Kia Kima Heritage
(Revised October 2006)
On an unseasonably chilly day in mid-July 1993 we stood there as 55 year old men contemplating the place and the ruins of our beloved Old Kia Kima Scout camp. This was the place where we had started our treks into manhood some 35 years ago. Without a spoken word, we simultaneously realized that the Spirit of Kia Kima had been lying dormant in our hearts. That Kia Kima Spirit was awakening us to the fact that this sacred bit of land—where the river runs through it—was once again longing for the sounds of youthful voices. We knew then that we must do something to honor this sacred place and to pass on the Legacy of the Kia Kima Spirit.
While milling around the remaining walls of our beloved Thunderbird Lodge (see photo) an ominous black cloud appeared overhead, accompanied by a chilling wind blowing the top limbs of the trees giving us a sense of presence of kindred spirits who had shared these sacred grounds with us. It was then that we finally re-discovered our Kia Kima heritage. Our journey back to Old Kia Kima was beginning again. We came to realize what it was to know the place for the first time:
If you are new to Kia Kima or if you are one of those who have memories of your years in or around Hardy, Arkansas, we offer you an opportunity to help create a part of the Kia Kima history that you made or observed. Our intent is to leave for the youth of today and tomorrow a history and legacy so that they too might be enriched by the Spirit of Kia Kima. We hope that you will take part in this effort.
Legacy of the Kia Kima Spirit
The Kia Kima Spirit is our legacy. Words can only vaguely capture the passion of our legacy. It not only consists of the memories and traditions but also of enduring values acquired and nurtured at Kia Kima, values which contributed immeasurably to the process of shaping young boys into men. The presence of this Spirit is evident when alumni gather to express their thoughts and feelings about Kia Kima, both the Old Kia Kima and the newer re-located Kia Kima Scout Reservation. We invite you to read Reflections from the April Campfire, April 2005, by Jim Moore to sense the treasures behind that Spirit, our Kia Kima Legacy.
Although most of us started our association with Kia Kima as part of a scout patrol, a troop, or camp staff, in reality the most meaningful experiences were individual ones. Read Its Influence on One Man’s Life by Mike Bowman for one example. Groups provided fellowship and opportunities for learning, but the camp—the place—had its deepest and most lasting impact on us as individuals. This legacy…this Spirit…became part of us during our youth, and has subtly grown over the years to become a passion within us as aging adults. Although the old camp had closed and its building had lain in ruins for 40 years, we had vivid memories of the cabins, trails, waterfront, and the Church in the Wildwood. Those memories have lived on as an oral tradition by those touched by it…by those who embraced it and made it their own.
To understand the power of the Kia Kima Spirit is to witness the creation of OKKPA. Beginning in 1993, that Spirit brought together and bonded a group of men and women in another great adventure… the rebirth of Old Kia Kima… a rebirth through restoration and utilization. It is through the restoring and use of the camp that we intend to pass on the Kia Kima Spirit to succeeding generations. The deepest and most lasting impact will surely be evident among those individuals who reflect on experiences on the South Fork…with a willingness to share them with others. Through restoration efforts, Kia Kima has become a place where younger generations have opportunities to learn from their elders and where elders can learn from young people. Our challenge is to provide the means for others to see and feel the Spirit of Kia Kima. As we do this, they too may become true brothers and sisters of the South Fork. We must plant the seeds, allow them time to germinate, and then cultivate the growth to fruition.
Vision-Mission-Values
Our Kia Kima Spirit—the Kia Kima Legacy—calls for understanding OKKPA origins, its vision, mission, and core values. The vision and mission statements together with the goals were formally adopted on February 1, 1998:
Vision
Old Kia Kima is that special place where the land and the river inspire us to become something more, preserving the legacy of our past and shaping
the lives of future generations.
Mission
Preserve the place, honor the vision of all who have shared in the spirit of the South Fork waters, and provide an environment where elders may pass on knowledge and experience, enriching and shaping the lives
of young people today.
Goals
Create an awareness of Old Kia Kima, its past, present and future.
Acquire the Old Kia Kima campgrounds.
Restore campgrounds and structures where feasible.
Implement leadership, fellowship and community service programs.
Preserve and maintain Old Kia Kima.
