Scouting and Guiding in Wisconsin

Boy Scout Lane in Stevens Point

Scouting in Wisconsin 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)

Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation is a Boy Scouts of America property located in Northern Wisconsin and serves the Scouts of the Northeast Illinois Council based in Highland Park, Illinois. Originally a logging camp, the Scouts purchased the land and first had campers in 1929. The camp is 1560 acres in size.

Scouting in Wisconsin today

There are thirteen Boy Scouts of America local councils in Wisconsin. Also, Three Fires Council operates Camp Freeland Leslie in Oxford, Wisconsin.

Bay-Lakes Council

The [1]Bay-Lakes Council] is headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, and also serves Scouts in Michigan. Bay-Lakes Council #635 was formed on July 1, 1973; the product of a merger between six Northeast Wisconsin Councils: Badger, based in Fond du Lac, Waumaegesako, based in Manitowoc, Nicolet Area, based in Green Bay, Valley, based in Menasha, Twin Lakes, based in Oshkosh, and Kettle Moraine, based in Sheboygan. Bay-Lakes Council is one of the largest Boy Scout Councils in the United States.

The Bay-Lakes Council offers three main summer camp programs: Cub Scout World Camp Rokilio, a three-day Cub Scout camp; Bear Paw Scout Camp (located in Mountain, Wisconsin), the council's flagship Boy Scout Camp that offers 36 merit badges and numerous activities; and Gardner Dam Scout Camp, which is geared toward older Scouts and offers many high-adventure activities.

Camp Gardner Dam was founded in 1932, and is located on the banks of the Wolf River outside of White Lake, Wisconsin. The camp boasts two suspension brdiges that cross the swiftly moving Wolf River.

Districts

• Gathering Waters District
• Kettle Country District
• Lakeshore District
• Ledge to Lakes District
• Northern Lights District
• Twin Lakes District
• Voyageur District

AWASE Lodge #61

Bay-Lakes Council is also the home to the AWASE Lodge #61 of the Order of the Arrow. AWASE Lodge was chartered on January 1, 1974. The name AWASE, which means "bear" in the Menominee Indian language, was adopted as the name for this lodge, which was created as new lodge, due to the merger of the six Northeast Wisconsin Councils. The original lodges, Shaginappi #61 (founded 03/11/1932), Sinawa #73 (founded 11/27/1934), Chequah #194 (founded 3/4/1941), Wa Zi Ya Ta # 233 (founded 4/28/1943), Day Noomp #244 (founded 7/20/1943), and Wolverine #501 (12/22/1953) chose Lodge #61 for the new AWASE Lodge. Some arrowmen have chosen to correlate the lodge number "61" to signify "six lodges to one."

Blackhawk Area Council

Main article: Scouting in Illinois

Blackhawk Area Council is headquartered in Rockford, Illinois and serves southwestern Wisconsin and northwestern Illinois. It runs Canyon Camp, located between Stockton and Apple River, Illinois, as well as Camp Lowden near Oregon, Illinois, and is served by Wulapeju Lodge #140.

Chippewa Valley Council

The Chippewa Valley Council (http://www.bsa-cvc.org) is headquartered in Eau Claire.

• Blue Hills District
• Clearwater District
• Glacier's End District
• Tall Oaks District

Gateway Area Council

Gateway Area Council serves Scouts in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

• Seven Rivers District
• Soaring Eagle District
• Winding Trails District

Glacier's Edge Council

Sinnissippi Council served Scouts in Wisconsin and Illinois, before it merged with Four Lakes Council. It is now called Glacier's Edge Council.

• Indian Trails District
• Mohawk District
• Southern Lakes District
• Wisconsin River District
• Yahara District

Hiawathaland Council

Main article: Scouting in Michigan

Hiawathaland Council serves Scouts in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Indianhead Council

Main article: Scouting in Minnesota

Indianhead Council merged with Viking Council in 2005 to create Northern Star Council. The Indianhead Council was a geographic subdivision of the Boy Scouts of America headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and including Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota, and much of western Wisconsin. Its name came from the shape of the Wisconsin-Minnesota border, which is said to resemble that of the head of an Indian. As well as the office builiding in Saint Paul, facilites included Tomahawk Scout Reservation near[2] Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Phillipo Scout Reservation near Cannon Falls, Minnesota, Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp near Hudson, Wisconsin, and Kiwanis Scout Camp near Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota.

