TOM KITA CHARA the Lodge of the Leaping Buck 1936-2015

A Short History of TOM KITA CHARA The Lodge of the Leaping Buck 1936-2015

Many years ago, a buck leaped through our Grand Council Ring during our first call-out ceremony. From that memorable event, we adopted the name Tom Kita ŚĂƌĂ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŵĞĂŶƐ ͞ůĞĂƉŝŶŐ ďƵĐŬ͟ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂŶŐƵĂŐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů tŝƐĐŽŶƐŝŶ Chippewa Indians. June 2015

Preface

It was a simple sounding request. ͞ĂŶǇŽƵǁƌŝƚĞĂŚŝƐƚŽƌǇŽĨdŽŵ<ŝƚĂŚĂƌĂ>ŽĚŐĞĨŽƌƚŚĞ EĂƚŝŽŶĂůKƌĚĞƌŽĨƚŚĞƌƌŽǁĐĞůĞďƌĂƚŝŽŶŝŶϮϬϭϱ͍͟ It did not sound like a big problemͶwe thought!

When this project began, it seemed it would be a straightforward merging of the five or six booklets that were written for the various lodge, camp, and council anniversaries. But, as we started delving into the booklets and supporting information, things began to get complicated. We started finding misfiled documents we did not know were in our files. There were the old records and photographs we thought were long lost. Then there were the files being given to us by older members, etc., etc. We heard conflicting memories and found multiple versions of events.

We began to realize that what we thought was a neat, orderly, 80-year history was anything but. We also realized that if we just merged the fiǀĞŽƌƐŝǆ͞ŚŝƐƚŽƌŝĐĂů͟ďŽŽŬůĞƚƐƚŚĂƚǁĞŚĂǀĞ͕ we would be repeating the mistakes of the past. As many of us have found, it is very difficult to correct a mistake once it is written down and published, especially when it finds its way to the Internet. Our problem was that we would be able to write a small but accurate start to our lodge history, but not the comprehensive one we had hoped for.

If we wanted to write something that we could be proud of doing, that would not only correct the mistaken historical fragments but possibly explain what happened and why, then we had to do a restart.

We decided that the best way to write an accurate and comprehensive history of the Samoset- Tesomas-TKC family should be like growing a tree. We would create a solid and accurate trunk. This outline would be the start. ƐƐŽŽŶĂƐƚŚŝƐǁĂƐĨŝŶŝƐŚĞĚ͕ǁĞǁŽƵůĚƐƚĂƌƚĂĚĚŝŶŐ͞ďƌĂŶĐŚĞƐ͟ and flesh out our story with the help of youth and adult volunteers. This should be an excellent way to get more Arrowmen involved in our exciting 80 years of history.

Introduction

Scouting began in the central Wisconsin area in 1910, within months of the actual founding of the BSA itself. Ten years later a mini version of Samoset Council was created, which would eventually grow into the 13-county council we now have. About the same time, Council camping began, as well as a number of smaller local camping sites outside of the council used by non-council units. In 1935, Camp Tesomas was built and, in 1936, Tom Kita Chara was chartered.

The history of Tom Kita Chara Lodge is closely entwined with that of Samoset Council and the cŽƵŶĐŝů͛ƐĐĂŵƉƐ͕ŝŶƉĂƌƚŝĐƵůĂƌĂŵƉdĞƐŽŵĂƐ͘ĂĐŚŽĨƚŚĞthree organizations has provided the others with support and opportunities for growth and success. It would be difficult to write a complete history of TKC without including the histories of Samoset Council and Camp Tesomas. ^ŽůĞƚ͛ƐďĞŐŝŶŽƵƌƐƚŽƌǇ͘͘͘

Samoset Council

The long and celebrated history of Samoset Council began within months of the chartering of the National Boy Scouts of America in 1910. Prior to the creation of a chartered council in 1920, there were several troops of Boy Scouts actively engaged in the Scouting program in Wausau and the surrounding counties. As far as we have been able to determine, the first chartered troop was the original Troop #1 at the Universalist Church chartered in mid-1910 in the city of Wausau, Wisconsin.

In 1920, the Wausau Council Boy Scouts was chartered as a first class council. The date on the charter is listed as July 30, 1920.

Over the next 10 years, a number of small county-sized councils joined with the Wausau Council. On April 29, 1930, the name of the combined councils changed to Samoset Council Boy Scouts and included Marathon, Lincoln, Langlade, and Oneida counties. During the following 10 years, more small, local, county-sized councils joined with Samoset to form the current 13- county organization.

Currently, Samoset Council is headquartered at the Wausau Homes Scout Center in Weston, Wisconsin. /ƚŝƐƚŚĞŶĂƚŝŽŶ͛ƐĨŝƌƐƚ^ĐŽƵƚcenter that hosts both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. The council service center provides resources and information to the Scout family of chartered partners and their leaders. Services include volunteer training, badges of rank and advancement records, processing of registration, reservations for use of our great camping facilities and programs, and personal leadership from a trained staff. Scouting merchandise, resources, and supplies are available through the Scout shop located in the Scout center.

In 2015, Samoset celebrates 95 years of providing the Scouting experience to youth.

Council Camps: Long-Term Camping

CAMP CHICKAGAMI (1921²1974) The story of Chickagami is different in its formation than the camps of its neighbors. While all of the development was going on in the north, the areas that eventually would be the southern part of Samoset Council were developing their own camps. Back in 1921, June 21st to be exact, the Stevens Point Council leased a piece of land bordering Sunset Lake for a Scout camp. On January 31, 1928, Mr. Nelson deeded the land to a group of trustees; namely, G.W. Mead, J.W. Dunegan, E.A. Oberheiser, I.P. Witter, E.B. Robertson, and L.M. Alexander, who were to control the land for civic purposes. This land was on the southeast shore of Sunset Lake. In 1924, Clinton Copps donated a parcel at the foot of Arrowhead Hill, across the lake, which added to the camp property.

By August 30, 1948, the heirs of the original trustees deeded the land to a new set of trustees representing the Scout districtͶone each, North Wood, South Wood, and Portage, along with two judges, one from Wood County and one from Portage County. The trustees were Hiram Anderson, Gary Velde, William Wenzel, Judge Jenkins, and Judge Fink. Between 40 and 50 acres around Arrowhead Hill were added by a donation from H. Anderson.

Although the land under the trusteeship was never deeded to the Boy Scout council, it was leased to them for camp and other Scout-related functions until May of 1975. At that time, Samoset Council sub-let the lease and stopped the summer program at this Scout camp. The Scouts of Samoset Council still use the camp from October to April for winter programs. During the operating years, the camp had five one-week campouts for 50 to 60 boys. The facilities included a mess hall, kitchen, seven cabins, office director's cabin, and equipment. The camp is now being operated by the Central Wisconsin Environmental Center for their activities. The program is primarily for environmental education and interpretation.

