Scouting in Michigan

Michigan Eagle Scouts in 1929, including President Gerald Ford at age 16

Scouting in Michigan has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.

Early history (1910-1950)

The YMCA in Michigan was organizing Scout troops based on Scouting for Boys as early as 1909.

The Michigan Forest Scouts were formed by the State of Michigan in 1911 cresting at 5,000 members and ending in 1916. This group was formed in response to a number of late 19th Century and early 20th Century forest fire and were effectively "auxiliary fire wardens".

In 1914, St. Stanislaus Boy Scout Troop No. 1 obtained its charter as the first organized troop in Bay City Michigan and the first admitted to the Bay City Council(chartered in 1917). Scout activities had been going on for several years prior to this. Father Ladislaus P. Krakowski, pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka, and his assistant Father Frank Kozak encouraged the official link, per the St. Stanislaus Kostka Church Centennial 1874-1974 book of 1974.

In 1933, the National Order of the Arrow Lodge Meeting was held at the Owasippe Scout Camps outside Whitehall, Michigan.

In the 1950, the Gerber baby food company donated Camp Gerber (now of the Gerald R. Ford Council) to the Boy Scouts of America.

Recent history (1950-1990)

The Bass Lake lone troop Scout camp was part of the Owasippe Scout Reservation operated by the Chicago Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The Bass Lake camp was a single camp on a small (approximately 600 feet (180 m) wide) lake in the Owasippe reservation. A single troop would take over the entire camp, usually for a two week period, preparing all their own food and overseeing all aspects of the camp life. Active in the 1950s and 1960s, Bass Lake camp is no longer in use.

International Girl Scouts of the USA gatherings named Senior Roundups were held every three years from 1956 until 1965. The first one was held at Milford, Michigan in 1956, attended by 5,000 girls.

Scouting in Michigan today

The 2006 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) was held at Michigan State University in East Lansing. The host lodge was Gabe-shi-win-gi-ji-kens Lodge #374. 8,003 Arrowmen from around the country came by plane, train, and bus to participate in the Order's largest NOAC. Over 600 people from the state of Michigan were present during the 5 day scorcher that was.

Central Region Area 2

The 10 BSA Councils of Michigan as of 2011

All 10 Michigan Councils Councils, along with a council in Ohio, constitute Area 2 of the Central Region of the Boy Scouts of America. The Area is split into two sections for the Order of the Arrow, Section C-2A and Section C-2B.

Area 2 is the only geographic area where population declined during the 2010 census, with a corresponding loss in youth members. In October 2010, the "Area Project" was launched to develop a sustainable origination for the 21st century. The recommended plan includes merging more councils, creating an area wide high adventure camp, and the possible selling of other scouting facilities. There are a number of issues the area project fails to address, and has been a controversial subject for many.

Beginning in 2012, the 11 Michigan BSA Councils will be consolidated into four Field Service Councils. The Councils will include the Current Great Lakes Council in Metro Detroit; a council serving Western and Northern Michigan; a council serving Mid-Michigan; and a council serving Southern Michigan.

Boy Scouts of America local councils in Michigan

Bay-Lakes Council

Main article: Scouting in Wisconsin

The Bay-Lakes Council is headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, and also serves Scouts in Michigan.

Blue Water Council

Main article: Blue Water Council

The Blue Water Council is headquartered in Port Huron, Michigan, and serves St. Clair County, Michigan and Sanilac County, Michigan in The Thumb of Michigan [1]. The Blue Water council's Order of the Arrow lodge is the Chickagami Lodge 180. Blue Water Council is the smallest council in the nation. Chickagami Lodge 180 is Blue Water Council's Order of the Arrow lodge. The Council operates Silver Trails Scout Reservation in Jeddo, Michigan.

Chief Okemos Council

Districts

• The Mawanjidiwin District serves Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, Grand Ledge, Vermontville, Potterville, Pewamo-Westphalia, Holt, Portland and Olivet.
• The Migisins District serves the Lansing School District (north of Michigan Ave. only), Bath, DeWitt, Eureka, Fowler, Maple Rapids, Ovid, Elsie, St. Johns and Waverly School District.
• The Ojibwas District serves the Lansing School District (south of Michigan Ave. only), East Lansing, Mason, Dansville, Leslie, Stockbridge, Okemos, Haslett and Williamston.

Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens Lodge 374

• Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens, OA Lodge 374, is based in the Chief Okemos Council of central Michigan. The lodge was chartered in 1948, and had 301 members in 2004. Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens means "Camp on the Little Cedar", and the lodge totem is the cedar tree. Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens also has annual dues of 8 dollars, 2 dollars lower than Chickagami Lodge 180 which has the lowest lodge dues in the Central Region

• In 2003 Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens won its first National Service Award for the OA Chapel project[2]

• In 2005 Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens won its second National Service Award for the OA Adirondack Village project[3]

• Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens was the host lodge of the 2006 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) held at Michigan State University and has won the NOAC Spirit Award 3 times, and the National Service award twice.

• Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens is home to the 2008 national vice chief Ben Stilwill

• In 2008 Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens won its third National Service Award for its Campfire Bowl Bowl project[4]

• In 2010 Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens rechartered for its 10th consecutive year as a Quality Lodge

• In 2012 Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens will host the 2012 National Order of the Arrow Conference at Michigan State University

Properties

• Camp Kiwanis is located 3.5 miles (5.6 km) east of Mason, Michigan on M-36 at Diamond Road. The camp contains 85 acres (340,000 m²), 55 acres (220,000 m²) of which are wooded. Camp Kiwanis is open year-round for camping, hiking, sledding and outdoor fun. Camp facilities can sleep 107 people indoors, or 300 outdoors. Camp Kiwanis was previously owned by the Lansing Kiwanis Club and used as a fresh air camp for tubercular children. It was donated June 8, 1939 to the Chief Okemos Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The camp was also used for several years by the Volunteers of America and the Salvation Army for children and their mothers.
• Northwoods Scout Reservation is located near West Branch in Ogemaw County, Michigan. The camp consists of 840 acres (3.4 km²) of northern hardwood forest, wetlands and Lake Arrowhead, a 90-acre (360,000 m²) private lake. 618 of the 840 is used as the main scout camp, the remaining 24 acres (0.1 km²) is a family camp; where families can stay when their kids are at camp. Part of Big Williams Lake is also on camp property. Facilities range from rustic campsites on the south side of the lake to the heated log cabin overlooking Lake Arrowhead. Chief Okemos Council purchased Northwoods Scout Reservation in 1962. It was formerly the Kenyon Ranch, with the only structure on the property a horse barn, which is now a garage at the ranger’s house. The roads, campsites, cabins for staff and family camp, Log Cabin, Meijer Lodge, Administration Building, Memorial Building and program structures were added over the years. The camp has two unofficial Mascots; one is a loon, the other is a very large snapping turtle nicknamed Bowser. Once every four years, contingents of Scouts, both all-boys and mixed boys and girls, from over 20 countries all around the world, gather at Northwoods for 8 days of international friendship and fellowship at the Chief Okemos Council’s Michigan International Camporee, the largest council-run multinational Scouting event in North America.

Great Lakes Council

Main article: Great Lakes Council (Boy Scouts of America)

The Great Lakes Council, BSA supports Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties in Southeastern Michigan.

On August 4, 2009, The Great Lakes Council (temporarily called the New Michigan Council until November 10) was formed from the merger of Clinton Valley Council and Detroit Area Council.

Gerald R. Ford Council

Main article: Gerald R. Ford Council

Gerald R. Ford Council was formed by the merger of Timber Trails Council and Grand Valley Council in 1975, and was originally known as West Michigan Shores Council until 1995.[5]

Great Sauk Trail Council

Main article: Great Sauk Trail Council

The Great Sauk Trail Council [6] serves Livingston County, Washtenaw County, Jackson County, Lenawee County, Hillsdale County, Monroe County, Eastern Calhoun County, and the city of Flat Rock.

Hiawathaland Council

Hiawathaland Council serves Scouts in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Ag-Im Lodge 156

Ag-Im lodge was founded in 1945 when the Hiawathaland Council was founded. Three lodges merged to form Ag-Im, these were: North Woods Circle Lodge #156, Copper Country Council: Ottawa Lodge #198, Iron Range Council: Minnewasca Lodge #250, Red Buck Council. Ag-Im lodge is located at Camp Hiawatha, three of its four yearly events take place at camp these being Spring Conclave, Fall Conclave, and Winter Fun.

Districts

• Chippewa District
• Copper Country District
• Pere Marquette District
• Red Buck District
• Menominee/Iron Range District

For Red Buck District information go to: http://redbuckdistrict.clubspaces.com/

Properties

Camp Hiawatha was opened in 1967 on property formally known as Wolfe's Lodge. There were several small cabins and a larger lodge on the "family side" and little else. The "camp side" was nothing but trees, brush and ferns as tall at the campers. The first campers that summer faced a real challenge. No electricity, telephones, running water and very little shelter.

Today Camp Hiawatha is 800 acres (3.2 km²) and encircles Bunting Lake, a 60-acre (240,000 m²) lake in the middle of Hiawathaland National Forest in the heart of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The closest towns are Chatham and Munising, Michigan. But the only noises that campers hear are the resident loons, whispering pines and the laughter of Boy Scouts.

La Salle Council

Main article: Scouting in Indiana

La Salle Council serves Scouts in Indiana and Michigan.

Lake Huron Area Council

Lake Huron Area Council #265 was created in 1971 with the merger of Saginaw Bay Area Council (headquartered in Saginaw, MI) and Paul Bunyan Council (headquartered in Midland, MI). Its headquarters city is Auburn, Michigan and comprises 19 counties located in Northeastern Michigan. Major cities include: Bay City, Saginaw, Midland, Mt. Pleasant, Clare, Harrison, Gladwin, Standish, Caro, Alpena, Oscoda, Grayling, Houghton Lake, Alma, Ithaca, West Branch and Rose City, as well as many other smaller towns.