Milwaukee County Council

The Milwaukee County Council (MCC) currently has two scout camps.

The first, Indian Mound Reservation -- so named for the Indian Mound on camp in Oconomowoc, WI off of Silver Lake -- caters primarily to the council's Cub Scout program during the summer months and hosts several Cub Scout day camps in cooperation with the Potawatomi Area Council. This camp is the primary recipient of Mikano #231, the council's Order of the Arrow lodge, cheerful service. Scout troops are able to rent the cabins and other facilities on-camp for a fee. The main attractions of the camp include a mine-themed program area, which after a National Service Grant Project from Mikano in 2005 now includes a panning for gold stream affectionately named "Turtle Creek". The camp also features a castle and wooden "land ship".

The council's other camp is used for the Boy Scout summer program. LeFeber Northwoods Camps is located near Laona, Wisconsin, 250 miles north of Milwaukee, on Hardwood Lake. The camp has an extensive history as a logging camp prior to its purchase and donation to the Boy Scouts in 1930. It features an excellent program drawing in campers from Michigan, Illinois, and several councils located in Wisconsin.

Formerly, the council had owned another property near Holy Hill called Camp Journal, but several years ago, sold it to Quad Graphics. The funds from this sale are used to make necessary capital improvements to the council's other camps. Still, through the generosity of Quad Graphics, the council retains the right to hold a few weekend outings there every year.

Potawatomi Area Council

Camp Long Lake is the council camp for Potawatomi Area Council. PAC is headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin. PAC is divided into the following districts:

• Fox River District
• Glacier Hills District
• Southern Trails District
• Sunset Waters District

Camp Long Lake is located in St. Cloud, Wisconsin. It is located on Long Lake, an approxamitely 7 mile, shallow lake caused by glaciation. Camp Long Lake has the following merit badge areas:

• "Aqualand" (Lifesaving, Swimming, Lifesaving BSA, Mile Swim)
• Archery
• Boating (Canoe, Motorboating, Rowing)
• Camp Craft (Basketweaving, Camping, Cooking, First Aid, Chemical Fuel Chit, Fireman's Chit, Totem Chit, others vary by year)
• Climbing Tower
• Shotgun and Rifle Range
• Wilderness Survival Area

It also contains the following:

• A large mess hall and kitchen
• Two buildings for winter camping
• Three shower facilities divided by gender and age groups
• Various support and maintenance facilities

Samoset Council

Samoset Council has the distinction of having the only Scouting symbol designed by Walt Disney, a character called Smiley the Tent, which is the official logo for Tesomas Scout Camp. The Council is headquartered in Weston (near Wausau), and serves the north central part of Wisconsin. The council was founded in 1920. It gets its name from an early Boy Scout camp in the town of Harrison, named Camp Sam-O-Set which closed in 1934, a year before the construction of Camp Tesomas. Tesomas is one of three camps that are part of Crystal Lake Scout Reservation, the others being Akela's World Cub Scout Camp, and Hannah Venture Base. Samoset Council is served by Tom Kita Chara Lodge #96 of the Order of the Arrow.

Crystal Lake Scout Reservation

Crystal Lake Scout Reservation (CLSR), near Rhinelander, Wisconsin, consists of three Scouting summer camps: Akela's World, a camp for Cub Scouts; Tesomas Scout Camp, a Boy Scout summer camp; and Hanna Venture Base, for Venture Scouts. Located on the shores of Crystal Lake, all three Scouting camps at CLSR are operated by Samoset Council, an area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. It is also the home of Tom Kita Chara Lodge #96, of the Order of the Arrow.

Tesomas was founded in 1935, and serves over 2,400 campers per summer. Akela's World was established in 1992, and serves about 1,800 campers per summer. Hanna Venture Base is the newest addition to CLSR, being established in 2000.

The most notable portion of CLSR is Camp Tesomas, which has developed into a camp of regional and national fame, due to its popular summer camp program. Boy Scout Troops from across the nation have camped at Tesomas. The history of Scouting in Wisconsin would not be complete without mention of Tesomas. However, the other camps at CLSR are attaining a noteworthy reputation as well.

