54-649: Samoset Council is a Boy Scout council headquartered in Rhinelander, Wisconsin that serves north central Wisconsin. Founded in 1920, the council gets its name from an early Boy Scout camp in the Town of Harrison named Camp Sam-O-Set. The council is served by Tom Kita Chara Lodge of the Order of the Arrow . What is now Samoset Council first began as the Wausau Council in 1920. In 1926
108-572: A sash which can be worn with the Boy Scout uniform on formal occasions. Every year the National Council reviews and updates a certain number of merit badges. There are over 100 merit badges (138 as of December 2022). Scouting organizations in other countries issue or have issued merit badges, including Canada , Indonesia , Japan , Spain , Thailand , and the United Kingdom . Austria has
162-525: A 5,201-ft asphalt crosswind runway with approved GPS approaches (runway 15-33). In addition, the Rhinelander VORTAC (RHI) navigational facility is located on the field. Merit badge (Boy Scouts of America) Merit badges are awards earned by members of the Boy Scouts of America, based on activities within the area of study by completing a list of periodically updated requirements. The purpose of
216-466: A Boy Scout summer camp; and Hanna Venture Base for Venturers. The camping property that is now CLSR started as just Camp Tesomas, and began in 1935 with the donation of a 12 acres (0 km) parcel of land from L.A. Leadbetter. More property was later donated by the Rotary Club and other individuals and organizations. The CLSR property now encompasses over 1,100 acres (4 km) acres of land, and most of
270-464: A class setting at troop meetings and summer camps. The award of a merit badge is represented by a circular patch with an image representing the badge's topic. The patches for the Eagle -required merit badges are distinguishable by the silver ring on the outside edge. Merit badges required for Eagle rank can be selected based upon the individual Scout's preferences or conditions. Merit badges are displayed on
324-590: A commemorative Scoutmaster belt buckle , which is given to the in-camp Scoutmaster of each troop that comes to Camp Tesomas. The belt buckle is strictly limited-edition and only available to the in-camp Scoutmaster, and one is given to the Tesomas Camp Director. At the end of each summer, these buckles are destroyed in an extremely large fire to preserve the tradition of only giving them to the Scoutmasters. In 2006, TKC Lodge celebrated its 70th anniversary as
378-457: A deer leaped through the first lodge ceremony. The name of the lodge, Tom Kita Chara, means "leaping buck" in the language of the Chippewa Indians , who lived in north-central Wisconsin . The lodge number is 96, meaning that it was the 96th lodge of the Order of the Arrow to be formed. The lodge name may have been briefly changed to "Tesomas" in 1938, or that may have been its nickname, but
432-507: A fire pit and water, and most have electricity. The Tesomas logo is Smiley the Tent, a tent with a large smile, wearing a gold crown. Smiley is usually pictured with the camp's slogan, "Where Camping is King!" Smiley has the distinction of being the only Scouting symbol designed by Walt Disney . Tesomas was awarded Smiley after they let Disney take pictures of the surrounding forest as a base for Bambi 's forest home. Tesomas has earned awards from
486-493: A lodge. The previous year, when Tesomas Scout Camp celebrated its 70th camp anniversary in 2005, the lodge had the opportunity to welcome Robert Tank, its first lodge chief, back to the camp for a weekend of remembrance and celebration. All former chiefs of TKC Lodge present at the anniversary banquet signed a Vigil sash, now also on display in the Tesomas Archives Room. 2011 marked the 75th anniversary of TKC Lodge, which
540-580: A news story conducted on local NBC television station WJFW. The next SirenCon will be sometime in the summer of 2025. The exact date is still to be determined. Created in 1993, Akela's World is a Cub Scout summer resident camp. Serving both Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts during the summer, it occupies a large portion of the Crystal Lake Scout Reservation property, located at the south end of Crystal Lake. The camp program provides advancement opportunities for Cubs and Webelos. The main building
594-458: A professional staff of approximately 12 people. There are 6,000 youth members in the council's 13-county geographic area. The Council number is 627. The council is divided into five districts: Rhinelander, Wisconsin Rhinelander is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, Wisconsin , United States. The population was 8,285 at the 2020 census . The area that eventually became
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#1733093930546648-561: A program similar to merit badges for certain age groups. Offered only in 2010, the Historical Merit Badge program, part of the Boy Scouts of America centennial , allowed Scouts to earn the discontinued Carpentry, Pathfinding, Signalling, and Tracking (originally called Stalking) merit badges. The patches for these historical merit badges are distinguished by a gold ring on the outside edge. All were based on merit badges that were among
702-610: Is a lodge of the Order of the Arrow , and is affiliated with the Samoset Council of the Boy Scouts of America . After being chartered in December 1936, the first formal lodge meeting was held early in 1937 in Wausau, Wisconsin . That same summer Samoset Council's Executive Board approved the Order of the Arrow as an official part of the council's Boy Scout camping program. As tradition indicates,
