West Virginia has so many hidden treasures! This a big one… did you know about it already or is it new to you?
Hidden deep in the West Virginia mountains outside of Glen Jean and south of Fayetteville is a 10,000-acre reserve owned by the Boy Scouts of America.
Summit Bechtel Reserve/Facebook
It’s the Summit Bechtel Reserve, and it’s HUGE.
Summit Bechtel Reserve/Facebook
Boy Scouts come from around the world to West Virginia to complete merit badges and further their character training — thousands and thousands of boy scouts.
Summit Bechtel Reserve/Facebook (The facilities are also available by reservation for use by other groups for events, meetings, etc.)
But what we already know — and what apparently the Boy Scouts of America leadership recognized when choosing a site for their reserve — that these campers may not is that it’s worth the journey here from any corner of the world, because West Virginia provides some of the best outdoor recreational opportunities anyone will ever experience.
Summit Bechtel Reserve/Facebook
One of the many focuses of the camps and activities offered for scouts at Summit Bechtel Reserve is the sustainability and stewardship of the earth. To help educate on these topics, the reserve boasts a 5-story “Sustainability Treehouse.”
Summit BSA The treehouse is a museum and live-demonstration used by staff to teach campers about what taking good care of the environment can look and feel like.
From learning about solar and wind power (the treehouse is equipped with wind turbines and solar panels) to growing food on the rooftop gardens to using (and processing waste from) the facility’s composting toilets, campers come away with a new appreciation for sustainable natural resources.
Summit Bechtel Reserve/Facebook
The top of the treehouse even features a pledge wall, where students have the opportunity to formally commit to being good stewards of this earth.
Summit Bechtel Reserve/Facebook
Here’s a video with even more glimpses of the Sustainability Treehouse in action.
Summit Bechtel Reserve/Facebook
(The facilities are also available by reservation for use by other groups for events, meetings, etc.)
Summit BSA
The treehouse is a museum and live-demonstration used by staff to teach campers about what taking good care of the environment can look and feel like.
You can also learn more about the treehouse and Summit Bechtel Reserve on their Facebook page or website.
And of course, the boy scouts are given the opportunity to enjoy the nearby attractions while they’re here — but they aren’t the only ones that can have fun floating down the New River!
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Address: Mt Hope, WV 25880, USA
