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.

The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, often shortened as Summit Bechtel Reserve (SBR) and The Summit, located in Mount Hope, West Virginia, near Beckley,[1] is one of four facilities managed by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

[1] There are nine Boy Scouts of America local (BSA) councils in West Virginia.

Pendleton, Morgan, Berkeley and Jefferson counties, are part of the Southern Region.

The camp is located on approximately 600 acres of forest land along the Hughes River.

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.

In 1929 Col. R. L. Cole brought a Kiowa Indian named J. Dougannah to help with the camp program.

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.

It is used for many council events yearly, and continues to be a focal point for scouting activity.

[2] Camp Mahonegon was put up for sale when the Allohak Council was dissolved.

Buckeye Council serves Scouts in Ohio and West Virginia.

[3] The council is divided into several districts: 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.

[8] Onondaga Lodge 36[9] Laurel Highlands Council served Scouts in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The council service center is in Waynesboro, Virginia and employs seven paid professional Scouters and an office staff.

SJAC is divided into four districts: There are two Girl Scout councils in West Virginia.

It is 792 acres (3.21 km2) and besides lodges and camping areas has the Eberly Family Learning Center.