History of the Order of the Arrow

The Order of the Arrow was founded during the summer of 1915 at Treasurer Island, the Philadelphia Council Scout Camp by Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson, camp director and assistant respectively. These two men, working with their staff at Treasure Island, originated the ideas that became the basis for the national brotherhood of honor campers of the Boy Scouts of America.

Treasurer Island, located north of Trenton, N.J., on the Delaware River, was an early camping ground of the Lenni Lanape or Delaware Indians.

Goodman and Edson wanted some distinct form of recognition for those scouts in their camp who best exemplified the spirit of the Scout Oath and Law. Since the valley of the Delaware was rich in tradition and the site was an island used in the bygone days as a camping ground of the Indians, it seemed only natural to base this brotherhood of honor campers on the legends and the traditions on the Delaware. As a result, they prepared a simple, yet effective, ceremony that, in turn, led to the organization of what was later to be known as the Order of the Arrow.

It was from this beginning that the procedures and programs of the organization were to be based on the ideals of democracy. Thus, a unique custom was established in that the members were elected by non-members. There has been no change in this since that time. The original name, Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui was suggested by Horace W. Ralston, a Philadelphia Scouter.

The Original ceremony was quite different than the one that developed later. Yet there was still three lessons taught.

In the first year, 25 members were inducted into the brotherhood. Many members wore a black sash with a white arrow on it. The black sash was used because it offered an excellent contrast to the white arrow. In the original plans there were two degrees; the first, was like a combination of the Ordeal and Brotherhood memberships, and the second, an early version of the Vigil Honor.

From 1915 until 1921, the Order grew slowly. In 1921, steps were taken to establish the Order on a national basis. And, in 1922, the Order of the Arrow became an official program experiment with the Boy Scouts of America.

On June 2, 1934, at the National Council Annual Meeting in Buffalo, New York, the Order of the Arrow program was approved by the National Council.

In May 1948, the Executive Board, upon recommendations of its Committee or Camping, officially integrated the Order of the Arrow into the Scouting movement. In the 1974 re-organization of the Boy Scouts of America, the Order of the Arrow Committee became a subcommittee of the National Boy Scout Committee.

The growth of the Order of the Arrow through the years has never been based on an aggressive promotional plan. Growth came because councils? believed in the ideals expressed by the Order and voluntarily requested the lodges be formed. The soundness of providing a single workable honor camper?s brotherhood, rather than many, is evident. Over one million Boy Scouts, Explorers, and Scouters have been inducted into the Order during the past 80 years. There are now over 200,000 active members.

This coverage of the nation makes possible a unified approach. It provides for transfer of membership, standard books and supplies, national training plans, and a coordinated scheme for building strength in local units through regional and national service. All of this adds color, enthusiasm, and quality to the camping program of Scouting.

History of Miami Lodge #495

The Miami Lodge #495 is named after the great Miami Indian nation. The origin of name Miami comes from their Ojibwe name, Oumami (Oumamik, Owmaweg, Omaumeg) "people of the peninsula" altered by the French and English into our familiar form of Miami (Maumee).

The Order of the Arrow was initiated in the Miami Valley Council in the fall of 1952. A group of Scouts and volunteers petitioned the Council Scout Executive, Wayne Hopkins (a Vigil Honor member), for permission to charter and start a lodge.

The first ceremony and induction of members was held at Cricket Holler in October of 1952. At the time 121 new members were inducted in a ceremony by Arrowmen of Owasippe Lodge #7 of the Chicago Area Council. A loan from the council permitted the lodge to purchase materials for Indian outfits for the second Ordeal. Ordeal and Brotherhood ceremonies were held annually at Cricket Holler through 1958. With the opening of Woodland Trails Scout Reservation in 1959, Miami Lodge embarked on a plan of holding events at both camps, a tradition that continues today.

In the first year of opening, the lodge inaugurated its basic plan of service. The lodge helps in preparation for the summer and winter camping seasons by providing conservation work and general improvement to the two council camps. This is one of our greatest traditions and is continued to this very day.

Initially, a reunion and dance was held every December. This event was replaced by the annual Fellowship Dinner. The first dinner was held in January of 1958 and continues to this day as the major social event of the lodge.

