History All Apache Articles 1964 Apache Honor Society Manual | 1964 Apache Honor Society Manual |
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| Written by Ted Ressler | |
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Camp Fuller in the tradition of thousands of camps across the United States, believing in an Honor Society of campers and staff, has established as part of the ongoing program of the camp this kind of a society. This Manual will contain the history of the organization of the society; the names of the past chiefs of the society; the present roster of members; the requirements for membership in the society; and the responsibilities if the society and the role of the society in camp program. Several blank pages will also be provided in order that members can make their own notes and additions of new members and new chiefs in coming years. From time to time, this manual may be revised in certain aspects, but for the basic points, it will remain constant. Each member of the society is expected to hold sacred this manual and all its meanings. This manual should not be available to the eyes of non-members, and if lost, a member should seek to replace the manual. In addition to a membership card in the society, it is felt that this manual is a necessary item for society members. The emblem of the society, the Thunderbird on a copper disk with necklace chain attached, has already been supplied to all society members. Since these items do cost a small amount of money, it was felt that yearly dues should be paid by members of the society to cover these expenses and that a couple of meetings during the year should be held in order to give the society continuity and purpose.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The Apache Honor Society was started in the year 1945. The idea for this organization was proposed by Charles Hanscomb and Whitey Sands. The Honor Society was founded on the principal that such a society might serve to control the high spirit that pervades Camp Fuller. This society from its inception was one which has drawn hundreds of boys and staff people to its ranks over the years, all dedicated to the forward movement of Camp Fuller.
FORMER APACHE CHIEFS
1945 – 1951 Charles Hanscomb
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
1. Candidate must be at least 12 years of age;
THE METHOD OF CANDIDATE APPLICATION All campers who are twelve years of age and have attended Camp Fuller a previous season, shall be mailed an Apache Society Application with the Parents Bulletins in the spring of the year. This will then acquaint a youngster with the requirements before he arrives at camp. Upon his arrival at camp, a part of the application which appears at the top shall be torn off and submitted to the Chief, if the boy intends to work for h is Apache. The balance of the application sheet he shall use for completion of his various skills. Upon completion of the skills, and with the signatures of his counselor and Unit Leader approving the application, the sheet shall be handed to the Chief, who in turn will give it to the screening committee. This committee then will deliberate, and u0poln reaching a decision will mark the decision on the application. If the decision is positive, nothing need be said. If the decision is negative, a written explanation must be put on the back of the application and signed by the head of the screening committee. Once this process is completed, the candidates who have successfully passed the screening committee shall be tapped out at the appointed time.
THE TAP OUT The Tap Out shall occur during an all-camp council fire, and shall be the job of a separate committee of the Apaches who will be in charge of this phase. The candidate at a given signal shall be taken from the ranks of the campers and made to stand facing the campers at the entrance of the council ring. Here the chief shall come forward and by placing a red mark on the forehead of each candidate, shall indicate to all of the candidates that from that moment they shall maintain silence for the next 24 hours. The Chief will then instruct the candidates to return to their bunks and get their sleeping bag or blankets and raincoat or poncho and meet at the appropriate place in fifteen minutes, and to run all the way.
THE ORDEAL – FIRST NIGHT When the candidates have gathered they shall be taken as a group to a pre-determined place where two members of the Apache Society in Regalia shall be waiting by a small fire. APACHE #1: “You have been chosen by the members of this society as candidates and as such you are now entering upon your 24-hour ordeal.” APACHE #2: “The various things you will be asked to do in this 24-hour period may seem strange to you and at times seem to have no meaning. Should you complete the ordeal successfully, the meanings of the various movements throughout this 24-hour period will be made clear.” APACHE #1: “You will now each be given a small stick. From this stick you will carve yourself an arrow. This arrow will be attached to something which will enable you to hang this arrow around your neck. Should you fail in any way during the next 24 hours, you are expected to break your arrow and return to your normal camp program at that time.” APACHE #2: “If you still feel in your heart that you wish to continue on this ordeal you will step forward and receive your stock. If you do not wish to continue you will throw your stick into the fire and return to camp.” APACHE #1: “If you are all prepared for the ordeal our braves will proceed to start you on your way. Let me remind you once again, white man is foolish and has a slick tongue. Indian knows when to remain silent. Do not speak to anyone. The only time you may speak is to call a warning to a fellow candidate if danger should threaten, otherwise you are held to strict silence. Take your blankets and follow the braves.” The candidates shall be taken by one brave, to sleep on the ground, fifty feet apart. They shall be left with no light or any other convenience but just the blanket and poncho or raincoat they brought with them. When all the candidates have been settled the Apaches shall return to their own beds and sleep.
