Samoset Council

Scouting portalThe Erv Romansky Family Camp, an area near
Samoset Council is a Boy Scout councilTesomas with 14 campsites, is for those who
headquartered in Weston, Wisconsin that serveschoose not to stay with their unit at summer
north central Wisconsin. Founded in 1920, thecamp. It can accommodate tents, pop-ups, and
council gets its name from an early Boy Scoutfull size trailers or motor homes. Each site has a
camp in the Town of Harrison named Campfire pit and water, and most have electricity.
Sam-O-Set. The Council is served by Tom KitaThe Tesomas logo is Smiley the Tent, a tent with
Chara Lodge of the Order of the Arrow.a large smile, wearing a gold crown. Smiley is
Contentsusually pictured with the camp's slogan, "Where
1 OrganizationCamping is King!" Smiley has the distinction of
1.1 Districtsbeing the only Scouting symbol designed by Walt
1.2 Board of DirectorsDisney. Tesomas was awarded Smiley after they
1.3 Endowmentlet Disney take pictures of the surrounding forest
1.4 Programas a base for Bambi's forest home.
1.5 Council HistoryTesomas has earned awards from the Scouting
2 CampsNational Accreditation Committee for being one of
2.1 Crystal Lake Scout Reservationthe top Boy Scout Camps in the nation.[citation
2.1.1 Tesomas Scout Campneeded]
2.1.2 Akela's World Cub Scout CampTesomas is also the home of the annual Crystal
2.1.3 Hanna Venture BaseLake Classic mountain bike race, which is part of
2.2 Camp Phillipsthe Wisconsin Off Road Series (W.O.R.S.). Scouting
2.3 Flambeau Canoe Basevolunteers help operate the event, usually held in
3 Former CampsMay. The trails of the course are ideally suited for
3.1 Camp Sam-O-Setmountain biking, made up of rock, sand and clay.
3.2 Camp ChickagamiAkela's World Cub Scout Camp
4 Tom Kita Chara LodgeCreated in 1993, Akela's World is a Cub Scout
4.1 Lodge historysummer resident camp. Serving both Cub Scouts
4.2 Chaptersand Webelos Scouts during the summer, it was
4.3 Lodge Eventsthe #1 Cub Scout resident camp in the nation for
4.4 Lodge Executive Committee2001, 2002 and 2003. In 2004 it was #1 in the
5 See alsoCentral Region and #2 in the country.[citation
6 Referencesneeded]
7 External linksAkela's World, which occupies a large portion of
//the Crystal Lake Scout Reservation property, is
Organizationlocated at the south end of Crystal Lake. The
Samoset Council has a professional staff ofcamp program provides advancement
approximately 12 people. There are 6,000 youthopportunities for Cubs and Webelos.
members in the council's 13-county geographicThe main building is the Mark Program Center,
area. The Council number is 627.where the kitchen and dining hall are located.
DistrictsPoints of interest are the Lost Ship, and Huck
The council is divided into six districts:Finn's Waterfront.
Ahdawagam District serves Scouts in Adams,Hanna Venture Base
Arkdale, Babcock, Friendship, Grand Marsh,Hanna Venture Base, located near Akela's World,
Nekoosa, Pittsville, Port Edwards, Rudolph, Vesper,is the smallest part of the Crystal Lake Scout
and Wisconsin Rapids.Reservation. It was named after, and financially
Crystal Lake District serves Scouts in Antigo,supported by Al Hanna, whose achievements
Crandon, Eagle River, Elcho, Harshaw, Land Oakes,include climbing to the top of Mount Everest. The
Laona, McNaughton, Newbold, Phelps, St. Germain,hub for Venturing in Samoset Council, it features
Rhinelander, and Three Lakes.an indoor climbing wall and an outdoor 60 climbing
Mushkodany District serves Scouts in Almond,tower, with walls for rappelling and climbing.
Amherst, Amherst Junction, Bancroft,Week-long Hanna Venture Base Treks are taken
Birnamwood, Custer, Gresham, Junction City,by both Scouts and Venturers. Trek destinations
Milladore, Mosinee, Plover, Rosholt, Stevens Point,include the Apostle Islands and the Porcupine
and Wittenberg.Mountains.
Northwoods District serves Scouts in BoulderThe Hanna Winter Resort is a week-end-long
Junction, Butternut, Gleason, Medford, Merrill,winter camping experience at the Hanna Base.
Minocqua, Phillips, Prentice, Rib Lake, Stetsonville,Camp Phillips
Tomahawk, and Woodruff.Camp Phillips is located in Weston, Wisconsin,
Ojibwa District serves Scouts in Abbotsford,adjacent to the Samoset Council Service Center.
Athens, Auburndale, Blenker, Colby, Edgar, Hewitt,The 60-acre (0.2 km2) camp is available for
Marathon, Marshfield, Spencer, Stratford, Unity,short-term camping, and is open to non-Scouting
and Withee.organizations. The main building is McCormick
Rib Mountain District serves Scouts in Hatley,Lodge. A bouldering wall was constructed in 2009.
