Welcome to our website! Troop 521 meets every Tuesday from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Cool Spring Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, Virginia.
We are a large and very active troop with a variety of activities and scheduled monthly outings. We attribute our success to our active adult leadership, "boy-run troop" philosophy with focus on advancement, merit badges and high adventure activities which keeps our scouts very interested and involved.
Please contact our Scoutmaster if you would like to join or find out more about us
Disclaimer: Boy Scout Troop 521, Mechanicsvile, Virginia, is solely responsible for the creation and content of this Web Site. While this site does not reflect the official policy of the Boy Scouts of America, we do support and adhere to their national guidelines referred to by Heart of Virginia Council. Comments concerning this Web Site can be directed to Webmaster Troop 521.
Since we were so close, we did pay for the full Scout 30 slots that we originally reserved. As of now, we still have 2 slots open to go on a first paid for, first served basis. The merit badge list was released on Friday morning and was forwarded to everyone on Friday. There is a copy attached to this notice as well.
Registration for Winter Camp 2027 is due at HOVC by this Friday, November 6th. Winter camp has been discussed at Troop meetings for a while, and we have had over 20 Scouts sign up indicating their interest in attending. Now is the time for making an actual commitment! We have pre-registered, requesting 30 spots for Scouts and 6 spots for Adults.
What is winter camp? It's similar to summer camp but only half as long. In January you don't need to worry about snakes, bugs, mosquitoes, etc. You just need to deal with the cold (easy). This HOVC event is being held at the Cub Adventure camp and Camp T. Brady Saunders, January 15th–18th, 2027. This is a chance for scouts to earn a merit badge or 3, depending on those badges attempted by the Scout. Most badges sessions are held in heated spaces, however we do sleep in tents. We will be camping at one of the Douglas Fleet sites. Brush up on those winter camping skills!
The registration fee for Winter Camp 2027 is $ 55 for Scouts and $45 for Adults. The Scout registration fee has been reduced by $ 10 as part of the HOVC Season Pass program. We will be doing Troop cooking this year so we are collecting $25 now as well to cover the cost for food. The fees, either $80 for Scouts or $70 for Adults must be paid by November 6th or we may lose those unpaid slots. There is already a waiting list for troops that did not sign up early. The fees can be paid by cash, check or Scout Account**, to Mr. Rost at our Troop meeting on Tuesday, November 2nd. If paid via Venmo @Troop-Fivetwoone, they must be paid by 9 AM on Friday, November 6th.
The Merit Badge list has not been released by Council yet, as they are still seeking Merit Badge Counselors for some of the badges. The list should be made available to us by next week and will be distributed as soon as we receive it. Scouts can then start selecting their Merit Badge classes and turning their choices in so that we are ready when council opens up the sign-up process on December 7th at 6:00 PM. Scouts are encouraged to make their choices as soon as possible as space is limited in many of the classes, some to as few as 8 Scouts and those spots go very quickly. For some of these classes that go quickly, we will ask Scouts to provide alternate choices! There may be additional program fees based on the Merit Badges that are taken but those fees will be collected later.
If for any reason, any Scout family is experiencing financial difficulties, we do have scholarship funds available to assist our Scouts in participating in all of our activities. Parents should speak to either Mr. Hurd, Mr. Swingle or Mr. Rost, to discreetly request help for your Scout.
** Scout Accounts: If you are not sure what may be available in your account, please see Mr. Rost!
For Scouts and Scouters registered for January - December Period:
You may be receiving Dues/Fees Renewal Notices From Scouting America encouraging you to go on-line and register - please ignore these notices!
We are waiting to hear from National whether or not there are new procedures to follow regarding their move to everyone having a February Renewal date. They are going back to a system similar to what we had when everyone in our Council was on a January through December cycle and we processed them on a Unit renewal basis. The new renewal cycle will be February through January, to be fully implemented by February 2028. There obviously will be transition period where prorated amounts will be used, we are just not sure how that will be set up. We will want to continue to collect our dues / fee on a Unit basis this year as we have in the past.
There will be separate instruction on how and when those on a staggered renewal basis will be brought up to date on the renewal cycle!
Marty’s Grill, in Rutland Commons Shopping Center, hosts Spirit Nights to support local non-profit groups as their way of giving back to the community!
On Monday, November 23, 2026, Marty’s Grill in Rutland Commons Shopping Center, will donate a portion of the day’s food sales to Troop 521. This covers Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Dine-In or Carry-Out, from 7 AM to 10 PM.
It would be great if we could fill Marty’s with Scout families to increase their sales that day! It wouldn’t hurt to wear a Scout t-shirt or mention Scouts to let them know that we appreciate their support. Invite all your friends and neighbors, as well!
