Chickasaw Council
Encyclopedia
Kia Kima Scout Reservation is a nationally accredited Boy Scout summer camp in in the foothills of the Ozarks in Hardy, Arkansas
. The name "Kia Kima" means "Nest of the Eagles" in the Chickasaw
language. Summer camp at Kia Kima generally begins during the 2nd week of June and runs through the second week of July. A Cub and Webelos Resident Camp is generally offered during the first week in June.
. The main campsite was to be situated on a bluff overlooking a riverfront on the South Fork of the Spring River, in Sharp County, Arkansas, near Hardy. The Hardy, Arkansas area was a logical choice for a summer camp as many Memphis families had vacation homes there, where they traveled to escape the summer heat in the city. Kamp Kia Kima first opened in 1917.
This area of Arkansas became a center of camping and outdoor activity. As one of the first camps in the area, Kia Kima attracted other camps and was instrumental in the continued development of north central Arkansas. The first Scout Executive of the Chickasaw Council was a young man named Edward Everett, who served as the first camp director of Kia Kima. His wife served as the director of a nearby girl’s vacation camp.
In the early days, Scouts came to the camp as individuals, mostly because in those days few Scoutmasters could arrange for a week off from work to accompany their troops to camp. The individuals were then put into lodges with other scouts whom they stayed with while they were there. Later, with growth in the scouting movement in Memphis, more and more troops began to come to camp as a unit, and learn and practice organizational skills as well as individual camping skills. A special sash was presented to Scouts who qualified as good campers at the old camp. The camp provided many activities including camping, cooking, swimming, pioneering, life saving, canoeing, rowing, handicrafts, archery, a rifle range, field sports and games and plenty of hiking.
As a result of transportation costs and a shortage of supplies and leadership, Kia Kima was closed for summer camping during the World War II years. The camp reopened in 1948. Also in 1948 the Chickasaw Council adopted the Order of the Arrow
as a part of its camping program. Chickasah Lodge of the Order of the Arrow was founded at Kia Kima and held its first Ordeal Ceremony there that year.
The 1950s and 1960s were a tremendous growth period for the Scouting program in the Memphis area and the use of Kia Kima grew during those summers. The lodges were no longer the preferred method of Scout camping. By this time, most troops were coming to camp under their own leadership. Many more campsites were needed to accommodate the additional troops wanting to attend summer camp. There was little room left for expansion on the then existing 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) tract. By the early 1960s, the Council's Executive Board was seeking property alternatives.
West Memphis, Arkansas
businessman John Cooper had owned property in the Hardy area adjacent to the existing Kia Kima property and in the late 1950s and early 1960s conceived and developed the Cherokee Village
resort community near Hardy. Over the years Cooper supported the old camp in various ways such as providing a water supply pipe, a rifle range, a septic field, and numerous other services. The land where Kia Kima was located was in the heart of Cherokee Village, and Cooper's continued development of the community made his acquisition of the Scout property desirable.
In the fall of 1963, Cooper approached the Council's Executive Board with a proposal to exchange a 540 acres (2.2 km²) tract a few miles upriver from the old camp on the edge of the sprawling Cherokee Village for the 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) of the old Kia Kima property. In addition, his construction crews would build a dining hall, water system, other buildings, roads and a lake for the new camp. After deliberation, the offer was accepted and work began immediately on the new camp Kia Kima. The new camp was ready for its first camping season in 1964.
Osage offers a modern trading post which supplies campers with program supplies for merit badges, snacks, and Kia Kima memorabilia. Two shower facilities are offered on camp, Central and East. Osage is also home to Kia Kima's administration building.
Cherokee is home to John Cooper Lake, the site of its waterfront, which includes small boat sailing, motorboating, and other merit badges available only at Cherokee.
is represented in Chickasaw Council by Ahoalan-Nachpikin Lodge 558. This arm of Scouting's National Honor Society claims over 1000 members and is the second largest lodge in OA Southern Region Section 6. Ahoalan-Nachpikin is composed of six primary officers, 12-14 Committee Chairman, and their respective advisers. Ahoalan-Nachpikin promotes and hosts such events as LOAC (Lodge Order of the Arrow Conference, similar to NOAC), Fall Fellowship, and Ordeals.
as its lodge totem as the thunderbird was already the emblem of Kia Kima. Chickasah held its first Brotherhood Ceremony in the Spring of 1950. It then held its first Vigil Ceremony on December 14, 1952 at Camp Currier.
