It has been a busy summer here at Ohio Wilderness Boys Camp, and we’ve had some exciting things happening!
On June 10th, at the beginning of a new session, we were thrilled to welcome our newest group, the Pioneers. This has been a long-time dream for us, and now, after much planning and hard work, we finally have four groups at Camp. The Pioneers started off with a very basic campsite and have been hard at work improving it. They’ve already built a chuck tent and are making good progress on a cook tent as well. With trails to clear and projects to tackle, the other groups have happily pitched in to help where they can.
Of course, summer also means plenty of outdoor fun! Boys enjoyed fishing and swimming, and in June, groups competed in a fishing tournament to see who could catch the most fish over a three-week period. The Explorers won by a narrow margin and celebrated with a trip to town for ice cream.
The 4th of July party was another highlight. All groups and staff came together for an afternoon of fun. Each group built a boat out of cardboard and duct tape (yes, you read that correctly!), then tested it by paddling across the pond with two or three boys aboard. The results were both entertaining and impressive—the boats actually held up quite well! The day continued with games, water balloons, swimming, and a shared meal, finishing with a trip to a nearby town to watch fireworks.
Alongside these activities, there has been plenty of campsite maintenance. The Woodsmen and Discoverers each built new chuck tents this summer, while the Explorers recently completed a new cook tent. Now, groups are busy planning their fall projects and stocking up firewood for winter.
Looking ahead, each group is preparing for a fall trip, either hiking or canoeing. These adventures require detailed planning: setting 
goals, choosing destinations, mapping daily distances, deciding on meals, making gear lists, and preparing carefully for the journey.
There is also great anticipation for the upcoming Mother-and-Son Banquet, where each boy’s mother will join him at Camp for a special meal together.
Before long, fall will be here, bringing cooler weather and one of our favorite traditions: Turkey-in-the-Hole. Everyone is pitching in to cut, split, and stack firewood so it will be ready and dry in time for Thanksgiving.
Through all these activities, boys continue to learn biblical principles and problem-solving skills from one another and from their Chiefs. New boys are welcomed into Camp, while others graduate and return home to their families.
We are deeply thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of boys and their families.
— Chief David Esh, Groupwork Supervisor