The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve Appoints New Chief Operating Officer and Launches Official Website

GLEN JEAN, W.Va., Feb. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a four-year, $400 million process to make The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve a reality, today the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) announced the appointment of entertainment destination veteran Mike Patrick as the Chief Operating Officer of The Summit and launched the Web site for the high-adventure base, summitbechtelreserve.org.  

Located in the New River Gorge region of West Virginia, The Summit sits on 10,600 acres of forested mountains that will provide incredible facilities and intense outdoor programs.  The Summit is scheduled to open in 2013 and will complement the three world-class BSA national high-adventure bases in New Mexico, Minnesota, and Florida.  The site will permanently host the BSA's iconic national Scout jamboree beginning in 2013 and the 2019 World Scout Jamboree.  

"Today's appointment and launch of the Web site represent another important step in the process of making the dream of The Summit a reality," said Jack Furst, CEO, The Summit. "Under the vision and leadership of Mike Patrick, along with exciting digital tools like the new Web site, The Summit will give us an opportunity to focus on our end-user - young people and their parents - and launch a new standard for high-adventure and Scouting."  

Mike Patrick brings more than 30 years of international executive experience in developing and managing a broad variety of successful commercial and non-profit projects and operations. In his new role he will provide leadership to all aspects of The Summit including operations, high-adventure programs, customer experience, the leadership and training center, the 2019 World Scout Jamboree and the National Scout Jamboree and its operations team, which is relocating to the West Virginia site.  

Before joining Scouting, Patrick served in various capacities including Project Director, Senior Vice President, COO, Executive Project Director and General Manager of a variety of domestic and international entertainment and destination properties including Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Florida, Busch Gardens Tampa, Worlds of Discovery, The Orlando Science Center and Silver Dollar City.

Along with the appointment of Patrick, The Summit took another critical step in using the West Virginia property as a catalyst to reach Scouting's 60 million living alumni and approximately 4 million members and to enhance their experience by launching its official Web site, summitbechtelreserve.org.  

Designed by West Virginia-based WELD and built by Dell Services Business and Technology Consulting, two key functions of the site are the "Shape the Summit" survey and "Patrol Z" project, which will allow young people to provide input to help in the development of the property and engage in the larger discussion about the high-adventure base.  

The "Shape the Summit" survey will give young people an opportunity to provide feedback and input into the development of The Summit.  Also, beginning March 1, Scouts can apply for a chance to be a part of "Patrol Z," a team of Scouts hand selected and equipped with digital tools to help tell the exciting story of The Summit. Members of "Patrol Z" will get to be a part of recording a new era of Scouting, all in preparation for the 2013 Jamboree.  

"I am excited and humbled to be a part of this iconic organization," said Mike Patrick, COO, The Summit.  "The Summit gives Scouting an opportunity to launch its second century and to make a connection with America's youth and provide them an opportunity to help determine Scouting's next great adventure."

About the Boy Scouts of America:

The Boy Scouts of America prepares young people for life by providing the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The Scouting organization is composed of 2.7 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 21, and more than a million volunteers, in nearly 300 local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information, please visit www.scouting.org.  

SOURCE Boy Scouts of America