1964 Chanco Lodge Spring Fellowship

This beautiful patch was issued for the first Chanco Lodge activity at the property on Lake Gaston that would later be named Siouan Scout Reservation. Previous Lodge events were held at Camp Waters on the James. According to the Jul7, 1965 edition of the Chanco Courier newsletter, there were 136 members in Chanco Lodge in 1964.

According to The Chanco Chronicles, 1952-1992 by Ben Vincent (1974-1975 Lodge Chief), Chanco Lodge was instrumental in the early development and continuing maintenance of Siouan Scout Reservation. Brothers from the Lodge participated in the clearing of land and construction for all of the major roads, buildings, and program areas at the camp. For their efforts they were awarded the prestigious E. Urner Goodman Camping Award in 1971.

My favorite story related by Ben in The Chanco Chronicles describes “Rock Night” during summer camp at Camp Siouan which was held once a week. On “Rock Night” Scouts had to pay one rock for admission to dinner at the dining hall. These rocks were used in the construction of the amphitheaters, at the ceremonial grounds, and the fireplace in the handicraft lodge.

Sadly, Camp Siouan was sold by the Council to a residential developer and the last official Scout function there was the 1990 Chanco Lodge Spring Fellowship. But Siouan lives on in the treasured memories of many Scouts and Scouters who attended summer camp and Lodge events like the one this patch was issued for.