Camp Zinn Horseback Trek Camp Patch

In the early 1950’s the Choccolocco Council began the process of improving its camping program within the Council. One of the goals was to create program that would continue to draw the interests of the older boys within the program. With this in mind a Horseback trek was developed to cater to Explorers within the council. The program ran from 1950-1952 and consisted of a five day trek from Camp Zinn into the heart of Talladega National Forest. During the trek Explorers would camp at outpost camps which included Lost Valley Camp, Bankhead Tower, and Shoal Creek. Explorers cooked their own meals which usually consisted of fish and frogs they caught while on the trek. The trek would culminate with the return to Zinn on Friday where a large rodeo was held to demonstrate the participants newly acquired equestrian skills.

The above patch was issued for these treks. It is not evident if this patch was issued for the three years the program was put on, but with the low number of participants each week and the limited number of years the program existed it serves as one of the rarest Zinn pieces in existence.  There were likely two patch issues, the above white flocked patch and a maroon colored patch with the same logo flocked in white.

Pow "Wow" Patch - Achunanchi Lodge 135

Achunanchi Lodge 135 was chartered in September of 1938 to serve the Choccolocco Council, from its inception the lodge held many activities including ordeals, fellowships, and an annual Christmas Banquet; but it was not until 1964 when the lodge hosted its first pow-wow. Held from August 7-9 at Camp Zinn this event also marked the first time the lodge had issued a patch for a lodge function. This event was described by Lodge Chief Jim Weed as “the big lodge meeting of the year” and the weekend served as a time to elect lodge and chapter officers, participate in OA Olympics, learn and compete in Native American Dance, and the weekend also served as an Ordeal as well.

At a cost of 3.50 for the weekend it is viewed today as a bargain. The 3.50 fee also included a “beautiful 80 cent Pow-Wow Patch”. Quite a steal as it is difficult to find one for under $800.00 now. The design however for the patch wasn’t original to the lodge. In 1959 Mowogo 243 of Athens, Georgia used the design to celebrate their first pow-wow. Talking with many traders this is a patch that has been difficult to locate ever since the late 1960’s and is one of the rarest OA event patches within Alabama. Many times this is one of the last holes filled by 135 collectors. It truly is a Pow "Wow" Patch!

1966 Area V-E Conference Patch & Camp Comer

On April 29^th 1966 the gates were flung open to Comer Scout Reservation as Arrowman from all over Alabama and Northwest Florida gathered for the 15^th Annual Area V-e Order of the Arrow Conference. The patch pictured above was issued for this annual event and was designed by Svend Damhave of Woa Cholena 322. What is of significant note about this conference is that this was the first big event held at Comer Scout Reservation since its total completion that same year. The area pulled out all the stops for the weekend as two distinguished guest were in attendance during the conference. Both Martin Mockford, who served as Executive Secretary of the Order of the Arrow, and National Committeeman Carl Marchetti were both in attendance. Marchetti would go on to serve as the Chairman of the National Order of the Arrow Committee from 1984- 1993.

258 Arrowman attended the conference making it the largest attended conference to that date. During the weekend the official ribbon cutting and dedication of Achunanchi 135’s OA Lodge was carried out.

Choccolocco "Woven" Patches - Ft. McClellan

The BSA and the United States Military have long had a strong partnership, and this partnership was very evident with the Choccolocco Council and Fort McClellan located in Anniston, Alabama. From the 1950’s through the council’s consolidation in 1998 Fort McClellan served as the primary location for the council’s Scout-O-Rama held every two years. The above pictured patches were issued for the 1959 Choccolocco Council Scout-O-Rama held May 15^th – 17^th. The event, held in conjunction with Armed Services Day, was chaired by Colonel M.F. Halloran and Lesley Stephenson, a professional within the council, served as the Director of Program. Over 2,000 Scouts and Scouters participated in the event which included individual district campfires, troop and patrol competitions, and a Scout Show on Saturday night that featured the famed WAC Band perform. 

This is the only time the Choccolocco Council used a woven patch for an event, and the difference in the two issues are unknown. The woven pattern allowed for a finer detail in the patches, and this ranks as one of the most esthetic patches ever issued by the Choccolocco Council. These patches were made by Apatche, a prevalent manufacturer of woven patches from this timeframe. Most examples of woven patches from the late 1950’s and early 1960’s came from them.