756-470: Is an after school program, there is usually no parent involvement, typically because of the parents' work schedules. In 2009, Samoset Council was featured in the January/February issue of Scouting Magazine , which discussed the council's promotion of outdoor activity. The Scout Executive's Active Outdoor Challenge , an innovative Samoset program created by former Council Executive Bruce Audon Mikkelson,
810-515: Is covered by water. Rhinelander has a warm-summer humid continental climate ( Köppen : Dfb ). Because of its location, it is prone to Arctic cold snaps , and without the western Föhn winds its winter average is lower than other places in the US at 45 °N even at high elevations. Summers tend to be cooler with some degree of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan influence. Precipitation is still relatively distributed but not as much as other humid climates in
864-611: Is depicted in the chart below. Prior to the founding of the Wausau Council on July 30, 1920, there had already been several Boy Scout troops actively engaged in the Scouting program. The first troop to ever exist in the city of Wausau was Troop #1, chartered to the Universalist Church in 1910. The first Council Executive for the Wausau Council was George C. Dreisbach, who moved to Wausau from Akron, Ohio in 1920. In 1921, Wausau
918-570: Is still used by TKC as well as many other lodges in the Order. The original script is located in the Archives Room at Tesomas Scout Camp. The first TKC pocket flap patch was introduced in 1954. The design was similar to the current version, except it had a green background. This TKC "first flap" is now highly collectible, as are many other vintage TKC patches. Since 1992, the Lodge Executive Committee of TKC Lodge has designed and issued
972-570: Is the Mark Program Center, where the kitchen and dining hall are located. Points of interest are the Lost Ship, Crockett's Glen, Baloo's Cave, Fort Akela, and Huck Finn's Waterfront. However, as of 2017, Huck Finn's Waterfront is no longer in use due to the excessive rising of the lake's water level, submerging the Waterfront. Hanna Venture Base, located near Akela's World, is the smallest part of
1026-507: Is the Pioneer Park Historical Complex, which is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and features many interactive displays and spaces to explore Rhinelander's rich history. Rhinelander is the home of the hodag , a folkloric green and white creature said to stalk the local woods. The hodag serves as mascot for the city and for Rhinelander High School and Northwoods Community Secondary School . Rhinelander
1080-652: Is the Program Center, which houses the Camp Director's office, Program Director's office, Business Manager's office, Archives Room, Health Office, and leader mailboxes. The camp is the home of the Tom Kita Chara Lodge of the Order of the Arrow . The Erv Romansky Family Camp, an area near Tesomas with 14 campsites, is for those who choose not to stay with their unit at summer camp. It can accommodate tents, pop-ups, and full size trailers or motor homes. Each site has
1134-518: Is the county seat for Oneida County. Kristopher Hanus is the current mayor. Rhinelander is home to NBC affiliate WJFW-TV . In addition to serving Rhinelander, WJFW-TV also serves the Wausau area. Conversely, Wausau's area stations, including CBS affiliate WSAW-TV and ABC affiliate WAOW , also serve Rhinelander. WXPR , a public radio station at 91.7 FM, is based in Rhinelander. Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport (KRHI) serves Rhinelander and
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#17330939305461188-580: Is the leadership of the lodge. This includes the "Key Three" positions: Lodge Chief, Lodge Advisor, and Staff Advisor. The LEC also includes all lodge officers, including the five Chapter Chiefs. Every Year the Lodge Chief, Vice Chief of Chapters, Vice Chief of Program and Vice Chief of Administration are elected at the Lodge’s Fall Conference. The LEC group meets once per month, and only youth members may vote on lodge matters. Samoset Council has
1242-703: The Apostle Islands and the Porcupine Mountains . The Hanna Winter Resort is a week-end-long winter camping experience at the Hanna Base. Camp Phillips is located in Weston, Wisconsin, adjacent to the Samoset Council Service Center. The 60-acre (0.2 km) camp is available for short-term camping, and is open to non-Scouting organizations. The main building is McCormick Lodge. A bouldering wall
1296-399: The 3,214 households, 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.1% were not families. About 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size
1350-629: The Brown family agreed to convey half their land holdings in the area to the railroad in exchange for a rail line to their future city. In 1882, the railroad line from present-day Monico to Rhinelander was completed, jump-starting the development of Rhinelander as the commercial hub of the region. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 8.61 square miles (22.30 km ), of which, 8.34 square miles (21.60 km ) are land and 0.27 sq mi (0.70 km )
1404-417: The Crystal Lake Scout Reservation. It was named after, and financially supported by Al Hanna, whose achievements include climbing to the top of Mount Everest . The hub for Venturing in Samoset Council, it features an indoor climbing wall and an outdoor 60’ climbing tower, with walls for rappelling and climbing. Week-long Hanna Venture Base Treks are taken by both Scouts and Venturers. Trek destinations include
1458-496: The Scouting National Accreditation Committee for being one of the top Boy Scout Camps in the nation. Every year the annual SirenCon event is held at Tesomas, usually on the first saturday of June. SirenCon was started in 2020 by Josh Schmirler, a Wisconsin siren enthusiast that wanted a place for siren enthusiasts to show off their sirens and sound them off. Tesomas makes a great place for SirenCon since
