Grimes Canoe Base - Swiss Loom Patch & Punch Card Drawing

In the days before digital imaging and computer graphics the design for patches had to be drawn by hand.  These images were usually converted onto sheets of paper in a 6:1 Drawing to Patch Size scale.  The person doing the art set it up so the Swiss Loom Embroidery Machine would know exactly what the customer wanted.  The above example is one of the last Swiss Loom patches before the computer / digitized age took over.  This is from 1989 and was the Wa-Hi-Nasa Lodge 111 Fall Fellowship Patch from Grimes Canoe Base.  Swiss Loom embroidering is very thick as the layers are laid down by each set of needles.  As more detail is added a layered look occurs giving the patch a thick and expensive feel as compared with todays more flimsy computer generated patches (though these patches have more detail they lack the character of the Swiss Loom style).  


Below is an outline of how this worked.  1) After a color image has been approved by the customer the badge design is drawn on to tracing paper at a 6:1 scale.  2)  The lines of the design are perforated with small holes . 3) This paper is then placed onto the threading machine as a Scan Card so that the appropriate color threading is used on the surface which penetrates the perforations and leaves the outline of the design on the cloth. 4) A large Loom Machine like a Tajima is then set up to process the image from the Scan Card in multiples of 20, 50, etc depending on the size of the machine. The lines and dots on the Scan Card are only a guide for the embroidering of the image.  A look back at a bygone era.

Camp Rotary - Birthplace of Cowikee 224

Pictured above is the last Summer Camp issued patch from the old Southeast Alabama Council.  Camp Rotary is located just north of  Eufuala, AL on Cowikee Creek that feeds into the Chattahoochee River.  The Camp began operations in the 1920's and served as the Summer Camp home for Southeast Alabama up until 1957.  In 1958, the Council moved Summer Camp to their new location "The Boy Scout Reservation" later to be called Camp Alaflo (Council would change name to Alabama-Florida Council when part of the FL Panhandle came on board) near Enterprise, AL.

Camp Rotary items are relatively hard to find due to limited camp weeks during the summer.  Also many of their early patches were made of felt and they simply did not hold up well to washing, moths and aging.  But Camp Rotary holds greater significance in that it was here that the Cowikee Lodge got its namesake and developed into one of the stronger OA Lodges in the Southeast.  Camp Rotary still exists to this day as a primitive camp, so check it out if you can.  You are a lucky Scout if you have one of these patches.

Camp Pushmataha

The Mobile Area Council of south Alabama once used Camp Pushmataha, near Citronelle, AL as the Council's Summer Camp and OA Lodge Home.  It served in this capacity up until around 1966-67 when the new Camp Maubila was opened for use.  Pushmataha was named after the Choctaw Chief Pushmataha and was home to many OA events over the years.  The 1955 Va Conference was held here having then National Chairman H. Lloyd Nelson in attendance.  Mr. Nelson would pass away in late 1955 making this his last true OA function to attend.  The world renowned & Pulitzer Prize winning Biologist & Eagle Scout Dr. E.O. Wilson who serves on staff at Harvard University, once attended camp here and served on the Nature Staff - thus developing his love of biology and his later fascination and study of Ants.

The patch pictured above is from the late 1940's to early 1950's.  It cam with a presewn rocker where additional years of attendance could be added.  Though this design was used with other camps (most notably Camp Old Indian in South Carolina) it is still highly sought after since Camp usually ran only three weeks and very few of these were issued.  Another prize Camp patch if you are lucky enough to find it.  The Camp ceased functions in 2010 after being sold.  The Mobile Area Council purchased new property near Bay Minette, AL to replace it - called Camp Pinetreat.  

Kaskanampo 310 Double Shell Prototype Flap

Around 1974 Kaskanampo Lodge moved away from the S4 Perriwinkle Flap (had the wrong shell for the Totem and was known as the "Mistake") to the S5 "Double Shell".  This flap went back to the historic Mussell Shell Totem of the Lodge.  However it was not as clear to some as the older F2's - S1's, S2's & S3's.  Those Flaps had Shells that looked more like Hornet's Nests.  The new S5's looked better but almost resembled a Tornado.  I remember this vividly as this was the Flap I received at my Ordeal in 1974.

The Flap above is the prototype of the Double Shell.  Kaskanampo was noted for its Red bordered and Blue lettering. In this case the manufacturer changed the lettering to Golden Yellow and the border to a Spruce Green.  Needless to say, the Proto Flap turned out to be better looking than the actual Double Shell which kept the traditional Red Border and Blue Lettering.  It is a unique piece in 310 lore.  Likely only two were made and they were rejected by the Lodge / Council.  One of the best looking Flaps never made!

Buckskin Lodge 412 Treasure Island Camp Patch

Bucksin Lodge is located in the Nassau County area of New York.  Noted for their OA Flaps that rarely change, they did at one time host a Spring Fellowship at the birthplace of the Order of the Arrow - Treasure Island Camp.  The event held in 1983 required the lodge to go to the Island Camp in the middle of the Delaware River.  It is a very difficult to find Lodge and T.I. collectible.  While there is nothing fancy about the patch, it is unique in that the lodge traveled some distance to host the event there and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Camp.

