Teen’s death not first at Newton Boy Scout camp

The Newton County campground where a 14-year-old died during Boy Scout camp is the same place where a father and son perished several years ago.

On Monday, a Texas teenager was killed when a powerful storm toppled a tree onto his tent at Bert Adams Scout Camp, near Covington, according to investigators. Elijah Knight’s death was ruled accidental.

In March 1999, a Cobb County father and his 7-yearold son died during a Cub Scout weekend at the campground, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported. Kenneth L. Lang Sr., 34, and Kenneth “K-2” L. Lang Jr. died in their sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning after bringing a grill into their tent for warmth.

“People said K-2 had a cold, so he went to bed early,” the boy’s mother told The AJC after his death. “Kenny stayed up talking to the guys, and when he went to bed later, K-2 was still complaining about being cold. He took the grill in to keep him warm, I guess.” K-2 was an athletic, energetic first-year Cub Scout who didn’t let a severe asthma problem slow him down, his mother said.

Bert Adams Scout Camp, which opened in 1960, was originally founded in 1928 in Vinings, according to the camp’s website. This week is the last of four sessions held at the campground, and camp continued after Elijah Knight’s death, according to a spokeswoman for the Boy Scouts’ Atlanta council.

Grief counselors were available. Scout leaders vowed to assist Elijah’s family while cooperating with the Newton County Sheriff ’s Office.

“As you know, safety is integral to everything we do, and we place great importance on prevention and preparedness to create the most secure environment possible for our Scouts,” the Boy Scouts said in an emailed statement. “We will continue to work with our leaders to take every precaution possible to remain safe during inclement weather.”

In May 2017, a Cobb County teenager was killed when a tree fell on her while on a camping trip in Bartow County. Joelle Dalgleish, 16, was a student at Harrison High School.

1999 AJC FILE A father and son died at this campsite at the Bert Adams Scout Camp near Covington on March 28, 1999, from carbon dioxide poisoning in their tent.