OLD KIA KIMA PRESERVATION ASSOCI

These are the core principles that will guide the future development of our Youth Leadership Training Initiatives. They will help us to convey the “Spirit” of Old Kia Kima by letting others know that this small set of general guiding principles is OKKPA’s essential and enduring tenets for Youth Leadership – a key part of the rich Legacy we want to share and utilize the Camp to pass along to the Youth of Tomorrow.

Our Core Purpose (This defines the enduring character of our organization and drives our aspirations).

WHAT: Restore the Camp and Preserve the “Spirit” of Old Kia Kima for the Youth Of Tomorrow

WHY: We want future generations to experience the Spirit of Old Kia Kima, to learn the values of Integrity, Achievement, Responsibility, and Courage, and to utilize the Camp to pass this along to future generations” just like we did - This will be our legacy.

HOW: By continuing to support and maintain the high principles of Scouting as we knew them to be at Old Kia Kima; and by advancing those principles in service to others through organized programs of community involvement, Youth Leadership Training and camp activities that will span the new millennium and continue our legacy in perpetuity.

These Core Values and statement of Core Purpose work together to give direction, substance, and clarity to our Vision, Mission, and Goals, which are repeated below. Together, they will provide a guide to OKKPA decisions as we pursue a restored and fully functioning Old Kia Kima!

Old Kia Kima is that special place where the land and the river inspire us to become something more, preserving the legacy of our past and shaping the lives of future generations.

Preserve the place, honor the vision of all who have shared in the spirit of the South Fork waters, and provide an environment where elders may pass on knowledge and experience, enriching and shaping the lives of young people today.

Create an awareness of Old Kia Kima, its past, present and future. Acquire the Old Kia Kima campgrounds and restore original structures where feasible. Implement leadership, fellowship and community service programs. Preserve and maintain Old Kia Kima.

Old camp Kia Kima traces its history back to 1916, just six short years after William D. Boyce brought Boy Scouting to this country on Feb. 8, 1910. The main campsite was situated on a bluff overlooking a pristine riverfront on the South Fork of the Spring River, in Sharp County, Arkansas. The name chosen for the Scout camp was Kia Kima, and could hardly have been more fitting. Kia Kima, in the Chickasaw Indian native language, means "Nest of the Eagles".

Old Kia Kima operated (excluding war years) as a BSA summer camp for 47 years, closing in 1963. For the next 31 years, the camp was in a state of abandonment and ruin until 1996 when OKKPA, Inc. was formed to begin the restoration.

The former camp is concentrated in a small corner of the property, fronting on the South Fork of the Spring River, and consists of 16 native stone and wood lodges as well as a number of other buildings, including a stone and timber central lodge. Boyce and George Billingsley purchased the original 43 acres that was the core of Old Kia Kima and donated it to OKKPA. Since then, the camp buildings have undergone extensive restoration after having been unoccupied and not maintained for over 35 years. Although many projects remain, with Restoration near completion, Old Kia Kima was reopened by OKKPA for Boy Scout Camping in the Spring of 2002.

The Old Kia Kima Preservation Association (OKKPA) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit youth leadership and service organization formed to restore the former summer camp, and in so doing, establish links to existing Boy Scout programs, local civic organizations, and national youth service organizations. OKKPA is committed to the purpose of providing leadership guidance and assistance in establishing or supporting leadership training and service programs that enrich the lives of young people.

President: Rick Phillips: Married to Janet Wilson Phillips (22 yrs) -- father of 3, grandfather of 3 -- CBHS & Memphis State -- Century donor Lifeblood of Greater Memphis -- Chairman Arlington United Methodist Church BOD, Sitting member of Town of Arlington Planning Commission, Industrial Development Commission, and Depot Square (historic) Commission.. Recipient of the Old Kia Kima Excellence in Leadership Award.

Vice-President: Rick Schmid: Active member of Rivercliff Lutheran Church, Dunwoody, Georgia. Eagle Scout. Lutheran Pro Deo et Patria Award. Vigil Member of Order of the Arrow. Wood Badge. Currently Pack Committee Chairman, Pack 8750, Dunwoody, GA. Vice President, Client Services, Datawire Communication Networks, Inc., Atlanta, GA. Reside in Roswell, Georgia. Recipient of the Old Kia Kima Excellence in Leadership Award.

Treasurer: Alan Meierhoefer: Camper and Staff Member at Kamp Kia Kima. BS Rhodes College, MBA Western Carolina University and PhD Mississippi State University. Retired from Ahlstrom Specialty Paper Corporation and currently a technology consultant for specialty chemical, fiber and paper companies. Active in Rotary Club and All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Frederick, Maryland.

Recording Secretary: Mike Kinkade: Eagle Scout. KKSR staff 4 years, mid 70's. Lived in Nashville, Ark since 1980. 10 yr. volunteer with Caddo Area BSA Council (Texarkana, AR-TX area). Married to Deb, 3 grown children. Dean of Facilities and Planning Cossatot Community College, University of Arkansas. 1980 BS degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology Memphis State University, 2001 MS degree in Business Texas A&M.

Corresponding Secretary: Anita Demster: Graduate, University of Memphis, BS (Biology). Formerly a staff member at the original YWCA Camp Miramichee. Served in numerous positions in Boy Scout Troops and Packs in Philadelphia, Pa, and Clarkston, MI. Also active as a Girl Scout Leader. Board of Clarkston Area Youth Assistance, an organization integrated with the Michigan District Court system and dedicated to helping youth at risk. Served as president of the Clarkston, Michigan PEO chapter. PEO raises funds to college educate talented but financial limited young women.