1512-651: The Tesomas property was opened in 1935. The camp, and subsequently the council, were named in honor of Chief Samoset . Camp Chickagami was a 40-acre (160,000 m) camp located near Stevens Point , and was closed in 1974. Since 1974 the camp property has been leased to the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and is used as Central Wisconsin Environmental Station. The facilities at CWES are open to scouting units between October 1 and April 30. Tom Kita Chara (TKC)
1566-577: The Wausau Council merged with the Merrill Council , to create the Lincoln - Marathon Council. It was not until 1930 that it was officially retitled Samoset Council (named after Camp Sam-O-Set, an early camp near the town of Harrison) when it merged with the Marinette Council. Also, territory of nearby councils was absorbed when they ended. The history of each of the councils that are ancestors of Samoset
1620-702: The West Coast. Activities at Tesomas include the merit badge program areas of Business and Technology, Ecology and Conservation, Personal Wellness, Handicraft, Shooting Sports, Scoutcraft, the Waterfront, Cope & Climbing, and the rank advancement area entitled Eagle Quest. The main building is the Schultz-Kieffer Fellowship Lodge (also referred to as the Dining Hall, and formerly called the Rotary Lodge), where meals are served. The other main building
1674-442: The area is mostly secluded in a heavily wooded area. The attendance at SirenCon has grown rapidly since the event's inception in 2020. As of 2024, there is an entire team of staff members, ranging from planning committee members, to staff in charge of making sure each siren at SirenCon is sounded off successfully and safely. The most recent SirenCon took place on June 1, 2024, with approximately 400 spectators in attendance. SirenCon had
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1728-490: The area, it is both a summer and winter vacation destination. It has a paper mill and a hospital. The Rhinelander area has numerous vacation destinations, offering fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, ATVing, mountain biking and hiking, hunting, golfing, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and bird watching. It also serves as a main shopping and lodging area for the Northwoods. A popular summer tourist destination
1782-515: The city of Rhinelander was originally called Pelican Rapids by early settlers, named for the stretch of rapids just above the convergence of the Wisconsin and Pelican Rivers. Around 1870, Anderson W. Brown of Stevens Point and Anson P. Vaughn traveled up the Wisconsin River to cruise timber for Brown's father, E. D. Brown. Upon arriving at the meeting point of the Wisconsin and Pelican Rivers at
1836-406: The city. The population density was 1,002.5 people per square mile (386.9/km ). The 3,430 housing units averaged 444.5 per square mile (171.5/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 96.83% White, 0.39% African American, 0.96% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.72% of the population. Of
1890-478: The council, but the council also facilitates a ScoutReach program in some communities. ScoutReach is an opportunity for boys who have not already joined a traditional Pack or Troop to experience the Scouting Program. These units hold meetings twice a month as after school programs. These boys get to experience Scouting when they might not otherwise get the opportunity to be involved with Scouting at all. Since this
1944-411: The council. In 1921, Camp Lakota (on Carroll Lake) was the council's first camp, but historical records are sketchy. With the later rise of Camp Sam-O-Set, quality camping has always been a key component of the council's program. Located on Clara Lake near the town of Harrison, the council got its name from this camp (changing its name to Samoset Council in 1930). Camp Sam-O-Set was closed the year before
1998-442: The country. As of the census of 2020 , the population was 8,285. The population density was 983.6 inhabitants per square mile (379.8/km ). There were 4,123 housing units at an average density of 489.5 per square mile (189.0/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 90.8% White, 1.6% Native American, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 4.7% from two or more races. Ethnically,
2052-496: The land around Crystal Lake, a spring-fed lake with many species of freshwater fish. The camp operates for eight weeks during the summer. The Scouts who camp at Tesomas typically stay one week with their Scout Troop. Many of the Boy Scout Troops that attend Tesomas are from cities located in the Samoset Council area of Wisconsin . However, troops from around the country also travel to Tesomas. Troops have traveled from as far as
2106-470: The land from the federal government and build a town. In its charter, the city was named Rhinelander after Frederic W. Rhinelander of New York, who was president of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railway at the time. This was part of a bid by the Brown brothers to induce the railroad to extend a spur to the location to further their lumbering business. Ultimately, after over ten years of negotiations,
2160-401: The merit badge program is to allow Scouts to examine subjects to determine if they would like to further pursue them as a career or vocation. Originally, the program also introduced Scouts to the life skills of contacting an adult they had not met before, arranging a meeting and then demonstrating their skills, similar to a job or college interview. Increasingly, though, merit badges are earned in
