With a couple of anniversaries to celebrate, Boy Scouts served up dishes of peach cobbler cooked in kettles over a fire and showcased other skills Sunday at First Baptist Church on Green Street.
Troop 26 also participated in services at the church, where they and other Scouts were recognized as part of the Boy Scouts of America’s centennial. The troop, which meets in a hut behind the church, also is observing its 75th year.
“There’s a lot to honor today, because these young men before us are taking very seriously the code of Scouting,” said Bill Coates Jr., the church’s senior pastor.
“It’s an honor for us to be here with you today, and we’re glad you have shown up this morning to lead us in worship. May God give you all good things in days to come.”
The national organization was founded 100 years ago today, patterning itself after a worldwide Scouting movement that began with an encampment in England.
Boy Scouts have had some 110 million members over its history.
The principles of Scouting are even more important today, said Trevor Hooper, assistant scoutmaster, to the congregation Sunday morning.
“Scouting builds character, teaches life skills and allows them to build self-confidence,” he said. “Duty to God and country, duty to others and duty to self (are) the four ideals upon which the Scout movement was founded in 1910.”
Scouts opened up Sunday’s service with a processional of flags to the altar.
The troop stayed through the service seated in three rows, wearing the traditional uniform of a khaki, button-up shirt and olive green pants. Scouts also wore a round patch marking the centennial.
During the service, Hooper gave a brief history of the troop and talked about plans to honor the troop’s 272 Eagle Scouts, including the first one from 1942.
“Eagle Scout is the highest rank a boy can achieve in Scouting,” he said. “Only 2 percent of all Scouts will reach this lofty goal.
“... I can vividly remember 28 years ago in this sanctuary my mother pinning my badge on my chest.”
Coates also recognized a couple of Scouts with a few generations between them.
Matthew Smith, the younger of the two, told the church he enjoyed Scouts because “I get to go camping on a regular basis” and take part in other outdoor activities.
“Just enjoying life,” he added.
Eddie Chambers, who became a Scout in 1943 under legendary Scoutmaster Gene Bobo, said, “It’s one of the best experiences I ever had.”
He talked about the troop attending a University of Georgia football game, spending a day picking cotton and the challenges involved in getting a canoeing merit badge.
“You Scouts have a lot to look forward to,” Chambers said.