Historically the first scout council serving this area was formed in 1917 in Bay City. Soon after other councils were formed in Saginaw (1919) and Midland (1920). In 1927 Bay City and Midland merged into an "area" council named Summer Trails Council. The following year Saginaw formed the Valley Trails Council. Summer Trails initially served communities from Bay City into the Thumb and northward on the east and central parts of the state up to the Straits of Mackinaw. Valley Trails included Saginaw, Gratiot, Isabella, Clare and part of Tuscola counties. In 1951 Midland, Arenac, Roscommon and Gladwin Counties divided off to form Paul Bunyan Council, while the counties north of that joined the Scenic Trails Council out of Traverse City. In 1961 Summer Trails and Valley Trails merged to form Saginaw Bay Area Council.

Mischigonong Lodge 89

• Mischigonong was formed in 1971 as a result of a merger of 89-Kepayshowink, 469-Tittabawasink and parts of 152-Indian Drum Lodges.
• Its totem is the canoe.
• The lodge hosted the 1986 National Order of the Arrow Conference in Mount Pleasant, Michigan at Central Michigan University.

Districts

• Tall Pine District
• Chippewa District
• Ojibway District
• Shoreline District
• Thumb District
• Thunderhead District

http://www.lhacbsa.org/Districts

Properties

• Paul Bunyan Scout Reservation [7]

600 acres (2.4 km²) of wilderness camping bordering the Huron National Forest, with water activities on the AuSable River just north of Rose City on M-33. Features a variety of scouting activities ranging from scoutcraft to waterfront activities. It also provides a C.I.T. program for scouts interested in being Staff. Purchased in 1959 it has served as a summer camp since 1963.

• Camp Rotary [8]

Owned by the Saginaw Rotary Club, and leased by the Boy Scouts, Camp Rotary offers 1,180 acres (5 km²) of year around camping just north of Clare, MI, on Old US-27. Camp Rotary has heated cabins, a full service dining hall and an outdoor education center that can be used as a classroom for Schools, Civic Groups, or Business. Camp Rotary was purchased in 1924 and has served as a summer camp since 1926.

• Camp Weidman [9]

Camp Weidman is owned by Lake Huron Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and is intended for District or Council events and Unit (Pack, Troop or Crew) activities of the Boy Scouts of America. Unit activities must be approved by the Unit Committee and meet the requirements of Lake Huron Area Council and Boy Scouts of America.

Camp Weidman is located four miles (6 km) west of Mt. Pleasant just off M-20. From M-20, turn south on Vandecar Road. Go approximately ½ mile to the Chippewa River. The entrance to Camp Weidman is about 80 yards (73 m) south of the bridge on the west (right hand) side hand of the road and is marked by a sign. Camp Weidman is a square 40-acre (160,000 m²) parcel with the Chippewa River winding through it. Deerfield County Park adjoins Camp Weidman on the north and west borders.

Scenic Trails Council

The Scenic Trails Council serves the Northwest Lower Michigan counties of Antrim, Benzie, Charleviox, Cheboygan, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Osceola, Ostego and Wexford Counties. The Council office is located in Traverse City, MI.

Districts

• Northern Trails District- Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, and Otsego Counties
• Bay Trails District- Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties
• River Trails District- Benzie, Missaukee, Manistee, Osceola, and Wexford counties

Camp Greilick

Camp Greilick is over 512 acres (2.07 km²) of beautiful terrain and is situated between Spider, Bass and Rennie Lakes, in the heart of the Grand Traverse region of Northern Michigan, just minutes from Traverse City. The Grand Traverse region is an area unmatched in its diverse landscape, and alive with special events in every season of the year. Enjoy skiing, boating, major sporting events, or the solitude of the lakes and rivers.

Southwest Michigan Council

is a creation of several mergers culminating 1973. Based in Kalamazoo, this city has hosted a council since 1915 when it was known just as the Kalamazoo Council. The Council Number has always been #270. In 1927 "AREA" was added to the council name. That name stuck for only two years before the council again changed its name to the Kalamazoo Fruitbelt Area Council. This time the name lasted eight years before additional territory and a desire for a shorter name prompted the council to change the name to just the Fruitbelt Area Council in 1937. In 1973 there was a three way merger that formed the current Southwest Michigan Council. Battle Creek MI had their own council dating back to 1915 with a council of the same name. In 1927 "AREA" was added to the Council (always designated Council # 256). In 1956 the folks in Battle Creek changed their name to Nottawa Trails Council which lasted until the 1973 merger. The other component of the 1973 merger came from the small lakefront town of Saint Joseph which had hosted the Southwestern Michigan Council (#258) since 1941. Before that Saint Joseph had hosted the Berrien County Council as far back as 1919. In 1923 the name was changed to the Benton Harbor & Saint Joseph Council and then in 1929 the name was edited to become the Berrien-Cass Area Council. Records show the Council ending in 1941 when its final name of Southwestern Michigan Council (#258) was adopted. The name aptly describes the council which has most of that corner of the state (with La Salle Council in Indiana picking up two of the border counties at the extreme lower tip of the state). Finally, there were several other early councils of note in the town of South Haven, there was briefly an unnumbered council from 1917 to 1918. Similarly in 1923 the town of Sturgis had the Sturgis Council (#279) until 1929 when the name changed to Fort Hill Council, where it lasted another two years before being merged together with the Kalamazoo-Fruit Belt Area Council. The town of Dowagiac had a council (#263) from 1917 to 1927 before merging with the Benton Harbor & Saint Joseph Council.