. After the Chief was killed, his white panther was said to continue to roam the land around the camp looking for his old master. The legend was so central to the camp that when the lodge was founded, the white panther was adopted as the totem and name. White Panther was used from 1946 to 1956 when the lodge changed it's name to Koi Hatachie. Most Lodges had adopted Indian names and Lodge 345 wanted to conform. Koi Hatachie was thought to mean White Panther in the Choctaw language, however it was later realized to not actually have a meaning.
Later, the newly elected lodge officers met at the Chickasaw Council office to determine the new lodge totem and name. After several attempts, they selected the black bear and the name Ahoalan-Nachpikin, which means "We Who Love the Outdoors" in Lenni Lenape
. The new lodge was officially chartered on January 1, 1995. It was a member of Section SR-9 from 1995 to 1997. It was then moved to Section 6-N which later became Section SR-6.
Hardy, Arkansas
Hardy is a city in Sharp and Fulton counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The population was 578 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hardy is located at .The Spring River, which begins in Mammoth Spring, flows through Hardy...
. The name "Kia Kima" means "Nest of the Eagles" in the Chickasaw
Chickasaw
The Chickasaw are Native American people originally from the region that would become the Southeastern United States...
language. Summer camp at Kia Kima generally begins during the 2nd week of June and runs through the second week of July. A Cub and Webelos Resident Camp is generally offered during the first week in June.
History
Bolton Smith, a Memphis investment banker and the first president of the Chickasaw Council, purchased and donated the original 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) Kia Kima site in 1916. He went on to serve as vice president of the Boy Scouts of America and is the only Chickasaw Council Scouter to ever receive the Silver Buffalo AwardSilver Buffalo Award
The Silver Buffalo Award is the national-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on a national basis, either as part of, or independent of the Scouting program...
. The main campsite was to be situated on a bluff overlooking a riverfront on the South Fork of the Spring River, in Sharp County, Arkansas, near Hardy. The Hardy, Arkansas area was a logical choice for a summer camp as many Memphis families had vacation homes there, where they traveled to escape the summer heat in the city. Kamp Kia Kima first opened in 1917.
This area of Arkansas became a center of camping and outdoor activity. As one of the first camps in the area, Kia Kima attracted other camps and was instrumental in the continued development of north central Arkansas. The first Scout Executive of the Chickasaw Council was a young man named Edward Everett, who served as the first camp director of Kia Kima. His wife served as the director of a nearby girl’s vacation camp.
In the early days, Scouts came to the camp as individuals, mostly because in those days few Scoutmasters could arrange for a week off from work to accompany their troops to camp. The individuals were then put into lodges with other scouts whom they stayed with while they were there. Later, with growth in the scouting movement in Memphis, more and more troops began to come to camp as a unit, and learn and practice organizational skills as well as individual camping skills. A special sash was presented to Scouts who qualified as good campers at the old camp. The camp provided many activities including camping, cooking, swimming, pioneering, life saving, canoeing, rowing, handicrafts, archery, a rifle range, field sports and games and plenty of hiking.
As a result of transportation costs and a shortage of supplies and leadership, Kia Kima was closed for summer camping during the World War II years. The camp reopened in 1948. Also in 1948 the Chickasaw Council adopted the Order of the Arrow
Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America . It uses American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting. The society was created by E. Urner Goodman, with the...
as a part of its camping program. Chickasah Lodge of the Order of the Arrow was founded at Kia Kima and held its first Ordeal Ceremony there that year.
The 1950s and 1960s were a tremendous growth period for the Scouting program in the Memphis area and the use of Kia Kima grew during those summers. The lodges were no longer the preferred method of Scout camping. By this time, most troops were coming to camp under their own leadership. Many more campsites were needed to accommodate the additional troops wanting to attend summer camp. There was little room left for expansion on the then existing 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) tract. By the early 1960s, the Council's Executive Board was seeking property alternatives.
