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How To Run The Second-Largest City In West Virginia

Behind The Scenes Of Logistics At The Summit

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Lots of planning and teamwork needs to go into making sure everything is in order for the Summit. (Photo by Summit Blog Staff)

Once the Summit Bechtel Reserve is up and running during the jamboree, it will be the second-largest city in West Virginia. Yep, that’s pretty big.

There were 43,434 Scouts and approximately 50,000 visitors at Fort A.P. Hill last year, so calling the jamboree a city isn’t too far off.

A city needs people working behind the scenes to run smoothly, and the Summit will be no exception.

Logistics

Goods are received, stored and then shipped all over the world from distribution centers. Or in our case, all over the Summit. (Photo by Flickr/Toolstop)

Think garbage disposal, recycling, plumbing, food delivery and supplies. Folks at the Summit will also constantly be fixing and maintaining bikes, skateboards, firearms, zip lines, scuba tanks and climbing gear, just to name a few.

“All of the supplies have to move in a very coordinated, pre-planned way so they get to where they need to be on time,” said Mike Patrick, the general manager of the Summit.

So how is the Summit preparing?

With the help of some super-smart experts, who are no stranger to logistics, and there are a lot of people, goods, transportation and technology involved.

To start, a distribution center will be built near the Summit in order to receive and store all of the goods needed to run a 10-day, action-packed jamboree. That simplifies the logistics because a large portion of the items will already be moved near the property before the jamboree even begins.

We’re also making it easier for you to travel to the Summit by providing you with jamboree gear at the site and planning all of your meals well in advance.

“The less people notice this, the better job the people behind the scenes are doing.” — Mike Patrick, general manager of the Summit

Want to know the coolest part? You may never see any of this in action.

“The less people notice this, the better job the people behind the scenes are doing,” said Patrick.

And how do you know everything is being done right? We called in the pros.

Consultants were called in to analyzed the 2010 jamboree and offered ways to improve the logistical operations. They’re working with us to make sure the supply chain management is as good as it can be.

How do you think better logistics will improve the jamboree? How are you going to get organized for the Summit?

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  • http://twitter.com/theHikingDude Hiking Dude

    It’s just like planning a troop backpacking trip – but BIGGER!  The planning is at least half the fun.

    • http://summitblog.org Summit Blog

      Great attitude, Dude!

  • Lsfireman

    Call on the military! They’re the ones that do this sort of thing, day in and day out all over the world in every environment and geography known to man. What am I saying? You guys knew this already!!!!

    • http://summitblog.org Summit Blog

      Always good to have a reminder, though. It would be really cool to find out how many jambo-planners have military backgrounds. 

      Hey, you just inspired a blog post!

  • Ricknygren

    No, go find the retired military logistics guys.  I personally could do without the MPs in Humvees with live ammo at the jamboree.

    • http://summitblog.org Summit Blog

      Not positive, but I’m thinking the only live ammo at the Jamboree will be at the shooting facilities (get the word on those here http://goo.gl/Dq4lT)