This website has been developed to introduce our guests to the many great wondors of Owasippe. It is America's oldest Scout camp, in continuous operation since 1911.

Owasippe consists of over 5,000 acres of rolling hills, towering forest, and clear streams and lakes in the heart of west Michigan. Surrounded in part by the Manistee National Forest, campers enjoy several thousands additional acres.

All the wealth of Earth and heaven,
Bless thy woods and dales.
Over all thy lakes and forest
happy youth prevails.

So, may Scouting's bond of friendship
Seal our loyalty.
To the camps so dear to memory,
Hail Owasippe!

Owasippe was a great chief of the Potawatomie Indians during the early 19th Century. The village over which he presided was at the foot of the River Blanc or White River. When Owasippe's two sons reached the age to prove their abilities, they set off by canoe and followed the river into White Lake and across Lake Michigan. They journeyed to Cheekahgaw (Chicago) and visited Fort Dearborn. When they did not return, Owasippe died in sorrow. In the 1890's, some boys discovered a birch-bark canoe with the skeletons of two indian braves, near the mouth of Silver Creek. This location was only a short distance from the site where Chief Owasippe was laid to rest.

THE OWASIPPE SCOUT CAMPS

The Scout camps at Owasippe provide opportunities for Scouts and Leaders to match their outdoor skills and program needs with the section camp that best fulfills their purposes.

Each section camp has an experienced program staff, available to assist Scouts and Leaders in planning a meaningful outdoor program. Each section camp has an administration lodge, a boating and canoeing area, a shooting and archery range, a Scoutcraft area, a ecology and conservation area, a craft center, and an aquactic area.

THE SAME PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES ARE PROVIDED FOR EACH OF OUR SCOUT CAMPS.

join the Owasippe Group to receive free e-mail updates on Owasippe
SIGN-UP