John C. Kosik earned his Eagle Scout Award in 1972 while a Scout in Troop 998 on the Northwest Side of Chicago. He was inducted into Ordeal Membership that same year in July at summer camp. An earnest supporter of the Scout camping program, John served on the staff of Camp Robert Crown at Owasippe from 1974-1981, setting the example as an Arroman and inspiring young staff members to go the extra mile and deliver an outstanding program. John sealed his membership with the Brotherhood Honor in July 1973 and attended National Camp School from 1976-1978,

At the encouragement of Lodge Adviser Sheridan Nunn, John took an active leadership role in Owasippe Lodge, becoming its Chief in 1977. That same year, he led the Lodge’s contingent to NOAC at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. John’s determined and methodical leadership saw growth in Lodge membership and a re-focus on the ceremonials of the Order. Echoing the philosophy of Dr. Goodman, John’s mantra throughout his tenure of office was, “dream the great dream, and catch the higher spirit”. John was the driving force behind the Lodge’s $15,000 pledge to the Council’s Capital Campaign and personally arranged for our Order’s Founder E. Urner Goodman to attend the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Owasippe Lodge in 1979. John received the Vigil Honor on 05/26/1979, becoming most appropriately known as “Lungwamen Mechen Wenigajekink” – To Dream Great Things.

As an adult, John became the Associate Lodge Adviser and served for three years with the aim of unifying the Chapters within the Lodge into a cohesive unit. Given his success at building relationships within the Arrow, he was selected to serve as Lodge Adviser from 1983-1986. After a brief hiatus from Scouting to raise a family, John returned to Scouting as a Board Member of Chicago Area Council, charged with managing an investment portfolio in excess of $15M. During his ten years in this role, the revenue from our investment fund grew annually and helped deliver the Scouting program to youth of our Council most in need. It was John’s solemn pledge to promote Scout camping that brought his leadership to bear on rallying forth his Brothers in the Arrow in a united task. In the spirit of NCAP and fulfilling his O/A pledge, John built a coalition within the Council Board and secured the necessary funding to make a capital investment in Owasippe Scout Camp (the oldest Boy Scout Camp in the United States) and bring it up to the standards that our Scouts deserve. Projects accomplished by this investment will serve Scouts for generations to come.

Never afraid to challenge his Brothers to follow the straight and true path of the Arrow, John’s leadership and vision as a youth continue to guide us as a Lodge today, and truly make him deserving to be known as a Centurion of Owasippe Lodge #7.