In the late 1950’s, the Sheriffs of Georgia became concerned about the growing problem of neglected, abused and abandoned children of their State.  They felt a secure home for these innocent children was needed. 

Their purpose was accomplished when the Georgia Sheriffs Boys Ranch, located near Hahira, Ga., opened in 1960.  Some years later, with the merger of the Boys Ranch and Cherokee Boys Estate, Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes was developed.  Cherokee Boys Estate, located in Dalton became a full-time residential facility for girls and was renamed Cherokee Girls Estate.  In the 1990’s, Youth Homes opened two more residential childcare programs, Pineland located in LaGrange and Herrington Homestead near Swainsboro, both provide full-time residential care for boys.  A fifth campus, MountainView, is being opened in 2006 in Chatsworth.

The Youth Homes has a camping program, Camp Pioneer, in LaGrange.  This camp offers a summer camp program to children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy the experience and is located on the Pineland Campus.