Weekend Properties Reservation Form must be submitted no later than two weeks before you plan to go. NEW!!Please use the Weekend Reservation Form below for CHICKASAW COUNCIL PROPERTIES. This form is due before a reservation can be made and can be turned in months or weeks in advance but must be turned in at least 2 weeks before arrival. Tour permits will be required upon arrival at camp and must be filled out and turned in at least 1 week in advance. Weekend Reservation Form and Tour Permit links are below.
Kia Kima traces its history back to 1916; the original camp was situated on a bluff overlooking a pristine riverfront on the South Fork of the Spring River. 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".
The original camp operated as a BSA summer camp for 47 years before land was swapped and a new camp was built several miles upstream. Its current location still sits on the banks of the south fork river. Kia Kima Scout Reservation is divided into two camps, Cherokee and Osage, and has been in operation continually since 1964.
Program Description:
Camp Osage and Cherokee offer a variety of programs. Each camp has traditional areas such as Nature, Scoutcraft, Handicrafts, and Aquatics. Areas such as Climbing, Shooting Sports, COPE, and Ozark Venture Base are used commonly between both camps. Many units enjoy cooking their own meals in Camp Cherokee while those attending Osage eat in the camp dining hall. Each camp has fully operable trading posts and centrally located showering facilities.
Camp Osage
Since 1964, Camp Osage has been welcoming Scouts to the banks of the South Fork River. Camp Osage is the larger of the two camps at Kia Kima Scout Reservation with 14 unique campsites to choose from. At Osage, troops will find traditional camp programs such as Ecology, Scoutcraft, Handicrafts, Shooting Sports, and Aquatics. Troops camping in Osage eat prepared meals in the dining hall.
Camp Cherokee
Camp Cherokee was established in 1965 as an “outpost camp”. Though creature comforts do exist at Cherokee, the troops who visit still enjoy the “rustic” setting and “village-like” atmosphere. Camp Cherokee has 10 campsites with several located along the shores of Lake Cooper. In addition to offering the same traditional programs offered at Camp Osage, Cherokee offers units the opportunity to cook their own meals in their campsites.
Ozark Venture Base:
Ozark Venture Base is the ultimate adventure destination for older Scouts and Venturers. The Ozark venture base is broken into two areas; Adventure Quest programs such as COPE, Mountain Man, Climbing, Thunderbird Aquatics and our very popular “O.U.T. Ozark Ultimate Trek” program.
For more information about summer camp, contact Jeremy Palazolo at jpalazol@bsamail.org
