Re: Knights of Dunamis
Amick Robert (amick@SPOT.COLORADO.EDU)
Tue, 14 May 1996 13:47:45 -0600
On Tue, 14 May 1996, BILL KINDER wrote:
> Can anyone tell me what ever happened to the National
> Eagle Scout group, Knights of Dunamis? I was a charter
> member of a group in Ohio in the mid-60's and still
> have the neckerchief and slide.
Knights of Dunamis (Dunamis is a greek word meaning "power") was formed
in the early 20's as an association for Eagle Scouts to direct their
skills and talents to service to Scouting. It remained as an
acknowledged but unofficial Eagle Scout Service Organization by BSA until
the late 60's when efforts were made to officially link the organization
similar to the official ties and sanctioning for O.A.
Knights of Dunamis (K.D.'s) were "absorbed" by the National Eagle Scout
Association in 1971 following their last National Conclave at West
Point. The organization was being considered by BSA as the "official"
Eagle Scout organization for several years prior to the decision to
absorb and restructure. BSA National Supply service stocked "K.D."
insignia such as arm bands, neckerchiefs, "KD" emblems suspended on a
ribbon (similar to OA ribbon pin), etc. Studies by BSA indicated that a
more "graphic" name than "Knights of Dunamis" was needed, hence the
evolution of "National Eagle Scout Association."
Knights of Dunamis was a "youth-oriented" organization with K.D. members
providing Eagle Scout Courts of Honor ceremonies, troop leadership
development training programs, Junior Leader Training courses, service to
Council Scout Camps, and certainly Eagle Scout Recognition dinners and
ceremonies when appropriate. The programs were highly successful and
very effective in Councils that had strong K.D. chapters. Unfortunately,
and as with all good things, they must end, and so did K.D.
K.D.'s were very strong in California and in Washington D.C. (the
President's Chapter). Dr. Lester Steig was the last National President
of the Knights of Dunamis and was, along with Dr. John Cochran
instrumental in negotiating the adoption of the K.D.'s as a BSA
sanctioned program prior to 1971.
N.E.S.A. continued to have national conferences every two years for a
time, up through about 1978, but ceased doing so in the early 80's.
I was involved in chartering a K.D. Chapter through Alpha Phi Omega in
1964 at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
The chapter was quite active
for a number of years until N.E.S.A. was formally installed. As you may
know, N.E.S.A. does not have council chartered youth groups or chapters
as K.D. did, so there is little if any youth organizational activity at
the Council level in N.E.S.A.
It would be interesting to hear from others who were involved in K.D.
chapters during the time it was active.
Bob Amick, Explorer Advisor, High Adventure Explorer Post 72, Boulder, CO
>
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