Published: November 19, 2009 07:20 am      

'We're psyched,' BSA official says

GLEN JEAN -- The Boy Scouts of America announced in June the Goshen Scout Reservation in Rockbridge County, Va., was no longer being considered for its National Scouting Center and high adventure base.

Fayette County and West Virginia won the bid.

The BSA was still considering the Goshen site for its National Scout Jamboree, which attracts upwards of 40,000 scouts every four years. Another announcement came in August that Goshen was no longer a feasible choice, since it was going to take a $100 million investment to make the property work.

Wednesday, after weeks of speculation, official news finally broke that the New River Gorge region won that bid as well.

The 10,000-acre piece of land in Glen Jean-Mount Hope area, which the BSA selected for its National Scouting Center and high adventure base, will now also host the National Scout Jamboree, beginning in 2013.

BSA Vice President Jack Furst said engineers analyzed the Fayette County property and concluded it could accommodate the 30,000 to 50,000 scouts.

"We're psyched," Furst said.

"Off of that infrastructure, and through the Jamboree, we can now throw three programs versus one," Furst commented.

"It was an economic decision, as well as the beauty of the great outdoors. If done correctly, it will become the heartbeat of the Boy Scouts of America," Furst said of the West Virginia property.

BSA officials were previously leaning toward the Goshen site for the Jamboree because of its similarities to Fort A.P. Hill, Va., which has accommodated the event since 1981. They also said Goshen had a lake on premises, which was "very attractive."

Although the West Virginia site didn't come equipped with a lake, Furst says that's OK. The BSA plans on building up to three.

There are several watersheds on the property that will make it possible, Furst said.

"We will have lakes on this property that will be spectacular," he added.

"Everything's coming to West Virginia. It's been quite a journey."