Walton HS Winter Guard reaches finals of world championships

Walton Winter Guard reaches world championships finals

The Walton High School Winter Guard team recently competed in the finals of the Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, Ohio.

Thanks to Christopher Johns, Walton’s associate band director, for the information and the photos.

The WGI is a competition for color guard teams that in Walton’s category included more than 140 teams. The Walton students were among 20 groups to reach the finals in the Scholastic A Class, and the only team from Georgia to get that far, finishing in 13th place.

The Walton Winter Guard, which is a part of the Walton Band program, finished the season prior to that undefeated and was named the Scholastic National A Champions in the Southern Association for Performing Arts competition circuit.

The Walton Winter Guard is led by coach Scott Beck and staff members Jordan Casey, Jenn Cunningham, Stephanie Stewart, Adam Sage, and Michael James.

Team members include Laylah Gaines, Abigail Martin-Hoster, Sarah Musau, Emily Balado, Jordyn Sewell, Hailey Klim, Rowen Black, Victoria Markey, Katherine Parfenov, Olivia Reilly, Quinn Reilly, Madeleine Hodges, Misora Furuya, Olivia Nice and Lejla Hadzic.

Walton Winter Guard reaches world championships finals

Walton Winter Guard reaches world championships finals

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Human trafficking forum scheduled for East Cobb Middle School

The Marietta-Roswell chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. is organizing a human trafficking forum Jan. 28 at East Cobb Middle School ((825 Terrell Mill Road).

“An Eye-Opening Experience on Human Trafficking” takes place during Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and the forum will include a simulation experience, a panel discussion that includes the Cobb Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit and youth creating awareness posters.

The forum is next Saturday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and you can register by clicking here.

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American Heritage, Trail Life youth groups form in East Cobb

East Cobb Trail Life American Heritage yputh programs to form

Reader Steve Kleinreichert sends word of two national youth programs that are faith-based alternatives to scouting that will be forming local chapters in East Cobb.

There’s a Feb. 7 organizational meeting for American Heritage Girls and Trail Life USA on Feb. 7 at the Marietta Alliance Church (1787 E. Piedmont Road) starting at 7 p.m.

The program works in tandem but are separated by sex and are for youth between the ages of 5-18. The twin organizations, Kleinreichert tells us in a message, are “tasked with helping to raise Godly kids through adulthood.”

Trail Life USA began in 2013, after the Boy Scouts of America allowed gay youth to join.

American Heritage Girls was formed in 1995 and partnered with the Boy Scouts until membership in the latter was opened to girls. AHG eventually teamed up with Trail Life USA.

For information on the Feb. 7 meeting in East Cobb contact stevekleinrichert@yahoo.com.

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East Cobb students nominated for military service academies

Seven students from high schools in East Cobb have been nominated by U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath for appointments to military service academies for the Class of 2023.

East Cobb students military academy nominations
Luke O’Malley of Lassiter HS has been nominated for the Air Force and Merchant Marine academies

The process culminates with acceptance by the academies for formal appointments starting in the fall of 2023.

According to a release from McBath’s office, 30 students from the 6th Congressional District received nominations.

“Once again, I am impressed by the desire to serve demonstrated by these young people,” she said in the release. “These nominees and their families should be exceedingly proud of this accomplishment, and I wish each of them the best as they move on to the next step of this fiercely competitive process.” 

The East Cobb students include the following:

  • Amit Balaji, Lassiter High School, U.S. Military Academy
  • Jacob Siler, Walton High School, U.S. Military Academy
  • Hannah Ograbisz, Walton High School, U.S. Naval Academy
  • Noah Senzer, Sprayberry High School, U.S. Naval Academy
  • Andrew Sinclair, Wheeler High School, U.S. Naval Academy
  • Grace Hoyte, Walton High School, U.S. Air Force Academy
  • Luke O’Malley, Lassiter High School, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

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Wheeler graduate starts initiative to address teen mental health

Wheeler graduate mental health initiative
Zac Adkins, second from left, with Wheeler students on a “One Percent Harder” day at the school.

A Wheeler High School graduate who started a club at the school to address the health issues of his fellow teams is expanding his cause.

