Troop 10 celebrates 100th anniversary

March 26, 2024

Troop 10, the oldest Boy Scout troop in Cleveland and Bradley County, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in April.

The Troop was officially chartered as Troop 10 in 1924 and has served thousands of youth in the community since then. To commemorate this momentous centennial, the troop has scheduled three events to mark its 100 years of service to the Cleveland and Bradley County community.


The Scouts will be hosting an open house at the Troop 10 Scout House located behind Broad Street United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 7. The community is invited to visit the open house and see the history of the troop and meet its members.

The informal event will begin at noon and will be led by current Scouts showing off their history and many achievements, awards and adventures to open house attendees. Everyone looking for a future in Scouts BSA is especially invited to visit this event and learn about the storied Troop 10. Another event which is open to the public, is a historical display at the Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points. This special exhibit of troop artifacts covering the 100 years of Troop 10 will be displayed from April 16 through June 30.

Everyone is encouraged to visit the museum and learn about the history and see artifacts that show Boy Scouts throughout the century. The final event to celebrate the anniversary on Saturday, May 11, is the Alumni Picnic at the Greenway Park on Raider Drive.

The troop invites any Troop 10 alumni, community leaders and current troop members, parents and volunteers to celebrate with them at this picnic from noon to 2 p.m. An old-fashioned cook-out, Boy Scout-style, will be served along with great fellowship and fun. Sponsored by Broad Street United Methodist Church in 1924, Troop 10 has been led by several successful scoutmasters from the community.


Wallets, Bags & More Bellroy The longest running scoutmaster recorded by the troop was William Cecil Stanbery, who proudly led the troop and volunteers for the past 20 years. Stanberry passed away in 2023 and is followed by Shane Coleman as current scoutmaster. There is also a dedicated group of adult volunteers and leaders who work with the Scouts as they advance rank and earn merit badges. Troop 10 has proudly produced more than 140 Eagle Scouts, which is the highest rank achieved in Scouts. Troop 10 is known as a “high adventure” troop, having taken trips throughout the country hiking, backpacking, biking, canoeing and much more. Their members enjoy an adventure each month throughout the year, learning survival and life skills that will serve them for years to come. Also known as a "Scout-led” troop, Troop 10 allows and encourages leadership from the youth as they work together to advance and learn.


This teaches the youth responsibility, leadership and a path to success as they learn and grow as young men. As the county’s trailblazer troop, Troop 10 was also the first Boy Scout Troop in Tennessee to have a linked female troop. Known as Troop 1010 The Mighty Riveters, the female troop is an active, successful troop and they enjoy working alongside their male counterparts in Troop 10.


The addition of females to Scouts BSA has afforded the other 50% of our nation’s youth the opportunity to take advantage of this great leadership program and its benefits. Having proven their mettle, female troops have produced Eagle Scouts and community and business leaders across the country. Troop 1010 has produced its first female Eagle Scout and the first Eagle in the Cherokee Area Council. Not only is Troop 10 a troop of adventure and leadership, its core purpose stays the same as when it was first formed — community service. The troop has achieved thousands of hours serving Cleveland whether it be through honoring veterans at local events, litter cleanup at the Cleveland/Bradley Greenway or helping seniors with needed projects.

As Troop 10 continues its unwavering commitment to community service, organizers encourage the community to support its youth and leaders are they embark on their second century of service to Cleveland and Bradley County.


For more information about Troop 10 or its linked troop, 1010, contact Shannon Ward at shannsupermom@gmail.com.

Cherokee Area Council - History Moment: Climb On!

June 1, 2026
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 Place More Than 50,000 Flags To Honor Veterans

May 25, 2026
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

Troop 1070's First Eagle Scout Designs New Exhibit At The Chattanooga Zoo

May 21, 2026
Congratulations Eva and Troop 1070!

Scouts Lead Demonstration in Honor of Signal Mountain's Coach Patrick Davidson

May 5, 2026
Signal Mountain Middle/High School PTSA

Scouts Collect Food for Nearly 2,000 Meals!

April 30, 2026
Read the article here 👉 https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/4/30/518177/Local-Boy-Scouts-Feed-1000s.aspx

Local Scout Troop Celebrates Five New Eagles & Six Outstanding Brothers

March 30, 2026
CHATTANOOGA, TN – The Cherokee Area Council of Scouting America is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Troop 2, chartered to St. Elmo Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Congratulations to Scoutmaster Ed Sunder and Troop 2, as five outstanding young people have earned the rank of Eagle Scout: Caden Gildernew, Phinehas Doe, Nathan Sunder, James Tracy, and Lyle Vaughn. The Eagle Scout rank places service at its core, and these new Eagle Scouts exemplify that ideal through impactful projects benefiting the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Dade County Schools, Lookout Mountain Trails, the Town of Flintstone, Georgia, and Chattanooga Valley Middle School. Collectively, these projects contributed more than 600 hours of community service, engaging a multitude of volunteers and supporters. Since its founding in 2007, 26 young people have earned the rank of Eagle Scout through Troop 2. Among their many shared experiences, these Scouts fondly recall attending—and serving on staff at—Camp Sidney Dew in Armuchee, Georgia, as well as Skymont Scout Reservation in Altamont, Tennessee. They also attended Seven Ranges Scout Reservation in Kensington, Ohio, over several years. All five have now graduated from high school and are pursuing further education and careers in the Chattanooga region. Adding to this milestone celebration, the Sunder family of Flintstone, Georgia, marked an extraordinary achievement as Nathan Sunder became their sixth Eagle Scout. The youngest of six, Nathan joins his older brothers—Isaac, Samuel, John, Bennett, and Eddie—in attaining Scouting’s highest rank. The Sunder brothers completed Eagle Scout service projects that contributed nearly 800 total service hours. Project beneficiaries included Cloudland Canyon State Park, Audubon Acres, Chickamauga City Parks, and Chattanooga Valley Middle School. Looking back, their parents, Ed and Betsy Sunder, reflect, “It was a joy to watch the Scouts work together and see the boys become young men. Our boys have learned valuable skills, life lessons, and made lifelong friendships through Scouting.” Betsy grew up in a Scouting family and attended both Philmont and Sea Base as a youth member. Ed has served as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader for the past 22 years.  Looking ahead, Troop 2 is partnering with Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center alongside Cub Scout Pack 4 to welcome boys and girls ages kindergarten through 12th grade into the adventure of Scouting. Key volunteer leaders include Scoutmaster Brian Purvis, Cubmaster Joy Smith, and Assistant Cubmaster Jim Daughdrill..

2026 Friends of Scouting Luncheon Huge Success! - Keynote Speaker David Pollack

February 26, 2026
23rd Annual Friends Of Scouting Luncheon Held Feb. 24

Meet Aidan Castellanet from Troop 116 on Signal Mountain

February 3, 2026
Aiden Castellanet - Student Body President from Signal Mountain Middle High School Interview from CityScope Magazine

Cherokee Area Council - History Moment: Adventures at Camp Cherokee

December 30, 2025
The Adventure Begins!

Cherokee Area Council History Moment: John A. Patten - Scout Camp

December 30, 2025
100 years ago in 1925, the Chattanooga Council built their second scout camp, Camp Tsatanugi, the namesake of Boy Scout Road in Hixson. It served as the summer camp for 25 years, and was used for other activities for even longer. Two of the buildings from this camp still stand, now owned by the Highland Sportsman Club, which has done a great job of preserving them. The largest building is Patten Hall, which was given by the sons of John A. Patten in his honor. It served as the dining hall for the camp.