Districts

• Nottawa Trails District
• Pathfinder District
• Wabano District

Nacha-Mawat Lodge 373

Nacha-Mawat means "three into one." The name was adopted after the merging of the Carcajou, Mandoka, and Wakazoo Lodges. At this time, to foster brotherhood and reduce strife, the fleur di lis was chosen as the lodge totem. The Lodge adopted a policy that each member will get two lifetime lodge flaps for each honor in the OA: red for ordeal, blue for brotherhood, and silver mylar for vigil. This policy was adopted in 2006 and was suspended in (approximately) 2009 when the lodge supply of these flaps ended. There are also trader flaps which are unrestricted; these 'trader flaps' are now the only flaps issued by the lodge. The Nacha-Mawat totem is now the Blue Heron. The Lodge has achieved quality lodge in 2010, and 2011. It brings outstanding service projects to Rota-Kiwan Scouting Reservation.

Properties The Southwest Michigan Council has one property located in Texas Township just out side of the Kalamazoo city limits called the Rota-Kiwan Scout Reservation. Rota-Kiwan was erected in 1921, and is the second oldest camp in Michigan. Rota-Kiwan is composed of two camps, Camp Madron, which is the Boy Scout and Webelos Camp, and Camp T. Ben Johnson, which is the Cub Scout Camp. The camp services many scouts and scouters from all over the state and many from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and recently Canada.

   Rota-Kiwan Scout Reservation

Latitude: 42.215 Longitude: -85.677

199 acres File:Rk map.jpg Add caption here

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rk_map.jpg

Rota-Kiwan Scout Reservation

Rota Kiwan Reservation…A Brief History By Ron Kirshman & Don Ryan

Did you know that efforts to establish a Scout Camp in this area preceded the organization of a local Council by over eight years? And, did you know that the first Camp Rota-Kiwan was not at Bass Lake?

Most of the information about those early years comes from a history of the local Council entitled, The First Fifty Years by Scouter John Briggs, and the book Campfire_Memories by A. Seldon Barrows, the first Scout Executive of the old Fruitbelt Area Council.

Citizens of tomorrow: In appreciation of those who have invested in the boys of today.[A short history of Camp Rota-Kiwan, camp of the Boy Scouts of Kalamazoo, Mich.]

In November of 1919, one of the founding fathers of Scouting in the United States, Dan Beard, came to Kalamazoo to help promote a camp fundraising campaign spearheaded by the Rotary and Kiwanis service clubs.

In April of the following year, Charles B. Hayes recommended Bass Lake, a beautiful lake with a sand bottom, as a summer camp site. That year, the first camp to use the name Rota-Kiwan, was held at Crooked Lake to the Southwest of Bass Lake. The following year, 1921, Camp Rota- Kiwan was established on ten acres of leased property on Bass Lake. The Camp Committee negotiated a lease with an option to buy the site with a rental of $500 for the summer, and the rental was to apply on a purchase price of $5,000 for ten acres. In June, the Forman’s Club volunteered to build the kitchen and latrines. The first mess hall was a “dining fly”, complete with lots of flies. The first lodge was completed in 1923. By 1925, “thirty percent of all Scouts in the Council attended camp.”

Scoutmaster J.A. Lamson “was bitten by a rattlesnake and provided unscheduled first aid practice”.

In 1926, Chief Joseph Pamptopee of the Potawatomi tribe was the instructor in Camping and Indian Lore.

The following year, the Executive Committee voted to organize an Area Council, and $1000 was still unpaid on the camp property.

In 1928, Council Executive A.S. Barrows was sent to Camp Directors School in Detroit, and the final payment was made on the original ten acres.

In 1928, the British Columbia Lumber Company donated a truckload of lumber to build three boats, and Checker Cab Company also donated a truckload of lumber.

The following year,committees were appointed to study the question of adding more acreage to the camp, and to arrange for electricity to be installed.

In 1931, a “hospital cottage” was given to the camp as a memorial, by the family of Dr. Frederick Shillito.

Eagle Lodge was nearly completed and the mess hall enlarged under the leadership of Glenn S. Allen.

In 1935, eight log cabins were built by teams from thirteen troops. The logs were power poles donated by Consumer Power Company.

The first efforts to expand the camp can be traced to 1938, when Andre Lenderink surveyed the H. J. Hill property of the purpose of negotiating its’sale to the Council. After the sale, 350 pine and spruce trees were planted on the new property.

In 1940, additional acreage was purchased from Clyde Alford, and the new wooded area was reserved for troop camping and was named “Dickerson Woods”, in honor of Bartlett Dickerson, from whom a $4,000 bequest was received in 1936. Another 4,000 trees were planted. The following year plans for a new dining hall were suspended because of the outbreak of World War II. File:RK map 1943.jpg Add caption here

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Troop camp building plans started in 1943, using lumber from the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Bitely. Three buildings were constructed.

A new camp road was built by the County Road Commission in 1944, and the following year two more troop cabins were built on the north side of the lake.

1946 saw the first camp telephone installed, and a new flag pole was donated in memory of Lieutenant Joseph P. Martin.

By 1950, the swamp area at the north end of the lake was filled in and a camp reunion was held. “Many old timers came back.”

In 1952, tracts of land were purchased from the Jackson estate and from the Littler family.