Zac Adkins played varsity football and soccer for the Wildcats and earned 3.944 grade-point honors.

Now a student at Berry College, Adkins last year launched One Percent Harder, a merchandise business that’s meant to encourage young people to fostering open communication about mental and physical health among teens.

He started wearing his merchandise to school and shared his story with students, athletes and his church youth group. On Wednesdays, some Wheeler students got into the habit of wearing One Percent Gear to school, and the school’s highly ranked boys basketball team donned the outfits while warming up during a state playoff game.

The club was suggested by Wheeler principal Paul Gillihan, and it’s an accountability group that discusses a specific topic and challenges participants to set goals and “work one percent harder each day to achieve them.”

Currently One Percent Harder is raising funds for a professional mental health counseling at Wheeler, with an initial goal of $50,000.

Adkins is donating 10 percent of his merchandise proceeds to the fund, which will go to providing counseling services to any Wheeler student who needs one.

Tax-deductible donations can be made directly the Wheeler ABC Foundation donate page or people can buy merchandise at onepercentharder.com.

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That Peach Mommy’s tips for supporting your preschooler at home

That Peach Mommy's preschooler tips

During the holiday season, East Cobb News contributor Tamar Levy has offered up some of her ideas for shopping small to support local businesses and family-oriented activities at home and out in the community.

In her final installment, she’s got some ideas to help parents as the holiday season turns into a new year. As the mother of two small children herself, she writes from experience as she engages them in early learning activities.

As we close out 2022 and look ahead to 2023, East Cobb News will be adding more freelancers to help us cover more of the news you’ve come to expect from our community’s only all-online news and business promotion outlet.

By Tamar Levy

As we approach 2023, parents begin to reflect on the past year and start to make goals for the upcoming year for their families. Maybe that’s to go on a family vacation, spend more quality time together, or even start to think about how they can support their child’s learning at home.That Peach Mommy preschooler tips

If you’re a parent and you’re thinking about the latter, I am here to give you some ideas. As a former teacher and reading specialist and a mom of two, I believe there are always ways (even small!) to support your child’s learning at home.

  1. If you don’t have a library card already, now is the time to get one. The East Cobb Library has a wonderful children’s section and is the perfect place for your family to discover new titles. It is a way to encourage independent reading and to spark new interest for books at home. They also offer various story times and activities for your family to enjoy.
  2. Connect your child’s interest with learning at home. For example, does your child like the TV show, Paw Patrol? Use your Paw Patrol toys at home to practice the beginning sounds of letters. Or hide the toys around the house and encourage your child to count them as he or she finds them. Learning and play can go hand in hand, and you can use what you have in your home to support that.
  3. When purchasing alphabet materials, make sure they practice the letter sounds and not just the letters. There are several puzzles that have pictures of the letter sounds when matching the letters. These are a great fit for a child learning or practicing letter sounds.
  4. Place books everywhere. Reading isn’t just for bedtime. It can be for the car ride to school, the bathroom, getting cozy on the couch, or you can even create a reading corner for your child at home.
  5. Use educational experts as a resource. Ask your child’s teacher how you can support your child’s learning at home. There are also several experts online that share activity ideas to support your child’s development as well.

If you have Instagram, my own platform can support your family daily. Check out @that_peachmommy for more ways to support your young learner at home. Navigating parenthood is challenging and I am here to help you with that.

 

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Wheeler HS student elected president of Georgia 4-H

Venya Guptal, Wheeler student, Georgia 4-H president
Photo: Cobb County School District

Venya Gunjal, a junior at Wheeler High School, was recently elected State President of Georgia 4-H at the State 4-H Council in Eatonton.

She will lead more than 200,000 students in Georgia 4-H, which is a youth development program that conducts projects in health, agriculture, science, civic engagement and public speaking with the aim of helping students acquire life skills.

As a representative of Georgia 4-H, Gunjal will be speaking at State 4-H Congress, State 4-H Council, 4-H Day at the Capitol, and Fall Forum. She has attended the State Officer Training to prepare for this role, where she met the Dean and President of the University of Georgia.

