An article by Tim Jackson - Scoutmaster of Troop 116

The Cherokee Area Council, Scouting America, raised more than $42,700 during its sixth annual Sporting Clays Classic at Garland Mountain Sporting Clays & Grill in Waleska, Ga., with 104 shooters participating in this year's event. The council extended its sincere appreciation to event sponsors C.W. Matthews, NABCO Electric, Steve Ledbetter Family LLC, Right at Home, First Horizon Foundation, Linda Brock Homes, Rock Creek Insurance, The Barn Nursery, Kubota of Chattanooga, Buzzi Unicem USA, and Environmental Solutions Group. Their generosity and commitment helped make this premier fundraising event possible. Participants enjoyed a challenging day on the course featuring 24 sporting clays stations of varying difficulty set throughout the scenic North Georgia mountain landscape. Following the competition, guests enjoyed lunch catered by Williamson Bros. BBQ of Canton, Georgia. The event supports local Scouting programs that provide leadership development, outdoor experiences, and character-building opportunities for youth throughout the Cherokee Area Council's service area. Top team honors were awarded to: 1st Place: TN Claybusters 2nd Place: Baylor School Shooting Sports #1 3rd Place: Ducks Unlimited Individual flight winners included: 1st Flight 1st Place: Jim Veeland 2nd Place: Fate Thomas 3rd Place: Graham Thomas 2nd Flight 1st Place: Nick Beason 2nd Place: Jordan Camp 3rd Place: Ward Bickerstaff 3rd Flight 1st Place: Quinn Robbins 2nd Place: Charlie Boyd 3rd Place: Mark Kleiner The council also gratefully acknowledges Lodge Cast Iron, The Island in Pigeon Forge, and Beat The Bomb Atlanta for their generous donations to the event's raffle prize package. After awards presentations and side-game drawings, participants received shooter gift bags containing Council merchandise and donated items from The Barn Nursery and Kubota of Chattanooga. "This event continues to grow because of the incredible support of our sponsors, volunteers, shooters, and community partners," said Cherokee Area Council representatives. "We are deeply grateful for everyone who helps make Scouting possible for local youth." Organizations and individuals interested in participating in 2027’s seventh annual Sporting Clays Classic on Sept. 17 can learn more at CherokeeAreaBSA.com/Clays or by calling 423 713-7627. https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/10/7/524383/Cherokee-Area-Council-s-6th-Annual.aspx

Thank you Reflection Riding for highlighting the great work of our Scout Families!

More than 60 Scouts and adult leaders from the Cherokee Area Council represented the region at the National Scout Jamboree, Scouting America’s premier national gathering, held this summer in Glen Jean, W.V. Held every four years, the National Scout Jamboree brought together more than 12,000 Scouts, leaders, and volunteers from across the United States for a week of outdoor adventure, leadership development, and fellowship. The event was hosted at the 14,000-acre Summit Bechtel Reserve, a high-adventure base designed specifically for large-scale Scouting programs. The Cherokee Area Council contingent included participants from five neighboring councils, who joined local Scouts and adult leaders to form a single contingent for the trip. https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/7/29/521469/Cherokee-Area-Council-Attends-National.aspx

Local Scouts, Troop 12, along with Pack 3212, conducted a flag retirement lay Tuesday night. "We are proud of the Scouts for always showing respect to our country and flag," officials said. https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/6/19/520160/Scouts-Conduct-Flag-Retirement-Lay.aspx

Climb On! Climbing and COPE are often highlights of a scout's time at camp, especially for older scouts looking to expand their experiences. The origins of these activities at camps are fairly modern, with climbing only becoming more widespread in the 1970s, and Scouting America’s national COPE program launching in 1980. Climbing at Skymont was started by Bruno Roberts in 1978 with the one-year only “Scoutcraft Area.” They learned rope skills and took trips off-site to Stone Door for the first year of the Cumberland Adventure, which continues to the present day. The “High Adventure Area” began in 1979, located near where the Admin Building now is. This began as rope obstacles, learning climbing knots, and practicing rappelling, and later expanded to include Climbing, COPE, Emergency Preparedness and more. The US Army Corps of Engineers built the first climbing tower in the early 1980s. This 70ft tower was primarily for rappelling at the beginning, wooden blocks were soon added for more climbing. In 1984 a 35ft tall second tower was installed for the addition of a two-cable traverse challenge. A zip line was later added also. A popular yet short-lived feature was the addition of military cargo nets below the 35ft tower in 1985. The early 1980s also saw Skymont’s first COPE Course built. Located near the overlook with cables and platforms installed directly in the trees and a cable-crossing over a ravine, it was said to have the best incorporation of natural elements of any course in the southeast. The trees growing caused upkeep to be difficult over the years and it was closed. Around 2005 the current 40ft climbing tower was built, this time only 40ft because the top portion of the old 70ft tower wasn’t used. With the rise of high adventure activities in the Venture Program in the 2000’s, Tim Hendrix and TJ Rogers spearheaded the construction of a new COPE course in 2007. We still use these now thanks to expert upkeep from Will Council. Special thanks to Jordan Broadwell for composing this article!

Local Scouts, leaders and parents placed more than 50,000 American flags across the Chattanooga area in honor of Memorial Day. From Cleveland, Ringgold, Tracy City, Soddy Daisy, all the way to the Chattanooga National Cemetery – scouts put in the work to honor veterans and our nation. “We are honored to serve these local heroes once again this year,” said Greg Lee, volunteer vice president of Program for the Cherokee Area Council. "Scouting America, Cherokee Area Council is grateful for partnership with Elks Lodge 91 of Chattanooga as they provide commemorative patches to scouts, as well as the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council for their partnership in promoting and placing flags," officials said. Captain Mickey McCamish, U.S. Navy (Retired), a key organizer said of the event, said “One of the most patriotic ways of honoring a veteran laid to rest at Chattanooga National Cemetery is by placing a flag on their grave. It's a very special way of saying thank you for serving our country.” Jared Pickens, scout executive/CEO of the Cherokee Area Council said of the events, “It is truly incredible to see this service provided to our community by these young people. This is a fantastic learning experience for our scouts – to respect the service of those laid to rest in these sacred places.”  Local Scouts Place More Than 50,000 Flags To Honor Veterans - Chattanoogan.com

Congratulations Eva and Troop 1070!

Signal Mountain Middle/High School PTSA