The Summit Bechtel Reserve (or “The Summit,” for short) is a unique Scouting facility with an expansive main property spanning over 10,000 acres. We offer a variety of Scouting adventures that are exclusive to our location. Nestled in the heart of West Virginia, The Summit is strategically positioned within an eight-hour drive of 60% of the US population. It’s the permanent home for Scouting America’s National Jamboree, but it’s more than just the Jamboree site. It’s a place where Scouts can learn, explore, and push themselves to the limit, fostering a sense of curiosity and eagerness to participate.
Take your Scouting adventure to the next level with one of our most popular activities to experience during your trip to The Summit, with excellent whitewater rafting and kayaking in the world-famous New River Gorge National Park. Located just minutes from The Summit, the New River Gorge offers some of the best whitewater adventures that you can find anywhere and is available during our summer season as an add-on or as a part of two of our most popular High Adventure Experiences: the New River Experience and the Pack N Paddle Experience.
The Summit is proud to offer an opportunity like no other – Scouting America’s longest, multi-day ATV adventure: the Polaris ATV Experience. This unique experience is a fan-favorite since Scouts spend most of their time at the Summit exploring over 50 miles of trails around the Summit’s expansive main property. To ensure the safety of Scouts and Leaders on ATVs, participants receive a comprehensive 4-hour safety training before hitting the trails. This commitment to safety means that the only way to get behind the handlebars of an ATV is by registering for the Polaris ATV Experience, providing a secure and enjoyable adventure.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking for an exciting way to test your skills, rock climbing at the Summit offers the opportunity to learn and play on impressive, custom-designed rock walls and bouldering elements. The Summit provides two different rock climbing and bouldering venues, including Boulder Cove, located in Summit Center near Goodrich Lakes, which provides a great introductory experience. The Rocks, situated in Adventure Valley, offers a next-level experience.
The Summit offers multiple ways for participants to experience adventure on two wheels, from adrenaline-pumping BMX courses to exhilarating mountain biking trails. Available as an add-on or “buy-up” option for Scout Camp and as an integral part of the Summit Experience, our biking programs allow participants to get behind the handlebars at some pretty unique venues like the Trax, a world-class and purpose-built dirt track, and Harvey Mountain Bike Shop at Action Point, which offers an introduction to both mountain biking and BMX.
Skateboarding is a distinctive feature of Summit programs and a memorable experience for novice and experienced riders. Home to the street-style skate park at Action Point and the Park, a concrete skateboarding wonderland, the Summit offers a skateboarding experience you won’t find anywhere else in Scouting America. Scouts can add an introduction to Skateboarding to their Scout Camp experience or learn the basics and test their skills as an included feature of the Summit Experience.
Taking to the trees at The Summit is more than just traditional zip lines. Exclusively included as a part of the Summit Experience, the canopy course at Action Point is a thrilling tree-to-tree adventure that gives Scouts and Venturers a new way to connect with their environment. The journey combines the region’s geology, history, and topography to create an exciting encounter—all while suspended high above the ground in the forest canopy. This unique program element is a highlight for Scouts attending the Summit Experience and is paired up rock climbing and ziplines for a day full of aerial adventure.
At The Summit, we take pride in the diverse range of experiences we offer. Our participants consistently mention this variety as one of the reasons they love coming here for our Summer programs. With something for almost everyone, The Summit provides abundant offerings for Scouting units of all sizes and experience levels, ensuring an exciting and engaging experience for all.
Are you looking for the adventure of a lifetime that can accommodate all experience levels? Choose from one of our five unique high-adventure experiences and prepare to take your Scouting journey to the next level. Check out the pages for each experience to help you decide which is best for your unit!
The Summit is the only place in Scouting America where you can experience Scout Camp at a National High Adventure Base. Offering a wide variety of merit badges and the opportunity to buy up or add on several introductory-level high adventure experiences, Scout Camp at The Summit helps you to keep your whole troop engaged at summer camp.
As part of our commitment to providing opportunities for growth and leadership development, The Summit offers a selection of training courses on various topics throughout the year. Be sure to check out the Training Center page for a training course that’s right for you.
Are you looking for a safe, fun, and unique family vacation? Experience The Summit in a relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere with our newest, wildly popular offering: Family Adventure Camp. Kick back and relax in the comfortable accommodations of our deluxe Eco-tents, or get a room in our hotel-style lodging and find adventure on your terms.
The Summit High Adventure Experiences registration release is the January of the year prior. For example, summer 2025 registration opened January 2024. There are still openings for summer 2025. View open slots below.
Join the Summit Staff and help us deliver transformational experiences to thousands of guests annually! We offer over 200 paid positions and accept Scouting volunteers throughout the year. By joining our team, you can gain valuable professional experience, build your resume, or give back to Scouting as a volunteer.
Have some time on your hands this summer?
Volunteer to be a Summit Mountaineer
If you love outdoor adventure and sharing that love with others, check out seasonal job opportunities
With onsite lodging, catering, and expansive event and meeting space, The Summit is the perfect destination for your event.
Situated in the wilds of West Virginia, The Summit Bechtel Reserve is a training, Scouting, and adventure center for the millions of youth and adults involved in Scouting America and anyone who loves the outdoors. The Summit Bechtel Reserve is also home to the National Scout Jamboree and the Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base.
The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
