Activities ranging from sailing and rock climbing to fishing and nature exploration await youths taking part in Boy Scout and Cub Scout camping programs this summer made available through the Buckskin Council of Boy Scouts of America.
"Camp is an experience unlike anything else that our campers have participated in," said David Leckie, Buckskin Council's director of camping operations.
Many of those taking part in this year's camping program, he said, "will catch their first fish, build their first fire, or spend their first night away from home. All of these experiences strengthen the independence of the scouts and teach them many life skills in communication, teamwork and accountability."
Programs that include STEM education will also be featured at this summer's camps.
Following its 2014 merger with the Tri-State Area BSA Council, Buckskin Council now serves more than 7,000 youths involved in scouting in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia.
This summer, the former Tri-State Area Council's 240-acre Camp Arrowhead near Ona will serve as a resident Boy Scout and a Cub Scout day camp and three-day resident camp under the Buckskin Council umbrella.
Buckskin Council will also operate its Scout Reservation camp at Dilleys Mill in Pocahontas County as a resident camp for Boy Scouts from June 19-July 3, in addition to hosting 12 day camps for Cub Scouts at parks and scouting facilities stretching from Ashland, Ky., to Pineville in Wyoming County from June 6 to July 31.
"Many of our participants return year after year to have new and exciting adventures," Leckie said. "As we forge our path into the future, we continue to offer traditional camping programs, but also add new programs annually."
Programs that include STEM experiential education are a part of this year's camping program, he said.
"The Boy Scout summer camping program is the highlight of the year for many of our scouts, and we ask that you consider supporting one scout for a life-changing experience at camp," Leckie said.
The Buckskin Council camps serve many underprivileged children, creating the need for nearly 300 partial scholarships to make sure those who want to take part are able to do so, he said.
Buckskin Council's camping program is among the camps sponsored this year by the Gazette-Mail Charities Send-a-Child-to-Camp Fund.
Donations from readers help provide scholarships to students who might not otherwise be able to afford tuition to this camp and others like it.
To give, fill out the donation coupon below or go to wvgazettemail.com and click on the camp fund logo.