Camp Mintahama

Camp Mintahama opened in 1946, when Camp Nicagaha, a coed camp, was shut down to make room for the new highway 80. The Girl Scouts bought new land and relocated and built their own "Girl Scout Camp." It is 180 acres and is the pride of the Girl Scout Council of the Ozark Area. It is located 9 miles south of Joplin, Missouri. The camp was built, but it had no name. An essay contest was held to name the camp. The winning essay read as follows:


Once upon a time, there was a chief whose name was Mintahama. He was very unhappy because his neighbors were raiding upon them. All of the young braves were killed. His people longed for peace. Chief Mintahama had a young and beautiful daughter who was greatly distressed by seeing her people at war. Princess Mintahama began seeking a way to bring peace to her tribe.

Her father was a very old man and near death. One night he went to sleep and did not awake that night or the next day. When he finally awoke, he called his daughter to him. When she came to his side, he told her he’d had a dream and in this dream he had seen a way to bring peace to the tribe. The wise old chief told Princess Mintahama she must go to the top of the hill and shoot a flaming arrow into the air. The spot at which it landed would be the place the tribe could find peace.

Princess Mintahama told her tribe of her father’s dream. The people were overjoyed and asked the Princess to shoot the arrow. Slowly all the people climbed to the top of the hill and took their places to await Princess Mintahama. The princess appeared at the top of the hill. She had in hand a bow and shining silver arrow. Darkness came quickly, but her silhouette could be seen in the moonlight.

She lit the tip of her silver arrow and drew back the string until it touched her cheek. With one quick movement she sent the arrow into the air. The silver shone in the light of the full moon, and the flames penetrated the darkness. Suddenly the flames were gone. The arrow had reached its destination; the tip was gone into rich and fertile earth.

The tribe followed the path of the arrow and found it had brought them to a beautiful spot high on a hill overlooking a wide lake. There were many trees and a plentiful supply of food and wild animals. Below this hill, the lake was fed by a cool, clear stream. This was later to be called Lake Mintahama. It was here that the tribe made their home, and because of the dream of their chief and the faith of his daughter, their young men grew into young braves. The wise old chief soon died, but the Princess Mintahama and her people lived in peace.




Giving camp the name, "Camp Mintahama" began a wonderful tradition of girls growing upin the woods of the Ozarks.
Camp Mintahama has a 12 acre lake, hiking trails, program areas and an island. Canoes, sailboats and paddleboats, archery and other program equipment are available for use with proper training and certifications.

There are two cabin units, two platform tent units, and one treehouse unit. Each unit houses approximately 28 people. Each unit is also complete with a fire ring, running water, picnic tables, unit shelter, and latrines. Also available is a large dining hall, shower house, log cabin and an in-ground pool (June-August).