Youth Activities

Chatham features some exceptionally involved youth organizations. Local Chatham schools and church youth programs tend to keep many children active in sports and other youth related activities. They provide the cornerstone of activity for most Chatham children. More about their specific programs can be learned in the churches and educational sections of this website.

Furthermore, Chatham is fortunate enough to have a few organizations that offer extra-curricular involvement to the Town's children. The following organizations operate autonomously within the Chatham community:

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Awana

Awana Club
Hollywood Baptist Church
6405 Callands Rd
Chatham, VA 24531
432-1688
Website: www.awana.org

Awana is a nondenominational ministry that assists churches in reaching children and teenagers with the gospel of Jesus Christ and training them to serve Him. The program is held at more than 13,000 churches in over 110 countries.

Locally, over 3 dozen children meet weekly during the school year at Hollywood Baptist Church. They are grouped by age: Cubbies, for preschool boys and girls; Sparks, for boys and girls in grades K-2; Truth & Training, for boys and girls in grades 3-6; Jr. Varsity, for guys and gals in Grades 7 and 8; and Varsity, for guys and gals in Grades 9-12. In addition to progressing individually through each program, activities are also scheduled with other clubs in the region.

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Boy Scouts of America

Blue Ridge Mountains Council
2131 Valley View Blvd.
Roanoke, VA 24012
540/265-0656
Email: Scouts@bsa-brmc.org
Website: www.bsa-brmc.org

Dan River District Executive: Micah Englund
434/793-0556
Cell 434/458-5561
Email: danriverbsa@adelphia.net

The Blue Ridge Mountains Council, Boy Scouts of America, includes 21 counties and nine cities located in Southwest and South Central Virginia. The council headquarters is in Roanoke and maintains 33 full time and six part time year round employees. Nearly 6,000 volunteers provide quality Scouting experiences for over 16,000 Council youth and families each year.

Over 300 local organizations charter 456 Cub Scout packs in the council, including Boy Scout troops, and Venturing crews. The council's annual budget of $3.2 million is supported by thirteen community-based United Way organizations, 6,000 Friends of Scouting, investors, program fees, popcorn sales and other sources. The council has eight districts to provide localized support for Scouting. Chatham is apart of the Dan River District. To find an appropriate troop for your son, please contact the district executive.

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Girls Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council, Inc.
3663 Peters Creek Rd.
Roanoke, Virginia 24019
540/777-5100
800/542-5905
E-mail: info@gsvsc.org
Website: www.gsvsc.org
Service Area Director: Betty Zieger
434/237-0733
800/474-1948
Email Bzieger@gsvsc.org

The Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council, Inc., (GSVSC) was chartered on July 1, 1963 when a number of councils joined together to become one. The council, one of 319 councils chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA, serves over 13,800 girls ages 5-17 and over 4,000 adult volunteers throughout a 37 1/3-county jurisdiction within Southwestern, Western, Central and Southside Virginia and two areas of West Virginia.

The council is funded by several community-based United Way organizations, the Annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale, program fees, grants from foundations, gifts from individual friends and family donations.

The Girl Scout program is an informal education program designed to help girls put into practice the program goals of GSUSA. It is carried out in small groups with adult leadership and provides a wide range of activities developed around the interests and needs of girls. It is a values-based organization serving over 3.5 million girls.

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USA Swimming, Inc. / Virginia Swimming, Inc.

5326 Gardner Court
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Email: adminvicechair@virginiaswimming.com
Website: www.virginiaswimming.com

Hargrave Aquatics
Coach Scott Bowser
434/432-2481
Email: bowsers@hargrave.edu
Website: www.hargrave.edu/athletics/sport_index.php?category_id=41

Hargrave Aquatics is a member of USA Swimming, Inc., the national governing body for amateur swimming in the United States. Children ages five through nineteen are invited to join.

Virginia Swimming, Inc. (VSI), Hargrave Aquatics' local governing body, sanctions age and ability specific competition throughout the year. Competitions are often restricted to a particular ability level and always broken down into age groups (8 & Under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14). Racing builds self-confidence, health and vastly superior aquatic skills.

Most swimmers new to competitive swimming will begin in the team's Pre-Comp or Novice Group. Improvement in stroke technique, desire, and performance will determine when an individual is ready for the more advanced Age Group or Senior team.