Scouting in West Virginia has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.
There are nine Boy Scouts of America local (BSA) councils in West Virginia. Most of West Virginia lies within the BSA's Central Region, Mineral, Hardy, Hampshire, are part of the Northeast Region. Pendleton, Morgan, Berkeley and Jefferson counties, are part of the Southern Region.
Blennerhassett District - Counties of Ritchie, Wood (except Williamstown), and Belpre, Ohio became part of the newly formed Kootaga District of the Buckskin Council
Little Kanawha District - Counties of Calhoun, Jackson, Roane, and Wirt became part of the newly formed Kootaga District in the Buckskin Council
Washington District - Counties of Pleasants, Washington County, Ohio (except Belpre), and Williamstown moved into the Muskingum Valley Council.
Camps
Camp Kootaga entrance sign.
Camp Kootaga is located in Wirt County, WV. It serves as the summer camp for the Allohak Council. The camp is located on approximately 600 acres of forest land along the Hughes River. Each year 5 weeks of summer camp are conducted at Camp Kootaga. Camp Kootaga has 14 campsites.
The property known as Camp Kootaga was purchased in 1922 by Don B. Lowe under the Gim-O-Gash tribe of the Boy Scouts of America. The first long-term summer camp was held that year on the banks of the Hughes River in the Kootaga region. This camp consisted of one or two Troops from the Parkersburg area with Don B. Lowe as the Camp Director during the early years. In 1929 Col. R. L. Cole brought a Kiowa Indian named J. Dougannah to help with the camp program. He gave Indian names to the Leaders and named the Boy Scout camp "Kootaga" which means "Good Friends." Through the years, Camp Kootaga has gone through many changes, but one thing has remained constant: helping develop young men into upstanding citizens and outstanding individuals.
Camp Mahonegon, sitting of approximately 500 acres in Upshur County, is the second camp in the Allohak Council. Though no longer used as an active summer camp, Mahonegon has remained an active part of the council. It is used for many council events yearly, and continues to be a focal point for scouting activity. The First Summer Camp was held in 1948. The last Summer Camp was held in 1980.[2] Camp Mahonegon was put up for sale when the Allohak Council was dissolved.
The Mountaineer Area Council serves Scouts of Monongalia, Marion, Preston, Taylor, Barbour, Tucker, Randolph, Upshur, Harrison, Doddridge, Gilmer, and Lewis counties in North Central West Virginia. It is the only council in the state to exclusively serve counties of West Virginia.[4]
History
The Mountaineer Area Council (#615) was founded 1928.
January 1, 2019 included the acquisition of eight counties to the council's territory, to include twelve counties total. The former Stonewall Jackson and Highland Districts of the Allohak Council joined the Mountaineer Area Council after the dissolution of the Allohak Council. [1]
Organization
Heart of West Virginia District serving Harrison, Marion, Doddridge, Gilmer, Lewis, and Taylor Counties
Cheat District serving Monongalia, Preston, Tucker, Barbour, Upshur, and Randolph Counties
Camps
Camp Mountaineer is located in Morgantown, WV. It is the summer camp for the Mountaineer Area Council. Opening in 1956, Camp Mountaineer is a premiere year-round camping facility encompassing over 1,000 acres of West Virginia foliage and fauna. Hidden in the hills of Monongalia County, this serene camp has a variety of campsites and program areas near picturesque Strawn Lake. The Summer Camps include Scouts BSA Resident Camp, Cub Scout Resident Camp, Cub Scout Day Camp, and High Adventure Camp for Scouts 13 and up. From the youngest Scouts, there is the Mountain Man program, advanced leadership building skills of the C.O.P.E. and High Adventure Programs. The state of the art Shooting Sports facilities with specialized rifle, shotgun and archery ranges, and two climbing & rappelling towers.[5]
Camp Lynn is located at 39°30'22.8"N 79°52'21.0"W. It is 168 acres of rustic camping just 2.6 miles from Camp Mountaineer on Boy Scout Rd. Camp Lynn is remote with limited access by vehicle. With many natural streams, a large field, and hard wood and pine forests surrounding it, it is the perfect location for backpacking, trail excursions or primitive camping.[6]
The council is part of Area 7 of the Southern Region of the BSA. The council service center is in Waynesboro, Virginia and employs seven paid professional Scouters and an office staff. SJAC is divided into four districts:
