The Tribe of Keokuk - This honor camper program existed at Camp Teetonkah in the Land-O-Lakes Council, at Jackson, Michigan. It is believed to have been created in 1936 and lasted until Teetonkah Lodge #206 was organized in 1941. Keokuk was reactivated at the camp in 1943 because the OA lodge didn't have enough members to support the camp. Camp Teetonkah was built in 1913 making it the second oldest scout camp in the nation. Only Camp Owasippe in Whitehall, Michigan (1911) is older. Treasure Island (1913) is tied with Camp Teetonkah as the second oldest scout camp in the country. The patch was a twill tipi with crossed golden arrows. Pictures of the ceremonial regalia show the crossed arrows. According to a news clipping, "The Keokuk's aim is to encourage respect at camp for the boy Scout laws and to stress a scout byword - service".
The Tribe of Keokuk also existed at Canyon Camp in the U.S. Grant Council by the Illinois-Wisconsin border. It is known to have existed there in the 1950's but the starting and ending dates are unknown. The patch was identical to the one used at Camp Teetonkah. Canyon Camp is now part of the Blackhawk Area Council.
Keokuk was a famous Chief of the Sac and Fox Tribe in Iowa who was involved in the Blackhawk Indian War along with Chief Blackhawk. Keokuk, Iowa was named after Chief Keokuk and his remains are buried there in their park. He was reinterred there in 1883 from an Indian Reservation in Ottawa, Kansas.
Material found on this page is the work of David L. Eby and used USSSP, Inc. by permission. This material may not be reproduced without the express permission of David L. Eby
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