Our Core Values:
Integrity, Responsibility, Achievement, and Courage
These are the core principles that will guide the future development of our Youth Leadership
Training Initiatives. They will help us to convey the “Spirit” of Old Kia Kima by letting others
know that this small set of general guiding principles is OKKPA’s essential and enduring tenants
for Youth Leadership – a key part of the rich Legacy we want to share and utilize the Cam to
pass along to the Youth of Tomorrow.
Our Core Purpose:
(This defines the enduring character of our organization and drives the aspirations that we have).
WHAT: Restore the Camp and Preserve the “Spirit” of Old Kia Kima for the Youth Of Tomorrow.
WHY: We want future generations to experience the Spirit of Old Kia Kima, to learn the values of
Integrity, Achievement, Responsibility, and Courage, and to utilize the Camp to pass this along to
future generations” just like we did - This will be our legacy.
HOW: A restored and fully functioning Old Kia Kima is our goal in order to pass on this “Spirit”
and legacy to the Youth of Tomorrow via Camp activities and Youth Leadership Training
Programs that span the new millennium.
These Core Values and statement of Core Purpose work together to give direction, substance,
and clarity to our, Vision, Mission, and Goals. Together, they will provide a guide to
OKKPA decisions as we pursue a restored and fully functioning Old Kia Kima!
As testimonials to and interpretations of our OKKPA core values, we invite you to read Reflections from the April Campfire, April 2005, by Jim Moore to sense the Spirit, our Kia Kima Legacy.
Sharing and Passing the Legacy
Our challenges are our opportunities to create an environment where the Spirit Legacy of Kia Kima is felt and acknowledged by the young people of today and tomorrow. The circumstances contributing to the original Kia Kima Spirit cannot be re-created …the place, the times and the people are different today. Our opportunities include influencing attitudes and behaviors... planting the seed of the Kia Kima Spirit for each individual and for each group. Our Mission Statement and our Core Values are guiding us toward inevitable success.
Leading the efforts to capture the heritage and legacy of OKK is the OKKPA Heritage Committee (HC). Every activity, facility, and tradition created at Kia Kima will serve elements of our mission statement and reflect our core values. The HC goal and objectives are:
HC Goal. Record, prepare, and preserve for present and future generations the history and heritage of Kia Kima and its environs (Old Kia Kima, Kia Kima Scout Reservation, Old Camp Kiwani, Old Camp Miramichee, and Rio Vista, Hardy, Cherokee Village and Old Cedar Valley).
HC Objectives:
(1) Portray the essence of the place, spirit, and values of Kia Kima in oral, written, and visual media (e.g., A Time and Place, Smoke Signals, OKKPA web page).
(2) Record and preserve oral, written, and visual media of current and future OKKPA events.
(3) Create an archive for preserving the rich heritage of Kia Kima as OKKPA continues on its Mission of providing "…an environment where elders may pass on knowledge and experience, enriching and shaping the lives of young people today."
Among the on-going tasks and activities are:
Improving, maintaining and preserving OKK campgrounds and heritage programs;
Preserving the Thunderbird Lodge as the "Kiva of the Spirit";
Using an existing Interpretative Trail as a self-guiding exploration trail that leads the visitor through the camp and to places that were part of the Old Kia Kima traditions;
Using the newly created amphitheater campfire where the "Spirit" becomes alive with the sound of voices… young and older;
Presenting Coup Stick traditionally used as symbolic awards to groups that reflect OKKPA core values;
Introducing the "Talk Stick" to express thoughts and feelings;
Writing a history of Kia Kima, including the newer Kia Kima Scout Reservation;
Illustrating via video the Kia Kima of the past, present, and future; and
Planning and creating a museum for artifacts and memorabilia reflecting the Spirit of Kia Kima.
OKKPA is most fortunate to have advanced its mission by adding to its rolls another generation of men and women who are picking up the torch, carrying it forward to even younger generations. The genuine interest exhibited by men from the Kia Kima Scout Reservation and the women of the former Girl Scout Kamp Kiwani and former YWCA Camp Miramichee represent giant leaps forward in terms of our continuing efforts to recapture and spread the rich heritage of Old Kia Kima. Their pro-active involvement is in many respects our first step toward ensuring not only the future of Old Kia Kima, but also the preservation of its heritage.