THE ORDEAL – THE FOLLOWING DAY Representatives of the society shall wake the candidates at 6:00 A.M. and they shall be told to gather their sleeping gear and run back to camp to the dining hall. Here they shall be given three slices of bread and as much water as they care to drink. When they have finished eating, the Apache taskmaster in charge (this is to be a member of the society assigned the first two hours with the group) shall lead the candidates off to the given task for the day. Each two hours a new taskmaster shall take over and continue to work with the candidates. Let it be noted that Apaches are expected to work right along with the candidates and to do as much, if not more, work than the candidates. One half hour before lunch the candidates are to be brought to the back of the dining hall where they shall be issued a lunch of bread and milk and a piece of fruit (three slices of bread, two glasses of milk and one piece of fruit). Following lunch, they shall have a one half hour rest period and then be taken back to the task at hand and continue at it until 4:30 P.M. At 4:30 P.M., the task maker shall instruct each candidate to return to his quarters where he will be permitted to take a shower and dress in clean clothes and in clothes appropriate for the evening weather. They shall return to the rear of the dining hall where they shall have supper, consisting of three slices of bread and one glass of milk. They shall have their supper at 5:30 P.M. Following supper, the candidates shall be instructed to go off by themselves until 8:30 P.M. at which time they are to assemble at the main gate of the camp. They shall be appropriately dressed and each shall have with him his carved arrow still around his neck. At 8:45 P.M., two Apaches in Regalia shall appear and blindfold the candidates in a line, tying them together left wrist to left wrist; then requesting that they put their right hand on the shoulder of the candidate in front of them, they shall be led to the ceremonial grounds. At the ceremonial grounds there shall be the chief of the Apaches and four braves each in official Regalia. When the candidates have arrived at the grounds, a small fire shall be burning and the candidates shall be placed in a line before the fire. On the opposite side of the fire shall stand the chief and to either side two braves. Once the candidates are in line, the rope and blindfolds may be removed.
INDUCTION CEREMONY APACHE CHIEF: You have so far managed to fulfill all requirements for membership in the Apache Society. If there is any among you who shall have broken silence this day and know it in your heart, you are expected at this time to break your arrow and withdraw from the fire. (Pause) Now that you are about to be officially inducted into the Apache Honor Society, we will take a few moments to explain to you the meanings attached to the ordeal you have been through. APACHE #1: First you were tapped out and marked for silence and told to take a blanket and a poncho and follow the Apache Brave. Taking just a blanket and a poncho were to show that you could sleep in the open with just the barest necessities. APACHE #2: Next you were told to keep silent for twenty-four hours. This was to test your self-control, for if you are to be a member of this society you must maintain good self-control at all times. You were asked to carve an arrow from a piece of wood. This was to test your ability to accomplish something on your own with a minimum of instruction, and appropriately was chosen an Indian symbol, the arrow. APACHE #3: Next you were taken to the wilderness and placed to sleep by yourself. This was to prove that you could live alone in the open without fear and without companionship. The following morning you were put to work at the task for the benefit of the camp. This was to demonstrate one of the rules of our society – that we work unselfishly for others. APACHE #4: During the day you were given three meager meals. This, in true Indian fashion of self-sacrifice, was to show that you could live on very little physical material nourishment, for it takes more than food to nourish the body, and something far greater to nourish to the soul. Following your evening meal, you were instructed to go off by yourself to meditate and think upon what had been happening to you during the day. This was to give you an opportunity for self-meditation. APACHE CHIEF: Finally you were blindfolded in order to be led to this ceremonial ground and you were bound together with a rope, to signify that you are bound together in a brotherhood in this society. Membership in the Apache Society is not easy for there is much that you shall be called upon to do. You will now have your last chance to stop and go no further if you feel you do not or cannot belong to this Honor Society. (Pause) Now that you have been given your final opportunity, we shall call upon you to repeat the pledge of the Apaches after me. I (repeat your name) pledge myself --- to observe al the aims of the Apache Honor Society --- and to foster companionship and fellowship --- among the campers and staff of Camp Fuller By-the-Sea --- I also pledge to keep secret to myself and to other members of the society --- all signs and symbols known only to members of the society. If I break this trust --- I shall be denied further membership privileges in the society --- I also pledge under the four winds of heaven to bring only honor and good fortune to the Apache Society. You will now be presented with the official symbol of the Apache Society, the medallion. Pictured on the Medallion is the sign of the eagle – king of the air. He has always been a sign of majesty, courage and high ideals to all mankind and so he stands as our ideal. (PAUSE WHILE MEDALLIONS ARE PLACED AROUND THE NECKS) And now braves shall pass among you and give you the official handclasp and password of the society. (Handclasp) The handclasp shall be the right hand to right hand grasping the thumb of the person you are shaking with. (Password) KODA --- Friend Following the induction ceremony the inductees shall be taken to the dining hall where they shall be given an appropriate meal. At the meal an explanation of the membership in the society, the dues, the handbook and membership card shall be given.