CRYSTAL LAKE SCOUT RESERVATION By the late 1990s, it became apparent that there were many opportunities for more efficient use of staff, supplies, food services, and programming if the Scouting activities around Crystal Lake were consolidated and organized as a formal Scout reservation. So in 1999, Samoset Council established the Crystal Lake Scout Reservation (CLSR).

The Scout reservation occupies over 95% of the land around Crystal Lake, a spring-fed lake with many species of freshwater fish. It consists of the three camps which provide year-round programs to Scouts of all ages: Akela's World for Cub Scouts and Webelos; Tesomas Scout Camp, a Boy Scout summer camp; and Hanna Venture Base for Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts. Currently, Crystal Lake Scout Reservation attendance exceeds 6,000 campers annually.

The three camps retain their individual identities but are operated under the umbrella of the Crystal Lake Scout Reservation.

Tesomas Scout Camp Tesomas Scout Camp traces its roots back to May 12, 1934, when L.A. Leadbetter donated a small tract of land bordering Crystal Lake in northern Wisconsin to Samoset Council, BSA, for the construction of a Scout camp. Those original 12 acres have since grown into a 1,200-acre Scout reservation, the ĐŽƌŶĞƌƐƚŽŶĞŽĨ^ĂŵŽƐĞƚŽƵŶĐŝů͛Ɛ^ĐŽƵƚŝŶŐŵŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ͘

&ŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ>ĞĂĚďĞƚƚĞƌ͛ƐŝŶŝƚŝĂůĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚŝŽŶ͕ƚŚĞZŚŝŶĞůĂŶĚĞƌZŽƚĂƌǇůƵďƌĂŝƐĞĚΨϮϱ͕ϬϬϬƚŽďƵŝůĚ a lodge and purchase an additional 120 acres of land. Although Scouts did camp on the new property in 19ϯϰ͕>ĞĂĚďĞƚƚĞƌ͛ƐǀŝƐŝŽŶǁĂƐŶ͛ƚĨƵůůǇƌĞĂůŝǌĞĚƵŶƚŝůƚŚĞĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐǇĞĂƌ͘Only 81 Scouts participated in the first session of Tesomas Scout Camp in July of 1935, but by 1945 the summer population had grown to nearly 1,000.

Under the leadership of Scout ExeĐƵƚŝǀĞtŝůůŝĂŵ͘,ŽĨĨŵĂŶ͕^ĂŵŽƐĞƚ͛ƐĐĂŵƉŝŶŐƉƌŽŐƌĂŵǁĂƐ moved from the Root House Lake property to the new Crystal Lake property. The Rhinelander Rotarians broke ground for the promised lodge in 1935. Although greatly expanded and renovated, the Rotary Lodge (now named the Schultz-Kieffer Fellowship Lodge) still serves as the heart of Tesomas Scout Camp over 75 years later.

Tesomas Scout Camp started as a small council camp but 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. It currently serves over 4,000 campers per summer.

Akela's World Cub Scout Camp Opening in 1993 on the south end of Crystal Lake, ŬĞůĂ͛ƐtŽƌůĚƵď^ĐŽƵƚĂŵƉƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ opportunities for Cub Scouts and Webelos to experience camping and the great outdoors. ŬĞůĂ͛ƐtŽƌůĚĐƌĞĂƚĞƐĞǆĂĐƚůǇƚŚĂƚͶanother "world"Ͷby allowing its annually-changing theme to take complete control of the experience. The programs allow challenge, creativity, adventure, and learning. It provides many advancement opportunities that take advantage of its beautiful outdoor setting.

Hanna Venture Base When it opened in 2000, Hanna Venture Base also became an integral part of the CLSR. It is the place for Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts to experience high adventure. The facility features an indoor climbing wall and an outdoor 60-foot climbing tower, with walls for three difficulty levels of climbing and rappelling, plus an attached 400-foot zip line. Week-long treks can be taken by both Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts. Trek destinations have included the Apostle Islands and the Porcupine Mountains. The base is named after Al Hanna, whose achievements include climbing Mount Everest.

Council Camps: Short-Term Camping

Camp Phillips, Weston Camp Phillips is a small camp located next to the Wausau Homes Scout Center in Weston (Wausau). It is used for Cub Scout activities, Rib Mountain OA chapter meetings, OA Brother- hood clinics, and other district and council events.

Camp Phillips is one of the more recent camp developments. Scouters like H. Phillips, D. Evans, W. McCormick, M. Schmitt, and many others were looking for a site close to Wausau so Scouts could hike to the camp. In 1948, they found 76 acres on the Eau Claire River east of Schofield. $5,500 was raised by sustaining members, and during September of 1949, the remaining amount was raised to purchase the property. Between 1948 and 1950, $3,400 was raised by 200 sustaining members for the camp and the lodge. Jess Kohl, a contractor, gave his services for the building of the lodge. By 1950, four cabins, sponsored by Rotary, Elks, Dick Evans, and Ing Horgan, and the McCormick Lodge were ready for use.

The Wausau Rotary built the first cabin in January 1950. The first Scout event at Camp Phillips was called a Council Rodeo, held May 20, 1950. Thirty-two troops attended, with a count of 1,189 Scouts and Scouters. The success of the first event proved the need for a camp close to town for district functions. The 50th anniversary of Samoset Council was celebrated at Camp Phillips with a council-wide camporee.

In 1970, Mr. ,͘:͘WŚŝůůŝƉƐĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚĞĚƚŚĞ͞ĂŵƉWŚŝůůŝƉƐDĞŵŽƌŝĂůdƌƵƐƚ͟ to maintain the property. It was a gift to Scouting and the Rib Mountain District. The trust is held by the Wisconsin Valley Trust Company. The purpose of the trust is to generate income for maintenance; 75% of the income to be used annually for Camp Phillips and 25% for other council-owned property, to be administered by a council committee.

Crystal Lake Scout Reservation Camp Songs

ŬĞůĂ͛ƐtŽƌůĚ,ǇŵŶ

When Akela holds his council ŶĚƚŚĞĐĂŵƉĨŝƌĞ͛ƐĂůůĂŐůŽǁ͕ We will form our friendship circle As we sing so sweet and low. Oh Akela, brave Akela, dƌƵĞĂŶĚĨĂŝƌƵď^ĐŽƵƚƐǁĞ͛ůůďĞ͕ To our Promise and the Pack Law, We will pledge our loyalty.

Tesomas Hymn

,ŝŐŚĂďŽǀĞ>ĂŬĞƌǇƐƚĂů͛Ɛǁaters, In among the trees, Flows the banner of Tesomas, Waving in the breeze, Hail Tesomas, Hail Tesomas, With your Scouts so true, With the spirit of good Scouting, Hail, O Hail to you!

