GSMC Popcorn Warehouse

First founded as the Knox County Council of the Boy Scouts of America in 1915, today’s Great Smoky Mountain Council serves more than 8,500 young people annually across 21 counties, creating a resounding positive impact on East Tennessee.

Registered and trained adult volunteers work with 192 Cub Scout Packs, Scout BSA Troops, Venturing Crews, Sea Scouting Ships and Explorer Posts chartered to neighborhood churches, community organizations, and civic clubs, preparing our youth to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of Scout Oath and Law.

In 2025, minority youth and adult volunteers made up 17% of the council’s membership. Females make up 23% of our membership. And low costs — combined with a variety of assistance options — mean no one misses out on Scouting for financial reasons.

The council’s two camps — Camp Buck Toms on Watts Bar Lake in Roane County and Camp Pellissippi on Norris Lake in Anderson County — stay busy year-round. Many of the council’s Scouts attend a week-long summer camp or high adventure experience.