Owasippe Scout Reservation began in 1911 as Camp White on forty acres of land on Crystal Lake. The land was donated by the White Lake Chamber of Commerce. At its peak of use, the reservation covered 11,000 acres. The first documented reference to Owasippe in relationship to the camp was in 1916, when Camp Master James P. Fitch originated the “Tribe of Owasippe” for those Scouts who attended camp one or more times since 1912. Owasippe is the oldest and longest continuously operating Boy Scout camp in the United States, despite differences concerning the original name, Camp White and Camp Owasippe.

In 1912, the first of a continuing legacy of “Family Camps” was established for families visiting Scouts at camp. The accommodations were located at a farmhouse about two miles southwest of the camp. In 1920, pressure was being felt by the Chicago Council for the operation of a camp for each of the districts in the Council. In addition to the North Shore District camp on Crystal lake, camps operating for the Scout of the other districts. These included Camp Keesus at Grand Haven, Michigan for the Hyde Park and Woodlawn Districts; Camp Checaugau at Palatine, Illinois for the Northwest District; and Camp Shabbona on the Des Plaines River in Illinois for the West Side District.

In 1922, Camp West and Camp McDonald were established in Crystal Lake, Michigan. The name of original camp changed to Camp Beard. The collective properties were known as A. Stamford White Owasippe Scout Camps.

For the majority of its history, Owasippe evolved through semi-autonomous sections camps with each section offering standard summer camp programs. Differences in location, food preparation, program activities and swimming accommodations contributed to the unique atmosphere of each former can current camp. Sections have their own songs and multiple program areas that include handicraft, aquatics, nature, Scoutcraft, shooting sports and—for first year campers—the Pathfinders program.