Shiloh Centennial Trail - Civil War

In 1960 Ken Humphreys of Troop 343 in Memphis, Tennessee pioneered a hiking instituation that exists to this day.  He along with the Scouts and Leaders of his troop created a number of Boy Scout Hiking Trails that encompassed the Shiloh National Military Park.  Today the site is mecca for Scouting hikers from all over the Southeast and Midwest.  It is the best marked battlefield of the Civil War and with its easy terrain it is a good but not overwhelming hike.

In 1962 Scouts that hiked Military Trail #1 were entitled to purchase a special Centennial Trail Patch (pictured above).  This was a classic that started a trend for each successive Anniversary of the Battle or for other events such as the Bicentennial or National Park Service Centennial.  Mr. Humphreys based his design on the Shiloh Military Park Museum Patch.  It was the same shape and had the distinctive Confederate battle Flag on it.  The Museum patch was twill and Mr. Humphreys wanted something special for his hikers.  So a very nice deeply Swiss Embroidered Patch was made.  To this day it is the standard hiking patch by which others are compared.  Only his friend Gus Geiger's Blue Beaver Trail on Lookout Mountain was more distinctive.  But this one set the tone and is highly desired by Trail Patch and Shiloh Collectors.   

Aracoma Lodge N1 Neckerchief

From 1957-59, Aracoma Lodge of the Black Warrior Council (Tuscaloosa, AL) issued their first Neckerchief.  The N1 was a very good looking Necker that pictured the lodges totem, the Corn Stalk and was red silk screened on white cotton with Green Silkish piping.  Only 100 of these Neckers were ever issued and they were 1 per Life for Brotherhood Members.  Next to the Cherokee 50 N0.5 this is easily the most difficult and collectible Neckerchief of the Order in Alabama.  As far as numbers go less than five of these are still known to exist.  This particular Neckerchief belonged to Tom Hodges who was a member of Kaskanampo Lodge 310, but who attended the University of Alabama at the time.  Upon receiving this at Camp Horne he promptly put it in a box where it remained for 50 years.  Today it is back with Lodge 481.

A truly unique and rarely seen Neckerchief.  Simplistic in nature and design but appealing to the eye.

Shiloh Military Trail Anniversary Hike Patches

Most Scouts in the South are familiar with Shiloh National Military Park.  They have about eight trails that encompass the battlefield that range from 3 miles up to 20 miles.  Scouts can earn a myriad of patches and medals for completing these hikes.  Started in 1960 by Troop 343 Scoutmaster Ken Humphreys of Memphis, TN, the trails have continued to be well hiked and a desitination for many generations of Scouts and Leaders.  This is mainly due to the most well marked National Military Battlefieldl of the Civil War and a great organization handling the Trails.

One of the rarer patches to earn is the Anniversary Hike Patch. This is awarded to Scouts who complete the hike on the actual days of the battle - April 6 or 7.  This usually happens when the the 6 & 7 fall on a weekend date.  To date about 20 variations of the above patch have been issued.  They are hard to get and highly prized.  With the Sesqucentennial of the Civil War and the upcoming anniversary at Shiloh in 2012, these will be highly sough after items.  A great mix of Scouting and American History. 

1950's Conservation Patch

In the 1950's Boy Scouts started conducting more and more conservation projects within their Councils.  In order to drive these initiatives, the local Councils would create special Conservation Camps or Conserve-O-Rees.  Much like Camporees these were weekend events that concentrated on the aspects of conservation as it was known then (washout breaks, trenching tents, etc).  Many of the patches of that era were made of felt like the patch above.  Few survived in Mint condition and were not highly collected.

Today a new market has sprung up for all kinds of Conservation related items from the BSA.  There is a plethora of items related to Conservation events that can keep any collector digging and searching endlessly for those special patches.  Many of the most desired patches came from Regions, Nation Jamborees and Philmont.  Prices on these items have been high due to their relative rarity.  A really neat niche item to collect.  

1937 National Jamboree Souvenir Pin

In 1937, the Boy Scouts of America held their first National Jamboree in Washington, DC.  The event was supposed to have occured on the 25th Anniversary of Scouting in 1935 but was postponed due to a Polio epidemic.  The 1937 Jamboree was held in early July so some of the Scouts and Leaders attending this event could make the World Jamboree in August across the pond in the Netherlands.  There were many displays at the Jambo and the event was held on the Mall with the Washington  Monument as a centerpiece to the Arena Shows.

