Traveling to The Summit Bechtel Reserve can be a great adventure in and of itself but there are also a lot of great places you can explore.
Here are three totally rad side trips to check out on your way to the 2013 National Scout Jamboree.
- Gettysburg National Military Park
The National Park Service has developed an extensive program in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America. The program involves a self guided hike that allows you and your fellow scouts to relive the experiences of the soldiers during the civil war. -
The historic town of Thurmond, not far from the Summit Bechtel Reserve, was once a bustling mining town. Thurmond
Want to explore an old railroad town from West Virginia’s coal mining era?
Thurmond is the place to go to explore a town that was directly supported by the railroads and coal mines it serviced. Guided tours by National Park Service staff and self-guided walking tours give you the opportunity to explore a huge part of West Virginia’s colorful history. - New River Bridge
The New River Gorge was formed over thousands of years and when people settled the area they needed to find a way to cross the river. At one time this meant driving down narrow, winding roads to cross a small bridge over the river. This all became a memory when the New River Bridge was finished in 1977 turning a 40 minute trip across the gorge into one that takes less than a minute.
A number of National Park overlooks and even a visitor center are dedicated to this engineering feat. The New River Bridge is a significant landmark and no trip to The Summit is complete without checking it out.
The New River Gorge Bridge is one of West Virginians’ proudest man-made features and can be found on the back of their state quarter. (Photo by Kevin M./Patrol Z)