Just in case you haven’t heard: the Boy Scouts Of America are coming to West Virginia!
All of them. (Well, almost all of them.)
Scouts Gathered for the Arena Show
We are the new home of not only the Boy Scout’s of America’s fourth and largest High Adventure Camp but also the site for future Boy Scout Jamborees.
It’s one thing to be told that there will be 40 to, oh, I don’t know, 50,000 scouts each year, and approximately 200,000 visitors coming to the Jamboree in West Virginia in 2013.
But it’s another thing entirely to attend the last Jamboree being held at Fort A.P. Hill, VA and see it for yourself.
Our staff, as well as representatives from the WV Division of Tourism, hosted a “Welcome to WV Booth” at the Jamboree that began on last Monday, July 26th. All we can say is WOW! The boys, leaders, and all of the visitors seemed very excited about the new location and we had a ton of great questions and comments.
We talked to scouts and scouters from every single state and several different countries. These scouts literally come from everywhere, and I can honestly say that I have never been in the company of so many polite young men in my life. (And if you’ve spent a lot of time around groups of kids, you can really appreciate that last sentence.)
The Scouts can’t wait to raft the New River, climb in the gorge, hike our trails, and participate in all the other countless adventure activities in the region.
The Scouts and visitors were eager for information on our state as well as the plans for The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, and I for one came away knowing much more about the project and about what to expect in 2013.
Kay handing out info on WV - home of future BSA Jamborees
Here’s a really broad overview of where we stand, time-wise: In 2013 the Jamboree will be held in West Virginia. In 2014 The Summit – Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve will open the high adventure and summer camps. The Summit will be used year round for winter camps, training and more.
I can definitely tell you one thing after meeting people at this year’s Jamboree in Virginia from California, Washington to New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Oregon, Texas, Japan, Puerto Rico, and just about everywhere in between– our wild and wonderful state is no longer going to be one of American’s best kept secrets.
Thanks, Boy Scouts. And welcome home.
Tags: Boy Scouts of America, BSA Jamboree, outdoor recreation, southern west virginia, The Summit – Bechtel Family National Scout, WV Jamboree
I was very excited about going to the Summit in West Virginia. When I posted it on another discusion group, I did get the reply shown below. While a Scout is obedient and needs to obey the laws, perhaps the State of West Virginia might look into whether Mt Hope’s municipal revenue model needs to change away from speed trap fines. WIth the new employment and vistor excitement, it would be a shame for them to ruin it by continuing their current practice.
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Just a warning for anyone heading towards the Summit. BE CAREFUL NOT TO SPEED on US19 IN MT. HOPE, the municipality next to the Summit. I have gotten 2 tickets, 1 for 85/65 (Vehicle wouldn’t go over 73) and the other for 57/65. (5 years apart)
I think that they would love to get a lot of out-of-towners, because they can get the $$, because people won’t come back to fight it.
Gary,
Thank you for the comment. We are very excited to have the Summit in West Virginia! We want everyone to travel safe and have a great experience while visiting southern WV.
The article states that “The Summit” is the Boy Scouts largest high adventure camp. It is not. The Summit will be approximately 10600 acres, while Philmont is approximately 137500 acres.
While I’m sure The Summit will be a wonderful place and I can’t wait to go see it, it is far from the largest. Philmont is almost 13 times larger.
Thank you very much for your comment – I corrected the blog post – hope you get the opportunity to visit The Summit.
I am excited to visit the Summit. The start of some brainstorming:
Cub Scouts are the largest part of the Boy Scouts. While the high adventures at the Summit may be a little too intense for 6 – 10 year olds. The Jamboree should be encouraged for them too. The local community could profit by providing economical lodging and camping for them as weekenders. A KOA, with clean restrooms with showers, a swimming pool and a snack bar comes to mind.
The Jamboree and Scout Shop prices are EXPENSIVE! Get one of the outfitters like Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shop, or better yet REI to anchor an attraction near the front gate or at the intersection of I-77 & I-64. That place could be the next Dollywood for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Jamboree should be an annual event. 73 years ago, at the 1st Jamboree, many of the Scouts started their trips on horseback, or in the back of a farm truck. 70% of Scouts are less than 10 hours away from the Summit! When my son and I visited the 2010 Jamboree the biggest problem was food. There were as many people at the Jamoboree as at a LARGE state fair or college football game. …and only 3 food stalls. The BSA needs to change their perspective and make it less of an elitist event and more for the masses of young men and their families.