Camp Kootaga Staff Member Jonathan Stevens gets pulled from the camp’s pool at Camp Kootaga by Alex Boden of Troop 74 in Tornado, W.Va., during a class for the Lifesaving merit badge during camp this week. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

WALKER — Being prepared for the challenges life can throw at someone is one of the key aspects of Scouting.

This week there are 10 troops from around the region with over 130 members (including scouts and adult leaders) that are part of Scouting BSA during the first week of summer camp at Camp Kootaga in Wirt County which is commemorating its 102nd year as a scouting camp.

The Scouts, which now include both boys and girls, have been involved in a number of activities which can both be fun as well as provide them with valuable skills during the week-long camp.

“The kids who come out here, we hope they have fun,” said Camp Program Director Michael Cidor.

Many skills can lead to the Scouts earning a variety of merit badges, including basketry, leather work, wood carving, swimming, lifesaving, first aid, emergency preparedness, kayaking/canoeing and more. They have the Climbing Grotto with different challenges in rock climbing and repelling. There is an archery range and a rifle/shotgun shooting range.

Handicraft skills are among some of the activities being done this summer at Camp Kootaga as around 130 Scouts and adult leaders attend summer camp this week. Among the activities being offered include wood carving, leather work, basketry and more. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“We hope many of them can earn merit badges that they may not be able to do in their home troops,” Cidor said. “The shooting and climbing merit badges can be very difficult for them to do anywhere else.

“We give them a good opportunity to experience camp, have fun and hopefully earn badges.”

There is also instruction for outdoor skills, such as wilderness survival, pioneering (knot tying and lashing), orienteering (using a compass) and more. There is also a first-year camper class, called Scoutcraft, to help many younger Scouts learn basic skills such as knot tying and more. The camp has 20-25 staff members.

The camp also has a number of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs with things like space exploration where they can build model rockets. There are also instructional swimming classes to teach Scouts how to swim as well as lifeguard training.

The archery range and the rifle/shotgun ranges remain popular with a lot of campers.

Butch Hawkins teaches Joseph Hopkins some knot tying skills Tuesday at Camp Kootaga in Wirt County as a number of area troops from Scouting BSA are in the first week of summer camp. Around 130 Scouts and adult leaders. Many first-year campers are taught a class called Scoutcraft where they learn basic skills. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“It has been amazing,” said Maddox Dunford from Troop 38 of Proctorville Ohio. “I love archery. I have been doing pretty good. I have been enjoying all the sports they have here and swimming in the pool and stuff.”

With temperatures reaching into the 90s this week, Cidor said they are reminding everybody to drink water and remain hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water. They also have water stations at all the program areas. Bob’s Greenhouse also brought out sun shade screens at the pool to cut down on the direct sunlight.

The pool area hosts swimming classes as well as water-related lifesaving skills.

Alex Boden of Troop 74 of Tornado, W.Va., said he has been having a good time. He was involved in the lifesaving course taught at the pool because the lifesaving merit badge is one of the badges required to get his Eagle Scout award.

“It was also a class that I thought would be fun to take,” he said. “It has been a little hot but it hasn’t really taken away from the experience.”

Maddox Dunford of Troop 38 of Proctorville, Ohio, shoots at the archery range at Camp Kootaga on Tuesday as part of summer camp programs for local Scouts with Scouting BSA. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Throughout the camp, Scouts participate in Campfire programs where they are able to sing songs, participate in skits and have fun. One such program will be during Parents Night when families come and visit their Scouts. There is also a Campwide Games where the campers compete in different events.

Girls have been able to participate in Scouting programs since 2019 when the Boy Scouts of America opened up programs to girl. There has to be a female Scout Leader with the girls.

Colleen Sergent, a leader for Troop 360 of Hurricane, W.Va., said she has had two girls who have earned their Eagle Scout with another set to earn her Eagle Scout award this summer.

Regardless of who they are, the Scouts teach valuable skills.

“They get the same skills and they are skills, no matter who you are, people need, like leadership, outdoor skills and more. They can start fires and tie knots.

Logan Wells of Troop 236 of Logan, Ohio, is working on his Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting merit badges at Camp Kootaga this summer. He was practicing using a 20-gauge shotgun shooting clay pigeons. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“All of those skills are valid life skills. It is good for anyone.”

She said there are rules and oversight guidelines in place to protect both the boys and girls, with Sergent comparing it to school trips, church trips and other activities where boys and girls participate.

She likes watching the kids start out at a young age and see how they progress.

“My favorite part is watching that 5-6 year-old start out and grow into these young men and women that aren’t the same as when they started,” Sergent said.

“You see those skills develop and it is very humbling to see how they embrace those skills.”

Assistant Scoutmaster Matt Lechalk of Troop 179 of Fayetteville, W.Va., shoots a .22 rifle at the shooting range at Camp Kootaga during summer camp activities this week. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

At the shooting range, instructors highlight safety and responsibility in handling firearms while still allowing the Scouts to enjoy themselves.

Logan Wells of Troop 236 of Logan, Ohio, is working on his Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting merit badges.

The Scouts shoot with a .22 rifle at stationary targets on a range. Wells was using a 20-gauge shotgun to shoot clay pigeons shot into the air. The shooter tracks it and tries to hit it while it is in motion.

Wells said the shooting range has been his favorite part of his camp experience.

“The range is awesome and the people who work here are awesome,” he said. “I don’t think they could have had a better staff.”

He appreciates the hand-eye coordination using the shotgun to be able to take the shot to hit the clay pigeon.

“It is fun to shoot,” Wells said.

Troop 179 of Fayetteville Assistant Scoutmaster Matt Lechalk said firearms are part of everyday life for many people. Young people needed to be taught how to safely handle and use them.

“This teaches a lot of discipline and how to follow directions,” he said, adding the instructors were good at teaching proper handling of firearms.

The shooting has allowed each Scout to improve their own skills.

“You are competing against yourself and not each other,” Lechalk said.

This is the second year their troop has come to Camp Kootaga, he said, complimenting the program areas and the staff.

“All the kids love it,” Lechalk said. “The shooting range is always the hot commodity here.

“It is good to see these kids get out and have a good time, enjoy themselves and get to have a good time.”