Wihinipa Hinsa Lodge, W.W.W. 113
Bay Area Council, Galveston, TX

Our Lodge was founded in 1938 and is affiliated with Bay Area Council #574 .  The English translation of Wihinipa Hinsa is a phrase derived from the language of the Dakota Nation.  It means "Bay Sunrise" which appropriately symbolizes the dawning of a new day,  brighter opportunities, a higher vision, and the cheerful spirit forever burning in the hearts and wills of true arrowman.

Our Lodge totem is the Sun Rising from the purifying water of the Bay.

In 1955, Camp Karankawa was opened, offering a well-located Camp consisting of 450 acres of heavily forested Land, ideally suited to the needs of Scouting.

The next few years saw the physical development of the camp's facilities. In 1955 it was decided to build an Ordeal Ring to meet the requirements of the Orders ceremonies. A site was selected on the banks of the San Bernard River. It was reached by following a trail from the chapel area, winding along the banks of the San Bernard , crossing a temporary bridge and finally climbing a hill to enter Ceremonial area.

The Altar was constructed of stones and a Plaque was laid. This ceremonial area served the Lodge for the next 40 years. The temporary bridge was ultimately to require it relocation. Over the years the Brazos River underwent several floods. Each flood required extensive work in removing sand and debris from the Ordeal Ring. The site was lost completely, for about a three year period in the mid 1980's, after a very severe flood of the San Bernard River. In the late 1980's it was decided that something needed to be done about the temporary bridge. Each flood had continued to erode the banks to a point of becoming hazardous.

A plan was put forth by the Lodge to construct a new bridge of a suspension type. Different ideas were discussed in raising the necessary capital to complete The project, one of which was to sell each of the planks on the bridge and have the names of the donor inscribed there on. Finally the Council Executive board was approached and money was set aside for its construction. Work was actually begun on the new bridge, but a problem immediately arose, it was impossible to get the needed heavy equipment to the site to complete the project.

These efforts were finally abandoned. It became increasingly necessary to make a decision on the future of the Ring. In late 1994 a site was chosen for construction of a new Ceremonial Ring. Ideas were discussed and a decision was made to move forward with its construction. Through the efforts of several people, donations of materials, made the need for raising capital un-necessary. During the summer of 1995 several work days were held, and the new ring was constructed. It was made of cement planks that had been donated to the Lodge. These planks were then covered with native stone. Finally the plaque from the old altar was moved to the new site and installed. During the construction phase of the new altar the permanent smug pots, which had been installed years ago at the old altar were moved and relocated.

During the Fall Fellowship in September of 1995 dedication ceremonies were held at the new Ordeal Ceremonial Ring. All ex-Lodge Chiefs and Advisors were invited to attend.