Tesomas Rally Song (Sung to the tune of the Army Rally Song)

Crystal Lake never fails as the Scouts hit the trails, For Tesomas is the best camp of all, Swimming hole, not too cold, Diving fine in every line, For Tesomas is the best camp of all, &ŽƌŝƚƐ,ŝ͕,ŝ͕,ĞĞ͖ƚŚĂƚ͛ƐƚŚĞĐĂŵƉĨŽƌŵĞ͕ Makes me want to shout out really loud, Camp Tesomas! For everywhere we will go, Scouts will always know, That Tesomas is the best camp of all!

Tesomas Grace

Thank you Lord for this special place, Where we can make new friends and old ones embrace, A chance to share a dream, an experience too, Lord, for Tesomas we thank you.

#1 Council Status

After spending a number of years ranked in the top five councils, Samoset Council was recognized in 2012 as the #1 council in the Boy Scouts of America. The council issued a commemorative shoulder patch, which all Scouts and Scouters could wear during the year.

90th Anniversary ² 2010

Prior to the creation of a chartered council in 1920, there were several troops of Boy Scouts actively engaged in the Scouting program. This accounts for the earlier years prior to 1920, and, as near as we have been able to learn, the first chartered troop was the original Troop #1 at the Universalist Church in the city of Wausau, chartered in 1910.

In 1920, the Wausau Council Boy Scouts was chartered as a first class council. The date on the charter is listed as July 30, 1920.

In 2010, Samoset celebrated 90 years of providing the Scouting experience to youth.

SDPRVHW&RXQFLO·V)DPRXV/RJR² Smiley the Tent

It seems to most of us that ŽƵƌ͞^ŵŝůĞǇƚŚĞdĞŶƚ͟ƐǇŵďŽůŚĂƐ always been with us. Of course, this is not true. OƵƌ͞tŚĞƌĞĂŵƉŝŶŐŝƐ<ŝŶŐ͟ slogan started in 1940, but Smiley did not appear until after Camp Tesomas passed its 15th anniversary.

In 1951 or 1952, a concerted effort within the council ďĞŐĂŶƚŽĨŝŶĚĂƐǇŵďŽůĨŽƌƚŚĞ͞Where Camping Is King͟ slogan. This effort included a contest in which Scouts and Scouters were encouraged to submit ideas for a logo. Although the contest did not succeed in developing a suitable symbol, the council certainly created the idea for the symbol.

In an October 1, 1952, letter, then-Council Scout Executive Sig Kilander stated, ͞Our thought was to draw a personified tent with a crown perched cockily over its peak.͟ This letter was sent to Walt Disney Studios, with a request that one ŽĨŝƚƐĂƌƚŝƐƚƐƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĂ͞trade mark͟ for the ͞personified tent.͟

The Walt Disney ^ƚƵĚŝŽ͛Ɛ public relations director did commit to a date to provide the requested art work, but stated it would be delayed because of the pressure to get out what became a Disney classicͶPeter Pan.

Samoset Council was indeed fortunate that Disney accepted the request for Smiley. A Disney archivist has speculated that over 100 requests for symbols per year were received by Disney until the mid-1960s, when all such requests were turned down. Out of these requests, maybe 25-30 or less symbols were developed each year. Of all the requests, only about 10 symbols were developed for Scouts. We feel that possibly Disney's favorable feeling towards Scouts is why they undertook the Smiley project.

Smiley arrived in Wisconsin, accompanied by the following letter to Samoset Council dated December 4, 1952, which indicates Smiley was designed in 1952.

December 4, 1952

Mr. S. W. Kilander Boy Scouts of America 6061 Third Street Wausau, Wisconsin

Dear Mr. Kilander,

Here is the trade mark we designed for THE SAMOSET COUNCIL (7-627) BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA in accordance with your letter of October 1, 1952.

I personally think it is very cute and hope that you and the entire Council membership will like it.

With kind personal regards,

Cordially yours, Joseph P. Reddy, PUBLICITY DIRECTOR

Insignia requests like Smiley were assigned to a small pool of five to six artists. Because Disney artists did not sign their artwork, Smiley cannot be credited to a specific artist. However, it is known that by 1952 Walt Disney relied on employees for art work.

Smiley was immediately adopted by Samoset Council. It remains today as the ƉƌŽƵĚƐǇŵďŽůŽĨ͞Where Camping Is King.͟ Smiley was immediately put to use in the center of a pin, ǁŝƚŚ͞tŚĞƌĞĂŵƉŝŶŐ/Ɛ<ŝŶŐ͟ĂƌŽƵŶĚƚŚĞ ĞĚŐĞĂŶĚ͞I'm Going͟ at the bottom. The pin was given to Scouts that signed up for 1953 summer camp. The 1953 camp patch was the first patch with Smiley.

The most impressive display of Smiley occurred at the 1953 National Jamboree. A 12-foot high canvas Smiley, crowned by a sparkling jeweled Masonite crown, served as the gateway entrance for the Samoset Council jamboree contingent. A fence on either side of Smiley ƉƌŽĐůĂŝŵĞĚ͞Where Camping Is King͟ and ͞^ĂŵŽƐĞƚŽƵŶĐŝů͘͟ It was most appropriate that Smiley premiered nationwide at the 1953 National Jamboree in Irving Ranch, California, because it represented a homecoming for Smiley, which was designed at nearby Disney studios. In addition, Samoset Council stenciled its Jamboree tents with the Smiley symbol.

Smiley has appeared on all Samoset Council camp patches since 1953, with the exception of four years: 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1968. The 1956, 1957, 1958, and 1959 camp patches contain a small copyright symbol on the side wall of the tent, which identifies Smiley as a copyrighted Disney design.

Smiley has also appeared on the Samoset Council shoulder patches, many activity patches, stationery, signs, and more. At the time Smiley was adopted, Samoset Council developed a set of signs that had a small half circle sitting on top and in the middle of the sign. Smiley was in the center of this half circle, and when anyone saw Smiley, they knew right away it was Samoset Council. Smiley͛s relevance throughout the years is shown by his continuing and widespread use by Samoset Council.

Although Smiley did not originate with Camp Tesomas, they have been inseparable since Smiley's arrival in 1953. Samoset Council, Camp Tesomas (and now including the rest of the Crystal Lake Scout Reservation), and Smiley have stood the test of time and have grown stronger through the years.

^ŵŝůĞǇ͛ƐƐƚŽƌǇ was adapted from an article by Tony Lazewski.

The Paper Tepee Story ² 1937 Jamboree

The first National Boy Scout Jamboree was held in 1937 in Washington, D.C. The Samoset Council contingent consisted of 35 Scouts and leaders, most of whom were members of the Order of the Arrow. The contingent was set up as an Indian village, using the now famous paper tepees. The 12 16-foot buckskin-colored tepees, with authentic Indian designs, became one of the sensations of the Jamboree and earned a tremendous amount of favorable publicity for the council. Because of the many requests from all parts of this country and abroad, over 100 tepee kits were made and sold by TKC Lodge after the Jamboree.

