Scouting and Guiding in Georgia (U.S. state)

Scouting in Georgia has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live. The state is home to many milestones for the Scouting movement. The Girl Scout Birthplace is located in Savannah, and President Jimmy Carter served as a Scoutmaster in Plains, Georgia.

Early history (1910-1950)

Until 1948, some southern councils of the Boy Scouts of America were racially segregated. Colored Troops, as they were officially known, were given little support from Districts and Councils. Some Scouting executives and leaders believed that Colored Scouts and Leaders would be less able to live up to the ideals of the Boy Scouts. The National Office began a program of integrating local councils in 1940, which was largely complete in 1948.

Recent history (1950-1990)

Former councils include:

• Augusta Council
• Augusta Area Council
• Aumuckalie Council
• Chatham County Council
• Cherokee Council
• Columbus Council
• Columbus Area Council
• Floyd County Council
• Gainesville Area Council
• George H. Lanier Council
• Georgia-Alabama Council
• Griffin Area Council
• Macon Council
• Mcintosh County Coouncil
• Muscogee County Council
• Nochaway Council
• Ococah Council
• Okefenokee Council
• Richmond County Council
• Savannah Council
• Southwest Georgia Council
• West Georgia Council
• Withlacocchee Council

Boy Scouting in Georgia

There are thirteen active Boy Scouts of America local councils that serve Scouts in Georgia.

• Alapaha Area Council
• Atlanta Area Council
• Central Georgia Council
• Chattahoochee Council
• Chehaw Council
• Cherokee Area Council GA
• Coastal Empire Council
• Flint River Council
• Georgia-Carolina Council
• Northeast Georgia Council
• Northwest Georgia Council
• Okefenokee Area Council
• Suwannee River Area Council

Girl Scouting in Georgia

The Girl Scout Birthplace is located in Savannah, Georgia, which was the Juliette Gordon Low family home that now provides tours to thousands of Scouts every year. Upon Juliette Gordon Low's death in 1927, she willed her carriage house, eventually named The Girl Scout First Headquarters, to the local Savannah Girl Scouts for continued use.

As of January 2007 there are eight Girl Scout council offices in Georgia; however, due to a national realignment of councils these will soon become two councils.

Girls Scouts of Greater Georgia (placeholder name)

The following councils will probably formally merge sometime in 2008.

Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River Council, Inc., Augusta, Georgia http://www.girlscoutscsra.org

Girl Scouts of Concharty Council, Inc. Columbus, Georgia http://www.girlscoutsconcharty.org

Girl Scouts of Middle Georgia, Inc. Lizella, Georgia http://www.gsmginc.org

Except for Jasper county which will move to the new Atlanta area council

Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia, Inc. Athens, Georgia http://www.girlscoutsnegeorgia.org

Except for Dawson, Barrow, Walton, and Forsyth counties which will move to the new Atlanta area council

The Girl Scout Council of Savannah, Georgia, Inc. Savannah, Georgia[1]

Where Girl Scouting started in the United States.

Girl Scouts of Southwest Georgia, Inc. Albany, Georgia[2]

Girl Scouts - Atlanta (placeholder name)

Girl Scout Council of Northwest Georgia, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia[3]

Girl Scouts of Pine Valley Council, Inc. Griffin, Georgia[4]

The Northwest Georgia Girl Scout Council maintains a relationship with the Sakartvelos Gogona Skautebis Asociacia 'Dia' in the Republic of Georgia.

Scouting Activities

• See also Georgia State Parks

Traditional Boy Scout Camps

1. Camp FGL (Chattahoochee Council) - 600 acres with over 26 miles of lake shore it sits on Lake West Point with direct access to the Chattahoochee River. Modern primary summer camp facility for this council located on the Alabama/Georgia state line near many local attractions, parks, trails and museums.

Recreational Camps

1. Camp Gallant (Chattahoochee Council) - camporee facility on West Point Lake.
2. Camp Pine Mountain (Chattahoochee Council) - 1920's boy scout camp used for both primitive camping and cub scout events located near West Point GA.

Historic Adventure Trails

1. Pinhoti National Recreation Trail - Alabama-Georgia Hiking Adventure on a long-distance trail, 335 miles long, it is the longest trail for both states with many scenic landmarks.

Scout Activities by County

Appling / Atkinson / Bacon / Baker / Baldwin / Banks / Barrow / Bartow / Ben Hill / Berrien / Bibb / Bleckley / Brantley / Brooks / Bryan / Bulloch / Burke / Butts / Calhoun / Camden / Candler / Carroll / Catoosa / Charlton / Chatham / Chattahoochee / Chattooga / Cherokee / Clarke / Clay / Clayton / Clinch / Cobb / Coffee / Colquitt / Columbia /

Fayette / Fulton /

Tift /

References

• World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, World Bureau (2002), Trefoil Round the World. Eleventh Edition 1997. ISBN 0-900827-75-0