In 1953, the 100 acre Gildea Farm was acquired, which was to the north of the original camp. Another parcel was also purchased from the Hill Family. The following year, Mrs. Todd gifted the camp with a 120 foot corridor to the east of the original camp. Financial assistance from the Kalamazoo Foundation made it possible to add to the camp property and once again the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs volunteered to help in the camp development program. That year 8,000 conifers, 2,000 multi-flora rose, and some walnuts were planted on the former Jackson, Hill and Gildea properties.

A $200,000 capital fund drive entitled “Campaign for a new Rota-Kiwan” was begun in 1955, headed by A. Robert Corstange. By February, “all land is now free of indebtedness.” The remodeling to two buildings got underway; one into a Trading Post, one into a Health Lodge; and construction began on four new buildings: the Dining Hall, a Cook’s Cabin, a Waterfront Building, and a Sanitation Building.

In 1956, the Kalamazoo Foundation contributed $215,000 to the camp development fund. Three winter cabins, Scouter’s Lodge, and six family cabins were completed in 1957, and a new Camp Rota-Kwan was dedicated on Memorial Day. Troops acted as hosts for each building or area. The Camp was accepted by Second Class Scout Paul Roe of Sturgis on behalf of all Scouts. Special recognition’s were given to Bob Corstange, and Mrs. Paul Todd, Sr. To quote a Kalamazoo Gazette article of that time, “Focal point of camp activities is now the large parade ground and parking lot at the north end of the lake. Is surmounted by a stone memorial and flag pole which will be dedicated to A.S. Barrows who gave thirty years to Scouting.” Also mentioned were the facilities for Scout families, the dining hall, administration building, health lodge, troop cabins, and troop camping in eight tent sites. “Also on hand are two long-eared little Mexican Burros. They will be used as pack animals on hikes.”

In 1960, the Rotary Club contributed $300 for the purchase of new tents, and capital funds were appropriated to build a two-family housing unit.

The following year additional acreage was obtained from the Hoving Brothers and from Custer Hammond, and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve re-constructed the camp roads.

In 1963, the Pierce and Myron houses were purchased, and a capital fund drive was started. Five hundred trees were harvested to finance camp projects.

By 1964, it could be said that “For the first time, the camp operated under conditions wherein we controlled the entire lake usage.”

In 1966, Mr. Custer Hammond gave the Council a gift of sixty acres on the west side of 8th Street. Two years later the Fath property of eighty acres on the west side of 8th Street was acquired. That same year land was given to the Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and land was exchanged with the City of Kalamazoo.

The Pierce and Myron houses were sold in 1976, and in 1979, the former Hammond and Fath properties were sold in exchange for other land closer to the main camp.

The early 1970’s were difficult for Rota-Kiwan. Northwinds had been acquired in 1968, and it was thought it would eventually become the main Council camp. As a result, problems at Rota-Kiwan went unsolved.

1973 saw the merger of three Councils into the new Southwest Michigan Council, and one of the major problems the new Council would have to face began to emerge: how to run and maintain four major camp facilities and various other properties.

By 1974, Rota-Kiwan was on its last year of a provisional license to operate from the State of Michigan.

This was due primarily to unsanitary conditions in the Dining Hall. The camp had also lost its’ “A” rating from the Boy Scouts of America because of erosion problem, and inefficient number of latrines, water lines, wash stands, and shower facilities, and the lack of privacy between camp sites.

The camp had no tractor, no truck, and no capability to plow snow in the winter, and only one operable canoe trailer, to name a few of the other major problems. Aggressive action was needed to turn the situation around. Once again, the Kalamazoo Foundation provided badly needed funds. Work began on upgrading all of the existing camp sites: Crockett, Houston, Boone, Cody, Marquette, Houghton, Bowie, LaSalle and Clark, to include physically relocating many of them. Water lines were laid to the new locations.

The Dining Hall facility had its’ floor replaced, received new stainless steel equipment, new refrigeration, and new dishwashing equipment.

By 1976, the camp had a new truck and tractor. Roads were re-designed and closed, and split rail fencing was installed to channel traffic and control erosion. A new pole barn was constructed behind the Ranger’s house. Rota-Kiwan regained its’ “A” rating.

The Lewis and Bridger camp sites were established in 1979, and the Fremont and Colter sites were established in 1980. Several hundred trees were planted along Texas Drive, between the camp and Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and on the camp property, especially at the north and south ends of the camp.

By the early 1980’s it became apparent that the Council would have to develop long range plans concerning the future of its’ camping properties and facilities.

The first meeting of the ad hoc properties sub-committee was held in 1984. Also in 1984, there was an exchange of properties between the Todd family which brought the camp into the 197 acres configuration that we know today.

Difficult decisions were made during the 1984 to 1987 time period regarding the designation of Rota-Kiwan as the main camp for the entire Council, and the disposal of other camping properties.

The former “dome building” and troop cabin were removed to make room for a new fire bowl.

In 1985, the Order of the Arrow began clearing an area for the new fire bowl.