Samoset council has two other camping facilities that are not part of CLSR, but are worth mentioning. Phillips Scout Camp is available for short-term camping, and is open to non-scouting organizations. And the 150 acre Flambeau Canoe Base, located on the south fork of the Flambeau River, includes several campsites, a covered shelter, and a tiered camp fire area.

Of all Samoset Council's facilities, Crystal Lake Scout Reservation gets the majority of use from both in-council and out-of-council Scout troops.

Tesomas Scout Camp

Tesomas Scout Camp is a Boy Scout Summer Camp, located north of Rhinelander, Wisconsin. It is part of the Crystal Lake Scout Reservation, and operated by Samoset Council, of the Boy Scouts of America.

The camp operates for eight weeks during the summer. The Scouts who camp at Tesomas typically stay one week with their Scout Troop. Many of the Boy Scout Troops that attend Tesomas are from cities located in the Samoset Council area of Wisconsin. However, several Troops from around the country travel to Tesomas to experience the camp's award-winning summer program. Troops have traveled from as far away as the west coast.

Tesomas has earned a reputation for being an exceptional Scout Camp, earning many accolades and awards from the Scouting National Accreditation Committee, for being one of the top Boy Scout Camps in the nation. There are many activities for Scouts to participate in while at Tesomas. The Camp is the home of Tom Kita Chara Lodge #96,the best lodge in Wisconsin, of the Order of the Arrow.

Tesomas was founded in 1935, and celebrated its 70th anniversary as a camp in 2005. Over the years, Tesomas has not only become a hub for Scouting in Wisconsin, but also regionally across the entire midwest. It is a fairly sizable summer camp, with over 1,100 acres of land and 70 staff members. The camp comprises most of the land around Crystal Lake, a spring-fed lake with many species of freshwater fish.

The camp's logo is Smiley the Tent, a tent with a large smile, wearing a gold crown. Smiley is usually pictured with the camp's slogan, "Where Camping is King!"

Hanna Venture Base

Hanna Venture Base was named after, and financially backed by Mr. Al Hanna, whose achievements include climbing to the top of Mount Everest.

Akela's World Cub Scout Camp

Akela's World serves both Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts during the summer, and was the #1 Cub Scout Resident Camp in the nation for 2001, 2002 and 2003. In 2004 it was #1 in the Central Region and #2 in the country.

Tom Kita Chara

File:TomKitaChara.jpg

Tom Kita Chara is a Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, and is affiliated with the Samoset Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

After being chartered in December 1936, the first formal Lodge meeting was held early in 1937 in Wausau, Wisconsin. That same summer Samoset Council's Executive Board approved the Order of the Arrow as an official part of the Council's Boy Scout camping program. As tradition indicates, a deer leaped through the first Lodge Ceremony. The name of the Lodge, Tom Kita Chara, means "leaping buck" in the language of the Chippewa Indians, who lived in north-central Wisconsin. The Lodge number is 96, meaning that it was the 96th Lodge of the Order of the Arrow to be formed.

In 1946, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was made an honorary member of the Lodge, honored the Lodge with a visit. In turn, he presented the Lodge with a letter and a sword, which are now located in the Archives Room at Tesomas Scout Camp, and is available for public viewing. The sword was part of his family for many generations and is indicated by the original spelling of his family name - Eisenhauer.

In 2006, TKC Lodge celebrated its 70th anniversary as a Lodge. The previous year, when Tesomas Scout Camp celebrated its 70th camp anniversary in 2005, the lodge had the opportunity to welcome Robert Tank, its first Lodge Chief, back to the Camp for a weekend of remembrance and celebration. All former chiefs of Tom Kita Chara Lodge present at the anniversary banquet signed a Vigil sash, now also on display in the Tesomas Archives Room.

