Construction work is set to start next Spring on the new National Scouting Center that will be built in Fayette County.

When it's finished in 2013, the 10,600 acre site will become the fourth high adventure base for the Boy Scouts of America and the permanent home of the National Scout Jamboree.

"Congratulations, West Virginia," says Boy Scouts of America Vice President Jack Furst during the official announcement ceremony Wednesday in Glen Jean.  Hundreds of people, including many Boy Scouts from throughout West Virginia, were on hand.

"Boy Scouts, welcome, the first of many welcomes, I hope," said New River Gorge National River Superintendent Donald Striker.  "Neighbors, friends, we won.  Did you hear?" he said to applause on Wednesday.

The West Virginia site, in the New River Gorge Area, was chosen from 80 proposals in 28 states during a more than 18 month long process.  The location borders more than 70,000 acres of National Park Service property, meaning Boy Scouts will have more trails to hike, more rocks to climb and more whitewater to paddle.

"We'll be bringing thousands of young people to West Virginia to have their lives changed forever by these wonderful mountains and these wonderful people," said Boy Scouts of America Chief Scout Executive Robert Mazzuca.

He says there is a lot of potential at the site.

"Because of its proximity to the population centers of the United States and because of the things that we're going to be able to do there, we're going to be the most attended, the busiest of the four bases in a very, very short period of time," Mazzuca said.

The three existing high adventure bases for the Boy Scouts are located in New Mexico, Minnesota and Florida.  Together, they draw 50,000 young people every year with some 20,000 others on a wait list.

The development of the site is possible because of a $50 million gift from the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.  It is the largest gift ever in the history of the Boy Scouts.

Stephen Bechtel, whose company is an engineering and construction company, is an Eagle Scout and says he traces a lot of the skills he's used in his adult life back to his time in the Boy Scouts.

The new site will officially be named "The Summit: Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve."

Governor Joe Manchin says The Summit belongs in West Virginia.  "I have never in five years as Governor had an opportunity to work on a project that I think can transform who we are as a state, can redefine who we are as a people."

The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve will be located off of Route 19 at Glen Jean and Mount Hope, between Route 19 and the New River.

Some of the land is reclaimed mine property.

Detailed plans for the site are still being finalized.  The goal is to finish work there in time for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree.

The Boy Scouts of America, as an organization, will mark 100 years in existence next year.