Order of the Arrow Paper Tepee ^ĂŵŽƐĞƚŽƵŶĐŝů͛ƐWĂƉĞƌdepee Camp at Order of Arrow National Conference Camp Twin Echo, Pennsylvania, 1940

Lodge History

Through the efforts of William E. Hoffmann, then Scout Executive of Samoset Council, MA-KA-JA-WAN Lodge of the North Shore Area Council, Highland Park, Illinois, called out the first members of our lodge on July 26, 1936. That same summer Samoset Council's executive board approved the Order of the Arrow as an official part of the council's camping program. As tradition indicates, a buck leaped through the Grand Council Ring during that first call-out ceremony. The name of ouƌůŽĚŐĞ͕dŽŵ<ŝƚĂŚĂƌĂ͕ŵĞĂŶƐ͞leaping buck͟ in the language of the Chippewa Indians, who lived in this part of Wisconsin. Our lodge number is 96, signifying that it was the 96th lodge of the Order to be formed.

Supreme Chief of the Fire (scout executives)

1920-26 ...... George C. Dreisbach 1926-30...... S. G. Browman 1931-35...... Ford H. Longsdorf 1935-45...... William E. Hoffmann 1945-48...... Ed Schwechel 1948-55...... Sig. W. Kilander 1955-57...... David Agnew 1957-67...... Russell W. Reed 1967-87...... Richard Paul 1987-91...... G. Richard Williamson 1991-98...... Michael Sulgrove 1998-08...... Bruce Mikkelsen 2008-12...... Mike McCarthy 2012-13...... Paul Tikalski 2013-14...... Mark G. Holtz (Interim) 2014-Present...... Jeff Ottosen

Lodge Chiefs

1936-37...... Robert Tank 1937-38...... Robert Tank 1938-39...... Robert Tank 1939-40...... Helmuth Stubee 1940-41͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙͙Albert Dahl 1941-42...... Albert Dahl 1942-43...... Garth Hoffman 1943-44...... Garth Hoffman 1944-45...... Richard Marsh 1945-46...... Wayne McCowan

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Lodge Chiefs (continued)

1946-47...... Jim Lewis 1947-48...... Roger Lange 1948-49...... Lloyd Berner 1949-50...... Lloyd Berner 1950-51...... Richard McAllister 1951-52...... Richard Salzer 1952-53...... Fred Schadewald 1953-54...... David Jensen 1954-55...... Robert Salzer 1955-56...... Dan Kozlowsky 1956-57...... Richard Shepherd 1957-58...... Robert Ely 1858-59...... Tim Jones 1959-60...... Glenn Urban 1960-61...... Walter Prahl 1961-62...... Douglass Cook 1962-63...... Richard LeCerte 1963-64...... Jahn Buzza 1964-65...... Roy Jaeger 1965-66...... Pat Kubley 1966-67...... John Noel 1967-68...... Brian Jensen 1968-69...... Brian Jensen 1969-70...... Mark Taylor 1970-71...... Tom Gebert 1971-72...... Scott Brown 1972-73...... Terry Brockman 1973-74...... John VanDreese 1974-75...... Phil Quinn 1975-76...... Kurt Hansen 1976-77...... Peter Emanuel 1977-78...... Mark Dewitt 1978-79...... Martin Reuter 1979-80...... Martin Reuter 1980-81...... Jerry Swan 1981-82...... Mark Anderson 1982-83...... David Zahn 1983-84...... Eric Wangen 1984-85...... Eric Wangen 1985-86...... Paul Schneider 1986-87...... Paul Schneider

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Lodge Chiefs (continued)

1987-88...... Ted Sharon 1988-89...... George Lawless 1989-90...... Mark Klos 1990-91...... Todd Sackmann 1991-92...... Chris Martin 1992-93...... Aaron Ellis 1993-94...... Jake Chasteen 1994-95...... Aaron Ellis 1995-96...... Curt DeLeske 1996-97...... Brian Gaunt 1997-98...... John Jagoditsh 1998-99...... Rob Amelse 1999-00...... Curt Barr 2000-01...... Tony Paprocki 2001-02...... Chris Burish 2002-03...... Tim Piotrowski 2003-04...... Adam Schmidt 2004-05...... Reid Rayome 2005-06...... Reid Rayome 2006-07...... Ben Wohlleber 2007-08...... Kyle Retzki 2008-09...... Hunter Wojcik 2009-10...... Craig Beer 2010-11...... Ryan Feathers 2011-12...... Troy Seehafer 2012-13...... Jacob Schroder 2013-14...... Mitch Lawless 2014-Present...... Gavin Lawless

Chapters

CURRENT CHAPTERS: Ahdawagam Crystal Lake Headwaters Mushkodany Ojibwa Rib Mountain

HISTORICAL CHAPTERS: Tesomas Chapter (at Camp Tesomas)

Mystic Chapter (at Camp Chickagami and second chapter created in TKC)

Forest covering all of Forest County

Langlade covering all of Langlade County

Lincoln Chapter covering Lincoln County and eastern Taylor County

Marathon covering central and eastern Marathon County

Musky Trails

North Port (now Mushkodany)

North Wood (now Ojibwa) covering northern Wood County and western Marathon County

Northwoods (now Crystal Lake and Headwaters)

Oneida-Vilas covering Oneida and Vilas Counties

Portage covering all of Portage County

Price covering all of Price County

South Wood (now Ahdawagam) covering southern Wood County and northern Adams County

Lodge Executive Committee

Operational/Standing Committees x Activities Committee x Brotherhood Committee x Ceremonies Committee x Cub Scout Relations Committee x Elections Committee x Into the Air Committee x History Committee x Membership Committee x Troop Representative Committee x Planbook Committee x Service Committee x Vigil Committee

Lodge CommitteeV· Responsibilities

Activities Committee 1. Working with the executive committee, it plans, organizes, and runs:

a. Winter Banquet, including but not limited to:

1) Making reservations for banquet hall 2) Coordinating a menu with the cooks 3) Planning the program, including guest speaker 4) Organizing, with the council service center personnel, event account registration 5) Designing and arranging the printing of programs for banquet 6) Coordinating the setup and decorating of the banquet hall 7) Finding people to take care of the activities at the banquet, including registration, dues, trading post, displays, etc. 8) Coordinating appropriate cleanup of banquet hall 9) Establishing a budget with the approval of key 3

b. Fall Conference, including but not limited to:

1) Coordinating a menu with the cooks 2) Presenting patch designs to the executive committee for decision no later than the May executive committee meeting 3) Along with the key 3, ordering the patches

4) Finding people to take care of the activities at the conference, including registration, dues, trading post, arrow fair, tournaments, etc. 5) Organizing, with the council service center personnel, an event account for registration 6) Coordinating pre-registration at Camp Tesomas 7) Designing and arranging the printing of programs for the conference 8) Finding appropriate clergy to conduct religious services, if desired 9) Coordinating the setup of the camp 10) Appointing people to coordinate tournament officials 11) Providing recognition for all competitions 12) Coordinating appropriate cleanup of the camp 13) Establishing a budget with approval of the key 3

2. Promotes the activities in the Into the Air, The Samoset Voice, website, and other media.

3. Reports to the lodge vice chief of program.

Brotherhood Committee 1. Updates Brotherhood forms and applications (as needed), prints copies, and distributes them to the chapter Brotherhood chairmen.