“Serving as a State 4-H Officer will help me touch the lives of so many more of my peers in a positive way. I’ve seen the work that past State Boards have done, and they’ve all left feeling completely inspired,” she said in a release issued by the Cobb County School District.

“It’s been a dream of mine to serve on the State Board for years. A position on the State Board of Directors will help increase my impact in communities all over the state of Georgia.”

Gunjal, who is enrolled in Wheeler’s magnet program, The Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Math and Technology, has been involved in 4-H since the 5th grade. She is a three-time master 4-Her, Dean’s award in STEM winner, and first place winner at the State Congress level for her presentation in the Environmental Sciences category.

She was honored in 202 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the “Taking the Pulse of the Planet” award recipient and won first place in the public speaking competition at the State 4-H Congress;

Gunjal also was awarded the highest honor given by Georgia 4-H Master 4-Her, and earned the Water Wise Scholarship for water conservation and education within the community.

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Mt. Bethel Church drops charter status with Boy Scouts

Mt. Bethel Church drops Boy Scout charter status

Saturday was to have been the 50th birthday celebration for Boy Scout Troop 1011, which was chartered at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church and has met there ever since.

But the anniversary event was postponed after church leadership decided not to renew its charter with the Boy Scouts of America.

Mt. Bethel Church—renamed after it left the United Methodist Church in a contentious dispute that ended in a court settlement this summer—said the change was being made due to increasing insurance costs.

A spokeswoman for the church said that Mt. Bethel and the troop are working on “a mutual agreement” for the scouts to continue to meet at Mt. Bethel while a new charter organization is brought on board.

“Mt. Bethel and Troop 1011 have a long, fruitful relationship and Mt. Bethel recognizes the value of the troop and acknowledges its history,” Samantha Black said in a statement on behalf of the church. “We have enjoyed a great relationship and the Troop continues to meet on the Mt. Bethel campus.”

The Boy Scouts of America requires troops to be chartered by organizations that must provide insurance for their events and activities.

They’re typically churches and other community organizations that allow troops to meet on their premises.

They also can be third parties. The new chartering organization for Troop 1011 will be the Rotary Club of East Cobb, according to Bob Ott, the troop’s charter representative.

He’s a Mt. Bethel Church member and a former Cobb commissioner who said the timing of the change had nothing to with the church’s new status as an independent church.

“This is totally related to this being the time every year when chartering is done by the Boy Scouts,” he said, adding that he was speaking on behalf of the troop.

Troop 1011, he said, “isn’t being kicked out” and that the charter change will enable the church and the troop to continue “a great partnership.”

Ott said that property and gear belonging to the scouts remain on the Mt. Bethel campus.

East Cobb News has left a message with the Rotary Club of East Cobb seeking comment.

In Mt. Bethel’s legal settlement in Cobb Superior Court, it was required to pay $13.1 million to the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

The dispute centered around the Conference’s reassignment of Rev. Dr. Jody Ray, the senior pastor, in the spring of 2021.

Mt. Bethel is among the Methodist churches that in recent years have expressed theological concerns on a number of issues, including ordaining gay clergy and performing same-sex marriages.

Both are currently banned by the UMC, but that is expected to change.

UMC delegates were to have voted on a set of protocols to allow conservative congregations to leave in 2020, but its global conference has been delayed several times due to COVID-19 restrictions and has been rescheduled for 2024.

In 2013, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church cut ties entirely with the Boy Scouts after the latter began permitting openly gay scouts.

Since then, the Boy Scouts also have accepted openly gay scout leaders.

Ott said the issue of gays in the Boy Scouts had no bearing on Mt. Bethel’s decision not to be Troop 1011’s chartering organization.

Troop 1011’s 50th anniversary celebration, initially set for McFarlane Nature Park on Paper Mill Road, is being postponed until it completes the chartering process with the Rotary Club.

 

 

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Fall break camps slated for The Art Place, Sewell Mill Library

Fall break in the Cobb County School District takes place from Sept. 26-30, and special arts-oriented camps have been scheduled for children during that week.

They include dance camps at The Art Place-Mountain View (3330 Sandy Plains Road) called Get It! Jazz and Hip Hop Dance Camp for children ages 6-10. There’s also the Island Adventure Musical Theater Camp for children ages 6-12. Please register online or call 770-509-2700.