The following year, the Tait McKenzie statue “The Boy Scout”, one of the few of it’s’ size in the country, was moved from its’ location in Camp Madron, and brought to Rota-Kiwan. File:The Boy Scout.jpg Add caption here

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In 1988, the camp fire bowl was completed and “Founder’s Walkway” constructed with the statue as its’ focal point. The design work was done by Rotarian Robert O’Boyle of O’Boyle, Cowell, Blalock and Associates, and this prominent place at Camp was later incorporated into the design of the new Council Insignia strip done by Ron Kirshman in 1991.

In 1987, construction was started on a first-of-its-kind Cub Camp made up of theme villages, covering twenty acres. The theme villages were a Webelos 49’er Village, Webelos Lumberjack Village, Indian Village, Frontier Fort, and Trapper Village. The location was the former Clark camp site. When the camp opened in 1987, Rota-Kiwan became a Scout Reservation with programs serving the entire Scout family.

In 1990, the Cub Camp was featured in Scouting Magazine. To quote from that article, “When the theme village concept was first explored…there was considerable skepticism within the Scout organization itself. It was something new and untried and there was some question as to whether the Council should put time and money into and untried concept. However, Scout Executive Fritz Freund had faith in the new idea to assemble history and Americana.”

The role of former Rota-Kiwan Program Director Charlie Johnson was also featured. Charlie personally laid out the theme villages, taking pains to screen each unit by woods from its’ neighbor in order to preserve a sense of seclusion.

"I marked each tree that would come down, and not one more tree was cut than needed to be."

In addition to the theme villages, a dining hall, Lodge Number 1, Nippondenso Lodge, Enterprise Lodge, a waterfront, archery range, BB range, and the Glotfelty Camp Fire area was constructed. Scouter’s Lodge became the Cub Scout Administration building. While not as evident as the development of the Cub Camp, work continued to improve the Boy Scout Camp as well.

In 1988, three Commissioner’s Shelters were constructed in the Tamaracks, Oaks and Pines areas. The following year, improvements were made on the Ranger’s house and a new nature shelter was constructed. The chapel was constructed and the rear of the building made available to the Order of the Arrow. The main entrance into Camp was relocated from 8th Street to Texas Drive. The waterfront area was made fifty yards wider and the waterfront building was doubled in size. A new shelter was built at the Archery Range and the Rifle Range was improved. The blockage problem at Scouter’s Pond, which caused the water to rise toward 8th Street was solved, and new tents and new mattresses were obtained.

In 1990, again Scout Executive Fritz Freund made a radical change by stabling and Administrator for Rota-Kiwan Reservation. On June5, 1990, Don Ryan became the first Administrator.

The creation of the Pugh Crew Service Team in honor of Arthur Pugh facilitated the completion of numerous major projects and provided an on-going volunteer work force.

Tamaracks Cabin was literally lifted and additional support placed under the cabin to enhance the life-span of that building.

The Eaton Corporation, through Mr. Henry Holland, donated a 1985 Ford F-350 Stake Truck which now provides major hauling capability.

In 1991, Mr. Jim McConnell, Village Market, donated the use of a power washer and many hours of his time to assist in power washing the Tamaracks, Pines, Oaks, Cedars, Cook’s Cabin and Spruce. This removed years of wear and they were then re-painted.

The two duplex facilities were modified and showers installed. Eagle Lodge, a pavilion, was in danger of collapsing. Mr. Lynn Scholl, Troop 205, volunteered over six months of his time to supervise and install new supports and the building of a handicraft facility under the once pavilion. New roofs were put on Eagle Lodge and the two duplexes by Gary Weaver, Ed Franklin, and numerous community service people. Signs depicting the Scout Law and the Law of the Pack were created by Don Ryan and mounted on the respective roadways by the Cub Scouts and Adult Leaders of Pack 562, Granger, Indian, under the leadership of Bob Baughman.

The interiors of Pines, Oaks, Tamaracks, and Cedars Cabins were repainted, new counter tops installed, and ceilings painted to brighten the interiors. Chapter One of the Order of the Arrow went from the cabin to cabin and did major repair work on the picnic tables as a service project led by their advisor, Dave Sage. During the winter of 1991, a major renovation was done in the Ranger’s workshop to organize supplies and create greater work space. New gateways with sign depicting the name of the camp site were computer routed by Troy Smith and installed at the end of the summer by Camp Staff.

1992 brought re-varnishing of the interiors of Trapper, Lodge One, Fort, Indian, Nippondenso, Enterprise and the Cub Scout Dining Hall. New window screens were made for a majority of the buildings throughout the Reservation.

Additional signs were made by Clifford Watkins and placed at strategic locations to allow for ease in locating major facilities such as the Health Lodges.

Gary Verdries and Ken Heidkes headed a team to modify the Boy Scout Dining Hall by designing and installing sliding doors to close off the kitchen sound to the main area.

Rudy Yohnke repainted the interior of the Dining Hall and members of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s community service repainted the Shower facilities.

Bud Horning installed a shower in the Boy Scout Health Lodge. New shelving was installed in the Trading Posts and they were painted. Bud Horning constructed aluminum rods to hold craft lacing. A visitor to Rota-Kiwan reservation on Saturday, June 6, stated “This is the most well maintained Scout Camp I have seen.” The long list of computerized preventive and continuous maintenance validates the Southwest Michigan Council’s commitment to providing a well maintained and safe camping environment.

