Scouting in West Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Scouting in West Virginia
BSA Councils Serving West Virginia

Scouting in West Virginia has a long and exciting history! For over 100 years, Scouting programs have helped thousands of young people learn new skills and explore the beautiful nature of West Virginia. It's all about adventure and growing up to be a great citizen.

Scouting's Early Days (1909-1950)

Camp Waldo Schmitt

Scouting started in West Virginia way back in the early 1900s. Many local Scout groups, called "councils," were formed across the state. Some of the first ones included the Fairmont Council in 1920 and the Morgantown Council in 1921. Over the years, these early councils often joined together to form bigger groups.

For example, the Charleston Council started in 1925 and later became the Buckskin Council in 1949. The Parkersburg Council, founded in 1919, eventually turned into the Kootaga Area Council. These changes helped Scouting grow and reach more kids throughout West Virginia. It shows how Scouting has always been adapting to serve its members better.

Scouting Today (1950-Present)

Opening Ceremony of the 2013 National Scout Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

A big change happened in 1990 when the Allohak Council was formed by combining two older councils. This helped bring more Scouts together.

One of the most exciting places for Scouting in West Virginia is the The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve. People often call it the Summit Bechtel Reserve or just The Summit. It's a huge area in Mount Hope, West Virginia, near Beckley. The Summit is one of the main places managed by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

The Summit is home to the national Scout jamboree, which is a massive gathering of Scouts from all over the country. It also has high-adventure bases where Scouts can try exciting outdoor activities. The main part of The Summit is about 10,600 acres, but with other nearby lands, it's almost 14,000 acres! The first national Scout jamboree held there was in 2013.

Boy Scouts of America in West Virginia Today

Today, there are several local Boy Scouts of America (BSA) councils that serve young people in West Virginia. Most of the state is part of the BSA's Central Region, but some eastern counties are in the Northeast Region, and some southern counties are in the Southern Region.

Allohak Council

The Allohak Council was created in 1990. It served Scouts in parts of West Virginia and Ohio. Its main office was in Parkersburg, West Virginia. This council was active until December 31, 2018, when its areas joined other councils.

Allohak Council's Camps

Camp Kootaga entrance sign.

Camp Kootaga is a special place for Scouts in Wirt County, West Virginia. It's about 600 acres of forest along the Hughes River. For many years, Camp Kootaga was the summer camp for the Allohak Council. It has 14 different campsites where Scouts can stay.

The land for Camp Kootaga was bought in 1922. The first summer camp was held that same year. In 1929, a Kiowa Indian named J. Dougannah helped with the camp program. He gave the camp the name "Kootaga," which means "Good Friends." Camp Kootaga has always focused on helping young people grow into good citizens.

Camp Mahonegon is another camp, located in Upshur County. It's about 500 acres. While it's not used for summer camp anymore, it's still used for many other Scouting events throughout the year. The first summer camp there was in 1948, and the last was in 1980.

Buckeye Council

The Buckeye Council helps Scouts in parts of Ohio and West Virginia.

Buckskin Council

The Buckskin Council serves Scouts in parts of Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Buckskin Council's Districts

The Buckskin Council is organized into several smaller areas called districts:

• Adena District
• Chief Cornstalk District
• Kootaga District
• Mountain Dominion District
• Seneca District
• Shawnee District

Mountaineer Area Council

The Mountaineer Area Council helps Scouts in many counties in North Central West Virginia. It's the only council in the state that serves only counties within West Virginia. This council was founded in 1928. In 2019, it grew to include more counties, bringing its total to twelve.

Mountaineer Area Council's Camps

• Camp Mountaineer is located in Morgantown, West Virginia. It's the main summer camp for the Mountaineer Area Council. Opened in 1956, this camp covers over 1,000 acres of beautiful West Virginia land. It has many campsites and program areas near Strawn Lake. Summer camps here include programs for Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts, and even high adventure for older Scouts. They have great shooting sports facilities and climbing towers.
• Camp Lynn is a rustic camping area of 168 acres, not far from Camp Mountaineer. It's a great spot for backpacking, hiking, or primitive camping, with natural streams and forests.

Order of the Arrow

The Order of the Arrow lodge for this council is Menawngihella Lodge #550.

Ohio River Valley Council

The Ohio River Valley Council serves Scouts in parts of West Virginia and Ohio. This council was formed in 1991.

Ohio River Valley Council's Districts

This council has three districts:

• Two Chiefs District: serves parts of Ohio and West Virginia.
• National Trail District: serves parts of Ohio and West Virginia.
• Mountaineer District: serves parts of Ohio and West Virginia.

Ohio River Valley Council's Camps

• Fort Steuben Scout Reservation in Freeport, Ohio
• Sandscrest Scout Reservation in Wheeling, WV

Order of the Arrow

The Order of the Arrow lodge for this council is Onondaga Lodge 36.

Laurel Highlands Council

The Laurel Highlands Council serves Scouts in parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Shenandoah Area Council

The Shenandoah Area Council serves Scouts in parts of Virginia and West Virginia.

Stonewall Jackson Area Council

The Stonewall Jackson Area Council helps Scouts in the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville areas of Virginia, and also in Pendleton County, West Virginia. This council was founded in 1926.

Stonewall Jackson Area Council's Organization

This council is part of the Southern Region of the BSA. Its main office is in Waynesboro, Virginia. The council is divided into four districts:

• Massanutten District: serves areas including Harrisonburg and Pendleton County.
• Monticello District: serves areas including Charlottesville.
• Southern District: serves areas including Buena Vista and Covington.
• Valley District: serves areas including Staunton and Waynesboro.

Girl Scouting in West Virginia

Girl Scouting in West Virginia
Map of Girl Scout Councils in West Virginia

There are two main Girl Scout councils that serve girls in West Virginia.

Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital

In October 2009, the old Shawnee Council of West Virginia joined with the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital. This was part of a big change across the country for Girl Scouts. Their West Virginia office is in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Other Girl Scout Camps

The Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania also has a camp in West Virginia called Camp Roy Weller. It's in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia. This camp is very large, about 792 acres. Besides places to stay and camp, it has the Eberly Family Learning Center.

Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council

The Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council helps over 20,000 girls! They serve girls in 61 counties across West Virginia, and also in parts of Ohio, Virginia, and Maryland. Their main office is in Charleston, West Virginia.

Black Diamond Council's Field Offices

This council has many local offices to help girls and leaders:

• Athens, Ohio
• Steubenville, Ohio
• Beckley, WV
• Bluefield, WV
• Chapmanville, WV
• Huntington, WV
• Fairmont, WV
• Lewisburg, WV
• Morgantown, WV
• Parkersburg, WV
• Walton, WV
• Weston, WV
• Wheeling, WV

Black Diamond Council's Camps

• Camp Giscowheco in Triadelphia, West Virginia
• Camp Sandy Bend in Elizabeth, West Virginia
• Camp Mamie Flynn in Logan, West Virginia
• Camp Rocky Ledges in Milton, West Virginia

See also

• Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road Council