The Thomas S. Monson Leadership Excellence Complex, named in honor of the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - the Boy Scouts of America's oldest partner and largest sponsor of Scouting units - will host guest speakers and offer a variety of training methods and learning experiences in areas such as conflict resolution, communication and story-telling at the 10,600-acre high adventure camp.
"The Summit Bechtel Reserve offers life-changing experiences to youth they can't experience anywhere else and, as such, is a natural fit for this meaningful project," said Michael Surbaugh, chief scout executive for the BSA, who was on hand for the ceremony. "While Scouts already learn an array of leadership skills in our programs, the complex provides a tremendous opportunity to formalize this training so they can be better prepared to lead throughout their lives."
Nearly 38,000 LDS churches sponsor more than 437,000 Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Venture Scouts across the nation, accounting for more than 17 percent of all youth taking part in Scouting programs, according to Salt Lake City's Deseret News. The LDS is in its 103rd year of affiliation with the BSA.
Monson, 88, a longstanding member of the BSA's national executive committee, did not attend Wednesday's event, but in a video message prepared for the ceremony, said he was honored to have his name associated with the new leadership complex.
"The need for strong, capable leadership is critical today, both in Scouting and in the world generally," Monson said. "To be associated in some small way with developing such leadership is humbling, indeed."
Three conference/classroom buildings and an overlook site within the new complex will be named in honor of four business leaders who have been strong advocates for Scouting: Rex Tillerson, chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil Corporation; J.W. "Bill" Marriott Jr., chairman and CEO of Marriott International; John D. Tickle, chairman of Strongwell Corporation, and Philip M. Condit, former chairman and CEO of Boeing.
The complex will also include lodging accommodations, an amphitheater and a ceremonial fireplace and chimney for gatherings, according to the BSA.
The new leadership complex will add to the $170 million that Summit Bechtel Reserve has brought to the regional economy, say BSA officials.
No cost estimate was available for the complex, according the BSA, since project details have not been finalized or put out for bid. The complex is expected to completed sometime in 2020.
The LDS church opted last August to continue its affiliation with the BSA despite announcing that it was "deeply troubled" by a decision made last July by Scouting officials to lift a ban on openly gay scout leaders and employees.
Reach Rick Steelhammer at rsteelhammer@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5169, or follow @rsteelhammer on Twitter.