Papago Indian News

12-18 YEAR-OLD RESERVATION YOUTHS TO ATTEND FREE 12-DAY CAMP IN WHITE MOUNTAINS: BIA, APACHES COOPERATE WITH PAPAGOS FOR OUTING

In the largest youth outing in many years, 70-80 reservation boys in the 12-18 age group will enjoy a free 12-day camp in the White Mountains at a site made available by the White Mountain Apache tribal council.

Arrangements for the camp were made at no cost to the Papago tribe.

The youths will leave Sells early on Monday, June 6, and return on Saturday, June 18. They will be accompanied by camp counselors, drawn from Education, Land Operations, and Law and Order departments. It is hoped that some fathers will also go. The group will travel by bus.

William Whipple, reservation principal, will be camp director.

The camp is patterned after one he ran while working with the Hopis.

"Thanks to the courtesy of Lester Oliver, White Mountain Apache chairman, and Albert Hawley, Agency superintendent, the camp site is being leased to us at no cost," Mr. Whipple reports.

The camp was formerly used for Indian boys and girls but has not been used at all for some time.

In order to prepare the camp and the 12 cabins, BIA employees and some parents will spend a weekend soon in the White Mountains. Cost of transportation and other expenses for the boys is being borne by the BIA. If the camp is considered successful, it is possible that similar outings will be held in coming years.

Among the camp activities will be swimming, fishing, and bear hunting. In addition, the youths will have opportunities to study the fire-fighting system of the White Mountain Apaches, their lumber and cattle industries, and the raising of rainbow and brown trout at the hatchery which is located next to the campsite.

Already about 50 youths have signed up for the outing. It is expected that some boys in boarding schools will also wish to attend. Any other youth wishing to attend, and having his parents' consent, should apply through a school. The Sells Boy Scout troop will attend as a group.