Camp Comer "Wild River" Patches

During the early 1970’s an older boy program at Comer Scout Reservation was available for Life and Eagle Scouts to participate in. Known as the Wild River Expedition, this program was geared toward whitewater adventure and outpost camping. Challenging both physically and mentally this program was a resounding success with older boys lining up to participate in the program. These treks were led by Bryan Winslow and Jeff Wells, Winslow a Military Medic was on loan from Fort McClellan during the summers to lead these expeditions.

Pictured above are the two patches that were issued for the expeditions. To this day they remain as two of the most difficult Comer patches to acquire.

The Old "Hide the O.A." in the Camporee Patch

Many camporees are held around the country each year.  Most of these are held in either the Spring or Fall with some having the involvement of the Order of the Arrow.  The O.A. has always been supportive with campfire programs; staffing; judging and other necessities at these events.  Sometimes the camporee committees vote to include the O.A. in their patch design.  Other times, the camporee committee just inserts the initials O.A. or W.W.W.  Of course these are not official Lodge issue patches, since they were never taken to the Lodge LEC for approval.  But by default they become part of the "Lodge Set" and collectors do their best to scoop these up so they have every angle covered on possible Lodge issues.

The patch pictured above is from the old Arapaho District in Decatur, AL.  The local O.A. Chapter helped put this event on and as such was honored on the patch. These make neat collectibles - Camporees which highlight O.A. functions.

Choccolocco Council 1964 Jambo Neal Slide



Well, a patch it is not.  But a great pieces of Scouting history it is.  Neal Slides were known far and wide in Scouting circles from the 1950's through the 70's.  Famous for their Bakelite slides that could be personalized for any event or theme, they were seen by many Scouts across the country. There are many collectors of Neal Slides and one of the hardest to find is the 1964 "Choccolocco 1".

On July 10^th 1964 one hundred and twenty-four Scouts and leaders from the Choccolocco Council boarded buses in route to the 1964 National Jamboree held in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. While ate the National Jamboree the contingent from Northeast Alabama participated in many Scouting activities along with 53,000 other Scouts from across the country and world. Highlights of the trip included a visit by President Lyndon Johnson.

Each member of the Choccolocco Council contingent received the above Neal Slide for the event. It was based on the design of the Choccolocco Council # 1 patch.  These slides although distinctive presented a problem for the group. Many complained of the top of the “one” poking into their throat while at the jamboree and many of these slides didn’t survive in tact for that same reason. A great piece of Choccolocco memorabilia that is rarely seen! Many thanks to Seth Hill for providing this scan and history!

Tennessee Valley Council "Man on the Moon" CSP Patch

In 1994 the Tennessee Valley Council headquartered out of Huntsville, Alabama issued a special 25th Anniversary CSP in recognition of Man Landing on the Moon in July 1969.  This had dual meaning besides it being the 25th Anniversary.  Huntsville was called "Rocket City USA" where the Redstone program had begun which led to the Saturn rockets that took us to the Moon.  Dr. Wehrner Von Braun and his team of Rocket Scientist worked at nearby Geaorge Marshal Space Flight Center to make this happen.

While many of the scientists were German, their children were becoming Americanized rapidly.  Many participated in the Boy Scout program and as such the scientiest and Dr. Von Braun were often seen at Boy Scout Expositions supporting the program and their son's.  The CSP above was sold from 1994=1997.  Here is the official Council information on the Patch:

On July 20, 1969, Eagle Scout Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, a Ternderfoot Scout, became the first men to walk on the surface of the Moon. In the next two and one-half years, ten other astronauts would also walk on the Moon. Nine of them were former Scouts. As part of the 25th Anniversary of Apollo 11, the 1994 Limited Edition Council strip, authorized by the Tennessee Valley Council Camping Committee, commemorates the six Moon landing missions and the efforts of Scouters in the Tennessee Valley who contributed to the design, development and testing of the Saturn V launch vehicles which placed the Apollo spacecraft into orbit. This full-sized, eight color strip depicts one of the lunar landing scenes. This issue sold out in May of 1997. The price for each strip was $10.00. All revenue from the sale of these strips was used for capital improvements of council camps. The total production run was 500 strips.

