Boy Scouts Plan Major Development Near Goshen Pass

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) announced plans in February of 2009 to significanly expand facilities the 4,300 acre "Goshen Scout Reservation" scout camp in western Rockbridge County. VCC does not have detailed information on the project, but in news reports the BSA references plans to develop a major conference and camp facility capable of hosting their National Jamboree. Check the links on the right for updated information.

According to the BSA Jamboree website, this event involves over 40,000 scouts and draws roughly 200,000 visitors. The BSA reports the Jamboree is held every four years and it has been held at the U.S. Army's Fort A.P. Hill in Caroline County, Virginia since 1981.

Estimates on the size of the Jamboree vary. Globalsecurity.org offers these statistics:

Fort A.P. Hill is home to the National Boy Scout Jamboree every four years, with a complement of more than 30,000 scouts and 250,000 visitors. The scouts use about 7,000 acres of the installation during the two-week Jamboree. (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/fort-ap-hill.htm)

From Rockbridge Baths, Route 39 winds through Goshen Pass, site of the oldest of Virginia's state-managed natural areas, dating from 1954. The area protects scenic views of 3.7 miles of the Maury River as it runs through a rocky gorge. One of the region's most scenic and pristine natural areas, Goshen Pass is just downstream from the current scout camp.

We understand that many Rockbridge residents, while generally welcoming of tourism related jobs, are very wary of the size and scale of the proposed development. Until more design details are known, it is difficult to determine exactly what impacts the project will have on water quality, traffic, wildlife and the general rural nature of the area.

VCC does not have an official position on the issue. We do share concerns about such a large scale project in such a remote and pristine area.

Every development decision, including design of facilities and their overall location should be made with full information and should be sensitive to local and regional context. Please see VCC's Better Models for Development in the Shenandoah Valley for guidance on particular principles and policies.

We offer the links on this page to encourage thoughtful discussion of the issue.