Hewitt/Texas, Kronenwetter, Maine, Rib Mountain,Flambeau Canoe Base
Ringle, Rothschild, Schofield, Stettin, and Wausau.The 150-acre (0.6 km2) Flambeau Canoe Base is
The Headwaters District has been defunct sincelocated on the south fork of the Flambeau River,
2003. It used to consist of the area that is nownear Lugerville, Wisconsin. The property includes
the Northwoods and Crystal Lake Districts. It wasseveral campsites, a covered shelter, and a tiered
the largest, northern-most, and most rural districtcamp fire area. For spring through fall use, there
in the council.are six canoes.
Board of DirectorsFormer Camps
Samoset Council's board of directors comprisesA 1944 patch from Camp Chickagami, made of
the six district chairpersons, the council president,felt. Similar in design to early Tesomas patches.
council commissioner, council treasurer, assistantThere is long and proud tradition of camping in
treasurer, and one youth member (usually theSamoset Council, dating back to the very
Tom Kita Chara Lodge Chief).beginning of the council. In 1921, Camp Lakota (on
EndowmentCarroll Lake) was the Council's first camp, but
Financial support from past sources had not kepthistorical records are sketchy. With the later rise
pace with the growth of the Council, so anof Camp Sam-O-Set, quality camping has always
Endowment Trust Fund was created. This is abeen a key component of the council's program.
permanent fund, in which the principal is kept inCamp Sam-O-Set
perpetuity, and the interest helps ensure theLocated on Clara Lake near the town of Harrison,
financial needs of the council in the future. As ofthe council got its name from this camp (changing
February 2010, the Endowment Fund had a totalits name to Samoset Council in 1930). Camp
of $7.2 million, with a goal of $10 million.Sam-O-Set was closed the year before the
ProgramTesomas property was opened in 1935. The
Samoset Council has a long history of camping incamp, and subsequently the council, were named
Wisconsin's northwoods. The council's residentin honor of Chief Samoset.
camps have long played a key role in providingCamp Chickagami
youth members with an outdoor experience thatCamp Chickagami was a 40-acre camp located
is conducive to learning scout skills.near Stevens Point, and was closed in 1974.
Not only are there many traditional Boy ScoutTom Kita Chara Lodge
Troops, Cub Scout Packs, and Venturing CrewsTom Kita Chara Lodge
throughout the council, but the council alsoFounded
facilitates a ScoutReach program in some1936
communities. ScoutReach is an opportunity forMembership
boys who have not already joined a traditional700
Pack or Troop to experience the ScoutingLodge Chief
Program. These units hold meetings twice aCraig Beer
month as after school programs. These boys getLodge Adviser
to experience scouting when they might notSandy Irwin
otherwise get the opportunity to be involved withStaff Adviser
scouting at all. Since this is an after schoolLaurie Johnson
program, there is usually no parent involvement,Website
typically because of the parents' work schedules.Tom Kita Chara is a Lodge of the Order of the
In 2009, Samoset Council was featured in theArrow, and is affiliated with the Samoset Council
January/February issue of Scouting Magazine,of the Boy Scouts of America.
which discussed the council's promotion of outdoorLodge history
activity. The Scout Executive's Active OutdoorAfter being chartered in December 1936, the first
Challenge, an innovative Samoset programformal Lodge meeting was held early in 1937 in
created by former Council Executive Bruce AudonWausau, Wisconsin. That same summer Samoset
Mikkelson, was described in detail. It involvesCouncil's Executive Board approved the Order of
getting Scouts outside and active for 12 monthlythe Arrow as an official part of the Council's Boy
activities. When a pack, troop, or crew completesScout camping program. As tradition indicates, a
12 consecutive monthly activities and a leaderdeer leaped through the first Lodge Ceremony.
turns in a form, each youth receives a patch.The name of the Lodge, Tom Kita Chara, means
The council and its districts offer outdoor events"leaping buck" in the language of the Chippewa
and camping opportunities during each of the fourIndians, who lived in north-central Wisconsin. The
seasons.Lodge number is 96, meaning that it was the
Council History96th Lodge of the Order of the Arrow to be
What is now Samoset Council first began as theformed.
Wausau Council in 1920. In 1927 the WausauIn 1946, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was on
Council merged with the Merrill Council, to createvacation in Wisconsin. During his stay, members of
the Lincoln - Marathon Council. It was not untilthe Lodge visited and made him an honorary
1930 that it was officially retitled Samoset Council,member. In turn, he later sent the Lodge a letter
named after Camp Sam-O-Set, an early campand a sword, which are now located in the
near the town of Harrison.Archives Room at Tesomas Scout Camp, and is
Prior to the founding of the Wausau Council onavailable for public viewing. The sword was part
July 30, 1920, there had already been several Boyof his family for many generations and are
Scout Troops actively engaged in the Scoutingindicated by the original spelling of his family
program. The first troop to ever exist in the cityname  Eisenhauer.
of Wausau was Troop #1, chartered to theIn 1947, the first Winter Banquet was held, which
Universalist Church in 1910.is now an annual event. Also that same year, our
The first Council Executive for the Wausauversion of the Lenni Lenape legend was written,
Council was George C. Dreisbach, who moved toto be used in the Calling-Out Ceremony. Later in
Wausau from Akron, OH in 1920. In 1921, Wausau1947 the National Order of the Arrow Bulletin
was second in the state for number of Scouts,published it, and gave TKC full credit for its original
(25 Troops with 540 boys).development. The National Committee adopted it
The council's first camp was located on Carrollas its official version, and it is still used by TKC as
Lake, on public land leased from the state ofwell as many other lodges in the Order. The
Wisconsin.original script is located in the Archives Room at
CampsTesomas Scout Camp.
