Scouts paddle kayaks at Boy Scout Camp Kootaga this summer. (Photo Provided)

WALKER — Boy Scout Camp Kootaga, Buckskin Council, along the Hughes River in Walker, recently completed its 101st summer camp season.

Numerous merit badges were earned as youth and adults hiked, swam in the pool, learned archery and learned how to handle shotguns and rifles on the shooting range. Rockets and drones soared over camp in the S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and math) classes. Folks rappelled and climbed at Wind Caves.

A new waterfront was put to good use this summer as people kayaked and canoed on the river adjacent to camp. New friendships were formed, and memories were made.

Reservations are open for the 2024 summer camp season and can be made online at www.buckskin.org or by calling Camp Director Michael Fletcher at the Parkersburg Scout office, 740-707-0010.

The council offered its thanks in a press release to the groups and units who have adopted campsites for long-term maintenance and upgrades. Four campsites are left to be adopted, and information can be obtained by contacting Kathy Wise at kloua@suddenlink.net.

Climbing and rappelling at Wind Caves was a popular activity this summer at Boy Scout Camp Kootaga. (Photo Provided)

Work on multiple capital improvement projects was scheduled to begin Aug. 1, with a goal of completing them by year’s end. These include:

Construction of a new climbing tower with ziplines.

Construction of a new shower house and restroom on the back side of the camp to be shared by the Chippewa, Mahonegan and Iroquois campsites.

Completion of the bouldering wall that was started earlier this year.

Construction of a new storage building to store the camp tractor, mule and other mechanical equipment.

The new waterfront will be fine-tuned and expanded.

The campfire circle will be refurbished with new seating, signage and upgrades.

A new roof is being installed on the ranger’s home.

A new program will be added to the 2024 schedule as well, with Logan Saho conducting a mountain man/frontiersman course.