The totem of the Miami Lodge is the crane, officially designated as the Sandhill Crane in 1996 by the Lodge Executive Committee. The first pocket emblem and neckerchief were designed by Don Huxley. Since that time the lodge has had many different lodge flap designs approved by Lodge Executive Committee. A special lodge flaps are normally created for special events like Anniversaries, National Scout Jamborees, National Order of the Arrow Conferences, and hosting a Section Conclave.

Miami Lodge has always been proud of it?s service to Miami Valley Council. During our three annual Ordeal Fellowship weekends we have given countless hours of service to our council camps since 1952. Gifts to the camps of materials like roofing shingles, paint, and wood are common place. Most reciently, large gifts of a new climbing tower and Archary Range shed at Woodland Trails have proven the lodge?s commitment to our council and its youth.

Section Conclaves have always been an important part of the history of the Miami Lodge. In the fall of 1960, the Lodge hosted its first conclave at Cricket Holler. Since that time the Miami Lodge has hosted the section conclave as follows:

1966 Section 4-G at Cricket Holler
1969 Section 4-C at Cricket Holler
1973 Section EC6A at Woodland Trails
1982 Section EC6A at Cricket Holler
1990 Section EC6A at Woodland Trails
2002 Section C-5B at Woodland Trails

The Miami Lodge has continually sent a delegation to each section conclave. We have gained a substantial reputation as a respected competitor and spirited lodge.

The Lodge has been represented at every National Order of the Arrow Conference since 1954. In 1977 the Miami Lodge Ceremonies Team placed among the nations finest in national competition in Knoxville, Tennessee. At the 1986 National Conference at Central Michigan University, Miami Lodge?s John Kincer placed third in Traditional Indian Dance Competition.

At the 1988 National Conference at Colorado State University, Rick Hauser was among a select group of Arrowmen to be inducted into Brotherhood membership at the first ever National Brotherhood Induction Ceremony.

Miami Lodge is most known for its consistence presence as servant leaders on the sectional, regional, and national level. Many of our members have served on numerous NOAC staff contingents over the years. Several of our past lodge officers are currently on the National Order of the Arrow Committee. In addition, Miami lodge has always been an interregnal part of any sectional conclave operating in many different capacities.

Training has always been important to the Miami Lodge. To that extent a delegation from the Miami Lodge has attended every National Leadership Seminar in our area since the inception of this program by the National Order of the Arrow Committee. Three recent Lodge Chiefs, Alex Rhodes, Rick Hauser, and P. J. Hentrich have distinguished themselves by serving on NLS Staff on numerous occasions. Moreover, one of our past lodge chief?s, Randy Cline, is widely recognized for constructing the current NLS course.

With over 50 years of cheerful service behind us, our supporting role continues to be of major importance to Scouting in the Miami Valley Council.

Chiefs and Advisors of Miami Lodge

Lodge Chiefs of Miami Lodge 495:

• Warren Lusk (1953-1954)
  
• Jim Klaussmeir (1954-1955)
  
• John Fleischauer (1955-1956)
  
• Howard Tucker (1956-1957)
  
• Mike Haines (1957-1958)
  
• Kent Kimmel (1958-1959)
  
• Doug Roberts (1959-1960)
  
• Dennis Peterman (1960-1961)
  
• Dave Freeman (1961-1962)
  
• Gary Kimmel (1962-1963)
  
• Robert Christman (1963-1964)
  
• Donald Miller (1964-1965)
  
• Mark Freeman (1965-1966)
  
• Randy Cline (1966-1967)
  
• Michael Albright (1967-1968)
  
• Michael Hook (1968-1969)
  
• Doug Magilvy (1969-1970)
  
• Clarence Bowman (1970-1971)
  
• Rick Choate (1971-1972)
  
• Dave Freck (1972-1973)
  
• John Talbott (1973-1974)
  
• Black Brewer (1974-1975)
  
• Pat Biles (1975-1976)
  
• Russell Davies (1976-1977)
  
• Todd Carver (1977-1978)
  
• Dave Mills (1978-1979)
  
• Paul Mahan (1979-1980)
  
• Rick Gardner (1980-1981)
  
• Scott Pelfrey (1981-1983)
  
• Jeff Templeton (1983-1984)
  
• John Numbers (1984-1985)
  
• Paul Hail (1985)
  
• Jeff Honious (1985-1986)
  
• Mike Melanson (1986-1987)
  
• Scott Bishop (1987-1988)
  
• Chris Grove (1988-1989)
  
• Eric Wolf (1989-1990)
  