2. Sends a letter and application to Ordeal members prior to Spring Work Trek.

3. Sets up the Brotherhood hike and ceremony (with lodge ceremonies chairman) for Spring Work Trek, Fall Conference, and any other Brotherhood ceremonies.

4. Updates (with the lodge membership chairman) the membership cards following the induction of new Brotherhood members.

5. Updates (with the lodge history chairman) the history with list of newly inducted members, and photographs of all groups earning their Brotherhood.

6. Coordinates the mailing of the four Brotherhood letters to all of the new Ordeal members.

7. Organizes and carries out the Brotherhood training clinic/weekend.

8. Reports to the lodge vice chief of program.

Ceremonies Committee 1. Submits a detailed inventory of all lodge ceremonial regalia and equipment during his term in office.

2. Maintains and expands the lodge ceremonial regalia and equipment during his term in office.

3. Works with the Tesomas OA coordinator to ensure that enough supplies for all ceremonies are on hand for the entire summer.

4. With the OA coordinator, oversees all aspects of the Ordeal and Brotherhood process. It is recommended to find assistants to help fulfill responsibilities.

5. Reports to the lodge vice chief of program.

Cub Scout Relations Committee 1. Works with the chapter chiefs to enhance the Cub Scout experience, including production of crossover ceremonies, camp promotions, and assistance of Cub Scout events.

2. Coordinates the Chief Akela ceremony, including acquisition and maintenance of regalia and training of ceremonialists.

3. Promotes Cub Scout camping through presentation to packs, appearance at events, and other efforts.

4. Reports to the lodge vice chief of program.

Elections Committee 1. Before camp:

a. Sees that elections abide by the latest lodge procedures, which are in accordance with national policy.

b. Produces copies of the unit election form.

c. dƌĂŝŶƐĞĂĐŚĐŚĂƉƚĞƌ͛Ɛelections chairman before the end of January.

d. Sees that all elections/forms will be completed and received before the deadline in May.

e. Compiles a list of all nominated/elected Scouts and Scouters, separated by week at camp and organized by troop, prior to opening of camp.

f. Gives completed list of candidates to the Tesomas OA coordinator (who will check with scoutmasters for accuracy and arrange for number of uncases needed).

2. During camp:

a. Records, with the assistance of the Tesomas OA coordinator, absent candidates or partial completions so they can be done at Fall Conference.

3. After camp:

a. With the lodge vice chief of administration, compiles list of all new members.

b. Contacts candidates yet to complete Ordeal process, reminding them of their one year of candidacy.

4. Reports to the lodge vice chief of chapters.

Into the Air Committee 1. Oversees all publications of the lodge newsletter, Into the Air, including:

a. Publishing the newsletter on a quarterly basis b. Setting deadlines for the articles to be submitted and reminding LEC members of deadlines c. Editing and polishing articles into presentable form d. Organizing the layout of each issue e. Sending complete final draft to printer f. Mailing, by agreed upon deadline, through the council service center

2. Sees that all active members of Tom Kita Chara Lodge receive a copy of Into the Air by obtaining from the membership committee an updated, active mailing list each year.

3. Carries out communication-related special projects as appointed by the lodge officers.

4. Reports to the lodge vice chief of administration.

History Committee 1. Maintains and updates the lodge history books and the Tesomas archive room.

2. Maintains a binder of all lodge and national publications (Into the Air and National Bulletin).

3. Keeps a binder of minutes for executive committeeͶand any other meetings.

4. Takes pictures of the following, has them printed, and updates the history books:

a. Lodge events b. Groups of new Ordeal members, each Ordeal c. Groups of new Brotherhood members, each ceremony d. Groups of new Vigil members, each year

5. Prepares displays for all lodge functions.

6. Reports to the lodge vice chief of program.

Membership Committee 1. Maintains an up-to-date file of active and inactive members of Tom Kita Chara Lodge and cooperates with council service center personnel to maintain membership information at the council office.

2. Compiles and issues a membership directory of all active members of each chapter (following LOTS and upon request).

3. Works with the lodge vice chief of administration to make certain that all active members receive Into the Air and any other mailings.

4. Sends out a letter at the beginning of the new calendar year, notifying inactive members of their status and requesting payment of their dues.

5. Works with the elections chairman to create files for each of the new Ordeal members inducted during the summer.

6. Maintains, along with Brotherhood chairman and Vigil chairman, membership updates following induction ceremonies.

7. Receives dues payments, along with the lodge vice chief of administration, at lodge events.

8. Reports to the lodge vice chief of administration.

Troop Representative Committee 1. Maintains, through the use of the chapters and his committee, a list of all Order of the Arrow troop representatives. This list will be used to promote OA events.

2. Be in contact with scoutmasters to promote the Order of the Arrow troop representative program and recruit representatives.

3. Offers training for troop representatives.

4. Reports to the lodge vice chief of program.

Planbook Committee 1. Assembles and prints copies of the annual lodge planbook, including but not limited to:

a. The lodge goals and the goals of each executive committee member b. The calendar of events for the lodge year c. Past recipients of TKC awards and recognitions d. Other information that could be beneficial to the executive committee

2. Sees that copies are made available to the executive committee by the new calendar year.

3. Provides copies of planbook for viewing at all lodge functions.

4. Maintains the lodge͛Ɛ Where to go Camping booklet, updating it as needed (at least once every four years).

5. Reports to the lodge vice chief of administration.

Service Committee 1. Suggests possible service projects to chapters.

2. Keeps track of service that the lodge, chapters, and council troops are performing.

3. Administers lodge service projects/weekends.

4. Reports to the lodge vice chief of program.

Vigil Committee 1. Consists of youth chair, two additional youth members, and two adult advisers.

2. Oversees nomination, selection, and induction for/into the Vigil Honor.

3. In coordination with the executive committee, plans and manages Vigil Honor members and functions.

4. Reports to the lodge chief and acts as a voting member on the LEC.

Lodge Communications/Publications

Lodge newsletter: Into The Air (ITA)

Where To Go Camping Handbook Located on http://www.tkc.samoset.org ƵŶĚĞƌƚŚĞ͞ƌĞƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ͟ďĂƌ. Click on thĞ͞tŚĞƌĞdŽ'ŽĂŵƉŝŶŐ͟ďƵƚƚŽŶ.