West Memphis, Arkansas
West Memphis, Arkansas
West Memphis is the largest city in Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 27,666 at the 2000 census, with an estimated population of 28,181 in 2005, and 31,329 in 2011 ranking it as the state's 11th largest city, behind Hot Springs...
businessman John Cooper had owned property in the Hardy area adjacent to the existing Kia Kima property and in the late 1950s and early 1960s conceived and developed the Cherokee Village
Cherokee Village, Arkansas
Cherokee Village is a city in Fulton and Sharp counties in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The population was 4,807 at the 2007 census.-Geography:Cherokee Village is located at ....
resort community near Hardy. Over the years Cooper supported the old camp in various ways such as providing a water supply pipe, a rifle range, a septic field, and numerous other services. The land where Kia Kima was located was in the heart of Cherokee Village, and Cooper's continued development of the community made his acquisition of the Scout property desirable.
In the fall of 1963, Cooper approached the Council's Executive Board with a proposal to exchange a 540 acres (2.2 km²) tract a few miles upriver from the old camp on the edge of the sprawling Cherokee Village for the 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) of the old Kia Kima property. In addition, his construction crews would build a dining hall, water system, other buildings, roads and a lake for the new camp. After deliberation, the offer was accepted and work began immediately on the new camp Kia Kima. The new camp was ready for its first camping season in 1964.
Camp Osage
Camp Osage was originally the main camp and opened in 1964. It is the larger of the camps at Kia Kima Scout Reservation with 15 unique campsites. Camp Osage offers traditional camp programs including nature, ecology, scoutcraft, handicraft, shooting sports, the trailblazer 1st year program, and aquatics. All aquatic activities, including swimming and boating, are held at the Osage beach on the South Fork River. All meals in Camp Osage are served in the dining hall.Osage offers a modern trading post which supplies campers with program supplies for merit badges, snacks, and Kia Kima memorabilia. Two shower facilities are offered on camp, Central and East. Osage is also home to Kia Kima's administration building.
Camp Cherokee
Camp Cherokee was established in 1965 as an “outpost camp”. While it is no longer an outpost camp, it does differ from Camp Osage. All troops that camp in Cherokee retrieve their meals from the centralized commissary and prepare the food in their campsites. Meal information is provided in advance so units may bring additional recipes and condiments to supplement their meals. Units are camped in a broad horseshoe shape around the camp. This allows for all program areas to be in sight of each other.Cherokee is home to John Cooper Lake, the site of its waterfront, which includes small boat sailing, motorboating, and other merit badges available only at Cherokee.
Camp Currier
Camp Currier first opened in 1925 in Eudora, Mississippi. It was named for Elizabeth Currier, a prominent Memphis originally from Geneva, Switzerland, who donated the land. The current ranger is Dennis Johnston. Camp Currier is a 300 acres (1.2 km²) property owned and operated by the Chickasaw Council for many years. It was started as a full-year camping ground as opposed to Kia Kima which was only open during the summer. During World War II, Camp Currier was used as the summer camp because gasoline rations made Kia Kima impractical. In the 1940s and 1950s, the camp was used as a Summer Camp, but is now a weekend camp for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of the Chickasaw Council.Ahoalan-Nachpikin Lodge
The Order of the ArrowOrder of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America . It uses American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting. The society was created by E. Urner Goodman, with the...
is represented in Chickasaw Council by Ahoalan-Nachpikin Lodge 558. This arm of Scouting's National Honor Society claims over 1000 members and is the second largest lodge in OA Southern Region Section 6. Ahoalan-Nachpikin is composed of six primary officers, 12-14 Committee Chairman, and their respective advisers. Ahoalan-Nachpikin promotes and hosts such events as LOAC (Lodge Order of the Arrow Conference, similar to NOAC), Fall Fellowship, and Ordeals.
Chickasah Lodge 406
The Chickasaw Council first began its honor society as the Order of Kamp Kia Kima or Council Scouts. Every week at summer camp the campers who best exemplified the Scout Oath and Law were led to a secret campfire circle in the woods and given an Indian name. They would then meet periodically throughout the year. In 1948 the Chickasaw Council adopted the Order of the Arrow as a part of its camping program. Chickasah Lodge of the Order of the Arrow was founded at Kia Kima and held its first Ordeal Ceremony there on August 7th, 1948 by a ceremonial team from Ittawamba Lodge 235 of the West Tennessee Area Council. It adopted the ThunderbirdThunderbird (mythology)
The Thunderbird is a legendary creature in certain North American indigenous peoples' history and culture. It is considered a "supernatural" bird of power and strength...
as its lodge totem as the thunderbird was already the emblem of Kia Kima. Chickasah held its first Brotherhood Ceremony in the Spring of 1950. It then held its first Vigil Ceremony on December 14, 1952 at Camp Currier.
