Quick links
The New River Experience
Program Details
Program Dates
Register Now
Health and Safety Details
Got Trek Questions?
This is a 50-mile paddle trek on the New River. You will navigate the upper portion of the river in inflatable kayaks called “duckies.” This portion of the river includes Class I to III rapids. The final whitewater day in the Lower Gorge is a rafting experience and includes Class III to IV rapids. Crews camp along the river through the New River Gorge. Your gear will be shuttled to your campsite each night. Please note that in exceptionally high water, the entire trip may be conducted in rafts.
Why attend the New River Experience? The New River Experience is the best way to see the entire length of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve; but this trek is more than just a sight seeing trip. Our goal is for you to become a more confident river runner. You’ll have the chance to hone your skills at reading water, kayak technique, practice basic swiftwater rescue, and become a better backcountry cook.
Kayaking
White Water Rafting
Fishing
Local History
Wow! This place is fantastic. So many activities to keep your self occupied. Swimming, boating, shooting, fishing, mountain bike riding, climbing, river rafting, zip lining. What’s especially unusual about this particular camp (compared to all the others I have been to in the BSA system), is that this campground is only about 10 years old. The infrastructure is fantastic. There are water bottle filling stations everywhere, electrical outlets everywhere, solid Internet and cell phone service throughout the park. Showers are heated with a tankless hot water system! Yes it’s still camping, but it’s 21st century camping. Our crew spent a week kayaking/river rafting down the New River and we had a blast. Highly recommended!
Chris B
We just back from the New River Experience. Highly recommend this high adventure! We covered 45+ miles on the river. The water was flowing around 5200 cubic feet, so lots of fun taking the duckies through the white water. We went over class 1-4 rapids in them. Each breakfast and dinner was hot, cooked by the scouts. Lunch was sandwiches and sides. We slept in the camps right along the river. Some nights in Jambo tents, others in canvas tents with cots provided and some nights under the stars in the ducky. Bring plenty of sun screen! We had to reapply at lunch because we had 90% sun shine while on the water. We had two side hikes, make sure you go on them. Our scout guides made it a really great, memorable trip. The last day we hit the class 5 rapids in eight people rafts. Can’t wait to go back.
Chris J.
In order to develop character, citizenship, and personal fitness, young people need the opportunity to push past their comfort zones in real world settings that help them understand who they are and envision who they can become. High adventure programs provide crucial experiences that help young people clarify their values, goals and vision for the future.
The New River cuts deep into the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Its long history spans the hunting and foraging of Native Americans, the fur trapping of early frontiersman, and the raw strength and determination of the coal miners and railroad workers who sought to tame its rugged beauty.
More recently, outdoor enthusiasts have flocked to the New River to enjoy a myriad of outdoor adventures and admire the natural beauty of the landscape. The New River Gorge boasts outstanding whitewater rapids (Class I to IV), extensive world-class climbing opportunities, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and more.
But it is more than just an adventure destination; it is an important ecosystem that contains diverse wildlife habitats, continuous forest systems, and diverse plant life. Visitors experience nature up close.
The New River Gorge is culturally significant as a reminder of our national Coal Heritage. At one time, the Gorge was dotted with small coal camps and towns. Visit their remnants today and come to understand the strength and character of the men and women whose hard work and determination helped shape our country.
We invite you to come enjoy a river voyage through the historically, culturally, ecologically significant New River Gorge. Paddle, camp, fish, and enjoy all that it has to offer to the next generation of rugged individuals willing to match their mettle against one of the world’s rugged natural wonders.
2025 Pricing
$8,800/Boat of 8
2026 Pricing
By Crew
Summer
13 years +
7 days
The Summit requires that at least one participant in each crew be currently certified in Wilderness First Aid or the equivalent, and CPR from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or the equivalent. It is recommended that each crew have at least two adult participants certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. You must present current certification cards or copies of current cards upon check-in.
All participants for this trek are required to provide documentation of a completed BSA Swimmers Test prior to arrival at the Summit Bechtel Reserve.
Registered Scouts and Venturers who are at least 14 years old or 13 and graduated the 8th grade; and their registered leaders.