At the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road), there will be a Disney-themed Island Adventure Musical Theater Camp for children ages 5-12.
Register online, in person, or over the phone at 770-509-2711.

 

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East Cobb Girl Scout troops holding informational meetings

The Girls Scouts of Greater Atlanta is conducting informational meetings as a new school year is underway, and several East Cobb-based troops are beginning theirs this week.

Specific information—dates, times and school communities—is included in the flyer below.

The meetings for East Cobb schools will continue through the end of August.

More information about Girl Scout programs in metro Atlanta can be found by clicking here.

East Cobb Girl Scout informational meetings

 

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Youngsters earn trophies at Ebenezer Downs fishing rodeo

Ebenezer Downs fishing rodeo

Cobb PARKS held several fishing rodeos over the summer to give kids a chance to cast a line and see what they can catch.

At each of the rodeos, including Hyde Farm in early July and Ebenezer Downs Park on July 30, trophies were given for youngsters who caught the five biggest fish overall.

District 3 Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell (pictured above at second from left with Cobb PARKS staff) was on hand as the kids got their awards last Saturday:

  • 1st Place: Sean McGinnis
  • 2nd Place: Maximus Patthammayong
  • 3rd Place: Jackson Woodruff
  • 4th Place: Matthew Martinez
  • 5th Place: Landon Perry

Her office provided the info and photos, and gave a big thanks to Cobb PARKS operations staffers Mackie Temple and Brett Alfosin and Keith Weaver and Michael Sellars with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Ebenezer Downs fishing rodeo

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East Cobb Presbyterian Church starts single moms support group

East Cobb Presbyterian Church (4616 Roswell Road) will begin what it’s calling an Embrace Grace support group for single moms beginning August 7. East Cobb Presbyterian Church single moms group

The group is open to all single moms who need encouragement and support, and at the end of the 12-week semester the mothers will be given a Baby Shower Extravaganza.

There is no cost to attend the program and child care will be provided for children up to the age of 4.

Contact Katy Robertson for more information at Katy.Robertson@eastcobbpres.org.

 

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10 East Cobb students appointed to military service academies

Brianna Dempsey, Pope, U.S. Air Force Academy
Brianna Dempsey, Pope

Ten students from East Cobb high schools have received appointments to military service academies for the 2022-2023 academic year.

U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath announced the appointments of the Class of 2026 from the 6th District, which includes East Cobb, North Fulton and some of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.

Students interested in attending the academies are nominated by their member of Congress.

“These talented and driven young people are the future of the United States of America,” McBath said in a release issued by her office.

“I want each family of these service academy appointees to know that I am exceedingly proud of how their children will represent our community as they prepare to serve our nation.”

Many of the East Cobb students heading to service academies played varsity sports in high school.

They include Wheeler’s Zyan Hall, who won a state wrestling championship as a senior, and Bridgette O’Shaughnessy of Lassiter, who competed in swimming and softball.

Pope’s Brianna Dempsey played volleyball and was the president of the Service Club and Honor Society, and Hannah Ograbisz of Walton was a swimmer and graduated from the International Spanish Academy.

U.S. Air Force Academy
Brianna Dempsey, Pope
Greta Hans, Walton
Joseph Stellmach, Pope
Luke Sudul, Pope

Zyan Hall, Wheeler, U.S. Naval Preparatory Academy
Zyan Hall, Wheeler

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Caden Pierce, Lassiter

U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School
Zyan Hall Wheeler

U.S. Naval Academy
Hannah Ograbisz, Walton
Danilo Viciana, Lassiter

U.S. Military Academy
William Greenway, Johnson Ferry Christian Academy
Bridgette O’Shaughnessy Lassiter

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Kell HS student earns $30K ‘For Atlanta’ college scholarship

Kell HS earns For Atlanta scholarship
Kell High School senior Kaelynn Kelly, left, meets singer-songwriter Clairo after an Atlanta concert.

Kaelynn Kelly, a senior at Kell High School, has been awarded a $30,000 college scholarship from the singer-songwriter Clairo.

