Scouting in Oklahoma

Life size Boy Scout bronze statue located at the entrance of the Osage County Historical Museum

Scouting in Oklahoma 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 (1909-1950)

The first Boy Scout troop in America is claimed to have been organized in Pawhuska, in May 1909 by John F. Mitchell. Pawhuska is in the Cherokee Area Council.

Recent history (1950-present)

Scouting in Oklahoma today

There are eight Boy Scouts of America local councils based in, or providing services within, the state of Oklahoma.

Arbuckle Area Council

The Boy Scouts of America Arbuckle Area Council maintains offices in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and serves youth and their families in Pontotoc, Murray, Johnston, Garvin, Coal, Atoka, Carter, Love and Marshall counties in southern Oklahoma and the city of Ringling. The Arbuckle Area Council provides a web presence for its membership and other interested persons.

Districts

• Chickasaw District covers Carter, Love, Marshall, Johnston counties and the city of Ringling
• Harry Miller District covers Pontotoc, Atoka, and Coal counties.
• Washita District covers Murray and Garvin counties.

Camp Properties

Camp Simpson, southern Oklahoma's "slice of heaven." Home to Summer Camp and Winter Camp activities. Also, available for year-round reservations. Motel room rentals, proms, weddings, family reunions, youth camps, church retreats, school outings.

OA Lodge

Wisawanik Lodge #190

Cherokee Area Council

The Boy Scouts of America Cherokee Area Council maintains an office in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and serves youth and their fami lies in northeastern Oklahoma. The Cherokee Area Council provides a web presence for its membership and other interested persons. Communities served by the council include Pawhuska, Bartlesville, Nowata, Vinita, Grove, Miami, and many others in 6 Northeastern counties of Oklahoma.

Districts

• Grand Lake District
• Osage Hills District

Camp Properties

• Camp McClintock - Outside of Bartlesville, Oklahoma

OA Lodge

• Washita Lodge #288

Cimarron Council

Cimarron Council
Owner	Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters	Enid, Oklahoma
Country	United States
Founded	2005
Website http://www.cimarronbsa.org/
Scouting portal

The Boy Scouts of America's Cimarron Council maintains an office in Enid, Oklahoma, and serves youth and their families in northwestern and north central Oklahoma. The Cimarron Council provides a web presence for its membership and other interested persons. The Cimarron Council was established in June 2005 following the mergers of the Great Salt Plains Council (Enid) and the Will Rogers Council (Ponca City). At the time of the merger there were also discussions with Cherokee Council (Bartlesville) but they opted out of further discussions.

Organization

The Cimarron Council is divided into four service areas. As of September 2011, the service areas included the Enid Service Area, Ponca City Service Area, Stillwater Service Area and the Woodward Service Area.

Camps

• Will Rogers Scout Reservation

The Will Rogers Scout Reservation, named for Will Rogers, one of Oklahoma's favorite sons, is the premier camping facility of the Cimarron Council. The camp consists of approximately 340 acres (1.4 km²) small hilly of oak and hickory forest with its northern boundary being bluffs. The camp features a small centralized dining hall with regional shower facilities and program areas. There are archery, shotgun, and rifle ranges, a boat dock and pond, swimming pool, a central bath house, and several camping areas. It is located near Cleveland, Oklahoma.

• Williams Scout Reservation

Camp Williams consists 145 acres with a small lake, a swimming pool, a southwestern adobe style mess hall, a trading post, a water front for boating activities, camp office, ranger cabin, and 11 well shaded camp sites. It is located near Cleo Springs, Oklahoma and Fairview, Oklahoma

• Sundance Scout Training Center

The camp is mostly developed for a farm operation with no developed campsites although there are some picnic tables out in the fields by the lakes. The lake here has two houses on it, (yes we really mean on top of the lake). One is a three story A frame house that has 3 bedrooms. The other is set up as an office facility. There is a program barn for training and above that is a big room for conferences, banquets, or other ceremonies. There are other lakes but this one is the most improved. The camp has an airport hangar and runway as well.