Lodge web site ʹ http://www.tkc.samoset.org

Lodge social networking sites ʹ Facebook.com Tom Kita Chara

Lodge Activities

Tom Kita Chara Lodge normally hosts seven activities each year. Our lodge year starts with our Fall Conference, which is normally held the third weekend of August each year. At this first event, all members of our lodge gather at Tesomas Scout Camp beginning on Friday night.

On Saturday morning, elections are held for new lodge and chapter officers. The positions include lodge chief, lodge vice chief of chapters, lodge vice chief of program, and lodge vice chief of administration. After these elections are finished, everyone gathers with their corresponding chapters and elects their chapter chief, chapter vice chief, and chapter secretary. In the afternoon, every chapter has games set up for individual Arrowmen to compete in. Following those, the lodge usually has one or more games for the chapter competition. In the evening, there is an Ordeal and a Brotherhood ceremony, followed by a return to the dining hall for a cracker barrel. Concurrently, the Vigil ordeals are occurring on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, awards are given out for first year Arrowmen award recipients and quality chapter, followed by the new Vigil candidates being presented to the entire lodge and given their sashes and Vigil names.

In late September, the Lodge Officer Training Seminar (LOTS) is held. All elected lodge and chapter officers, plus all committee chairs and advisers who were appointed at Fall Conference, gather for training to effectively perform their new job duties. This weekend together gives everyone a chance to socialize and meet each other. The first Lodge Executive Committee (LEC) meeting of the new lodge year is held that weekend immediately following the training.

Fall Work Trek is usually held around the first weekend of October. This event closes up the camp for the winter. Although this is scheduled and promoted as an OA event, others are welcome to come and help. The Tesomas camp ranger will typically provide a list of projects for the lodge to work on. The TKC history committee usually uses this weekend for cleaning the archive room and rearranging or creating new exhibits.

Winter Banquet is the other major activity of the lodge year. Usually held in Wausau because of its central location, this is the showcase for what has happened and will be happening in the lodge. Every lodge committee and chapter has a booth showing what they did the past year and what their plans are for the future. This is where future events like our Brotherhood clinic and MOAC are promoted. Every chapter plans and organizes games and contributes door prizes. After the socializing time, we have the banquet, followed by the lŽĚŐĞ͛ƐĂŶŶƵĂůŵĞĞƚŝŶŐ where the lodge budget is approved and the Outstanding Arrowmen Award, the Eagle Feather Award, the TKC Spirit Award, and the FoundĞƌ͛ƐAward are presented.

The next activity of the year is the Brotherhood clinic. Here, Ordeal members gather and learn about the obligation, song, and the ceremonies that they witnessed. They can also complete their Brotherhood interview here.

Often on this same weekend, another event is held, which is MOAC (Mini Order of the Arrow Conference). This is designed to train Order of the Arrow troop representatives. They receive detailed instruction on ƚŚĞKƌĚĞƌŽĨƚŚĞƌƌŽǁ͛ƐĂŶĚŽƵƌůŽĚŐĞ͛ƐŚŝƐƚŽry, information about high adventure, and their role in the lodge and their Scout troop.

The final activity before the start of summer camp is Spring Work Trek. This work weekend is designed to prepare camp for summer. This originally had been an OA-only event, but due to the increasing amount of what needed to be done before camp could open and the need for larger numbers of workers, it was expanded to the entire council. The Vigil selection committee also meets this weekend and a Brotherhood ceremony is held.

Area/Section Events

Section Conclave The main event for the section is our annual Section Conclave. Held in the fall, we elect our section officers, do training modules, and have lots of fun and games. Some of our training includes new Ordeal orientation, high school to college transition, Eagle inspiration, and much more. Afternoons are for games and fun. Every year we have a dunk tank and all section officers and lodge chiefs take a turn in it. In the evening, section elections are held, followed by the closing show.

1938 NOAC

The first NOAC attended by Tom Kita Chara Lodge was the 1938 conference in the Missouri Ozarks. Ours was the third largest contingent in attendance. Our members were active in the conference program. TKC Lodge Chief Robert Tank was a member of the National Nominating Committee; William E. Hoffman was elected to the National Committee of the Order of the Arrow.

The Eisenhower Sword

One of the special and unique events in the loĚŐĞ͛ƐŚŝƐƚŽƌǇŚĂƉƉĞŶĞĚŝŶϭϵϰϲ͘General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower and his brothers visited northern Wisconsin, and the lodge was able to make him an honorary member.

The story of how this adventure happened is interesting and a testament to what a group of ingenious youth can do when they set their minds to a task. Wayne McGown, our lodge chief at the time, recounts the details of what he and his friends did. tŝƚŚƚŽĚĂǇ͛ƐƐĞĐƵƌŝƚǇ- consciousness compared to the innocence of the 1940s, something like this probably would never be allowed to happen today.

The following is an accounting of the events by Wayne McCowan:

This story starts with what was probably the biggest news in northern Wisconsin in the summer of 1946. General Eisenhower, having returned home as the victorious general of WW II, was going to visit Wisconsin for a fishing trip with his brothers. Everything about the visit was hush-hush to prevent people (like us) from trying to see him and interrupt his visit. Where he was, was truly a well-kept secret, but that didn't prevent ƵƐĨƌŽŵƐŝƚƚŝŶŐĂƌŽƵŶĚŝŶĂ͞staff cabin͟ one night deciding we ought to try to find him. Leonard Johnston, a maintenance engineer with Wisconsin Bell and a great Scouter, urged us to take it seriously. I was the lodge chief, so the finger pointed most at me.

All the papers had printed that he was thought to be 20 miles west of Minocqua. A very tolerant camp director (Chief Schwechel) gave us the day off and his best wishes, and we started out with OA membership materials (sash, handbook, etc.) and youthful naivety. In Rhinelander, Len J. called the Wisconsin Bell headquarters in Milwaukee to see if they knew Ike's whereabouts. They said no. He responded that he had received company ŽƌĚĞƌƐƚŽŬĞĞƉƚŚĞƉŚŽŶĞůŝŶĞƐĐůĞĂƌŝŶƚŽ/ŬĞ͛ƐůŽĚŐĞ;ĂƐůŝŐŚƚĞǆĂŐŐĞƌĂƚŝŽŶͿ, and how was he to do that if no one knew where he was? The president of Wisconsin Bell came on the line and told us that he wĂƐĂƚDŽŽĚǇ͛ƐZĞƐŽƌƚϰϱŵŝůĞƐŶŽƌƚŚĞĂƐƚ of Minocqua.

