Welcome to the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve
The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, aka the Summit, is the permanent site of the national Scout jamboree and home to the Boy Scouts of America's newest national high-adventure base. The Summit occupies 10,600 acres in West Virginia's New River Gorge region—a world-renowned adventure sports destination known for its world-class climbing rock and monster whitewater.
The Summit will offer four crew-based programs for the 2014 summer season. Crews consist of seven to 12 people, with the majority being participants.
Rafting and Kayaking
Following your arrival at the Summit, you will spend a few days at the Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base while our staff assesses your kayaking skills and prepares you to meet the challenges of the New River. Then, you will head to the New River Gorge for three days of river paddling on one of the oldest rivers in the world. During your first two days in kayaks, you will encounter periods of quiet water interspersed with Class I to Class III rapids. You will spend each night at one of our river camps. Then, you will conclude your river trip with a heart-pounding raft run on the Lower New that includes Class III to Class V rapids. Participants must be good swimmers as evidenced by passing the BSA's swimmer test.
Climbing, Zip, and Ropes Courses
These activities leverage the unique capabilities of the Summit with the natural splendor of the New River Gorge region. Participants will test their mettle on our six outstanding challenge courses. You will soar through the trees on the Summit canopy tours. Of course, you cannot come to a world-class climbing region without building your skills in that discipline and having an overnight climbing experience in the New River Gorge area (site depending on crew skill level). Participants should be comfortable with heights. All participants must weigh a minimum of 50 pounds and a maximum of 250 pounds or they can't participate, regardless of height.
Shooting Sports
Shooting sports at the Summit will offer you the chance to improve your skills in traditional shooting disciplines as well as try some new ones. Pistol shooting, rifle shooting (.22, .223, and .308 depending on demonstrated skill levels), sporting clays, and trap are part of your shooting program. And in addition to traditional archery, the 18-station 3D target course provides an incredible sporting arrows experience. You will camp in an area near the shooting sports facilities.
Mountain Biking, Skateboarding, and BMX
Take advantage of 37 miles of top-notch downhill and cross-country mountain biking trails as well as the loop trails built by the Order of the Arrow. During this program, you will also have the opportunity to test your skills at Mayhem Mountain on our world-class BMX tracks, skateboard parks, and mountain boarding courses.
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