Boy Scouts, church celebrate 100 years together

When Scoutmaster David Hester walks the grounds of Marietta First United Methodist Church, he’s proud.

“It really is quite an accomplishment,” David said.

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Hester leads a group that has a very long tradition here.

“The church believes in it,” First United’s Bryan Stephens said. They chartered the first Boy Scout troop 100 years ago, one of the first in Georgia. Thousands of scouts have come through here over that time, including Bryan.

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“I fully expect scouting to last another 100 years ... and right here,” Bryan said.

Proof of the troop’s hard work is all around. Many of the members became Eagle Scouts after completing projects on the church campus. They’ve built benches, prayer stations and a bin for retired American flags. Hester says it requires a lot of time and commitment, but there’s still room for camping and sailing.

“I wouldn’t trade my scouting experience for anything in the world,” the scoutmaster said.

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