Scouting impacted area’s youth

Scouting has made great impact on Newton County’s youth

By PHILLIP B. HUBBARD

phubbard@covnews.com

The Boy Scouts of America made its way to Newton County 105 years ago setting up its operation in Covington. Since moving here, Boy Scouts of America has been an important influence on the local community.

None of it would’ve been possible, though, without some influential people and their efforts along the way.

It all started with Professor M.G. Boswell. He was one of the earliest scoutmasters back in 1916. Boswell oversaw Lee Stephenson, Robert Fowler Jr., Reg, Luke and Guy Robinson and the Martin brothers recorded as the earliest scouts.

Back then, weekly meetings were held on the second floor of what is now the Banks Insurance Company on Clark Street in Covington.

Out of those meetings came camping trips to Costley’s Mill and hiking trips out to Salem and Factory Shoals among other places.

As the troop began to gain momentum and members, the Great Depression hit and had a huge impact on Covington Boy Scouts troop.

But, following the Great Depression came a new wave of Boy Scouts.

Before, the troop was a member of the Macon Area Council. In 1941, the Newton County Boy Scouts moved to the Atlanta Area Council.

Professors M.C. Wiley and Edwin Brown as well as Burrus Snow, John I. Alford, Chess Quinn and George Cochran took over new leadership, as a result.

All of the changes seemed to rejuvenate the troop.

Maintaining its progress into the late 1940’s, a new era began for the Newton County Boy Scouts that has lasted to the present day.

Since the 1940’s, Cub and Explorer programs have been implemented. Such programs opened up membership to boys from as young as 8 years old to young men as old as 18.

During the past 80 years or so, the local troop has taken on new heights.

Particularly in 1961, a 1790acre reservation was built and dedicated for $1.5 million. The reservation is called the Bert Adams Boy Scout Reservation of the Atlanta Area Council.

There are multiple facets that make up the reservation.

For instance, there is a 68-acre freshwater lake. The lake offers fishing, swimming and boating to campers. Additionally, there are three complete campsites accommodating 300 campers each.

By providing this reservation, it grants the opportunity to all scouts to enhance their outdoor skills. The reservation has served the local troop now for 60 years.

In 2021, more than 5,000 boys participate and enjoy all of the programs’ benefits.

In February 1968, the Covington Kiwanis Club hosts members of the local Boy Scout troop in honor

of Boy Scout Week. Archives | The Covington News

Bert Adams Boy Scout Reservation in Covington has a top-of-the-line climbing tower and C.O.P.E.

course where scouts can zip line, tackle ropes courses, and scale the 62-foot tower. Special | Bert Adams Scout Camp