03/05/2025
Who Was Chief Belzer? The Legacy Behind Camp Belzer
If you’ve ever wondered how Camp Belzer got its name, meet Francis O. Belzer, known to generations of Scouts as “Chief”—a true pioneer of Scouting in Indiana.
In 1911, Chief Belzer started Troop 9 in Irvington, one of the first in Indianapolis. Under his leadership, Scouting in Central Indiana grew from just a few troops to nearly 200 units with over 10,000 Scouts! He was a driving force in forming the Central Indiana Council and served as its first Scout Executive from 1915 to 1940.
In 1918, he founded Camp Chank-tun-un-gi, which later became Camp Belzer. Having spent his childhood near Lawrence and the waters of Fall Creek, it’s fitting that the camp was built along those same banks.
A passionate outdoorsman and teacher, Chief Belzer believed in training leaders. He famously said:
“If we had 100 more Scoutmasters, we would have 100 new Scout troops tomorrow.”
He led Indiana Scouts on adventures worldwide, including the 4th World Scout Jamboree in Budapest (1933), and even started a Scout Band and Bugle Corps. His love of horses led him to organize a saddle club at camp, teaching Scouts the art of horseback riding.
Even after retiring in 1940, he remained deeply involved in Scouting and frequently returned to his beloved camp. Today, Camp Belzer stands as a testament to his dedication—a place where thousands of Scouts continue the legacy of adventure, leadership, and service that he started over a century ago.
Have a favorite memory from Camp Belzer? Share it in the comments! 👇
