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Kishkakon History
Kishkakon Lodge History
It was a cold Saturday on November 17, 1990, when the newly chosen leaders of Blackhawk Lodge #94 and Cahokia Lodge #126 met at Camp Warren Levis in Godfrey, IL. They all knew that their job was to find a fair and effective way to form a new lodge from the two merged lodges. What they didn't know was what they would plant the seed for... a lodge that was destined to become one of the finest in the country in its first five years.
The leaders - youth and adult - met at Camp Warren Levis in the morning, went through lower-level C.O.P.E. activities to build trust and teamwork, ate lunch together, and then sat down to discuss how the new lodge would be formed - everything from basic lodge operation to the names of the lodge events. It was a long day, with a total of almost fourteen hours spent at camp, including over ten hours in discussion. However, when they departed camp late that night, they were armed with a game plan to join two great lodges into one even greater lodge... Kishkakon Lodge #32.
The name Kishkakon was chosen because it seemed a fitting name for the new lodge. Kishkakon is the Ampotowatemi Indian word for "They Who Make Trails." Kishkakon Lodge would truly be a pioneer lodge. It was one of the first of many lodges over the next several years to go through such a merger. Kishkakon would also be making new trails every day in the new council, Trails West Council. The number 32 was assigned by the national committee.
On January 1,1991, Kishkakon Lodge came into its existence. For the first year, two people held each lodge office... one from each of the previous lodges. The Lodge Chiefs were David Heimann and Carl Streubel. Chris Smejkal and Chad Heyen would serve as Vice-Chiefs of Administration. Brendan Gibbons and Jared Bryson would hold the positions of Vice-Chiefs of Program. The Lodge Secretaries would be Mark Buchanan and Rich Jones. John Peery and Joe Hubbard would be Lodge Treasurers. Floyd Jordan and Jim Dedera served as Lodge Advisors and John Millican as Staff Advisor. David Capstick, the new Scout Executive, was the Supreme Chief of the Fire.
The first year was a year of pioneering new paths in the order. Arrowmen from both lodges put forth great effort to meet and understand each other. It was a time of meeting new brothers and continuing a program of service to scouting. The Spring Fellowship at Camp Sunnen was the first opportunity for the arrowmen to get to know one another. That summer brought one of the best summers of camp ever, with a good percentage of camp staff members being arrowmen. The Fall Reunion brought us together for service to Camp Warren Levis, but also pushed us to work together even more to plan the 1991 NC-5 Section Conclave, which we would be hosting at CWL the following month.
That year's Section Conclave was one of the best in the former section NC-5, and many members of other lodges were impressed (if not surprised) that a "new" lodge had hosted such a great conclave. This event became a hallmark of what our lodge could accomplish. The Winter Banquet was relaxing after a long year, and prepared us for a new year in scouting. The 1992 Lodge Officers were elected, with Carl Streubel chosen as Lodge Chief; Chris Smejkal, Vice-Chief of Program; Jared Bryson. Vice-Chief of Program; Jerry Klaas, Lodge Secretary; and Chad Heyen, Treasurer. That year's "new" challenges included the production of Trails West Council's first Camp Promotion Video, planning a great trip to the NOAC at Knoxville, Tennessee.
Throughout the year, we saw the active membership continue to grow as many members from the old lodges who had been lost during the merger came forward to become active once more. Once again, Kishkakon contributed members to the best camp staff yet.
Another main accomplishment of 1992 was the formation of Carl's dream, the "Troop Chiefs" program. This program, although slow in getting off the ground, grew to become a vital communications link between the lodge and the troops. At the 1992 National Conference, the lodge was honored with the "Lodge Spirit Award." Although this award is seldom given at NOACs, the National Committee was so impressed with Kishkakon's spirit that they presented our delegates with this honored award.
With 1992 ending successfully under Carl's gifted leadership, it was time to move into Kishkakon's third year. At the Winter Banquet, Chad Heyen was elected Lodge Chief; Chris Smejkal, Vice-Chief of Administration; Jared Bryson, Vice-Chief of Program; Michael Halbrook, Lodge Secretary; and Joe Hubbard, Lodge Treasurer.
1993 was National Jamboree year, and many "Jambo"-sized accomplishments can be noted from that year. A new lodge flap was introduced, with much more meaning to the lodge members that the original flap. Along with the flap, the eagle was selected as the totem of the lodge. The first ever "Where to go Camping and Hiking" guide was published this year as a service to the troops of Trails West Council. It should also be noted that the Section Chief through the years of 1992-1994 was Kishkakon's own David Heimann. At the '93 Section Conclave, Kishkakon was well-represented with chairmen of many of the key conclave areas, namely training, publications, and trading post.
At the end of 1993, officers for the following year were chosen: Chris Smejkal, Lodge Chief; Jerry Klaas, Vice-Chief of Administration; Matt Reid, Vice-Chief of Program; Michael Halbrook, Lodge Secretary; and Nathan Rain, Lodge Treasurer. Chris began the year with several dreams, including a new lodge weekend called the "Native American Weekend."
Throughout 1994, Kishkakon grew to a size of over 400 members, and took almost 30 of them to the 1994 NO AC at Purdue University in Indiana. Also at the NO AC, David Heimann served on the National Conference Committee in the Shows Subcommittee and directed the Theme Show. Eight lodge members took part in the show as cast members, making a great impression and performing what was hailed by many across the nation as the "best theme show"... ever!
One of Chris' main dreams as chief came to life the last weekend of October when the Native American Weekend was held at Camp Warren Levis. The weekend was an opportunity for lodge members to attend sessions and learn about the culture and lifestyles of our Native American brothers and sisters. All lodge brothers in attendance had a great time, and the weekend would become an annual event held by the lodge.
The 1994 Whiter Banquet brought elections of officers for our fifth year as a lodge. Michael Halbrook was elected Lodge Chief; Nathan Rain, Vice-Chief of Administration; Matt Reid, Vice-Chief of Program; Ryan Frueh, Lodge Secretary; and Derek Bright, Lodge Treasurer. 1995 became another successful year as a lodge, and a year of change in our council and lodge operation.
Towards the middle of the year, Kishkakon received a new Supreme Chief of the Fire, Mr. Don Kinney, and a new Staff Adviser, Mel Bliss. After years of service, Dave Capstick moved on to another council. Kishkakon Lodge established a method of tracking its own incomes and expenses and finances. Once again, the lodge contributed staff members to the greatest camp staff ever (we're forming a trend!) It was also announced by the National Committee that Kishkakon would receive one of eight national E. Urner Goodman Camping Awards for its support and promotion of its council camps. The year ended with another great Native American Weekend and the lodge forming a home (known as a "homepage") on the Internet. |