The base of the “For Atlanta” scholarship was $20,000, and the entertainer added an additional $10,000 with proceeds from merchandise sales at some of her Atlanta performances.

The scholarship was launched with bold.org, which works to reduce student debt, and is open to high school and undergraduate college students from the Atlanta area.

Scholarship applicants were to explain how they’ve overcome obstacles and how Clairo’s music inspired them.

Kelly, who has a twin sister and was was born with cerebral palsy, wrote an essay about her childhood and the physical therapy she still receives, as well as the ankle foot orthosis that she wore for several years:

“Clairo’s song Alewife reminds me and my sister’s relationship. Arelynn was and still is my anchor. In the lyrics, ‘I met you by surprise. You were hangin’ out all the time. But you know you saved me from doin’ something to myself that night.’ It makes me ponder the thought that Arelynn and I were not supposed to be twins and it was a surprise.”

Kelly also was treated to a Clairo concert in Atlanta and back stage visit (photo above).

After graduating from Kell, Kelly is planning to attend Kennesaw State University and study cyber security.

She concluded her essay by saying that physical therapy “is something I will have to do for the rest of my life, and I am okay with that. My cerebral palsy is extremely meaningful to me because it is a part of who I am. My parents helped me understand my potential and assisted me in finding the strength to prove to myself that I am more than just my disorder.”

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East Cobb/NE Cobb YMCAs to hold Healthy Kids Day festival

The McCleskey Family-East Cobb YMCA (1055 East Piedmont Road) and the Northeast Cobb YMCA (3010 Johnson Ferry Road) are taking part in the Healthy Kids Day Saturday.East Cobb YMCA Healthy Kids Day

The hours for the festival are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at both locations. Activities include live DJ music, family yoga and Zumba demonstrations, water and swimming safety demonstrations, inflatables and obstacle courses, healthy refreshments and more.

At the McCleskey-East Cobb branch, there will be a grand opening of its Greenfields outdoor exercise area at 12 noon.

Admission is free, and the YMCAs also will be marking their own Community Day events with free access to facilities.

Members who join by Saturday will have their signup fee waived.

The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is partnering with Publix Super Markets Charities.

For more information about Healthy Kids Day, click here.

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Cobb library branches to hold teen/young adult job fairs

Cobb libraries teen job fair

Submitted by the Cobb County Public Library System:

Two Job Fair 2022 events for teens and young adults are on the April calendar of Cobb County Public Library.

Job Fairs are scheduled for Switzer Library, 266 Roswell Street in downtown Marietta, on April 9 and North Cobb Regional Library, 3535 Old 41 Highway, located near North Cobb High School, on April 23. Both Saturday events will be from noon to 3 p.m.

Jobseekers, ages 16-22, are asked to bring printed resumes to share with employers. The events are also for businesses seeking motivated full- and part-time employees. Employers may contact a library representative at the Cobb library location nearest their job locations for more information on participating.

For information and resources on preparing for a job search and for updates on the springtime Cobb Library Teen/Young Adult Job Fairs, including lists of confirmed participating employers, visit cobbcat.org.

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Cobb Youth Leadership accepting applications for 2022-23 class

Submitted information from the Cobb Chamber of Commerce:Cobb Chamber of Commerce

The Cobb Youth Leadership (CYL), a development program sponsored by the Leadership Cobb Alumni Association and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta that focuses on developing leadership skills through interactive participation, is seeking applications for members of its 2022-2023 class.

Created in 1989, the program provides students a unique opportunity to learn about their community as well as meet and interact with students from other high schools. Students attending public or private high schools or home-school students in Cobb County must complete and submit an application for CYL in the spring of their sophomore year. Applications are reviewed by the CYL Steering Committee and approximately 55 students are chosen for the class. Students participate in the program during their junior year of high school.          

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022-2023 class. Students may complete the online form at www.cobbchamber.org/cyl. All applications must be submitted by Friday, April 15, 2022.

For more information about Cobb Youth Leadership, contact Katie Guice at (770) 859-2334 or kguice@cobbchamber.org.

