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West Virginia Takes the Treehouse to a New Level

  • April 25, 2014

by Lark Turner

West Virginia Takes the Treehouse to a New Level: Figure 1

A Boy Scout center that opened last summer about five hours from DC features an out-of-this-world treehouse.

The center, called the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, sits on 10,600 acres of Scout-owned park in Glen Jean, West Virginia (map). Its 3,300 square foot treehouse, which also has 2,500 square feet of outdoor space, is used to educate scouts about sustainability and has a net zero impact on the environment thanks to solar panels and wind turbines on the roof. It was built on top of a Corten steel frame and looks like a kid’s dream museum.

West Virginia Takes the Treehouse to a New Level: Figure 2

Mithun designed the building, which spreads out over multiple outdoor platforms and teaching areas. No word on how much the structure cost, but the Reserve as a whole, which will serve as the new home for the Boy Scouts’ quadrennial Jamboree, went well over budget, according to NBC News.

More images for your viewing pleasure below.

West Virginia Takes the Treehouse to a New Level: Figure 3

West Virginia Takes the Treehouse to a New Level: Figure 4

West Virginia Takes the Treehouse to a New Level: Figure 5

Images by Joe Fletcher via Mithun.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/boy_scout_center_in_west_virginia_takes_treehouse_to_a_new_level/8410

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