MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The Boy Scouts of America Mountaineer Regional Council hosted their “Back to Scouting” event on Sunday at Camp Mountaineer.

Current Scouts were encouraged to attend and bring a friend to learn more about Scouting. There were many activities that future scouts could participate in such as 60ft climbing tower, BB shooting range, raingutter regatta boat making and racing, scout fire building skills , Dutch oven cooking demonstrations and field games.

“So in the last 18 months during the pandemic, you know, we’ve lost a lot of kids in the program. And this event is really to bring them back here, to get them to remember what the scouting program has to offer, to bring them back outside and bring them back outside to the camp, ”said Amy. Garbrick, vice president of the Boy Scouts of America at the Mountaineer Area Council. Program.

Additionally, Boy Scouts of America officials said the event gives children who may not have heard of Scouting the opportunity to learn about Scouting. These leaders also said that Scouting is about teamwork while getting to know nature.

“To be involved in Scouting is to be involved in a key character development program that has been known for over 110 years. Learn about character traits, citizenship and fitness, ”said Scott Hanson, Boy Scout Director and CEO of the Boy Scouts of America Mountaineer Area Council.

Representatives from the Boy Scouts of America also said it was important for them to be able to give the community the opportunity, regardless of their involvement in Scouting, to see what Scouting is. They also expressed that Scouting is known to be able to go outdoors, shoot sports, learn about plants and animals, learn outdoor cooking skills.

“It’s just kind of a release and a lot of fun that I can have coming out of school on the weekends. Just being with my friends and not necessarily in a competitive aspect, ”said Daniel Kaddar, deputy chief of the 93 Cheat Lake Troop Main Patrol. “I have learned a lot of life skills that impress other friends who are not in Scouting every day, whether it’s tying a knot or identifying something in the woods.

Scout leaders said it taught values ​​to young children by allowing them to watch them evolve and grow, allowing them to take on more responsibility.

“Today we do camp cooking here at camp and all of these younger boys cook meals for the needs. But many of these boys had never cooked. So not only are they preparing an apprenticeship and they are doing it, but they are doing it here on a campfire, ”said Nathan Cogar, Scout Leader of 1066 Troop from Reedsville.

Many leaders in attendance encourage parents and guardians to research Scouting programs in their areas of the state.