Camp Lakota funding opportunities available

DEFIANCE — Camp Lakota, operated by the Black Swamp Area Council, Scouting America is calling upon the community to help close a $200,000 funding gap for the new Cooper Lodge with Keith Hubbard Dining Hall. The state-of-the-art dining facility is now in its first summer of operation, providing a vital hub for Scouts and visitors. The dining hall is located in front of the newly named Armed Forces Memorial Parade Field. Additional support is crucial to complete the project. The dining hall recently received a generous boost with an additional donation from the Keith Hubbard Family Fund, held by the Defiance Area Foundation. Tom Hubbard presented the check to Scout Executive Marc Kogan of the Black Swamp Area Council, underscoring the family's continued commitment to Camp Lakota's mission. "We are incredibly grateful for the continued generosity of the Keith Hubbard Family Fund, which has been instrumental in bringing this magnificent dining hall to fruition," said Kogan. "The Keith Hubbard Dining Hall is already making a significant impact on the Camp Lakota experience, and we are eager to fully realize the vision for the entire Cooper Lodge complex. We now turn to our community, including our Scouters and Scouting Alumni, to help us bridge this final $200,000 gap." The lodge and dining hall represent a significant investment in the future of Camp Lakota, offering modern amenities and an enhanced experience for thousands of youth who visit annually. While the dining hall is operational, the remaining funding is essential for the completion of Cooper Lodge, which already provides additional programming space and facilities. The Black Swamp Area Council offers numerous ways for individuals and organizations to contribute to this project and leave a lasting legacy at Camp Lakota. Significant naming opportunities are still available within the lodge and dining hall, starting at $25,000. This is a unique chance to honor a loved one, a family or an organization while supporting the future of Scouting. Three sub-campaigns will also accept contributions including the Adrian W. Kisor Fund at https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/449/appeal/7845 ; the Charlie Duerk Memorial at https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/449/appeal/5980 ; and the Brick Campaign with an engraved brick at https://www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/blackswampbsa Every donation, no matter the size, will help Camp Lakota continue to provide outdoor experiences and character development programs for youth. For more information about Cooper Lodge with Keith Hubbard Dining Hall, contact Kogan at 567-208-5012. To learn more about Camp Lakota or Scouting, visit www.BlackSwampScouting.org Scouting in the Black Swamp Area Council began in 1915 when the Scouting program was introduced to the young people of West Central and Northwestern Ohio. The council serves the counties of Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, Van Wert and Williams and has two outdoor leadership centers — Camp Lakota in Defiance County and Camp Berry in Hancock County.