and Guneukitschik 317 combined to form Onerahtokah 297 in July of 2024.
 
It is interesting that the merger of CVC is with the Council whose HQ is 75 miles away in Richmond rather than with Tidewater Council which is located 27 miles away in Norfolk, especially considering that Wahunsenakah has been using Tidewater’s Camp Pipsico for their events since the foreclosure of CVC’s Camp Bayport in 2015.
 
I guess we’ll be seeing a death flap for at least one lodge. Sad to say goodbye to Wahunsenakah after thirty years of existence.

 
The map excerpt above (click to enlarge)  is from the 2021 Project Magellan map and illustrates the Councils in Eastern Region Section 9. Note that Mason Dixon Council 221 was absorbed by Shenandoah Council 598 in 2023.