Department Resources

Scout Service Projects

Fairfax County Park Authority welcomes scout service project proposals that support parks, serve the community and give scouts a chance to lead a meaningful project. Scout Service Projects are valuable and an important part of incorporating community involvement, personal and professional growth, and good citizenship into a participating scout’s life. The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to participate in useful and worthwhile scout projects to the extent that resources allow.

Before submitting a request, please review the information below to make sure your project is a good fit.

Important deadline

Submit your request at least four months before your 18th birthday or project deadline. Projects with emergency deadlines are usually not accepted.

Before You Begin

Park staff must approve your project, so be sure to get full approval before beginning work or purchasing materials.

Scout leadership

The scout must lead the project. Parents, troop leaders and park staff may support the project, but they should not manage it for the scout.

A good Scout service project should:

Benefit a Fairfax County park and the community
Be safe for scouts, volunteers and park visitors
Be realistic for the Scout and crew to complete
Give the Scout a clear chance to plan and lead
Create a lasting improvement
Meet Park Authority standards
Be approved by FCPA before any work begins
Improve existing park features, such as picnic tables, trash cans, fences, signs, kiosks, doors or small buildings
Should be accomplished using approved work methods and materials for tasks involved, such as cleaning, painting and staining
Improve landscaped areas through weeding, mulching or small erosion repairs
Support trail maintenance, repair worn areas or help close social trails
Remove invasive plants to improve habitat and visitor access
Include other approved beautification or restoration work

Routine maintenance may be a good fit when the project is large enough to require meaningful planning, leadership and teamwork.

A project may not be approved if it:

Is too large, complicated or unsafe
Requires too much adult or Park Authority staff involvement
Needs funding or materials the Park Authority cannot provide
Does not meet an identified park need
Conflicts with Park Authority rules, standards or the park master plan
Has a deadline that does not allow enough time for review and approval
Takes place on land not owned by the Fairfax County Park Authority

Some projects are rarely needed unless a park specifically requests them. These include:

Bat houses
Kiosks or bulletin boards
Geocaching courses
Nesting boxes
Trail boot brush stations

The following projects are generally not eligible:

New arbors, pergolas, benches, picnic tables, sheds, shelters or stages
Bridges, boardwalks or platforms
New trails or major trail construction
Dog agility equipment or fitness stations
Little free libraries, pet food pantries or similar structures
Memorials or memorial gardens
New signs, including trail signs and trail markers
Projects on school property, homeowners association (HOA) land, state land or other property not owned by the Fairfax County Park Authority

Refurbishing existing features or completing minor work on an official trail may be considered when requested and approved by park staff.

The scout is responsible for:

Reading their scout organization’s project guidance
Preparing required scout paperwork
Leading communication with park staff
Scheduling meetings with park staff
Finding volunteers
Securing donations or materials, if needed
Completing the project as approved
Completing the Park Authority Project Request Form

The Park Authority does not have a budget for scout projects. In some cases, park staff may be able to provide materials, such as mulch for trails.

Fundraising is not allowed on Park Authority property.

Step 1: Submit a project request

Complete the Scout Service Project Request Form with your project idea, timeline, preferred park location and contact information.
Submitting a request does not guarantee approval.

Step 2: Staff review your request

Park staff will review your request to see if the project is a good fit for the park, the community and staff capacity.

Step 3: Meet with park staff

If the project may be a good fit, park staff will contact you to discuss:

The project idea
Site needs
Safety
Timeline
Tools and materials
Volunteer plans
- Volunteer Management System
Required approvals
Maintenance Plan

Step 4: Get approval

The project must be approved by park staff before work begins. Scouts are also responsible for getting any required approvals from their scout organization.

Step 5: Complete the project

Once approved, the scout leads the project, communicates with park staff and completes the work as agreed.
Projects may be canceled if the scout does not lead the project, the work does not meet standards or the project is not completed as approved.

Park Authority

Alert:

Department Resources

Scout Service Projects

Important deadline

Before You Begin

Scout leadership

Learn About Scouting Service Projects

Submit a Project Request

Recent Interactions

Ask Fairfax

Park Authority

Alert:

Department Resources

Scout Service Projects

Important deadline

Before You Begin

Scout leadership

Learn About Scouting Service Projects

What Projects Are a Good Fit

What Projects Are Not a Good Fit

Scout Responsibilities

How the Process Works

Submit a Project Request

Recent Interactions

Ask Fairfax