FEES
Annual Membership Dues in the Society …………………………….$1.00
Additional materials may only be obtained if a member has lost the Items he wishes to obtain.
DISMISSAL FROM THE SOCIETY A member of the Apache Honor Society may be dismissed from the society upon action of the officers or membership body of the society. If a member of the society feels that another member should be dismissed, he may submit a request for a meting to the chief and in writing indicate the reasons for wishing the member to be dismissed. If the chief and other officers shall feel the reason is a just one, a meeting of the membership shall be called. The accused will have the charges read and be given a chance to defend himself. If dismissed, a member shall turn over his medallion, car and manual.
THE OFFICERS OF THE APACHE HONOR SOCIETY
CHIEF: Elected at Staff Training Week. The Chief shall always be a member of the staff.
DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS Chief: He shall preside at all meetings of the society. He shall be responsible for all camp council fires. He shall see that fires are constructed, proper opening ceremonies take place, and fire is extinguished at end of council fire. He shall also be responsible for all Tap Out procedures and seeing that appropriate ceremonies are set up and carried out. He shall preside as head advisor to the society and shall be spokesman for the society in matters concerning the camp. He may delegate authority within the society for these various tasks, but in the end he shall be held responsible for the outcome of all activities. Medicine Man: He shall preside and act for the chief in all matters when the chief cannot be present. He shall also take a major role in conducting the screening of candidates for nomination to the society. Wampum Bearer: He shall be responsible for the financial records of the society. All funds shall be kept in the Camp Fuller account but a duplicate receipt shall be issued to the Wampum Bearer by the cam administration for all monetary transactions. The Wampum Bearer shall be responsible for the dispersing of funds for payment of bills approved by the officers. Annually during staff training week he shall submit a written report. Tally Keeper: He shall be responsible for keeping a written record of the minutes of all official meetings of the society where business is transacted. Regalia Keeper: He shall be given the responsibility of care and maintenance, and disperse and collect all Indian Regalia. He shall be given the Regalia at the beginning of each season and shall be held accountable for the return of all Regalia in good condition at the end of the season. He shall also be responsible for recommending to the society those pieces of Regalia he shall feel are necessary for the best interests of the society. Sachem: He shall act as an advisor to the group. Honorary Chief: As Camp Director he shall be the coordinator of the Society in order that it function and act in accordance with camp policy and in the best interests of the camp.
APACHE SOCIETY AND CAMP PROGRAM The individual members of the society (and the society as a whole) are expected to be a dominant factor in the Camp Fuller Program. Members of the society shall take an active part in assisting the camp administration in the planning and carrying out of activities and projects in the camp. The society members shall at all times conduct themselves in the manner befitting an Apache. Finally, Camp Improvement Projects should be instituted by and carried out through the leadership of members of the society. Only by setting an example of the highest degree of integrity, cooperation and fellowship can the society become a really meaningful part of the life of camp Fuller By-the-Sea. Bookmark or recommend this article: |
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