Camp Lowden Patches

Staff Patches

LAM-xxxx

Staff Patches

Some of the most colorful Camp Lowden patches were the staff patches from the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s. This patch design was first used at least as far back as 1954, as it is clearly visible in the staff photo for that year.

In the early 1960s, a privately built trail called the Amaquonsippi Trail was started in 1961 as a fundraiser for a Scout troop in Bradford, Illinois (they had their own camp a few miles west of town on the east-west road that runs out of town, right after crossing the Spoon River). Amaquonsippi, in the Algonquin tongue, means “Spoon River”. Lee Kraut recalls that it was a tough trail to take. It was supposed to be 18 miles long, but he thinks it was longer than that. There were rope swings on it to get across some of the streams along the way. There were a series of patches for this trail. They even had a patch for called the “rain dancer” for those who took the hike in the rain.

Lee Kraut took the hike in 1961 and 1962 and recognized the Amaquonsippi Trail patch as the Camp Lowden staff patch. Therefore, it is believed that the Amaquonsippi Trail copied the design of the Camp Lowden staff patch.

Initially used exclusively at Camp Lowden starting in the 1950s, their use continued throughout the 1960s. Originally worn on the right shoulder of the Scout uniform, they eventually were made with button loops.

LAM-10 (SMS)
Smaller dots at bottom
No stitched border to sun
Possibly had button loop originally

LAM-15 (SMS)
Larger dots at bottom
Stitched border on sun
Possibly had button loop originally

Later the Blackhawk Area Council versions were created and used both at Camp Lowden and at Northwoods. All of the staff were issued the "camp staff" patch. The camp director and his other directors who attended National Camping School were issued "camp leader" patches. (There is a question as to whether or not the "Camp Leader" patch was also presented to scoutmasters...can anyone confirm or deny this?) These patches continued until approximately 1972 or 1973. It is not known why they were discontinued.

LAM-20 (SMS)
Camp Staff

LAM-25 (SMS)
Camp Leader

The patch for the 2005 staff reunion was based on this design. Only 200 were made, and all staff members in attendance were each given one patch. Beginning with the 2007 staff reunion, an alumni patch was issued based on this design. This was the first to have the fleur-de-lis on the patch and also the first to be fully-embroidered. Each staff member will receive one of these patches upon completion of their first year as a staff member.

LAM-30 (SMS)
only 200 made

LAM-35 (SMS)
fully-embroidered,
has fleur-de-lis (next to fire)