At the January 1993 Council Recognition Dinner, Lodge Number One was officially re-named as “The F.W. Freund Lodge” in honor of retired Scout Executive Frederick W. “Fritz” Freund.

The wiring for the Founder’s Walkway was totally replaced under ground in conduit and spotlights changed by Alan Whaley.

Bud Horning removed a wall in the Cub Scout Trading Post to enlarge the area as part of his Wood Badge Ticket.

One of the offices in the Cub Scout Administration Building was converted to a bedroom to provide for on-scene availability of the medic.

The old fountain machines were replaced with pop machines with recyclable cans. The old pipes and foliage were removed from the Boy Scout Dining Hall exterior by the Order of the Arrow as well as the Quartermaster area remodeled.

Ken Heikes and a team of Ordeal Candidates excavated the exterior of Tamaracks Cabin to eliminate a major erosion problem and the entrance to the cabin re-routed.

All cabins on the Cub Scout side had their carpets shampooed.

A pay phone was installed on the exterior of the Cub Scout Administration building allowing the public access to telephones at all times.

A safety light was installed on the roof of the Cub Scout Dining Hall and the stairs on the dock areas of both Dining Halls painted with safety paint. Motion detected lights are now on the exterior of both the front and rear of the Boy Scout Dining Hall and a new Public Address System donated.

A sign was created by Frank Grzebyk at the front entrance where “activities” can be publicized.

Jim VanderRoest spearheaded the processing of paperwork to the United States Patent Office officially registering the name of Rota-Kiwan Reservation. In the interim, Rota-Kiwan was trademarked under the common law trademark using the emblem ™. Approval was received and the name Rota-Kiwan now reflects the registration emblem.

The Council Executive Board voted to name the road from 8th Street to t he corner across from the Administrator’s Office in honor of Charlie Johnson. Signs were erected stating “Charlie Johnson Way”.

Additionally, the Boy Scout Health Lodge was named the “Dr. David Hickok Health Lodge” in honor of the many years of Scouting and his dedication as the camp physician.

On September 1, 1995, Sean Monahan arrived as the new Camp Ranger and commenced immediately at making an impact on the Reservation.

A new gate was installed on the 8th Street entrance, the Quartermaster not only received an overhaul, but excess equipment removed. The pole barn and main barns were inventoried and excess equipment placed up for auction on October 28th, 1995.

Commencing on October 7th, 1995, Joyce Ryan opened the consolidated Trading Post at the Cub Scout Administration building for weekend campers on Saturdays.

Rota-Kiwan Reservation serves close to 900 Boy Scouts and 175 leaders at the Boy Scout Camp and close to 1500 Cub/Webelos Scouts as well as 900 leaders each season.

In addition, there are a multitude of year-round camping, training, and other events which average approximately 33,000 camper days.

As we head towards a new century, we continue the history of Rota-Kiwan Reservation with the beginning of each new day. We thank the foresight and diligence of those who had a hand in making Rota-Kiwan Reservation what it is today – a first rate facility for all of Scouting’s programs. Southwest Michigan Council’s pride Rota-Kiwan Reservation

2001 Bill Breyfogle built the current scout craft building.

2005 Three shower houses are added around camp, with bathrooms. Each shower house has three separate adult rooms with their own entrances with shower and bathrooms. Making the boy’s area separate from the adults.

2007 Original shower house turned into Bouldering (rock climbing) area.

2008 Lowes donates 10,000.00 toward Cub Water Front re-do added sand to beach, and Beach Canopy.

2010 New Rifle Range was added at a cost of 120,000.00.

2010 saw Scouts from Canadian attend summer camp.

2011 Electricity was also added to rifle range.

2011 No step trail added to Cub fire bowl.

2011 July 11 at 10am a serve storm hit the camp. Damage was great but no one was hurt, as Scouts were warned and headed to the storm shelter under the Boy Scout dining hall. Damage to the camp included Tamaracks cabin and Oaks cabin, Michigan Duplex cabin, Adirondack pavilion. The small sleeping buildings around Trapper took damage as well. The Boy Scout fire bowl took damage also.

Tall Pine Council

The "Tall Pine Council" (#264) is a local council of the Boy Scouts of America which serves counties of Lapeer, Genesee, and Shiawassee in the Flint/Tri-Cities area of Michigan. Over 18,000 youth each year experience the Scouting aims of character development, citizenship, training and personal fitness in Tall Pine Council activities.

Districts

• North Star District
• Blue Heron District
• New Horizons District
• Shiawassee District

Cuwe Lodge 218, Order of The Arrow

Cuwe is Lenape for "pine tree." This Order of the Arrow lodge is divided into four chapters, each correlating to their respective districts in Tall Pine Council. These chapters include Chippewa(North Star), Bidaban (New Horizons), Muscadawin (Blue Heron), and Wassa (Shiawassee). The lodge is a member of Section C2A and holds a spring and fall conclave each year to induct new members.Cuwe Lodge 218, Order of The Arrow

Properties

Camp Tapico, BSA
Owner	Boy Scouts of America
Location	Kalkaska, Michigan
Country	United States of America
Founded	1947

• Camp Tapico[10], which is located off of M-72 between Grayling and Kalkaska, Michigan, comprises over 1,200 acres (5 km²) of woodlands. It has the beautiful 120-acre (0.5 km²) Grass Lake right in the middle of camp.

