South Georgia Council: A Legacy of Scouting in South Georgia
The South Georgia Council is the local council of Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America) serving youth and families across southern Georgia. Headquartered in Valdosta, Georgia, the council currently serves 28 counties and continues a long tradition of developing character, citizenship, leadership, and service among young people throughout the region.
Although the South Georgia Council officially began in 2012, its roots extend much deeper through the histories of its predecessor councils—the Chehaw Council and the Alapaha Area Council.
Formation of the South Georgia Council
The South Georgia Council was established on November 1, 2012, through the merger of the Chehaw Council and the Alapaha Area Council. The merger brought together two strong Scouting organizations with decades of service to the youth of South Georgia.
Since its formation, the council has continued to offer a wide range of Scouting programs, including Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, camping programs, leadership development, training events, service projects, and advancement opportunities for youth across the region.
The History of the Chehaw Council
The history of the Chehaw Council traces back to 1939, when the council was chartered to serve Southwest Georgia. Over the decades, the council became an important part of the Scouting movement in the region and helped thousands of young people experience the values and adventures of Scouting.
A notable chapter in its history occurred in 1984, when the council was renamed the Southwest Georgia Council. In 2005, the organization returned to its historic Chehaw Council name, reflecting its heritage and long-standing identity in the area.
The Chehaw Council’s lineage reaches even further into the early history of Scouting in Georgia. Historical records indicate that earlier organizations, including the Nochaway Council, served portions of the region during the 1920s. The Nochaway Council was active beginning in 1921 before eventually being succeeded by later council structures that ultimately led to the formation of the Chehaw Council.
For more than seven decades, the Chehaw Council built a strong reputation for camping programs, leadership development, Eagle Scout advancement, and community service before joining with the Alapaha Area Council in 2012.
The History of the Alapaha Area Council
The Alapaha Area Council was established in 1960 and served communities throughout South Georgia for more than fifty years.
During its existence, the council provided opportunities for youth to participate in Scouting’s outdoor education, advancement programs, leadership training, and community service initiatives. The council developed strong local traditions and partnerships that helped expand Scouting’s reach across its service area.
The Alapaha Area Council maintained important camping facilities and programs that continue to influence the work of today’s South Georgia Council. Its heritage remains an integral part of the council’s identity and mission.
A Century of Scouting in South Georgia
While the South Georgia Council itself dates to 2012, the broader history of Scouting in South Georgia extends back more than a century. Historical records document organized Scouting activity in the region during the early 1920s, including some of the area’s earliest Eagle Scouts and the formation of several early councils that laid the foundation for today’s organization.
The merger of the Chehaw Council and Alapaha Area Council created a unified organization capable of carrying forward this rich legacy while continuing to serve the youth of South Georgia. Today, the South Georgia Council stands as the successor to generations of volunteers, Scouts, leaders, and supporters who have helped shape the lives of young people through Scouting.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1921 | Nochaway Council begins serving part of Southwest Georgia. |
| 1939 | Chehaw Council is chartered. |
| 1960 | Alapaha Area Council is established. |
| 1984 | Chehaw Council renamed Southwest Georgia Council. |
| 2005 | Southwest Georgia Council returns to the Chehaw Council name. |
| November 1, 2012 | Chehaw Council and Alapaha Area Council merge to form the South Georgia Council. |
| Present | South Georgia Council serves Scouts across 28 counties in Southern Georgia. |
This history reflects more than a century of Scouting tradition in South Georgia and the continuing commitment to preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices throughout their lives.
Learn More About the History of Scouting in South Georgia
The history summarized above represents only a small portion of the rich Scouting heritage found throughout South Georgia. For those interested in a more detailed account of the councils, camps, lodges, prominent leaders, early troops, Eagle Scouts, and the development of Scouting across the region, an extensive historical resource is available online.
Additional historical information can be found in The History of Scouting in South Georgia, which documents the histories of the South Georgia Council, Chehaw Council, Alapaha Area Council, Aumuckalee Council, Nochaway Council, Southwest Georgia Council, and Withlacoochee Lodge.
To explore this valuable resource, visit: The History of Scouting in South Georgia.
This online archive provides one of the most comprehensive collections of South Georgia Scouting history available and serves as an excellent reference for Scouts, Scouters, historians, and anyone interested in preserving the legacy of Scouting in the region.