Koi Hatachie Lodge 345
Koi Hatachie was founded in 1946 by the Delta Area Council under the original name White Panther. The first Tap Out ceremony was at summer camp in July 1946 with the first meeting of the Lodge in December 1947. During Camp Tallaha's campfire programs, there was a legend of an old Choctaw Indian Chief and his constant companion, a white pantherWhite panther
A white panther is a white specimen of any of several species of larger cat. "Panther" is used in some parts of North America to mean the Cougar , in South America to mean the Jaguar and elsewhere it refers to the Leopard . A white panther may therefore be a white cougar, a white jaguar or a white...
. After the Chief was killed, his white panther was said to continue to roam the land around the camp looking for his old master. The legend was so central to the camp that when the lodge was founded, the white panther was adopted as the totem and name. White Panther was used from 1946 to 1956 when the lodge changed it's name to Koi Hatachie. Most Lodges had adopted Indian names and Lodge 345 wanted to conform. Koi Hatachie was thought to mean White Panther in the Choctaw language, however it was later realized to not actually have a meaning.
Lodge Merger
When the Delta Area Council was merged into Chickasaw, the two Order of the Arrow lodges were also merged. In 1994 Fall Fellowship was a joint event between the Koi Hatachie and Chickasah lodges. The fall elections were held during the fellowship at Camp Tallaha, located outside Charleston, MS, to select the new Lodge Executive Council . It was agreed to have a balanced representation of leadership from the two merged lodges. After an arrowman from Chickasah was elected Lodge Chief, nominations were then limited to members of Koi Hatachie for 1st Vice Chief. All the other offices were open to arrowmen from either lodge. Only the position of 2nd Vice Chief ran opposed. The event offered identically designed pocket and back patches featuring the combined totems of the Thunderbird and White Panther.Later, the newly elected lodge officers met at the Chickasaw Council office to determine the new lodge totem and name. After several attempts, they selected the black bear and the name Ahoalan-Nachpikin, which means "We Who Love the Outdoors" in Lenni Lenape
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
. The new lodge was officially chartered on January 1, 1995. It was a member of Section SR-9 from 1995 to 1997. It was then moved to Section 6-N which later became Section SR-6.
Chapters
Initially, each district in the lodge was represented by its own chapter. However, in August 2000, a restructuring occurred to form four chapters, each divided into two or three districts. The Okla Kamassa chapter was later added bringing the total to five.| Chapter | Translation | Districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lippoe Blaknik | Wise Flying Squirrel | Wolf River District (Former Loosahatchie and Nashoba Districts) |
| Macheu Machque | Great Bear | Thunderbird, Twin Banks, Southeast, and Scoutreach Districts |
| Nashoba Tohbi | White Wolf in the Choctaw | Malmaison, Tallaha, and Washington Districts |
| Sakima Machque | Chief Bear | Eastern District |
| Okla Kamassa | Strong People | Northwest Mississippi District |
Activities
The lodge supports year-round weekend camping, training and special events at each of the council camps. Usually, a Lodge Order of the Arrow Conference (LOAC), two Ordeals, a Summer Fellowship, a Fall Fellowship, and a Banquet are hosted by the Lodge.Service
Among the many projects supported by the Order of the Arrow over the years were:- Construction of the new fire ring at Kia Kima
- Installing new tile flooring and roofing for the administration building at Kia Kima
- Road maintenance at Camp Currier
- Campsite and tent construction at each of the council camps
Camping Promotion
The lodge's camping promotion program include:- The lodge hosts a special dinner each year for Scoutmasters to kick-off the camp promotion plan.
- The lodge sponsors a promotional brochure for Kia Kima.
- The lodge has the goal to visit every Scout troop in the council to promote the camping program.
- The lodge sponsors promotional efforts at council events such as Scout Base.
- The lodge publishes a "Where To Go Camping" guidebook for Scout troops.
- The lodge chief and adviser represent the lodge on the council executive board and camping committee.
- The lodge sponsors weekly Brotherhood Ceremonies, Fellowships, and Call-Out Ceremonies at Kia Kima during the summer camp season.