Order of the Arrow

Ema 'O Mahpe Lodge
Website http://cimarronbsa.org/oa

The Ema 'O Mahpe Lodge (#14) of the Order of the Arrow was founded on April 1, 2001, from the mergers of the Ah-Ska Lodge (#213) and Inola Lodge (#148). The translation for Ema 'O Mahpe is Cherokee for "Red Water" and the lodge totem is the coyote.

Circle Ten Council

Circle Ten Council serves youth in North Central Texas and Bryan County, Oklahoma. Bryan County falls under the Texoma Valley District of the Circle Ten Council.

Golden Spread Council

Main article: Scouting in Texas

Golden Spread Council serves Scouts in Texas and the Oklahoma Panhandle counties of Cimarron, Texas, and western half of Beaver. The Oklahoma counties fall in the Lone Wolf District.

Indian Nations Council

Indian Nations Council
Owner	Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters	Tulsa, Oklahoma
Country	United States
Founded	1911
Website http://www.okscouts.org/
Scouting portal

The Boy Scouts of America Indian Nations Council maintains offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and serves most of eastern Oklahoma. The Indian Nations Council provides a web presence for its membership and other interested persons

Districts

• Bokchito District (No longer active, merged with Oka Tuli)
• Creek Nation District (No longer active, now part of Sac & Fox district)
• Eagle District
• Neosho District
• Indian Chiefs District (No longer active, disbanded into Sequoyah and Twin Arrows in 2004)
• Oka Tuli District
• Sac and Fox District
• Sequoyah District
• Twin Arrows District

Camp Properties

• Camp Garland, Locust Grove, OK
• Bartlett Training Center, Locust Grove, OK
• Camp Russell, Broken Arrow, OK
• Hale Scout Reservation, Talihina, OK
• Zink Scout Ranch, Sand Springs, OK
• Camp Fred Darby, Welling, OK
• Camp Keystone, Sand Springs, OK

OA Lodge

Ta Tsu Hwa Lodge
Owner	Indian Nations Council
Headquarters	Tulsa, Oklahoma
Country	United States
Founded	1938
Website http://www.tatsuhwa.org/
Scouting portal

The Ta Tsu Hwa Lodge (#138) was formed in 1938 under the name of "Yaqui." In 1957 Yaqui Lodge merged with the Checote Lodge (#154) due to the merger of the Tulsa Area Council and the Creek Nation Council, creating the Indian Nations Council. The new lodge was named the "Daw Zu" Lodge (#138). In 1959 the lodge was renamed "Ta Tsu Hwa," meaning "Red Bird" Between 1959 and the present day, the Lodge absorbed the "Oskihoma" Lodge (#320) and the "Ni-U-Kon-Ska" Lodge (#328) as the Indian Nations Council Absorbed the Choctaw Area Council and the Eastern Oklahoma Council.

The distinctive "Red Bird" lodge flap of the Ta Tsu Hwa Lodge is the only lodge flap shaped differently than the standard pocket flap.

Last Frontier Council

Last Frontier Council
Owner	Boy Scouts of America
Country	United States
Website http://www.lastfrontiercouncil.org
Scouting portal

The Last Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America delivers the promise of Scouting to youth through these programs: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturing and Sea Scouts. The Last Frontier Council web site serves as a resource for parents, Scouts, Venturers and volunteer leaders. The council operates six camps and is based in two service centerswhich are located in Lawton, Oklahoma and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Last Frontier Council supports its volunteer leaders, who deliver Scouting in twenty-four counties in central, western and southwestern Oklahoma.