Samoset Council Districts

• Ahdawagam District serves Scouts in the cities of Adams, Arkdale, Babcock, Friendship, Grand Marsh, Nekoosa, Pittsville, Port Edwards, Rudolph, Vesper, and Wisconsin Rapids.

http://www.samosetcouncil.org/ahdawagam/

• Crystal Lake District serves Scouts in the cities of Antigo, Crandon, Eagle River, Elcho, Harshaw, Land O’Lakes, Laona, McNaughton, Newbold, Phelps, St. Germain, Rhinelander, and Three Lakes.

http://www.samosetcouncil.org/crystallake/

• Mushkodany District serves Scouts in the cities of Almond, Amherst, Amherst Junction, Bancroft, Birnamwood, Custer, Gresham, Junction City, Milladore, Mosinee, Plover, Rosholt, Stevens Point, and Wittenberg.

http://www.samosetcouncil.org/mushkodany/

• Northwoods District serves Scouts in the cities of Boulder Junction, Butternut, Gleason, Medford, Merrill, Minocqua, Park Falls, Phillips, Prentice, Rib Lake, Stetsonville, Tomahawk, and Woodruff.

http://www.samosetcouncil.org/northwoods/

• Ojibwa District serves Scouts in the cities of Abbotsford, Athens, Auburndale, Blenker, Colby, Edgar, Hewitt, Marathon, Marshfield, Spencer, Stratford, Unity, and Withee.

http://www.samosetcouncil.org/ojibwa/

• Rib Mountain District serves Scouts in the cities of Hatley, Hewitt/Texas, Kronenwetter, Maine, Rib Mountain, Ringle, Rothschild, Schofield, Stettin, and Wausau.

http://www.samosetcouncil.org/ribmountain/

Southeast Wisconsin Council

• The Fox River District serves the sections of Kenosha and Racine Counties west of I-94.
• The Gateway District serves the Kenosha area, east of I-94.
• The Lighthouse District serves the Racine area, east of I-94.

Council Camps

• Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta - located in Burlington, Wisconsin offers complete year-round facilities for Cub Packs, Scout Troops, and Venture Crews. The camp encompasses 185 acres of beautiful rolling hills and woodlands including waterfront on Dyer Lake.
• Camp Lyle - Operated by the Southeast Wisconsin Council Boy Scouts of America, the Robert S. Lyle Scout Reservation is a 640 acre wilderness Boy Scout Camp. The Reservation, located 25 miles Northeast of Antigo, Wisconsin, encompasses two lakes, Aninan and Perch, and has the Wolf River running through it. Also one of the few scout camps that uses patrol cooking. Where food is provided but the scouts cook the meals themselves.

Voyageurs Area Council

Main article: Scouting in Minnesota

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

• Gitche Gumee District

Girl Scouting in Wisconsin

There are 13 Girl Scout council offices in Wisconsin.

Girl Scouts of Badger Council, Inc Beloit, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.gsbadger.org

Girl Scouts of Birch Trails Council Wisconsin, Inc. Weston, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.birchtrailsgirlscouts.org

Girl Scouts of Black Hawk Council, Inc Madison, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.girlscoutsofblackhawk.org

Girl Scouts of The Fox River Area, Inc. Appleton, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.gsfra.org

Girl Scouts - Great Blue Heron Council, Incorporated New Berlin, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.girlscoutsgbh.org

Girl Scouts of Indian Waters Council, Inc Eau Claire, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.gsiwc.org

Girl Scout Council of Kenosha County, Inc Kenosha, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.kenoshagirlscouts.org

Girl Scouts of Lac Baie Council, Inc Green Bay, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.lacbaiegirlscouts.org

Girl Scouts of Manitou Council, Inc Sheboygan, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.gsmanitou.org

Girl Scouts of Milwaukee Area, Inc Milwaukee, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.girlscoutsmilwaukee.org

Girl Scouts of Racine County, Inc Racine, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.girlscoutsracineco.org

Girl Scouts of Riverland Council, Inc La Crosse, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.gsriverland.com

Girl Scouts of Woodland Council, Inc Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin Web Site: http://www.woodgsc.org

See also

• Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps
• Boy Scout Lane

External links

• Bay Lakes Council
  • Voyageur District
  • Bear Paw Scout Camp
• Potawatomi Area Council
  • Camp Long Lake
• Camp Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Unofficial Camp Site
• SE WI McKinley Elementary Cub Scout Pack 515
• Gateway Area Council
  • Camp Decorah