This Limited Edition Council Strip is not authorized for wear on the Scout uniform

Felt Crafters - Plaistow, NH

One of the most prominent makers of Boy Scout patches in the mid 1900's was Felt Crafters of Plaistow, NH.  This manufacturer was noted for making "Flocked" felt or canvas twill patches.  Their heyday ran from the late 1940's to late 1950's.  Since most of their items were made on Felt they did not stand up well to washings, sewings and moths.  So very few patches made it through as pristine mint.  They made a number of generic patches for the BSA as well as other themed patches.  Pictured above are two varieties they were known for - the generic BSA patch on the left that featured the Indian Brave.  This patch was reproduced in many varieties from Camp Patches to Camporees.  The patch on the right was a themed patch usually made for Summer Camps to award for the completion of certain activities such as Canoeing, Swimming, etc.  Most were no bigger than a half dollar, but they are some of the more collectible felt patches ever made. 

Kaskanampo 310 "Cowpile" Flaps

Kaskanampo Lodge 310 of the old Tennessee Valley Council in north Alabama issued their first flap in 1953 so that Arrowmen of the lodge would have a flap to wear to the Irvine Ranch National Jamboree in California.  The flap was based on the prevalent BSA uniform pocket flap of that time (rounded bottom).  The flap was basic and pictured the Mussel Shell totem in the center of the flap.  Unfortunately many could not tell this was a Mussell Shell.  With its wrinkled stitching designed to look like the exterior of a Mussel Shell, it ended up looking more like a "Cowpile".

From this point on Arrowmen of the Lodge affectionately referred to the F1 as the "Cowpile".  The first flap above left (F1a) was known as the Smaller White.  It could be distinguished from the F1b (ordered around 1955) on the right by its size as the F1b was known as the Larger White.  But the most telling difference was the lettering.  On the F1a, the M tags the P in Kaskanampo at the bottom.  On the F1b the M tags the P in the middle.  The F1a is the rarest patch in Lodge 310 and very few examples are known to exist - especially Mint condition flaps.  The flap may have gained an ugly name, but it is first in the hearts of 310 collectors.  It is worth noting that Arrowmen in 1957 opted to change the style of the flap to avoid comments about the "Cowpile" on their uniforms.

Camp Arrowhead 1942 - Cherokee Fifty 1st Patch?

Camp Arrowhead served the Birmingham Area Council from the early 1940's to 1971.  Located on the Coosa River near Clanton, AL it was the home of Cherokee Fifty Lodge.  Cherokee was the first lodge in the Deep South (outside of Wichita in Texas - if you include them as Deep South) and did not produce an official OA Patch until 1950.  The first patch was the R1 Cut Edge Round.  Or was it?  Many of the Lodge members were Staffers at Camp Arrowhead.  In 1942 the Camp issued for the first time a felt sewn patch made by Standard Pennant out of Pennsylvania.  Prior to this all patch has been "Flocked Pressed Hard Felt".  However this patch was different and came with an Arrow through the Arrowhead.

Old timers explained that this was given to them if they were a member of Cherokee Fifty Lodge on Staff.  The Arrow facing upward to the right was correct for the time.  So the debate would be "is this the first lodge issued patch" from Cherokee.  If it is it would be the second oldest OA issue in the State of Alabama.  Only Achunanchi 135's "Blue Owl" issued in 1940 would be older.  Whether an OA issue or not, this is one rare patch.   

Region V Arkansas - What Is It???

Here is one of my favorite patches - and least known.  What I do know is that this is a Region V Patch from Arkansas.  How do we know?  Well the Razorback is a dead giveaway from the Westark Area Council.  But there are other Arkansas scouting motifs in this patch.  Foremost is the prominent Cedar Tree which came from Camp Cedar Valley in the old East Arkansas Area Council.  I purchased this patch in Jonesboro, Arkansas near this camp.  The other motif is the old DeSoto Area Council shape of the patch.  Finally is the crossed axe & spade along with the Region V logo on the Cedar Tree.  There is no writing of any kind so one can only guess what this was for - Service work at Camp Cedar Valley during an OA event; an Arkansas Region V Encampment of these Councils (Where is Quapaw??).  So if you have any idea what this is please let me know at campmoreland@gmail.com   Great patch with no history behind it.