The following is from a letter Wayne sent to his parents, describing what happened after receiving this information:

We started out for Boulder Junction and the resort was eight miles west of there. We didn't think that we probably would get anywhere near the place, but as we neared the sign, there were no barricades, so we drove into the lodge. The road leading in was about one-half mile long, and about halfway in we met a state police car, but he did not stop us, and so we kept going.

As we neared a fairly nice cabin, we were stopped by a state patrolman who asked us what we wanted. We had taken with us a ritual book, an arrow pin, thong, and a membership card, with the thought that if we got anywhere near him, possibly an orderly would take the things in for us. We explained all this to the cop, telling him also that we were representing Samoset Scouts from Camp Tesomas. The cop said that they had turned away five or six organizations who had been in to confer honorary memberships upon him, but would let us talk to his orderly.

His orderly was a master sergeant and a very fine fellow. We explained it all to him and he said that the general was quite interested in the Boy Scouts and that he was sure the general would accept membership. He also said that he wished that we could go in and explain all the things to the general himself, but that he was definitely on a vacation and his orders were to see no one. All this time, we were standing right outside his cottage and we could hear them talking and laughing inside. The sergeant thanked us and told us we would definitely hear from him or his secretary before our camping season closed.

We left, feeling that we had gotten a lot further than any of us ever thought we would. And yet, way down underneath, I thought maybe the sergeant would just toss the stuff ŝŶĂďĂƐŬĞƚĂůŽŶŐǁŝƚŚŽƚŚĞƌ͞trash͟ and that we would get a form letter from his ŚĞĂĚƋƵĂƌƚĞƌƐ͞thanking us.͟

We got back last night about 6:30 PM and Elroy (Bersch) and Chief (Schwechel) were more than surprised that we got as far as we did.

However, today I was standing in back of the main lodge, washing dishes from a cookout I had been on, and in pulled a state police car. This same sergeant got out, and I was one pretty surprised fellow. He shook hands and said that he had told the general about our visit and had given him the arrow things. He said the general expressed deep regrets for not having seen us and thanked us personally, but that possibly he would visit our camp sometime this week. We told him all about the calling out tomorrow night (Thursday), and the sergeant said there was a very big possibility that Ike would try to get here and see it.

The sergeant kept asking me questions about the camp as to the number of campers, etc. Chief and Elroy both happened to be out of camp at the time, but Mr. Johnson, Showers and I showed the sergeant and his police escort around a bit. The sergeant told us not to count too strongly on it but that he would call Joe Schooley (in Rhinelander) before 5:00 and let us know definitely. The sergeant then handed me a letter that Ike had written as soon as he had been told of our visit. We have framed the letter, but this is what it says. (It is written on ͞Moody's Big Lake Resort͟ stationery, as the sergeant said the general had brought no facilities for writing letters.) This is it:

Dear Wayne,

I am truly grateful to you and your lodge for making me a member of the Order of the Arrow. My brothers and I were engaged when you visited this camp, otherwise I would not have missed seeing you and your friends. Perhaps I will get such an opportunity when I leave the section. In the event that I do not, please accept my thanks and give my best wishes to Mr. Johnson and Showers, and to James Check and Daniel Teas.

When I return to Washington I will try to find a souvenir to send to the lodge.

With warm regards, Very sincerely, Dwight D. Eisenhower

Wayne's letter continues:

Whether he comes or not, I think it is really pretty swell. It is something to call him a brother lodge member. If he does come, it will be more than wonderful, but anyway with this letter, I think it will give our lodge and camp quite a boost. One thing we wondered about was if there were any other protection around. The cop, today, told us that there were eight men with machine guns trained on us all the time we were there. It has really been a wonderful experience and something I will never forget. All the time we went by the old saying͕͞Witness the turtle, he makes no progress unless his neck is out.͟ We really stuck ours out, but it certainly worked out swell. Of course, you will not mention this letter, except to close friends, until he is out of this part of the country.

Camp is going swell and of course, I'm still having a swell summer. Write, as I do like mail.

P.S.: Save this letter and the envelope for my ͞scrapbook͘͟

Love, Wayne

NOTE: Wayne still has the original envelope with Ike's handwriting. He also has lost his affinity for the word ͞swell͘͟ The sword and letter are on display in the Camp Tesomas archive room. Although his orderly said that he might be able to visit the camp during his stay, Eisenhower never did actually visit the lodge or the camp. The staff did spruce up the camp ͞just in case,͟ but ͞Ike͟ came down with a bit of a cold and could not attend the call-out ceremony. After he left the state, word leaked out and the camp was swarmed with press.

True to his word, he later sent the lodge an old family sword, which the lodge still has.

The Original Legend

In January 1947, Kurt Krahn wrote our version of the Lenni Lenape legend used in the call-out ceremony. That same year the National Order of the Arrow Bulletin published this dramatization and gave full credit for its original development to Tom Kita Chara Lodge. The National ŽŵŵŝƚƚĞĞĂĚŽƉƚĞĚƚŚŝƐ͕ĂŶĚ<ƌĂŚŶ͛ƐůĞŐĞŶĚǁĂƐƵƐĞĚďǇd<͕ĂƐǁĞůůĂƐŵĂŶǇŽƚŚĞƌůŽĚŐĞƐŝŶ the Order.

Samoset Council Boy Scouts of America

Dramatization of the Legend of the Lenni Lenape Tribe of the Delaware Indians

Scene I

Reader: Long years ago, in the dim ages of the past, the Lenni Lenape tribe of the Delaware Indians inhabited the Delaware River valley. Here they hunted and fished. Their villages were numerous and powerful; their hunting parties strong. They tilled the fields and followed the chase. They were a peaceful people, never warring with other tribes unless first attacked. The smoke arose from their wigwams as they returned from the hunt, and their council fires blazed brightly as around them they smoked their pipes of peace. Many moons ƚŚĞǇůŝǀĞĚŝŶƚŚŝƐďůŝƐƐĨƵůƐƚĂƚĞŽĨŚĂƉƉǇĐŽŶƚĞŶƚŵĞŶƚ͘DŽƚŚĞƌĂƌƚŚ͛ƐŚĂƉƉǇ awakening heralded the yearly arrival of spring . . . springtime blossomed into summer . . . summer matured into autumn . . . autumn faded into winter, in what seemed a never-ending succession of seasons. But, a cloud arose on this peaceful scene. Neighboring tribes and distant enemies began to raid their hunting grounds. Then, Chinachgook, the chief of the Lenni Lenape tribe, made inquiry.

Chinachgook: My chiefs, these are indeed fearful days. Our villages are endangered by the Onondaga, the Hurons, and the Cayugas. We must warn them, and help them defend their wigwams. Who among you will carry the message of warning to our brothers?

First Chief: Why should we endanger our lives for our neighbors?

Second Chief: We must protect ourselves. Let our neighbors take care of themselves.