2214-435: The name "Tom Kita Chara" was official by 1939 or 1940. In 1946, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was on vacation in Wisconsin. During his stay, members of the lodge visited and made him an honorary member. In turn, he later sent the lodge a letter and a sword, which are now located in the Archives Room at Tesomas Scout Camp, and are available for public viewing. The sword was part of his family for many generations as indicated by
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2268-610: The original spelling of his family name — Eisenhauer. In 1947, the first Winter Banquet was held, which is now an annual event. Also that same year, a TKC version of the Lenni Lenape legend was written, to be used in the calling-out ceremony. Later in 1947 the National Order of the Arrow Bulletin published it, and gave TKC full credit for its original development. The National Committee adopted it as its official version, and it
2322-507: The population was 2.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race. As of the census of 2010 , 7,798 people, 3,545 households, and 1,876 families resided in the city. The population density was 935.0 inhabitants per square mile (361.0/km ). The 3,981 housing units averaged 477.3 per square mile (184.3/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 95.2% White, 1.0% African American, 1.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.3% of
2376-433: The population. Of the 3,545 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.6% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.1% were not families. About 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
2430-417: The property around Crystal Lake. The Crystal Lake Construction Crew is a group of volunteers dedicated to building and improving the council's major properties. Tesomas Scout Camp is a Boy Scout Summer Camp , located north of Rhinelander, Wisconsin . Founded in 1935, it currently serves over 3,000 campers per summer. With over 1,100 acres (4 km) of land and 70 staff members, the camp occupies most of
2484-514: The site of John Curran's trading post, and seeing the high banks along the rapids and the excellent pine stands, Anderson Brown envisioned a mill town with a lumber mill powered by the waters of the Wisconsin River. Brown's vision did not come to fruition for some years, but after subsequent expeditions with others, including his brother and Rhinelander's first mayor, Webster Brown , the brothers managed to convince their father and uncle to purchase
2538-408: The surrounding Oneida County communities with both scheduled commercial jet service and general aviation services. Located two miles west of the city, the airport handles about 24,958 operations per year, with around 88% general aviation, 6% scheduled commercial air service, and 6% air taxi. The airport has a 6,800-ft concrete primary runway with approved ILS, GPS and VOR/DME approaches (runway 9-27) and
2592-427: Was $ 37,629. Males had a median income of $ 29,750 versus $ 22,157 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,047. About 9.4% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 11.1% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over. Rhinelander is a commercial, industrial, and recreation hub for the Northwoods area of Wisconsin. Because of the forests, lakes, and trails in
2646-420: Was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age in the city was 40 years; 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 19.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female. As of the census of 2000 , 7,735 people, 3,214 households, and 1,860 families resided in
2700-407: Was 2.90. In the city, the population was distributed as 23.4% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 29,622, and for a family
2754-457: Was constructed in 2009. The 150-acre (0.6 km) Flambeau Canoe Base is located on the south fork of the Flambeau River , near Lugerville, Wisconsin . The property includes several campsites, a covered shelter, and a tiered camp fire area. For spring through fall use, there are six canoes. There is long and proud tradition of camping in Samoset Council, dating back to the very beginning of
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#17330939305462808-495: Was described in detail. It involves getting Scouts outside and active for 12 monthly activities. When a pack, troop, or crew completes 12 consecutive monthly activities and a leader turns in a form, each youth receives a patch. The council and its districts offer outdoor events and camping opportunities during each of the four seasons. Crystal Lake Scout Reservation (CLSR), near Rhinelander, Wisconsin , consists of three summer camps: Akela's World, for Cub Scouts; Tesomas Scout Camp,
2862-535: Was second in the state for number of Scouts, (25 Troops with 540 boys). The council's first camp, Camp Lakota, was located on Carroll Lake, on public land leased from the state of Wisconsin . Samoset Council has a long history of camping in Wisconsin's northwoods . The council's resident camps have long played a key role in providing youth members with an outdoor experience that is conducive to learning Scout skills. Not only are there many traditional Boy Scout Troops , Cub Scout Packs, and Venturing Crews throughout
2916-486: Was widely celebrated and had a green commemorative lodge flap made based on the oldest known pocket flap from the lodge. Every chapter has a Chapter Chief, who presides over the monthly chapter meetings. The position of Chapter Chief, along with other chapter offices, are filled yearly. The five lodge chapters include: Chapters frequently plan their own service projects and events such as campouts. The Lodge's main annual events include: The Lodge Executive Committee (LEC)
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