"Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.” – Sherry Anderson
The BRSR is fortunate to have an army of active and dedicated volunteers, whose work ethic is uncompromising and whose legacy of “cheerful service” has been the architect of memories for thousands of scouts and scouters. From our relentless Wilderness Crew, summer camp Weekend Warriors, year-round Campmasters, to the Order of the Arrow’s Tutelo Lodge, we are rich with an abundance of skilled, enthusiastic, and committed champions for Scouting.
Here are some of the ways YOU can help take the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation to the next level!
BRSR Wilderness Crew
The “Crew” meets every Tuesday at Camp Powhatan to review and implement ranger support requests and projects identified through the NCAP Pre- and Post-Summer Camp Inspection reports. Volunteers are requested to bring their own lunch and any tools they are skilled and qualified to use. Work hours are “about” 9-3 and there are ample breaks from doing “almost no work”.
*Breakfast treats and desserts to share are highly encouraged and often used as reservation capital and trade commodities*
Qualifications: While younger folks are certainly welcome to come climb ladders and crawl under docks and walkways and such, the Crew prefers older scouters because “our skills are terrible and we like to complain most of the time.”
PROJECTS completed in the last three months:
- Built storage buildings for tent poles and supports
- Winterize buildings, vehicles, ATV’s, latrines, boats, PWC’s, lawn mowers
- Perform repair on docks and walkways at Powhatan and Claytor Lake
- Assist ranger in obtaining supplies and refurbishing used equipment
- Mow and weed-eat all reservation property. ALL. OF. IT.
- Ensure that all boat/canoe and equipment trailers are road-worthy.
- Coordinate vehicle maintenance and permits
- Ensure that all OA projects have materials furnished for events
- Promote tool and equipment needs for refurbishing the quartermaster building
For fun, fellowship and obtaining a small sense of accomplishment in service to our youth, come join us! We work alot, but we laugh alot too. “If we can’t make fun of ourselves, we’ll make fun of each other!”
For more information, contact Dan Grubb at 540-320-9224 or by email at [email protected]
Photo credits: Shelby Dickerson
Campmaster Corps
Our main job as Campmasters is to help visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. The Campmaster Corps is a group of selected, trained, and registered Scouters who serve at the Reservation whenever groups, teams, packs, crews, posts, or troops are using any part of the camp property. Campmasters select their own time and frequency of service, but usually serve two to four times a year. The group is organized under the leadership of the council camping committee. The entire project and its personnel are responsible to the campmaster chair and council professional advisor. The Campmaster Committee meets twice per year to evaluate its program, schedule ahead, and arrange for the training of any new members.
All campmasters must have a record of demonstrated ability to get along with people, to lead, and to act in an emergency. All campmasters must have a working knowledge of Scouting and unit operations. Experienced and registered Scouters are eligible for consideration as campmasters.
If you are interested in joining the BRSR Campmaster Corps, you can submit a response to our interest form here to get more information about our next upcoming training session.
Our next training session will be hosted at Camp Ottari, October 10-12, 2025. Once you have filled out the interest form, you will receive a formal invitation with further details to attend this training!
For further inquires concerning the Campmaster Corps program, please contact Scott Schwarzer at [email protected].