Third Chief: Chinachgook grows old worrying about those away from here. Why does he not think more about us? 27

Uncas: My father, here am I. Send me. All these villages are of our blood, the Lenni Lenape. What is danger to one is danger to all. The need is urgent. They are six to our one, and if we are to survive as a nation, we must all stand by each other.

Chinachgook: Uncas, my son, in you indeed flows the blood of our mighty forefathers. My head is bowed in shame as I look about me and see my chieftains who would speak bravely at the council, yet fear to lift the tomahawk against their enemy. You depart upon a mission from which there may be no return. As you travel the trails, seek from among others those who will unselfishly serve the cause in which we are enlisted. As each gets this higher vision, send him forth on his errands of cheerful service.

Scene II

Reader: Then, Chinachgook, the chief, and his son, Uncas, set to work. In every village were some who were willing to give themselves cheerfully in the service of others.

First Chief: Uncas, son of Chinachgook, what brings you so far from your hunting grounds?

Uncas: My brother, I have come to warn you that the Onondagas, the Hurons, and the Cayugas are preparing to attack you. We must gather our people for battle. I have done so because we are brothers and, as such, must be loyal to each other. Will both of you not join me, that we may warn all our people?

Second Chief: Why should I risk my life for them?

First Chief: I will join you, Uncas. I want to help you.

Scene III

Reader: Their enemies were compelled to retire to their own borders, and when peace was declared between them, they who first went out cheerfully to serve their kinsmen were raised to places of high eminence in the tribe by the chief.

Chinachgook: My brothers, you have been elevated to the honor of Chief because you were willing to sacrifice your life that others might live.

Uncas: My noble father, these chiefs have a request to make of you. Chief Blackhawk will present their cause.

Blackhawk: Mighty Chief, we feel that there are others who perform services for those about them without reward. They should be honored for their labors. We suggest that you form an order which would make service its watchword.

Reader: And these braves became so convinced of the truth of his message that they besought the chief to perpetuate it in some manner. So Chinachgook bound them together in secret brotherhood into which only they can be admitted, who can forget their own interests and advancement while looking out for those of their brothers, and these must be so considered and recommended for membership by their associates.

Uncas: My brothers, I offer you as the symbol of our Order this arrow. Its point is keen; aimed high, its course undeviating, its direction onward and upward. It, therefore, becomes a token of leadership and, as such, we should adopt it.

Reader: And so we, the followers of the early Indian on this soil, become heirs to the Brotherhood, inherit the traditions and ideals, as well as the red arrow, symbol of unselfish devotion in the service of others.

Chinachgook: DǇďƌŽƚŚĞƌƐ͕ĨŽƌĂƌĞǁĞŶŽƚŝŶĚĞĞĚďƌŽƚŚĞƌƐ͕/ǁŽƵůĚƌĞŵŝŶĚǇŽƵ͕͞,ĞǁŚŽ ƐĞƌǀĞƐŚŝƐĨĞůůŽǁƐŝƐŽĨĂůůŚŝƐĨĞůůŽǁƐŐƌĞĂƚĞƐƚ͘͟Follow and assist me to discover whether we have braves present who should be tested for membership in our Order.

CLSR Construction Crew

Although the CLSR construction crew is not an OA-sponsored organization, many of its members belong to the Order of the Arrow. This group of Scouters performs many man-hours of service to the CLSR. The projects range the numerous small fix-it type projects to the large maintenance projects like replacing roofs and building cabins and latrines.

The )RXQGHU·V$ZDUG5HFLSLHQWV

1986...... Tom Gibberd 1987...... Ed Zahn 1988...... Terry Shepard 1991...... Mark Klos and Todd Sackmann 1992...... Rob Landowski and Chris Martin 1993...... Jim VanDreese 1994...... Aaron Ellis and Rick Radloff 1995...... Dick Amelse and Justin Anderson 1996...... Steve DeLonay 1997...... Dean Johnson and Dave LaHaye 1998...... Rob Amelse and Brian Gaunt 1999...... Rick Amelse and Troy Pichelman 2000...... Justin Ploegert and Keith Slizewski 2001...... Curt Barr and Elvis Bauman 2002...... Chris Burish and Tim Piotrowski 2003...... Jim Peterson Sr. and Adam Schmidt 2004...... Al Schult 2005...... Sandy Irwin and Reid Rayome 2006...... Jim Peterson Jr. and Ben Wohlleber 2007...... Frank Bichler and Jim Bichler 2008...... Ben Hable and Kyle Retzki 2009...... Matt Patterson and Hunter Wojcik 2010...... Craig Beer and Troy Seehafer 2011...... John Wyatt Keiffer and Aaron Marti 2012...... Scott Domino and Jacob Schroeder 2013...... Michael Bergmann and Steve Lorang 2014...... Ben Metzger and Nathan Ochocinski

Distinguished Service Award

2012...... John VanDreese

John was tapped out in the late 1960s and spent his youth as a member of TKC. From 1973-74, he served as the TKC lodge chief. After college, he became a professional Scouter. John was awarded the OA Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his professional Scouting work.

William E. Hoffmann was also awarded the Distinguished Service Award in the late 1940s.

E. Urner Goodman Award

The E. Urner Goodman Award was established in 1969 as a tribute and testimonial to the Order's founder, E. Urner Goodman. Its purpose is to encourage and challenge Order of the Arrow members and lodges to increase their effectiveness in promoting and increasing Scout camping in each council. Awards are presented to two outstanding lodges in each region annually. TKC has earned this award twice; the first time in 1998 and the second in 2008.

Individual Lodge Awards

Eagle Feather For individuals who are not OA members and who provide significant service to Tom Kita Chara Lodge or its chapters. One to three awards per year, depending on number of nominations.

Friend of TKC For businesses/organizations that provide significant service to Tom Kita Chara Lodge or its chapters; created in 2014. First awarded at Winter Banquet in 2015. One to three awards per year, depending on number of nominations.

Arrowman of the Year Three to five awards per year, depending on number of nominations.

First Year Arrowman Award Awarded to any first year Ordeal Arrowman that meets the prescribed requirements by the end of their first year as a member.

Scoutmaster Belt Buckles

Each summer since 1992, one limited edition belt buckle is given to the in-camp scoutmaster from each unit who meets both of the following standards: x The unit/in-camp scoutmaster stays the entire week in camp x The unit operates independently without being a combination of units

Tom Kita Chara Lodge sponsors this program and designs the buckle. At the closing campfire each week, a representative of the lodge presents the qualifying in-camp scoutmasters with a ďƌŽŶǌĞŽƌƉĞǁƚĞƌďĞůƚďƵĐŬůĞ͘ĂĐŚǇĞĂƌ͛ƐďƵĐŬůĞĚĞƐŝŐŶŝƐĚŝĨĨĞƌĞŶƚ, and the buckles are highly prized by those who earn one. All remaining buckles are destroyed in a ceremony at the end of the last camp period. Buckles are never made available for sale, auction, or gifts.