• Rick Hauser (1990-1991)
  
• John Moodie (1992-1993)
  
• Alex Rhodes (1993-1994)
  
• Eugene Wikle (1994-1995)
  
• P.J. Hentrich (1995-1996)
  
• Alex Rhodes (1996-1997)
  
• Jason Isherwood (1997-March 1998)
  
• Chris Baker (March 1998-1998)
  
• Robert Signom III (1998-October 1998)
  
• P.J. Hentrich (October 1998-Nov. 1998)
  
• Chris Baker (November 1998-1999)
  
• David Slapak (1999 - 2000)
  
• David Knapp (2000 - 2002)
  
• Billy Reinstatler (2002 - 2003)
  
• Mike Price (2003 - 2004)
  
• Philip Miller (2004 - 2005)
  
• Andrew Rouhier (2005 - June 2006)
  
• Shawn Everhart (June 2006 - September 2006)
  
• Matt Fitzharris (September 2006 - Present)
  

Over the years many fine volunteer leaders have served as Lodge Advisor. This group includes: Edwin Overing, Jack Naiman, William Marshall, Don Cole, Bernard Wildi, John MacLardy, Dick Bish, Chuck Graham, Bill Sutherland, Don Gallagher, Ralph Hahn, Todd Carver, Mike McAtee, Ken Grimes, Ed Keck, Mark Davis, Larry Carter Sr., Chris Grove, Greg Doerflein, Ken Wagoner, and John Miller.

Leadership Beyond Miami Lodge

Members of the Miami Lodge who have been either Area 4C, C-4A, EC-6A, C5-B or C4-B Section Chief

• John Dozier 1961
  
• Keith Radick 1964
  
• Randy Cline 1969
  
• Clarence Bowman 1973
  
• Todd Carver 1979
  
• Rick Hauser 1992, 1993
  
• Alex Rhodes 1994
  
• P.J. Hentrich 1996, 1997
  
• David Knapp 2003
  
• Mike Price 2006
  
• Jeff Sprowl 2008
  

Distinguished Service Award

The National Order of the Arrow Committee presents the Distinguished Service Award to those Arrowman who have rendered outstanding service to the Order on a section, area, region, or national basis. Miami Lodge members who have been presented this award are:

• Randall Cline 1973
  
• Ken Grimes 1983
  
• Alex Rhodes 1996
  
• Chris Grove 2006
  

Founder's Award

The National Order of the Arrow Committee created the Founder's Award in honor of E. Urner Goodman, Founder, and Carroll A. Edson, Co-Founder of the Order. This award allows a lodge to honor an Arrowman for exemplary service to the lodge for a sustain-ed period of time. The Founders Award was established by the National Order of the Arrow Committee in 1981 to perpetuate the ideals of the Order as shown by its founders. Each OA Lodge is entitled to award up to two Founder's Awards each year. At least one of these awards must be a youth (under 21 years of age), and the recipients must be a Brotherhood or Vigil Honor member in good standing. Beyond this, it has been left to individual lodges to establish their own requirements for the award. The procedure used to select the award recipients is set by the Lodge Executive Committee. Miami Lodge members who have been presented this award are:

• Todd Carver 1984
  
• Scott Bishop 1987
  
• Mike McAtee 1987
  
• Terry McCasland 1989
  
• Ken Grimes 1989
  
• Phil Clark 1991
  
• Rick Hauser 1991
  
• Bob Knott 1992
  
• Alex Rhodes 1992
  
• Chris Grove 1993
  
• Jeff Dickman 1994
  
• Ed L. Keck 1994
  
• Tom Goubeaux 1995
  
• Mark Davis 1996
  
• P.J. Hentrich 1997
  
• Greg Doerflein 1997
  
• Chris Baker 1998
  
• Joe Koos 1998
  
• David Slapak 1999
  
• David Hecker 1999
  
• David Knapp 2000
  
• Richard Weyrauch 2000
  
• Brian Schroeder 2001
  
• Matt Giblin 2001
  
• Ernie Shaw 2002
  
• Danny Powell 2002
  
• Paul Thompson 2003
  
• Billy Reinstatler 2003
  
• Daniel Weyrauch 2004
  
• Jill Brewer 2004
  
• Phillip Miller 2005
  
• John Miller 2005
  
• Andrew Rouhier 2006
  
• Steve Kump 2006