The Pin shown above, while not a patch, was still a collectible item that most Scouts could pick up at the event.  This particular medallion pin shows the 1937 Jamboree Logo and had a clasp back so it could be pinned to a uniform or Sash.  This particular pin belonged to Life scout Jimmie DiRago who attended the Jamboree with the Tennessee Valley Council Contingent.  Jimmie later would serve as a Gunner on a Mid Range Bomber during World War II.  he was shot down over Germany in the latter days of the war was declared Missing in Action.  His body was never found.  A monument now exists on the Waterfront of Camp Westmoreland where he served as the Camp Bugler during the 1930's.

Firecrafters Felt Patch - Indiana

One of the earliest Camp Honor Societies was the Firecrafters which started at Camp Chank-Tun-Un-Gi in the Central Indiana Council.  The system was the brainchild of Council Executive Francis Belzer who wanted it to be a method by which Scouts would continue coming to Camp each successive year.  It worked much like the Order of the Arrow - you had levels of achievement based on Camp Proficiencies achieved.  This originally came from Dan Beard's Culver Woodcraft Camp or Academy in northern Indiana.  Uncle Dan Beard rewarded his campers' achievements with a series of three ranks: Notcher (bronze), Midnotcher (silver), and Topnotcher (gold), each symbolized by a patch of appropriate color having a beaver within a stylized "C" for Culver.

Using Berard's model, Belzer designed the camp rank emblems starting with the Culver "C" for the Camper rank. The original patches were cut from felt and hand-sewn by 'Aunt Stella' Doeppers, who worked at the Council office.  In the early days, when a Scout became a Camper, he received a khaki vest with the Camper "C" emblem sewn on it. When he became Woodsman, a yellow teepee was added to the original patch. When he became a Firecrafter, he received a whole new patch including the red fire.  A final honor was created that had to be awarded - not earned.  It was called the Minisino - a recognition and honor of one who has made outstanding contributions to Scouting and Firecrafter and who can be expected to continue his contributions.  Minisino is a Miami Indian word meaning "tried and proven".

Disaster Recovery - Alabama Tornadoes 2011

I apologize for not posting any new updates on "This Old Boy Scout patch" for the past week, but I have been busy working on Tornado Clean-Up here in Alabama.  Has not left too much time for making updates to the site.  However, we are now freed up a little and I will try to get back in rhythm with "Old Patches" from the past.

Here is a classic from the 1980's.  This patch comes from the West Coast (California to be exact) and is awarded to Boy Scouts who complete Disaster Conservation Projects.  The Tornadoes here in Alabama reminded me of this one from my collection.  It shows the before and after of what land can look like when cared for or overrun by natural forces or manmade disasters.  Think about your environment and control the things you have control over.  Pray for those who need assistance all across the South and do your best to assist those when called upon.  This patch should remind us of what is important as Scouts!

Camp Drake - Segregated Camp

From the mid 1940's to 1964 a number of Boy Scout Camps in the Southern United States were segregated.  One of these was Camp Drake of the Tennessee Valley Council.  It was located on the Tennessee River near Rogersville, Alabama.  It was named for its benefactor Dr. Joseph F. Drake, the 4th President of Alabama A & M University from 1927-62.  Summer camp was held here for African-American Scouts each year for one week.  All of the other TVC Scouts attended Camp Westmoreland. Drake however was used by all White Troops and the camp was no stranger to the Order of the Arrow.  Many Scouts from the Camp were tapped out into Kaskanampo Lodge 310.  The Camp was unique in that it was segregated but fell in a mostly cosmopolitan type Council.  Many members of the TVC Scouting program were from out of state - working mostly in the fledgling Aerospace Industry of the Rocket City - Huntsville, AL.  Therefore, there was hardly any friction with Scouts who attended Drake or other TVC events. 

The patches pictured above are the 1948-52 "Campfire" patch and the later "Brave" patch that was used up until 1964.  These patches are very rare as camp ran only for one week and few of these were issued.  With the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1965, Camp Westmoreland was intergrated and Camp Drake began a slow decline of non use until which time it became part of Joe Wheeler State Park.

Choccolocco "No. 1" Patch

Choccolocco Council was headquartered in Anniston, Alabama and basically composed the upper NE quadrant of the state.  The Council went by its assigned number by the BSA National Office - Council 001.  Basically this was based early on from the alpha sequence of states and the city headquarters - thus Anniston, AL was listed first or given the moniker Council "No. 1".  Never ashamed to take advantage of things it received, the Council used the "1" to its benefit in everything it did.

The patch pictured above is one of three that were likely made by the Council with the large "No. 1".  They also had the FDL and Heart of Dixie slogan for the State of Alabama.  This is the green bordered cut edge version of the patch.  There were two other blue edge versions that appeared.  In 1999, Choccolocco merged with Birmingham Area Council #6 amd Tennessee Valley Council #659 to form the Greater Alabama Council now headquartered out of Birmingham. The new Council decided to keep the Council #1 designation which went with the OA Lodge number 50.  Later when the National OA decided to limit the use of Lodge numbers, Coosa Lodge would use G.A.C. #1 with their name.  Of course not to be confused with the Mother Lodge - Unami One.