Camp Kootaga selects logo to mark century in scouting

PARKERSBURG -- The Boy Scout Camp Kootaga will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2022.

In celebration, the Kootaga District, Buckskin Council, held a design contest for the 100th anniversary logo to be used throughout 2022 for all items related to Camp Kootaga.

"Many great designs were submitted," said Kathy Wise, a marketing and communications volunteer with the Kootaga District, Buckskin Council.

Wise said following a blind judging, a design by Lance Gordon, an alumnus of Troop 16 in Parkersburg, was the winner of the contest.

Those interested in joining the celebration can follow the Camp Kootaga Facebook page for plans all year long in 2022 for the 100th anniversary celebration.

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History of the Camp

Don B. Lowe purchased the property known as Camp Kootaga in 1922. The first long-term summer camp was held that year on the banks of the Hughes River. That camp consisted of one or two Troops from the Parkersburg area with Don B. Lowe as the Camp Director. In 1929 Col. R. L. Cole brought a Kiowa Indian Named J. Dougannah to help with the camp program. He named the Boy Scout camp "Kootaga" which means "Good Friends".

Surrounded on three sides by the Hughes River, Camp Kootaga is nearly an island in the rugged wilderness of Wirt County, West Virginia. Each Scout who spends a week at Kootaga will have the opportunity to experience swimming, canoeing, hiking, archery, nature trails, and more every summer.

A 500-acre Scout Camp only 20 minutes from Parkersburg WV. Summer residential camping for troops from around the country and off season camping for those closer to home or traveling. We also host numerous events throughout the year.

Through the years, Camp Kootaga has gone through many changes, but one thing has remained constant: helping develop young people into upstanding citizens and outstanding individuals.

"In 2022, we celebrate 100 years of long-term summer camping on this site and we are very proud to say that the commitment of the next ninety years burns strong in all our hearts and minds," The council said in a press release. "We would like to extend a sincere thank you on behalf of the adult leaders, campers, and staff to all of those who have given in the past to help make camp Kootaga a place where so many youth have experienced the great outdoors."

* The Kootaga District includes Wood, Wirt, Jackson, Roane, Ritchie, Calhoun counties as well as Belpre and Coolville in Washington County.

* Throughout the year the Kootaga District takes part in many events such as scouting activities, the Pinewood Derby, service projects, summer camps, pack camping and a family camp.

For more information on camping at Camp Kootaga, visit the Buckskin Council website.