 

 

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Mountain View Library holding ‘Noon Year’s Eve Eve’ party for kids

Submitted information by the Cobb County Public Library System:Mountain View Library Noon Year's Eve Eve Party

Children will celebrate the start of 2022 early with kid-friendly special events on Thursday at Cobb County libraries.

The “Noon Year’s Eve Eve” party at Mountain View Regional Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, starts at 11:30 am December 30. The event is for children age 10 and younger with a participating adult. Registration is required. For more information, visit cobbcat.org or call 770-509-2725.

“Vinings Noon Year’s Eve” at Vinings Library, 4290 Paces Ferry Road, begins at 11 am Thursday. For information, call the library’s Children’s Department at 770-801-5308.

Cobb County Public Libraries will be closed Friday, December 31 and Saturday, January 1, 2022 in honor of New Year’s Day. Normal hours will resume on Monday, January 3, 2022. CCPL digital resources are available every day of the year. Visit the Research and Digital page to find eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, comics, newspapers, streaming video and hundreds of other databases and resources covering dozens of topics.

 

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Walton High School students receive $5K grant from United Way

East Cobb student tutors blood drive

Submitted information:

Through the SPARK Prize competition, United Way funds small grants to innovative projects to address homelessness in Cobb, Cherokee, Douglas & Paulding. We are excited to announce that American Assimilation Helpline  leaderrs Abhishek Kona, Abhinav Kona and Elly Kang were awarded $5,000! This grant will be going towards our Learning Labs for low-income students, making access to technology much more widespread!

AAH! is an educational global nonprofit organization led by three high school students – Abhishek Kona and Abhinav Kona, seniors at Walton High School, and Elly Kang, a junior at Marist School. It is dedicated to provide free, virtual, and personalized one-on-one tutoring for core academic subjects and computer science for low-income, immigrant, refugee, and homeless students weekly. Its mission is focused on creating equal opportunities for those marginalized in STEM and reducing the wealth and gender gap. AAH! has also been hosting events to address other key issues such as distributing laptops, blood drives with the American Red Cross, health workshops such as CPR training, initiatives fighting against breast cancer, donating school supply drives, helping homeless children, and the Keep Cobb Beautiful Adopt-A-Mile program.

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East Cobb Cub scouts camp under the stars at McFarlane Park

Cub scouts McFarlane Park

Submitted information and photos:

Cub Scouts is a program that brings families together to learn new things and accomplish fun challenges. Pack 797, chartered to St. Peter and St. Paul Episcopal Church on Johnson Ferry Road, serves over 100 elementary-aged children from East Cobb. 

On Saturday, September 11, 98 Scouts and parents gathered for their first campout of the year held right in East Cobb at McFarlane Park. The “Movie Under the Stars” Campout was designed for families to have fun, get to know each other, and for new campers to experience camping close to home. Families arrived at 5:00 PM to set-up their tents, enjoyed hot dogs from the grill, a moving campfire with a 9/11 moment of silence, watched a movie under the stars, and slept comfortably in their tents overnight.

Sometimes it is hard for parents to see how much value Scouting can bring to their family, especially if it is all new to them. The outdoor component of the program can be intimidating for some, and while Cub Scouts is designed to introduce families to the outdoors, children gain much more benefit from the program than just an appreciation of nature and how to be prepared in all elements. Scouting introduces children to countless skills and experiences, brings families closer together, and ultimately builds children into values-based leaders. Pack 797’s Campout was a terrific first experience for many of the new Cub Scout families and a great kick-off to the fall for the returning Scouts as well.

McFarlane Nature Park was a terrific host located off of Paper Mill Road on Farm Road.  It’s 11.5 acres was once the centerpiece of extensive agricultural acreage owned by the late Atlanta attorney Hughes Spalding, Sr. William and Florence McFarlane bought the property in 1958. When Florence McFarlane died in 1990, she willed her land to the community. The Park has been a terrific and appreciated resource for Pack 797 and other Scouting groups in the area.  

Packs and Troops in Marietta are welcoming new Scouts throughout the fall. If you are interested in learning more about joining Cub Scouts or Scouts BSA, visit www.AtlantaBSA.org/Join

Cub scouts McFarlane Park

Cub scouts McFarlane Park

Cub scouts McFarlane Park

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