From the first meeting in 1910 through the ravages of World War I, Scouting's first decade set the foundational tone for the city's organization. The new organization faced an identity crisis: Would it be a para-military organization or a service organization? How can Scouting control juvenile delinquency in the city? How can the council own and operate its own Scout camp? The group persevered through early adversity to find a home in Chattanooga.
1920-1929
The 1920s were a period of growth for Chattanooga Scouting. Boys advanced through the ranks, awards were presented, and the council purchased its second long-term camp property. The era was marked by Scouts' civic service, a visit by Dan Beard, community engagement, and delegations to two World Jamborees. The decade gave Scouting a firm footing in Chattanooga, building to greater successes in the future.
1930-1939
Chattanooga Scouting flourished in the 1930s. The council enjoyed close relations with the city government, prompting the Scouts to serve in prominent roles at the 1934 United Confederate Veterans reunion and for many years in "Boys Week" in which Boy Scouts shadowed city officials on the job. The council held an extravagant Scout Expo in the 1935, and while a polio pandemic later the same year cancelled the 1935 National Scout Jamboree, the council sent a contingent to the first National Scout Jamboree in 1937. Boys camped at Camp Tsatanugi, Camp Ramsey Norris, Camp Davis, Camp O'Neal, and Camp Rolling Stone.
1940-1949
The '40s were dominated by World War II and its aftermath. Chattanooga Scouting carried on, but naturally the war effort took a toll on the availability of volunteer adult leadership. Chattanooga made an unsuccessful attempt at having an Order of the Arrow program in 1945, the same year that Charles Peacock ended his 15-year term at Scout Executive. The council began to outgrow Camp Tsatanugi and started turning its sights to another site for summer camp.
1950-1959
The 1950s were a period of change for the nation. With the Great Depression fading from recent memory and World War II in the rear-view mirror, the decade began with the nation's involvement in the Korean War and signaled the introduction of the consumer revolution. In Chattanooga, Scouting thrived. The Council launched a new camp on Lake Ocoee, named Camp Cherokee, and the council enjoyed stability under the leadership of Scout Executive Charles Cook.
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1960-1969
The 1960s represented a period of continued growth for the organization nationwide, with each year enrolling more Scouts than the previous year. Scouts celebrated the organization's 50th anniversary in 1960 and attended the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh National Scout Jamborees in 1960, 1964, and 1969, respectively. The Webelos program was launched in September 1967. Locally, Scouting hummed along with strong district events and the purchase of Skymont Scout Reservation.
1970-1979
The 1970s were a transformational decade for Scouting. Nationally, membership peaked in the early 1970s, while a membership inflation scandal rocked the organization locally. Meanwhile, the Council prepared Skymont for its inaugural summer in 1973 and continued developing the camp and other programs throughout the decade.