Scrap Book

The "Land of High Adventure" . . . . Bert Adams Boy Scout Reservation . . . . was dedicated Sunday Afternoon with the stated purpose "that boys may be trained in scoutcraft; schooled in the habits of regularity, orderliness and self-reliance; taught the ideals of Loyalty and patriotism and kindred virtues; and grounded in the principles of true American citizenship."

Boy Scouts now have a wilderness retreat on the 1490 acre reservation located eight miles south of Covington on Jackson Highway in Newton County.

Wild game, fish and other forms of wildlife are plentiful and undisturbed much the same as they were  hundreds of years ago when the Creek Indians use this area as their hunting grounds. Although the years have passed, this terrain is still wild and nature display her beautiful coat for a new generation to enjoy.

Built at a cost of $1,400,000, the Bert Adams Boy Scout Reservation is one of the fine epics in the civic history of the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scout of America. It is the story of the response of the people of the 12 counties (Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Haralson, Newton, Paulding, Pickens and Rockdale) to the financial requirements that had to be met in order to provide a modern camping facility for their Boy Scouts.

"These contributions were made in the sprit of unselfishness and dedication to the needs of good camping facilities for the young boys - next to be the young men of this area," Mayor and Scouter Ivan Allen Jr., of Atlanta said in his dedication speech.

Scouter Allen's efforts are largely responsible of the building of the new Boy Scout Reservation. He served as co-chairman along with William C. Wardlaw, Jr.,  of the camp development committee which raised the money needed for the purchase and construction of the camp.

Other men who served on the development committee were: John C. Stanton, H. Fletcher Brown, Grant Horneffer, Thomas T. flagler, Jr.,  John H. Lander, John H. Stembler, E. K. Jamison, and O. B. "Country" Gorman.

The official opening for the Bert Adams Reservation was on July 2, 1961. Two camps - Camp Emerson and Camp Gorman - both of which ere larger than the old Bert Adams Camp located between Atlanta and Marietta, were put into operation at that time for a six week period of scout camping.

During the first summer of camping the scout really "roughed it" because many of the buildings had not been completed. Worst of all, the dining hall had not been finished and scout officials had to call upon the 3rd Army Headquarters to come to their aid in feeding the hungry campers.

But this year things are somewhat different. the reservation how has 12 permanent buildings including a dining hall that seats 600. Two permanent year-round camps are in operation. Camp Gorman and Camp Emerson have 23 buildings and a swimming pool each. The 60 acre Lake Bulow Campbell is used to teach rowing, canoeing and for fishing.

The Bert Adams Boy Scout Reservation bears the name of Albert S. "Bert" Adams who was one of the great pioneers in Atlanta Area Scouting. From 1916, when he first became interested in Scouting, he gave unselfishly his time and resources and served the Scouting Movement faithfully until his death in 1926. He was the second president of the Atlanta Area Council, serving from 1922 until 1926, and was chairman of the committee that established the original council camp that also bore his name.

Boy Scout Gary Ingemanson, speaking on  behalf of all the Boy Scouts of  the Atlanta Area Council, followed Scouter Ivan Allen on the program and made the camp acceptance speech.

Scouts will little not nor long remember what we say here today," Scout Ingemanson said, " but they cannot help but remember with deep appreciation what has been done here through the efforts of the great men such as Scouter Allen and Camp Development fund raising committee. This camp is a monument to the adults' rededication of the faith in youth, and the desire to rear good citizens for America.

"I am convinced that all of those who gave many hours of their valuable time to the camp development fund raising campaign and those who made contributions did so because of their firm belief in the scouting slogan "Strengthen America - Character Counts',"  Scout Ingemason told the 1,500 people gathered for the dedication ceremony.

The Rev. Edgar A. Callaway, pastor of the first Baptist Church, Covington, gave the invocation after which a scout "honor guard" raised the new camp flag, formally flown over the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

E.K. Jamison, president of the Atlanta Area Council, welcomed the Scouts, parents and friends to the new reservation. John H. Stembler, immediate past president of the council made the introduction of special guests.

After the dedication prayer and benediction by the Rev Frank Ross, Rector, All Saints Episcopal Church, Atlanta, a bus tour of the reservation was made.