Owasippe Scout Reservation (OSR), located in Twin Lake, Michigan is the resident camp operated by the Pathway to Adventure Council (formerly Chicago Area Council) of Boy Scouts of America. It began in 1911 as Camp White on of land on Crystal Lake donated by the White Lake Chamber of Commerce. It is the United States' oldest and longest continuously operating Boy Scout camp. Background At its peak of use the reservation covered and served over 10,000 Scouts per summer, but the overall decline in Scouting nationwide has seen yearly attendance fall to approximately 3,800 campers. Previous property consolidations has left the camp at in size, and the council was attempting to sell the camp but met with stiff resistance from the local community, Scouts, leaders, families, and staff alumni. The deal with the developer was terminated on November 7, 2008. Owasippe Scout Reservation is composed of sub camps within the property. The current operating sub camps are Camp Blackhawk (Scouts BSA camp), Camp Wolverine (Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts), and Camp Reneker (Family Camp). There is also a high adventure base at Owasippe Scout Reservation. The Owasippe Legend Current Rendition Current rendition of the Owasippe Legend as listed by the Owasippe Staff Association. (Make note that the rendition used by Owasippe Scout Reservation in its ceremonies may differ in wording.) “There are many legends regarding the lands, rivers and lakes of this area, but none more interesting than the legend surrounding the man whose name we have adopted for our camp. Owasippe was the great chief of the Potawatomie Indians who occupied this land in the early part of the 19th century. Legend compares his great wisdom with that of Solomon’s. The village over which the chief presided was on the flat at the foot of a hill near the Bishe-Gain-Dang (beautiful river in the Potawatomie language). The French trappers of the time knew the river as River Blanc. Today, we call it the White River. The Bishe-Gain-Dang furnished the tribe with fresh water and a safe landing for their canoes. Both fishing and hunting were good and the wooded hills that surrounded them kept out the cold winter winds. They were also comparatively safe from attacks by hostile bands in the area. Owasippe married late in life and when he became the father of two sons, he was overjoyed. As his sons grew, he taught them to find their