History

Districts

The Baden-Powell District geographic territory covers Northwest Oklahoma City from Memorial Road on the North to Santa Fe Avenue on the East to County Line Road on the West, and along Reno Avenue on the South in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

The Big Tepee District geographic territory includes the Capitol Hill area of southwest Oklahoma City and portions of northeast Oklahoma City and the eastern Oklahoma County communities of Midwest City, Del City, Jones, Harrah, and Choctaw. Also included are Crooked Oaks School District and Tinker Air Force Base. The district boundaries include, from I-40 and Santa Fe, traveling North on Santa Fe Ave. to 63rd St., East to Anderson Road then North to Memorial Road (which includes Jones) then East to the county line. Traveling South from Memorial Road to 89th St., then go West to County Line Road and then North on County Line Road to I-40. Travel East on I-40 from County Line Road to Santa Fe Ave.

The Black Beaver District geographic territory covers the Oklahoma communities of Lawton, Cache, Medicine Park, and all other communities in Comanche County, and all Caddo County communities except for those communities which are in the northern tip of Caddo County. Named for the former Black Beaver Council, when it was absorbed into the Last Frontier Council, the troop numbers of the council were augmented by making them all of the 4000 series (i.e. Black Beaver Council 327 became Last Frontier Council 4327).

The Canadian Valley District geographic territory includes all communities in Pottawatomie County, Seminole County, Hughes County and also the communities in the southern one-third of Lincoln County.

The Chisholm Trail District geographic territory includes all communities in Grady County except for a small area in the north eastern part of Grady County which is in Sooner District, all communities in Cotton County and Stephens County, all communities in Jefferson County except for a small portion in the southeast corner of Jefferson County. Chisholm Trail District also includes the city of Lindsay, Oklahoma which is located in Garvin County.

The Eagle District geographic territory covers all of Logan County and the north tip of Oklahoma County including Edmond from Memorial Road north and west to Macarthur. Communities served through Eagle District include NW Oklahoma City, Edmond, Guthrie, Crescent, Coyle, Luther, Langston and Mulhall/Orlando in Logan County and Oklahoma County. The towns of Wellston in Lincoln County and Cashion in Kingfisher County are also a part of Eagle District.

The Kickingbird District geographic territory covers all of Harmon County, Greer County, Kiowa County, Jackson County, and Tillman County in Oklahoma.

The Sooner District geographic territory in Oklahoma covers Norman, Moore, Little Axe and all other communities in Cleveland County; Purcell, Blanchard, Wayne, Washington, Goldsby and all other communities in McClain County; Tuttle and some other communities in eastern Grady County.

The Western Plains District geographic territory in western Oklahoma includes all of Roger Mills County, Custer County, Beckham County, Washita County, and the northern tip of Caddo County in Oklahoma.

The Will Rogers District geographic territory includes all communities in Canadian County and western Oklahoma County from Portland Avenue and to the west and from NW 39th Street and to the south.

Camps

• Diamond H Scout Ranch 35°40′41″N 94°54′49″W / 35.677936°N 94.913721°W / 35.677936; -94.913721

Located near Lake Tenkiller, the Diamond H Scout Ranch is located in eastern Oklahoma. The camp property is currently undeveloped and restricted in use. Only primitive, weekend camping is presently available. Advanced reservations are required to visit the property.

• Dripping Springs 35°41′13″N 98°54′27″W / 35.6869°N 98.9075°W / 35.6869; -98.9075

Camp Dripping Springs is an 80-acre (320,000 m²) property in western Oklahoma. The camp setting offers the opportunity for Scouts to practice tracking, track casting, star study, compass work, fishing, or tree identification.

• George Thomas 34°54′01″N 98°29′57″W / 34.90028°N 98.49917°W / 34.90028; -98.49917

Camp George Thomas is located at the foot of the Wichita Mountains in Caddo County off State Highway 19. The camp is used for general unit camping by packs, troops, teams, crews and ships, for training courses, numerous district and council events, Cub — Webelos Scout Resident Camp, and the council's Cub-Webelos Fall Family Adventure (family weekend camping) opportunities each fall.

