Iroquois

June 8, 2021 by Eric Totten

Iroquois Spring Campout 2021

Finally!! It has been too long since the Tribes of the Iroquois Nation of the Park Ridge Wilderness Princesses have been able to enjoy the thrice-yearly experience that has been our tradition for decades, but — at long last — we were able to host an honest-to-goodness Spring Campout to close out our 2020-2021 season.

This event took place at Camp Duncan in Ingleside, IL, which is normally our Winter Campout location, but given that our usual Spring camp was not available due to the ongoing pandemic, we decided to give Duncan a try in the warmer May weather. One of the benefits of this, we discovered, was the ability to enjoy their impressive climbing wall, archery range, boating activities, and the camp’s brand new playground.

Also, the camp gave us the green light to pop up some tents for those hardy enough to brave it, allowing for some additional social distancing. This gave the weekend a different feel than the usual cabin-based experience. And happily, Mother Nature was kind enough to cooperate, giving us lovely warm days and cool and comfortable Friday and Saturday nights.

As is our custom, we enjoyed some spirited games, this time hosted by the Comanche Tribe. These friendly competitions included:

a good ol’ balloon toss
a slingshot-tennis ball-bucket launch and catch competition that has become a standard in recent years
a downhill bocce ball toss into hula hoops
a relay race while balancing a tennis ball

(BTW, that’s our outgoing Nation Chief Kevin and his daughter Kate who are graduating after many years with the Iroquois – we’re going to miss you guys tons!!)

The five Tribes also competed in our other traditions: the Plate Hunt, Dad’s and Daughter’s Trivia, and the Sculpture Judging.

On Saturday evening, as we gathered for the Fire Council ceremony to recognize our new Elders, Super-Elders, and Graduates, we enjoyed a roaring fire prepared by the Navajo.

At the ceremony, we also welcomed a new set of Tribal chiefs who have promised to carry on the tradition of keeping our Tribes organized and productive through the next season. Also, we honored our new Nation Chief who runs the whole PRWSP Iroquois like a well-oiled machine and new Fire Starter, who keeps the spirited spark alive.

Last, but certainly not least, the big finally of the season comes just before close on Sunday morning: we find out who will be the coming year’s Honor Tribe. The trophy goes to the group of dads and daughters that pulled in the most honor points based on having quality monthly crafts and outings, their performance in the campout competitions, and (barring pandemics) their golf cart decoration in the parade. For the 2020-2021 season the Chief Winnebago trophy was passed to the mighty Nez Perce.

All in all, it was a lovely return to our campout tradition, and we very much look forward to the kick-off of the 2021-2022 season in August and the Fall Campout this September.

What’s our motto? To be together forever as father and daughter!

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March 9, 2019 by Dave Farrell

Winter Campout Memories

Dads, daughters and sons packed in a weekend’s worth of fun at this year’s winter campouts this past February. Girls and boys competed in games, sled down snow-filled hills, and hunted for plates during the day while a Council Fire followed by bingo concluded the night activities. The children then played until they were exhausted enough to fall asleep on the hard, wooden bunks or until their dads said that it was time.

Into the early morning, dads huddled around the roaring campfire exchanging tales of past glories and failures while enjoying the camp chef’s burgers, dogs, and even some more exotic creations. A group of dads peeled off into the cabins to play card games. One by one dads trickled into the cabins. Eventually the cabin lights went dark and the camp fire burnt itself out. Campers grabbed a few hours of sleep before they made the journey home with new tales to share with their families.

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February 15, 2017 by Dave Farrell

Games Galore at Camp Duncan

Trying to maneuver a pretzel from your forehead to your mouth without using your hands is a challenging task. The Princesses and dads of the PR Iroquois Nation managed to accomplish this feat as tribes battled for dominance of the games at Camp Duncan this past weekend. The Princesses also attempted “Crow”quet (best named event) as they used a croquet mallet to hit balls down a hill through cones of varying distances and difficulties to earn points. The girls shot arrows at targets and tried to catch tennis balls with Lacross sticks after their dads hit the balls with tennis racquets. The Baby Toss game was very popular. Participants needed to launch baby dolls into hoops for points. It was fun for all to be a part of the events.

PR Iroquois Nation Chief Michael Grapenthien and his tribal chiefs put together a great campout for the girls and their dads. After the games the girls joined the Council Fire, played bingo, and ate their Tribal Chef’s prepared feasts. They later sat around the camp fire and played in their cabins. The next morning was filled with leather crafts and archery to be followed by a 45-minute car ride home. What a great weekend!

February 13, 2017 by Dave Farrell

Congratulations to the Iroquois Patch Design Winners!

Congratulations to Emmy Buckley and Maya Forte for their winning patch designs! Emmy won the best patch design for the 2016 fall campout at Camp Tecumseh and she was presented the award this weekend before the Iroquois Nation. Emmy is pictured above with her proud dad, Christopher. The Buckley’s are members of the Seminole tribe. Maya Forte won for best winter patch design at Camp Duncan. She will receive the award this spring. Maya and her dad , Joseph, are members of the Nez Pierce.

A great deal of work goes into patch design. The artist’s goal is to convey the campout experience of the PR Wilderness Scouts & Princesses with the Seven Aims in mind. Each Princess (or Scout) is eligible to participate in the contest. Once all of the patch designs have been submitted, the tribal chiefs vote for their favorite design the weekend of the campout and the winner is announced at Sunday breakfast. The design is ultimately made into a patch to be worn by each member of the Nation. It is among the highest honors for a Princess (or Scout) to receive. Kudos for Emmy and Maya!

February 10, 2017 by Dave Farrell

Valentine’s Day Crafts for the the Navajo

Mike and Bria Sanderson led craft night for the Iroquois Nation’s Navajo tribe at the Maine Park Leisure Center. The gathering opened with the girls talking about the good deeds they had done during the week. The girls then painted canvases purples and reds adding Valentine’s Day designs and decorations. It was fun for all.

September 13, 2016 by Dave Farrell

The First Camp Out of the Year

Horseback riding, wall climbing, candle making, archery, fishing, games and riflery can only mean one thing… it is camp out season for the Park Ridge Wilderness Scouts and Princesses. This past weekend the Park Ridge Iroquois Nation visited Camp Tecumseh in Indiana. The girls played day and night while the dads participated in the games and then grilled and smoked meats for their tribes. It was fun for all!

Steve Quinlivan, Chief of the Crow, earns the top spot on the web page (pictured above) with his creative headgear at this past camp out. Steve is one of the Federation’s most active members. He is a retired Federation Treasurer, a retired Tree Master, and a former Tribal Chief of the Mighty Dakota with the Park Ridge Winnebago Nation (boys). Steve gives a great deal of his time and energy to the organization to make sure that the kids and dads involved have memorable experiences.