Yocona Area Council
Encyclopedia
Camp Yocona is the Boy Scout camp serving the Yocona Area Council. The camp is located about 40 minutes from Tupelo and 90 minutes from Memphis on Hwy 334 between Pontotoc and Oxford. Camp Yocona is open year-round to Scout groups, other non-profit organizations, and corporations.
In 2001, a $1.5 million capital development campaign was successfully conducted to raise the funds necessary to renovate Camp Yocona. In 2004 renovations were completed turning Camp Yocona into a first class camping facility, with additional renovations continuing. Camp Yocona now boosts cabins, a conference center, first class Shooting sports ranges, a new Aquatics facility, air conditioned dining hall, and new rest room facilities in each campsite. These renovations along with major program updates helped spur a large increase in summer camp attendance during the late 2000s. In 2009 the council camped over 1,000 youth during summer camp programs.
camp and is used for camporees, summer camps, winter camp, Scout leader training, Cub Scout
campouts, and other Boy Scout-related events. The camp is also used year round as a camping destination for unit campouts. In addition to scouting acitivities Camp Yocona often hosts church camps and other groups through the Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience program.
is represented by the Chicksa Lodge. It supports the Scouting programs of the council through leadership, camping, and service.
until they ceded their lands to the United States of America.
History
The very first Camp Yocona was held at Springdale Lakes near Myrtle, Mississippi in July 1926. The location of Camp Yocona moved around for the first several summer camps including locations in Booneville and Pickwick lake. A campsite located in Pontotoc County between Tocoppola and Randolph, consisting of 140 acre (0.5665604 km²), was acquired in 1934 for the purpose of establishing a permanent camp for the Scouts of Yocona Area Council though it would take over 10 years for the camp to be established. On June 26, 1947, the dedication ceremonies of the permanent Camp Yocona were held in the central lodge on the campgrounds and the first week’s camp was on June 29 of that same year.In 2001, a $1.5 million capital development campaign was successfully conducted to raise the funds necessary to renovate Camp Yocona. In 2004 renovations were completed turning Camp Yocona into a first class camping facility, with additional renovations continuing. Camp Yocona now boosts cabins, a conference center, first class Shooting sports ranges, a new Aquatics facility, air conditioned dining hall, and new rest room facilities in each campsite. These renovations along with major program updates helped spur a large increase in summer camp attendance during the late 2000s. In 2009 the council camped over 1,000 youth during summer camp programs.
Facilities
Facilities include air-conditioned dining hall, conference center, administration building, health lodge, four air-conditioned staff cabins with restroom facilities, eight campsites with eight-person cabins and shower houses, two primitive campsites, two large pavilions, COPE course, waterfront with swimming docks and boating, and shooting sports facilities.Activities
Camp Yocona is primarily a Boy ScoutBoy Scout
A Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
camp and is used for camporees, summer camps, winter camp, Scout leader training, Cub Scout
Cub Scout
A Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons, mainly boys normally aged about 7 to 11. In some countries they are known by their original name of Wolf Cubs and are often referred to simply as Cubs. The movement is often referred to simply as Cubbing...
campouts, and other Boy Scout-related events. The camp is also used year round as a camping destination for unit campouts. In addition to scouting acitivities Camp Yocona often hosts church camps and other groups through the Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience program.
Chicksa Lodge
The Order of the ArrowOrder of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America . It uses American Indian-styled traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the ideals of Scouting. The society was created by E. Urner Goodman, with the...
is represented by the Chicksa Lodge. It supports the Scouting programs of the council through leadership, camping, and service.
History
C. L. "Scottie" Carslile was scoutmaster of a troop in Corinth. Scottie had moved to northeast Mississippi from Atlanta, Georgia where he had worked with scouting. In 1941, Scottie brought a team from Atlanta to conduct the first induction ceremony in the state with Alex Beiler as the chief. The induction of a group took place at the first of the two weeks of summer camp. The boys inducted at the first ceremony served to induct a group during the last week of camp. This group of arrowmen make up the charter members of Chicksa 202. The lodge has been chartered and very active since then. The lodge name was derived from the first chief of the mighty Chickasaw Nation. The Chickasaw Nation settled and ruled in what is now northeast MississippiMississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
until they ceded their lands to the United States of America.