Participants must successfully complete the BSA Swimmer test prior to arrival at the Summit. We recommend that participants have completed the Kayaking Merit Badge or have equivalent knowledge and skill.
June 5 – June 11
June 6 – June 12
June 7 – June 13
June 8 – June 14
June 12 – June 18
June 13 – June 19
June 14 – June 20
June 15 – June 21
June 19 – June 25
June 20 – June 26
June 21 – June 27
June 22 – June 28
July 3 – July 9
July 4 – July 10
July 5 – July 11
July 6 – July 12
July 10 – July 16
July 11 – July 17
July 12 – July 18
July 13 – July 19
July 17 – July 23
July 18 – July 24
July 19 – July 25
July 20 – July 26
July 24 – July 30
July 25 – July 31
July 26 – August 1
July 27 – August 2
August 1-7
August 2-8
August 3-9
August 4-10
June 4 – June 10
June 5 – June 11
June 6 – June 12
June 7 – June 13
June 11 – June 17
June 12 – June 18
June 13 – June 19
June 14 – June 20
June 18 – June 24
June 19 – June 25
June 20 – June 26
June 21 – June 27
June 25 – July 1
June 26 – July 2
June 27 – July 3
June 28 – July 4
July 2 – July 8
July 3 – July 9
July 4 – July 10
July 5 – July 11
August 1-7
August 2-8
August 3-9
August 4-10
The Summit High Adventure Experiences registration release is the January of the year prior. For example, summer 2025 registration opened January 2024. View open slots below.
This guide is designed to help unit and council contingents plan a successful trip to the Summit. It is important that each adult leader accompanying the unit to the Summit Experience become familiar with every aspect of the trip and to share this information with participants and their parents/guardians.
Registering for a life-changing High Adventure Base expedition is an exciting and sometimes
competitive experience. To ensure the best possible experience on registration day we’ve prepared a checklist for the reservation contact who will be placing the High Adventure reservation.
The Summit is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our participants. Activities at the Summit require a certain level of fitness, and some can be very physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. The programs can include mountain biking, BMX biking, skateboarding, rock climbing, zip lines, challenge courses, shooting, archery, whitewater rafting, and kayaking. Depending on the program(s) you select, you will need to arrive at the Summit physically prepared to participate in those activities. The average walk is 5–7 miles a day on uneven terrain with significant changes in elevation. The heat index often reaches almost 100 degrees in the summer. Be prepared!
All youth and adult participants must undergo a medical evaluation by a licensed healthcare provider within twelve months prior to their Summit program.
IMPORTANT: Failure to properly review all information on the Summit AHMR and Risk Advisory could result in your denial of participation upon arrival at the Summit.
In addition to the planning guides, we also offer several Webinars that are a great way to find out more information and ask questions. Information on when webinars will be made available once scheduling details are finalized.
While onsite at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, you’ll be able to stay connected with complimentary wifi available to all guests. Additionally, the Summit site has cell towers for several major carriers, which allows the majority of our guests to have great cell coverage.
The primary phone number for the Summit Bechtel Reserve is 304-465-2800. This phone number is typically answered between Monday and Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
The Summit Bechtel Reserve operates a twenty-four-hour hotline number, at 304-465-2900. All calls to or for participants are routed from this number, and parents/guardians or unit leaders attempting contact should be prepared to provide the name and expedition number of the individual whom they are trying to reach.
Johnny Tracy – Johnny.Tracy@scouting.org
We know that there is a lot of information to cover regarding your High Adventure Experience and while we do our best to provide as much information as possible, you may still have some questions. If you need help or have a specific question you need help with, please reach contact the Summit registration team at summit.program@scouting.org or 304-465-2800, or contact Camp Director Johnny Tracy, at johnny.tracy@scouting.org or 901-489-6027. We are here to help!
Participants are required to wear the Summit’s PFDs. You may bring your own whitewater helmet and kayak paddle, which must be inspected and approved by Trek Management.
Yes, there will opportunities to fish at several of the campsites during the trek. You will not be able to fish during the day from your ducky during this experience. If you want to fish during your trip, you must purchase a West Virginia fishing license at www.wvfish.com. Please bring your own equipment. Youth under 15 years of age may fish without a license.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.
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.
