Francis O. Belzer
Francis "Chief" Oliver Belzer (June 30, 1869 – February 24, 1947)[1] was the creator of the Firecrafter organization, and a longtime early Boy Scouts of America professional in Indianapolis, Indiana, for whom Camp Belzer of the Crossroads of America Council is named.
Francis "Chief" Oliver Belzer | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 30, 1869 |
| Died | February 24, 1947 |
| Known for | early Boy Scouts of America professional |
Early life
In 1893, Belzer and Prunetta M. Hunter gave birth to a daughter, Katharine.
Following these first years, Belzer taught one year in Illinois, and then became high school principal at Oaklandon, Indiana and then Castleton, Marion County High School. He then became principal of Center Township school No. 2, then Tuxedo Park, now Indianapolis school No 58. He then became principal of Hawthrone School No. 60, Indianapolis, and after eight years he joined grade manual training staff, continuing for several years. In preparation for his teaching work, Belzer attended courses at the State Normal at Terre Haute, Chicago University, Morgan Park Academy, Butler College, Bradley Polytechnie Institute, Vories Business College, and Indiana University Extension during summer months.
In 1911, Belzer, though still teaching, became interested in the Boy Scout Movement, which was launched in the United States in 1910.
Scouting movement
In winter 1910-11, Belzer and C.C. Osborne met with a group of Irvington boys to organize Scout Troop 9, sponsored by the Irvington United Methodist Church.
He was president of a Scoutmaster association and helped to organize early Scout camps at Flat Rock, Mt. Nebo and Fort Benjamin Harrison. It was near the latter that Camp Chank-Tun-Un-Gi was formed in 1918 (later renamed Camp Belzer). Belzer Junior High School was also named after him.
In 1914 the first Central Indiana Boy Scout Council was formed, with the first charter granted in June 1915. Belzer applied for temporary leave from the Indianapolis Schools in 1915 to take over the job of Scout Executive. He was appointed first Scout Executive and continued in that capacity until September 1940, when he retired from active Scout work. From then on he lived at 320 S. Audubon Rd, until his death in February 1948 at the age of 79. He maintained a keen interest in the Scout program and took part in numerous activities at Camp Chank-Tun-Un-Gi.
References
- "Funeral Tuesday for Boy Scout 'Chief'". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2007.
External links
- USSSP: Scoutcamp.org - Oldest Camps at scoutcamp.org
- Troop 9 BSA home page