It was announced today that the Boy Scouts are coming to West Virginia.

Like, all of them.  At once.

It’s big news. Around here, everyone knows that the scouts just purchased an enormous 10,000+ acre facility.  It’s right on the New River Gorge, and will be home to a new Boy Scout High Adventure Base, slated to open in 2014.

But it was unclear if the Boy Scout National Jamboree, a once-every-four-years event, would be held here.

Until now.

This is like the Boy Scout Olympics crossed with an old mountain Rendezvous, with the X-Games tossed in for good measure.  How many people come to the Jamboree?  Try 200,000.

That’s a lot of bandanas.  Or, I guess they call them kerchiefs.  Whatever- it’s awesome.

We’re celebrating.  You should too.  We’re happy to have an organization like the scouts in or backyard.  I mean, you want to talk about good neighbors?  They’re trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

Can you think of someone better to call if you need something like a cup of sugar late at night?  Or an improvised splint made out of driftwood?

These High Adventure Bases are a big deal.  Three exist right now- the Sea Base in the Florida Keys, the Northern Tier Base in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, and the Philmont Ranch Base in the high desert mountains of New Mexico.

And now, there will be one right in the heart of the Appalachians in southern West Virginia.  White water.  Mountain Biking.  Rock Climbing.  Canoeing.  Camping.  Hiking.  Orienteering.   Basically the most fun a group of boys can have in the mountains.

Wait a sec- what’s the age limit?  This sounds like fun…