• John Nichols Scout Ranch 35°21′00″N 97°40′21″W / 35.3501°N 97.6724°W / 35.3501; -97.6724

John Nichols Scout Ranch, formerly Camp Kickapoo maintained since 1932, is the oldest camp property within the council. Located on the southwest edge of Oklahoma City at SW 119th and County Line Road, John Nichols Scout Ranch is available year round to Scout groups for overnight campouts, weekend campouts, and various training opportunities. John Nichols Scout Ranch serves as the host location for several day camp weeks each summer and for the Kickapoo Kampers Family Overnight Adventures each fall. Verna

• Sasakwa 34°55′39″N 96°27′05″W / 34.9275°N 96.4514°W / 34.9275; -96.4514

Camp Sasakwa is situated near Holdenville, Oklahoma. the property is used for primitive, short-term camping only, offering a low-impact, high adventure setting. Advance reservations are required and all supplies and water must be carried in and all refuse must be carried out.

• Slippery Falls Scout Ranch 34°18′39″N 96°43′20″W / 34.3108°N 96.7223°W / 34.3108; -96.7223

Slippery Falls Scout Ranch (SFSR) is located near Tishomingo. 'Slip' is the largest and the most developed of the six camping properties in the council. SFSR is the summer camp facility in the council for Boy Scouts and Venturers.

Ma-Nu Lodge

Ma-Nu Lodge
Website http://www.manu133.org

NeTSeO Trails Council

Main article: Scouting in Texas

NeTSeO Trails Council serves Scouts in Texas and the Southeast Oklahoma counties of McCurtain, Choctaw, and the southern three quarters of Pushmataha.

Girl Scouting in Oklahoma

There are five Girl Scout councils in Oklahoma.

Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas

See Scouting in Arkansas. In Oklahoma serves girls in Adair, LeFlore, and Sequoyah counties.

Headquarters: North Little Rock, Arkansas
Website: http://www.girlscoutsdiamonds.org

Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma

Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma serves 15,000 girls and adult volunteers in thirty eastern Oklahoma counties.

The first troop in Tulsa was organized in 1917 and the first council in 1923. The earliest known sale of cookies by Girl Scouts in the United States was by the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma in December 1917. The current council was formed on June 1, 2008 with the merger of Bluestem, Tiak, and Magic Empire councils.

Headquarters: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Website: http://www.girlscoutseastok.org

Service Centers:

• Bartlesville, OK
• McAlester, OK
• Muskogee, OK
• Stillwater, OK
• Ada, OK

Camps:

• Camp Tallchief is north of Sand Springs, OK and on the John Zink Scout Ranch
• Camp Swannie is north of Sand Springs, OK and next to Camp Tallchief
• Camp Wah-Shah-She is 524 acres (2.12 km²) west of Bartlesville, OK.
• Camp Pauline Williams (aka Camp Polly) is on Fort Gibson Lake.
• Camp Sylvia Stapley is west of Stillwater
• Camp Tenkiller is 247 acres (1.00 km²) south of Tahlequah, OK

Scout houses:

• Eaton Lodge is in Cushing, OK
• The Troop House in Tulsa

Girl Scouts Missouri Heartland

See Scouting in Missouri. Serves girls in two northeastern Oklahoma counties.

Headquarters: Springfield, Missouri
Website: http://www.girlscoutsrscmo.org

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains

See Scouting in Texas. Serves girls in the Oklahoma panhandle.

Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas
Website: http://www.gs-top.org

Girl Scouts - Western Oklahoma

Girl Scouts-Western Oklahoma serves girls in 39 western Oklahoma counties. It was formed by the merger of Red Lands and Sooner Councils in March 2008.

Headquarters: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Website: http://www.gswestok.org

Camps:

• Camp E-Ko-Wah near Marlow, OK
• Camp Kate Portwood near Granite, OK
• Cookieland near Newalla, OK

Scouting museums in Oklahoma

Main article: Scouting museums

• Osage County Historical Museum

See also

Scouting portal

External links

• Cimarron Council

References