The new climbing wall at Camp Kootaga where the new camp Kootaga Foundation is seeking contributions to acquire the 500-acre Scouting camp at Walker. (File Photo)

WALKER — Boy Scout Camp Kootaga, Buckskin Council, is preparing for the camp’s 103rd summer camp season.

Staff weeks start on June 8 and the first week of summer camp is June 15. For Scouting units who have not yet registered for summer camp, a few weeks are still open by contacting Summer Camp Director Billy Bryant for more info. All units from all councils are welcome. Kootaga means “Good Friends.”

Bryant is this year’s Camp Director and the Camp Program Director is Colleen Sergent. Their contact info is on the Buckskin website. Returning as Climbing Director is Christopher Burk. Matt Lookadoo will be the Shooting Sports Director. Dr. Ernie Miller will serve as Camp Medical Director. Jamie Wilcox is Aquatics Director. Gerry Stover is Ecology Director and Andrew Murphy is the Outdoor Director.

New to Camp Kootaga this year are the new 95-foot climbing tower and the new bouldering grotto. These additions will provide many opportunities for campers.

Camp Kootaga is one of the longest continuous Scout summer camps in the nation and is in the top 25 of the oldest Scout camps. With the camp situated on the Hughes River it offers waterfront activities and fishing. Earn Swimming or Lifesaving Merit Badge at the pool or do the mile swim. The Nature Center offers a wide range of activities.

First-year campers will become acclimated to camp with the First Year Campers Program.

Innovative programs are available at summer camp this year. Look at the Leaders Guide on the Buckskin website for complete information on all programs and all information about summer camp at Camp Kootaga. www.buckskin.org.

Volunteers have been working all winter and spring to get camp ready. Volunteers have cleaned the pool and are filling the pool. Both the dining hall and lodge have been cleaned and ready for camp by volunteers.

Camp officials have thanked the Friends of Blennerhassett Bicycle Club who spent a day volunteering at camp getting all the mountain bikes ready for the season.

There is still a lot to do, and volunteers are welcome any day to help. A volunteer mechanic would be welcome to get the camp trucks ready for the season. The camp is also in need of a volunteer certified electrician. Contact Camp Ranger John Baker or Jim Bennon with any questions or how to help with the large work list. Scheduled workdays are posted on the Camp Kootaga Facebook page, but any day is good to come to camp to help.

This year, the camp asked Scouting units to adopt campsites to take care, improve and maintain now and for the future. If a unit, family, alumni group, or civic organization would like to adopt a campsite, Beechwood and Iroquois are still open for adoption by contacting Kathy Wise.

Camp Kootaga is open 24/7 for camping and hiking. Please remember to check in with the Camp Ranger when arriving on site. The camp is also available for hosting weddings, family reunions or corporate retreats.

Follow Camp Kootaga on Facebook and Instagram.

The Scouting program has specific aims, commonly referred to as the “Aims of Scouting.” They include character development, leadership development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Leadership development is also one of Scouting’s eight methods contributing to both good character and good citizenship. For more than 100 years, scouting programs have instilled in youth the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. These values help youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that are just as relevant today as they were in 1910.