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 T. 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..

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: Frederick Deen: OKKPA Vice President 2002 - 2004. Eagle Scout. Brotherhood Member Order of the Arrow, Lodge Chief 1962. Old Kia Kima Staff 1959-1963. Siemens PLM Software, Customer Engagements. 40 years in Software Development, Management, Customer Engagement. Past owner/operator of Northern Minnesota Housekeeping Resort, Detroit Lakes, MN. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, BS Industrial Engineering / Computer Science. Lamar University. Recipient of the Old Kia Kima Excellence in Leadership Award.

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.

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.

Andy Boro: Old Kia Kima Camper 3 years, Old Kia Kima Staff 61 & 62, KKSR Staff 63, 64 & 65. Brotherhood, Order of the Arrow. Active in Scouting with sons as Asst. Scout Master in Lakeland, FL and Scout contingent leader to Philmont Scout Ranch and Asst. Scout Master at National Jamboree. Principal mechanical engineer, Mustang Tampa (engineering and construction company for chemical plants and oil and gas refineries). Graduate of Georgia Tech and resides in Odessa, FL.

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 Arriow. 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.

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.

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.

Miss Julia Hall (1910 - 2003) Girl Scout Camp Kiwani camper, staff and Director (1924-1933) and YWCA Miramechee 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 Miramechee girls camp.

Frederick T. Carney -- Scouter. Sailor, Lawyer. Has spent a lifetime in Scouting, now in his 78th year as a registered BSA member. Among his accomplishments: Eagle Scout with two Silver Palms; a Quartermaster Sea Scout, earned the Explorer Silver Award. His adult service includes: Scoutmaster 26 years; Sea Scout Skipper 6 years; Council Training Chairman 8 years; Council Advancement Chairman 2 years; Council Camping Committee 20+ Years, District Program Chairman 3 years, Vice President Program 2 years, Unit/Assistant District Commissioner 14 years; Assistant Council Commissioner 5 years; National Council Representative 14 years; member-at-Iarge 4 years; Council Executive Board 14 years ( Birmingham, AL) and 29 years in Chickasaw Council. Fred is a recipient of the Silver Beaver and the Silver Antelope Awards

Mr. Bill Dixon Camper, staff member and longtime supporter of Old Kia Kima. Bill began his BSA career at Troop 3 (McLemore United Methodist Church in Memphis.) Upon reaching his 18th birthday, he became ASM of Troop 3. During World War II Bill served three years in the military. Upon his return he became SM of Troop 3, reorganizing it and launching it into a distinguished period where Troop 3 was one of the most successful troops in Chickasaw Council. Bill later was ASM of Troop 43 and Advisor for Post 343. In 1959 he received the Silver Beaver, a national award for excellence in BSA adult leadership. Bill was also very active in promoting and raising funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. For this work he was recognized by President George Herbert Walker Bush as one of 100 Memphians who had done the most for the city. He is a Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow.