Why Outdoor Adventures are Important

Hello again!

As a steward to the outdoors, the Boy Scouts of America has a big responsibility.

We’re not only responsible for making sure our young people have a strong appreciation and respect for our outdoor resources…we also want to make sure that we leave the world a little better than the way we found it.

We have great opportunities to teach these environmental lessons – through our National High Adventure Bases – where Scouts have the chance to take their outdoor experiences to new heights through  camping, hiking, water sports and just learning about nature. Our local and Council outdoor events are also important for teaching environmental responsibility.

At the same time, our Scouts learn valuable qualities they will carry with them later in life – like team building, leadership, and how to mentor others.

Our High Adventure programs at Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier, and Florida Sea Base have enabled our Scouts to taste this spirit of outdoor adventure for many years.

With the addition of the Paul R. Christen High Adventure Base at The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in the New River Gorge Region of West Virginia this year…we have even more outdoor adventure opportunities to offer for our Scouts in 2014.

Within The Summit are nine High Adventure venues, and Scouts can take part in this week-long program with options for specialized adventures, like kayaking and whitewater rafting, marksmanship, outdoor photography, and mountain biking.

At the same time, our Scouts learn about why keeping this precious outdoor resource clean and healthy is so vital to their future. They learn how to work together, depend on each other, and better understand the purpose behind environmental responsibility.

We’re very proud to be able to bring this new outdoor venue to America’s young people, and thank our many supporters for making The Summit a reality.  If you’d like more information about our outdoor programs at The Summit, check out SummitHighAdventure.org.

How do you use outdoor recreation and adventure programs to help young people build strong character and understand their responsibility to the environment?  Share your ideas here!

Thanks, Wayne