Immediate Past President 2004 - 2006: Steve Demster Eagle Scout. Brotherhood Member of the Order of the Arrow. Former Scoutmaster, ASM and Troop Committee Chairman. Currently, Vice-Chair, Finance of Pontiac Manito District, Clinton Valley Council, BSA. Graduate BS and MME, Cornell University. President and CEO of ROSS Controls of Troy, Michigan. Past Chairman, National Fluid Power Association. Recipient of the Old Kia Kima Excellence in Leadership Award.

Dennis Cain: Eagle Scout. Vigil Member Order of the Arrow, KKSR Staff Member 1969-1974, 1976, 1978-1979, 1986, 1988, District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 240, Lead Teacher in the Division of Exceptional Children in the Memphis City Schools.

George Clarke: Eagle Scout. Vigil Member Order of the Arrow. St. George Award. Woodbadge. 40 consecutive years attendance (1967-2006) at Kia Kima (KKSR) as camper, staff member (1972-1980), adult leader. Past Scoutmaster/current Assistant Scoutmaster - Troop 34, Chickasaw Council, Memphis TN. Senior Account Executive for Regions Insurance, Memphis, TN. Chapter member St. Mary's Cathedral (Episcopal), Memphis, TN. Board Member-DuBose Conference Center, Monteagle, TN. Insurance Chairman Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee.

Mark Follis: Eagle Scout. Order of the Arrow. BS and MS - Univ. of Tennessee in agriculture and economics. Prior to earning PhD in Agroforestry from the Univ. of Florida lived and worked around the world for International Harvester Export Company. Currently own and operate a tree care company in Memphis oriented toward preservation.

Mark Kruger: (filling 1 year term replacing Mike Kinkade) Camper and staff member 1961-1965. Former troop committee member and merit badge counselor troop 122. Two trips leading scouts in the northern boundary waters in Canada. Assistant Principal Rogers High School. B.S.B.A Education Univ. of Arkansas, M.Ed. University of Arkansas. Rogers, City Council 18 years, 6 years treasurer United Way, 6 years member Foundation Board Adult Development Center of Benton County, Member founding committee Northwest Arkansas Community College, member Rogers Visitors and Convention Bureau, Married, wife--Anne 31 yrs.

Mike Bowman: Eagle Scout; Vigil Member Order of the Arrow; God and Country Award; KKSR Staff 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970; BS University of Tennessee at Martin; MS Arkansas State University; Retired high school English teacher (33 years).

Pat Moody: Retired. Volunteer with the Girl Scout Council of the Mid-South Property Committee. Past President of the Board of Directors. Senior Troop Advisor. Member of Program, Finance, Personnel, and Fund Development committees. Board member Tennessee Association of Craft Artists (TACA).

Charles H. Holland Jr.: Eagle Scout, Vigil Member Order of the Arrow, Silver Beaver. Member, Troop 36 - Chickasaw Council as a boy & young adult. Slick Rock Staff 1961-1964; KKSR Staff 1965-1967;1970-1971. Commissioner for BSA program in Saudi Arabia 1990-1995. Annuitant, Saudi Arabian Oil Co. 1996. BS Memphis State University; MBA Berry College; CGFO,CPA,CMA,CCE. Finance Director, City of Cocoa Beach, FL. Frequent presenter/instructor to various professional organizations on different aspects of governmental accounting.

Buddy Keltner: OKK camper and staffer 1948-1956, OA Vigil, Eagle Scout, among the earliest founders of OKKPA and OKK Volunteer Ranger. Former Scoutmaster, Charter founder of Slick Rock and Whispering Pines outpost camps. Professional career includes glasswork artistic and structural designs for innumerable hospitals, high-rise buildings, even bridge structural integrity. Tennessee state archery champion.

Boyd Billingsley: Eagle scout, Sr. Vice President Harris McHaney Realtors, BSBA University of Arkansas, Navy SEAL. Co- founder of Fellowship Bible Church Northwest Arkansas. Former Vice President Cooper Communities Inc. Recipient of the Old Kia Kima Excellence in Leadership Award.

Johnny Fletcher: Vigil Member Order of the Arrow, served in U.S. Army as a member of White House Communications Agency, BBA Memphis State University, President and CEO of Tri-State Auto Paint & Supply with locations in Southaven and Batesville, MS.

Jim Bottrell: Eagle Scout, Vigil Member Order of the Arrow, God and Country, Ordained Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Author of church camp curriculums, developer of resources used for youth ministry, program administrator for church camps, currently serving as Senior Minister for Belton Christian Church, Belton, Missouri.

Neal Talley: Order of the Arrow - Vigil Honor, Paramedic Safety Emergency Services, Graduated Memphis State University B.S. Biology / Latin. Honored by OKKPA in 2007 for many contributions / service over the years.

Miss Julia Hall (1910 - 2003) Girl Scout Camp Kiwani camper, staff and Director (1924-1933) and YWCA Miramichee Camp Director (1939-1970).

Mrs. Winnie "Sunny" Carson (1916 - 2007) Girl Scout Camp Kiwani camper, staff, and Director (1927-1959)

Mr. Stillman Ralph Young (1924 - 2006) Scout Master Troop 35 Memphis, Tennessee (1947-1949); Professional Scout Executive Chickasaw Council (1951-1991), Camp Director of Old Kia Kima 1954-1956 and 1958-1963; and Camp Director of Kia Kima Scout Reservation (1964-1973).

Mrs. Boyce Woollard Billingsley: A beloved patron of Old Kia Kima and a childhood-to-adulthood summer-time (1940-1980’s) resident of the Hardy and Cherokee Village, Arkansas, where she had been a camper and staff member of the YWCA Miramichee girls camp.

Frederick T. Carney -- Scouter, Sailor, Lawyer. Has spent a lifetime in Scouting, now in his 78th year as a registered BSA member.