Camp Tapico is a Boy Scouts of America camp located on Grass Lake in the North Western region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The 1,280-acre (5.2 km²) property is staffed and maintained year round by the Tall Pine Council. The location was initially used for logging operations around the turn of the century until it was converted into a private camp and sold to the Boy Scouts. The first Boy Scouts arrived during the summer of 1947 and the location has grown to accommodate over 2,000 campers on a yearly basis.

Location and geography

Camp Tapico is located in the eastern region of Kalkaska County just north of M-72 between Grayling and Traverse City; the camp's closest town is of the same name, Kalkaska. Directly to the north of the camp is the larger sporting lake of Manistee and to the east is Bear Lake. Camp Grayling, a United States National Guard installation, is also located 20 miles (32 km) to the south east.

Camp Tapico has three bodies of water with the primary being the 120-acre (0.49 km²) Grass Lake. The other two are smaller, developing ponds set away from the general campers. Grass Lake however, features a robust ecosystem and is one of the main attractions to the property. The lake's deepest spot of 75 feet (23 m) allows for large blue walleye (this is an error, the blue walleye is thought to have been extinct since the mid 1960s) and bass while shallow sandbars, make for great fishing.

Programs Offered at Camp

Camp Tapico offers many opportunities to campers. They have a 32-foot (9.8 m) tall climbing tower, a 120-acre (0.49 km²) lake with swimming and boating. Program areas such as Handicraft, Scout Craft, and Ecology Conservation, all offering many merit badges to scouts.

• Camp Holaka[11] offers many camping choices among its 340 acres (1.4 km²) of rolling woodlands and trails in Lapeer County. It also has many cabins and a couple lodges for indoor camping and many campsites for tent camping. During the summer, Camp Holaka is used primarily for Cub Scout camping with different day camps and weekend events.

• The Scout Service Center is the headquarters for the Tall Pine Council and the office where the Council Support Staff and Genesee County Executives work. It is also a source of extensive information, supplies and materials for all volunteers. It is located at 507 W. Atherton Road (intersection of Atherton Road and I-475). In addition to selling Scouting books, rank advancement and insignia, the Tall Pine Council Scout Shop located in the Scout Service Center sells all types of Boy Scouts of America equipment, uniforms, and specialty items.

Voyageurs Area Council

Main article: Voyageurs Area Council

Headquartered in Hermantown, Minnesota, Voyageurs Area Council serves Scouts in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan

Girl Scouting in Michigan

There are five Girl Scout councils in Michigan.

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan serves 30,000 girls in central Michigan.

It was formed on October 1, 2008 by the merger of Glowing Embers Girl Scout Council, Girl Scouts of The Huron Valley Council, Girl Scouts - Irish Hills Council, and Girl Scouts of Michigan Capital Council.

Headquarters: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Website: http://www.gshom.org

Camps:

• Camp Crawford, Milan, MI
• Camp Deer Trails, Harrison, MI
• Camp Linden, Linden, MI
• Camp Merrie Woode, Plainwell, MI
• Camp O' the Hills, Brooklyn, MI
• Camp Oak Hills, Harrison, MI
• Camp Wacousta, Wacousta, MI

Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore

Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore serves just under 20,000 girls in northwestern Michigan (not including the Upper Peninsula).

It was formed by the merger of Girl Scouts of Michigan Pine and Dunes Council, Girl Scouts of Michigan Trails, Girl Scouts of Crooked Tree, and Girl Scouts of Mitten Bay.

Headquarters: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Website: http://www.gsmt.org

Camps:

• Camp Anna Behrens
• Camp Little Deer
• Camp Charlevoix
• Camp Sakakwea

Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana

See Scouting in Indiana. In Michigan, serves girls in Berrien and Cass counties.

Headquarters: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Website: http://girlscoutsnorthernindiana-michiana.org

Girl Scouts of The Northwestern Great Lakes

See Scouting in Wisconsin. In Michigan, serves girls in the Upper Peninsula.

Headquarters: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Website: http://www.gsnwgl.org

Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan

It was formed by a merger on January 1, 2009 of Girl Scouts Fair Winds Council, Girl Scouts of Macomb County - Otsikita Council, Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit, and Girl Scouts - Michigan Waterways Council.

Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan
Website: http://www.gssem.org/

Scouting museums in Michigan

• E. Urner Goodman Scout Museum, Owasippe Scout Reservation, Blue Lake Township, Michigan
• Thomas D. Trainor Boy Scout Museum
• Washington Scouting Museum, Washington, Michigan
• France Scout Museum 12417 State Road Nunica, Michigan 49448

Further information: Scouting museums

See also

• Scouting in Ontario
• Duck Lake State Park
• Michigan International Camporee

External links

• Chief Okemos Council
• Clinton Valley Council (now Great Lakes Council)
• Detroit Area Council (now Great Lakes Council)
• Great Lakes Council
• Migisi Opawgan Lodge 162
• Gerald R. Ford Council
• Nacha Tindey Lodge
• Hiawathaland Council
• Tall Pine Council
• Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens Lodge
• Great Sauk Trail Council
• Nacha Tindey
• Section C2B