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Pack N' Paddle
Program Details
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Health and Safety Details
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Pack and Paddle is a multisport adventure through the heart of the New River Gorge. Participants will backpack and raft for more than 40 miles through the one of Appalachia’s most rugged and inspiring landscapes. You’ll walk through lush forests, visit ghost towns from the coal mining era, and tackle world famous rapids.
Hiking
Teambuilding
Ryan F.
Extremely Huge Colossal Reserve! Went on ATV Course, Zip Line, and Whitewater Rafting, Good Food, Wonderful Staff, Beautiful Scenery!
Ben H.
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.
This awesome experience is a great option for those who like backpacking, those who would like to get into backpacking as well as those who like to learn about the local history of the Summit and the surrounding area. As we travel through the various small mining communities and forgotten rail beds, we will see what the “Wild and Wonderful” wilderness of West Virginia has to share. Rafting the New River, exploring scenic views, or sitting by the campfire, we will give you an experience that will leave you breathless.
2025 Pricing
$1,150/Person
Coming Soon
Exploring and camping in the historical New River Gorge area will open the doors to backpacking for Scouts who want to “get out” and try something new.
Day 1
• Arrival & Shakedown
• Introduction to backpacking techniques
Day 2
• On the trail
• History of Mining at Turkey Knob
• Mt. Jack overlook
Day 3
• Southside Junction Trail
• Thurmond Exploration
• Cunard Mining Town
• Camping At River Run
Day 4
• White Water Rafting
• Team Building At River Run
Day 5
• Kaymoore Trail
• Kaymoore Mine
• Craig’s Branch Campsite
Day 6
• Long Point Overlook
• Group Picture
• Return To SBR
• Big Zip
Day 7
• Departure
By Crew
Summer
14+ or 13 and completed 8th grade
7 days
Opens 18 months prior to trek
Registered members of Scouts BSA or Venturing who are at least 13 years old and graduated the 8th grade; and their registered leaders.
This Experience is a intermediate-level hiking and rafting experience; Participants should be able to walk 5-15 miles per day with a 30-40 pound backpack .
June 15 – June 21
June 22 – June 28
June 29 – July 5
July 6 – July 12
July 13 – July 19
July 20 – July 26
July 27 – August 2
The Summit High Adventure Experiences registration release is the January of the year prior. For example, summer 2025 registration opened January 2024.
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. During the Summit Experience, each group will be assigned a Summit staff member, known as a Mountain Rover, to guide them to and through the adventures and activities.
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.
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.
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
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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.
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.
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.
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.
