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Families across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia are joining Cub Scouts at record levels, with enrollment for August jumping 148% over last year. Local officials say the surge reflects parents’ growing concerns about excessive screen time and a desire for their children to experience real-world adventures.
The number of new families joining this fall has already eclipsed enrollment gains in both 2023 and 2024. Leaders expect hundreds more boys, girls and parents to sign on as cooler weather ushers in a busy Scouting season.
“Every great leader, athlete or innovator can trace their success back to those first, formative steps,” said Jared Pickens, Scout Executive and CEO of Chattanooga’s Cherokee Area Council, Scouting America. “In Cub Scouts, we empower young people with the courage, curiosity and skills they need to confidently embrace every new challenge and opportunity ahead. And I’m thrilled to be personally involved as both a parent and volunteer.”
Cub Scouts offers a welcoming, structured environment where children can try new things, make friends and grow in confidence. While outdoor activities like camping and hiking remain cornerstones, leaders stress that Scouting is also about building life skills–teamwork, empathy, problem-solving and perseverance.
Over the past year, local Scouts have made a significant community impact. They delivered 1,874 pounds of food to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank through the “Scouting for Food” drive, and they helped collect, load and ship more than 120,000 pounds of emergency supplies to families affected by hurricanes.
On Memorial Day, Scouts decorated 58,500 veterans’ graves across the region with American flags. And along the path to Eagle Scout, young people contributed nearly 9,750 hours of community service.
In total, 58 Scouts–six of them girls–earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the past year. Girls now represent nearly a quarter of the Cherokee Area Council’s youth membership, reflecting the organization’s continued growth and inclusivity.
Pickens said he understands how difficult it can be for families to balance school, sports and extracurricular activities. To help, the council offers flexible programming that fits into busy schedules.
Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, has expanded its programs in recent years to include both boys and girls. Since 2018, Cub Scouts has welcomed girls, and in 2019, the Scouts BSA program allowed girls to pursue the prestigious Eagle Scout rank.
The Cherokee Area Council, which serves 11 counties across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, has a long history of inclusion and leadership. In 1927, James L. Jenkins became the first Black professional Scouter in Chattanooga, organizing troops for Black youth and later leading Black Scouts from across the South at the first National Jamboree in Washington, D.C. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of Scouts.
“Each new adventure begins with thrilling, uncertain first steps–moments that ignite a lifelong journey of learning, leadership and resilience,” said Roger Krone, president and CEO of Scouting America. “Through Cub Scouts, young people discover the courage and skills to tackle every challenge with confidence.”
For more information or to get involved, visit www.BeAScout.org.