Crystal Lake Scout ReservationThe first TKC pocket flap patch was introduced in
Crystal Lake Scout Reservation (CLSR), near1954. The design was similar to the current
Rhinelander, Wisconsin, consists of three summerversion, except it had a green background. The
camps: Akela's World, for Cub Scouts; TesomasTKC "first flap" is now highly collectible, as are
Scout Camp, a Boy Scout summer camp; andmany other vintage TKC patches.
Hanna Venture Base for Venturers. The campingSince 1992, the Lodge Executive Committee of
property that is now CLSR started as just CampTom Kita Chara Lodge has designed and issued a
Tesomas, and began in 1935 with the donation ofcommemorative Scoutmaster belt buckle, which is
a 12 acres (0 km2) parcel of land from L.A.given to the in-camp Scoutmaster of each troop
Leadbetter. More property was later donated bythat comes to Camp Tesomas. The belt buckle is
the Rotary Club and other individuals andstrictly limited-edition, and only available to the
organizations. The CLSR property nowin-camp Scoutmaster, and one is given to the
encompasses over 1,100 acres (4 km2) acresTesomas Camp Director. At the end of each
of land, and most of the property around Crystalsummer, these buckles are destroyed in an
Lake.extremely large fire to preserve the tradition of
The Crystal Lake Construction Crew is a group ofonly giving them to the Scoutmasters.
volunteers dedicated to building and improving theIn 2006, TKC Lodge celebrated its 70th
council major properties.anniversary as a Lodge. The previous year, when
Tesomas Scout CampTesomas Scout Camp celebrated its 70th camp
Tesomas Scout Campanniversary in 2005, the lodge had the opportunity
Locationto welcome Robert Tank, its first lodge chief,
Rhinelander, Wisconsinback to the camp for a weekend of
Foundedremembrance and celebration. All former chiefs of
1935Tom Kita Chara Lodge present at the anniversary
Founderbanquet signed a Vigil sash, now also on display in
William Hoffman, former Council Executivethe Tesomas Archives Room.
Camp Director2011 will mark the 75th anniversary of Tom Kita
Scott DominoChara.
RangerChapters
Elvis BaumanThe Pink Flamingo is the symbol of the
WebsiteAhdawagam Chapter, appearing on the chapter's
Tesomas Scout Camp is a Boy Scout Summerpocket flap patch.
Camp, located north of Rhinelander, Wisconsin.Every chapter has a Chapter Chief, who presides
Founded in 1935, it currently serves over 3,000over the monthly chapter meetings. The position
campers per summer. With over 1,100 acresof Chapter Chief, along with other chapter offices,
(4 km2) of land and 70 staff members, theare filled yearly. The six lodge chapters include:
camp occupies most of the land around CrystalNorthwoods Chapter
Lake, a spring-fed lake with many species ofCrystal Lake Chapter
freshwater fish.Rib Mountain Chapter
The camp operates for eight weeks during theOjibwa Chapter
summer. The Scouts who camp at TesomasAhdawagam Chapter
typically stay one week with their Scout Troop.Mushkodany Chapter
Many of the Boy Scout Troops that attendChapters frequently plan their own service
Tesomas are from cities located in the Samosetprojects, and events such as campouts.
Council area of Wisconsin. However, troops fromLodge Events
around the country also travel to Tesomas.The Lodge's main annual events include:
Troops have traveled from as far as the WestWinter Banquet, held in January
Coast. Activities at Tesomas include the MeritSpring Work Treck, held in May
Badge program areas of Ecology andFall Conference, held in August
Conservation, Personal Wellness, Handicraft,Fall Work Treck, held in September
Shooting Sports, Scoutcraft, the Waterfront,Section Conclave, held in September
Cope & Climbing, and Eagle Quest.Lodge Executive Committee
The main building is the Schultz-Kieffer FellowshipThe Lodge Executive Committee (abbreviated
Lodge (also referred to as the Dining Hall, andLEC) is the leadership of Tom Kita Chara. This
formerly called the Rotary Lodge), where mealsincludes the "Key Three" positions: Lodge Chief,
are served. The other main building is the ProgramLodge Advisor, and Staff Advisor. The LEC also
Center, which houses the Camp Director's office,includes all lodge officers, including the 6 chapter
Program Director's office, Business Manager'sChapter Chiefs.
office, Archives Room, Health Office, and leaderThe LEC group meets once per month, and only
mailboxes. The camp is the home of the Tomyouth members may vote on lodge matters.
Kita Chara Lodge of the Order of the Arrow.