The 2013 National Scout Jamboree presented a series of firsts for the new Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve. Not only did the event mark the opening of the permanent base for future jamborees, it was also the first time that Scouts were able to use the property and its many features. Another first at this Jamboree was a Brotherhood ceremony on the property, a true highlight for those in attendance.
Members of Mikanakawa Lodge of Circle Ten Council in Dallas, Texas performed the first ever Brotherhood ceremony at the Summit. The lodge sealed fifty-one of its members in Brotherhood on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at the top of the AT&T Summit Stadium in the Scott Summit Center.
Steven Lovett, who played Meteu in the Brotherhood ceremony and served on OA Service Corps at the 2013 National Jamboree, said that the lodge had no idea that they were doing the first Brotherhood ceremony when they started planning. "We've done Brotherhood ceremonies at Jamborees in the past, but when we found out that we were doing the first one on the property, we were surprised," he said.
As with any ceremony, there were particular challenges logistically, but additional obstacles were presented with doing the first Brotherhood ceremony on the Summit Bechtel Reserve. John Kehn, who played Allowat Sakima, said weather was a particular challenge. "We were originally planning to do it on Brownsea Island, but due to weather issues, we were unable to do it there," he commented. The Summit Bechtel Reserve had been under lightning advisories for most of the day and the previous day's fireworks show was rescheduled to that evening as well, so the lodge had to find a safe alternative location.
Kevin Lovett, associate lodge adviser for Mikanakawa Lodge, also mentioned the various administrative obstacles for holding a ceremony at a national event. "A challenge for the officers was finding out who was here and if they would be willing to participate," he said. He also pointed out the fact that there was no established ceremony site, so the ceremonial team had to identify how much space fifty-one people would take up.