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The Marksman Experience
Program Details
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Health and Safety Details
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The Marksman Experience is a 4-day trek where you’ll learn all about rifle, pistol, and shotgun shooting, as well as various types of archery. This course will introduce participants to competitive shooting disciplines such as 5-Stand, Sporting Clays, Steel Challenge, Precision Rifle Series, and 3-Gun. The archery utilizes recurve, compound, and crossbow shooting at stationary, 3D animal, and moving targets.
NRA Basics of Shotgun Shooting
Intro to 5-Stand
Intro to Sporting Clays
NRA Basics of Rifle Shooting
Intro to Precision Rifle Series
90m Olympic Archery
Sporting Arrows
3D Archery
Intro to Crossbow shooting
Mountaineer 3-Gun Challenge (Cowboy Action)
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We attended the Summit Marksman experience and had an amazing time! Their staff of professionals ensured that our time with them exceeded all expectations. Our Scouts left this place with lifelong memories and friendships. I recommend this experience to anyone.
Richard Z.
Amazing scouting reserve in West Virginia. Great adventure options from zip line, canopy tours, shooting sports, aquatic sports, stadium shows, bmx courses and mountain course to name a few. I’ve attended 3 jamboree’s here and loved them all.
Marc A.
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.
Your group will arrive on a Sunday, eat a delicious dinner at one of our fantastic dining facilities, and learn all about semi-automatic pistols at Joe Crafton Laser Shot, our digital range facility and classroom. Following breakfast the next morning, you’ll come to The Barrels where you’ll camp out and take part in all of the professional courses and activities listed above over the majority of your stay. Thursday you’ll celebrate the week with a cookout style banquet and closing campfire ceremony.
Oh you thought that was all? Friday morning you’ll get to experience a half-day white water rafting trip down the New River, followed by another trip down our Alexander Eagle’s Flight Zip Line! Lastly, you’ll depart on Saturday as all good things must come to an end.
2025 Pricing
$1,300/Person
2026 Pricing
$1,350/Person
By Crew
By Scouts BSA
Summer
14 years + (or 13 passed the 8th grade)
The Marksman Experience is suited for any skill level, from novice to competitive shooter.
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June 8 – June 14
June 15 – June 21
June 22 – June 28
July 6 – July 12
July 13 – July 19
July 20 – July 26
July 27 – August 2
June 7 – June 13
June 14 – June 20
June 21 – June 27
June 28 – July 4
July 5 – July 11
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 2024 and 2025.
See program guide for specifics on what to pack. Large duffle and small day pack recommended. The camping area is approximately ½ mile from the range, so there is a good bit of walking. Transportation for those with a medical need can be provided upon request.
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.
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.
Participants who have a condition requiring medication should bring an appropriate supply for the duration of their stay at the Summit. The Summit Health Lodge will likely not be able to provide exact medications in needed quantities. If a participant needs medication that they do not have or that the Summit cannot provide, it will have to be acquired from a local pharmacy. Participants are responsible for paying for their own medications. Units should designate a leader to distribute medications at camp.
Participants who have ever experienced an anaphylactic reaction from any cause must contact the Summit health and safety team, by e-mail, at summithealthlodge@scouting.org, before arrival. The ability of a participant who has experienced an anaphylactic reaction to participate in a Summit program will be evaluated by the health and safety team, and participation decisions will be made that prioritize the well-being of the individual. Similarly, any individual who has received treatment for asthma in the past three years are required to bring and carry a rescue inhaler. Participants who have received treatment for asthma but do not bring a rescue inhaler will be required to purchase one before being allowed to participate.
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.
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
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If you want to take part in the white-water trip, YES. If you decide not to take part in that activity, we’ll need to know as soon as possible so that we can inform the outfitters.
Nothing. Come as you are, we have everything you need. However, if you have a favorite pair of eye or ear protection you are welcome to bring that. Have a high-speed pistol belt you want to show off? Bring it! On a side note, NO personal firearms or ammunition is permitted outside of a locked vehicle. Those items are PROHIBITTED for program use.
We provide tents and cots for you to sleep in. Camping chairs are always a good idea. Food is also provided, but if you have a favorite snack you want to bring that is totally fine. I highly recommend bringing a “smellable” container, so as to not attract bears!
Yes. The weight range must fall between 80 and 250lbs. In the event this prohibits a participant from riding a zip line, we may be able to accommodate them by offering other activities, depending on availability.
a. [if all variances/waivers approved] Our program has been approved to continue operating as normal [with restrictions if applicable]
b. Because we are now required to only use .22LR ammunition, our precision rifle shooting activity is limited to those restrictions. We will still offer the opportunity to fire at targets up to 500 yards away. This is still extremely challenging, fun, and educational for anyone who wants to learn about the sport of precision rifle shooting. This will likely be even more challenging and may be an even better test of skills learned during the week!
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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.
