New to OA
Welcome to Muscogee Lodge, the Indian Waters Council’s OA lodge! Your peers chose you for Scouting’s National Honor Society not only because of what you’ve contributed to your unit but because of what you will contribute in the future. Several resources are provided, below, which will help guide you on your journey.
Step 1: Complete the Ordeal
Within 18 months of your election date, register to complete the Ordeal by attending either the Spring Induction Weekend, the Summer Super Fellowship, or the Fall Induction Weekend. Once you’ve done so you be considered a member of the Order of the Arrow and Muscogee Lodge. In addition to taking home the enriching experience of the OA Ordeal, you’ll be outfitted with an Ordeal OA sash, a Muscogee Lodge #116 pocket flap patch, an OA Handbook, and your dues-paid membership card for the current lodge year. Direct your questions, comments, or concerns to the Ordeal Chairman at Ordeal@MuscogeeLodge.org.
Your Ordeal is designed to be meaningful and challenging. You’ll spend much of the weekend outdoors, walking long distances, performing physical service, and following a restricted diet. If you have any permanent medical conditions, physical limitations, or dietary needs that could affect your participation, please email the Ordeal Chairman at ordeal@muscogeelodge.org. Sharing this information early helps us plan accommodations and ensure you have the best and safest experience possible.
You will need the following items at the Induction Weekend:
- Medical Forms: a copy of your current Scouting America Health form (only parts A & B — NO doctor signature required)
- Old Work Clothes
- Sleeping Bag
- Ground Cloth/Small Tarp
- Work Gloves
- Flashlight
- Field Uniform (Class A)
- Extra Clothes
- Water Bottle
- Any gear used on regular campout for Saturday night
- Toiletry items, including a towel
- Advised: Rain gear, insect repellant, daypack/backpack, spending money (for the Lodge Store)
- Bring a tent in case Adirondack space is unavailable
Step 2: Learn About the OA
Upon completion of the Ordeal, use the Inductions Portal to jumpstart your efforts to learn more about the Order of the Arrow. As part of the Jumpstart for New Arrowmen program, you’ll find information and explanations to help propel you along on your journey. You’ll need your OA Handbook to login to the site. Contact your Chapter Chief with any questions you may have. If you don’t remember your assigned chapter, contact ViceChief@MuscogeeLodge.org.
After you’ve completed your Ordeal at key intervals, your Inductions Team will contact you to share guidance and wisdom found in the Spirit of the Arrow booklet. As this information is only available to members of the OA, you’ll need the password to unlock the knowledge. For material secured with an Ordeal safeguard, the password is the Admonition of the Order (in all lower case letters, no spaces, no quotes, no punctuation). If you do not know the Admonition, ask another member, a member of the Ordeal Ceremony team, or your lodge or chapter adviser.
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Don’t miss the special Guide to Inductions publication, which is specifically written for those holding the Ordeal honor (your sash looks like one on the left). As this information is only available to members of the OA, you’ll need the password to unlock the knowledge. For material secured with an Ordeal safeguard, the password is the Admonition of the Order (in all lower case letters, no spaces, no quotes, no punctuation). If you do not know the Admonition, ask another member, a member of the Ordeal Ceremony team, or your lodge or chapter adviser.
Muscogee Lodge is the premier OA lodge serving the Midlands and Pee Dee Areas of South Carolina, with home camps at Camp Coker and Camp Barstow. In the video, below, the lodge extends you a welcome and shares our encouragement for your next steps in Scouting.
A Muscogee Studios Production by Muscogee 116
Step 3: Attend Lodge Events
Each year, Muscogee Lodge holds three Fellowships, two Induction Weekends, and one Winter Banquet. Each Fellowship runs from Friday to Sunday and features a program of seasonal events. Induction Weekends, held in the Spring and the Fall, provide opportunities to unite in cheerful service, to learn about the OA, and to forge bonds of brotherhood. At the Winter Banquet, we celebrate the year’s accomplishments while enjoying a hearty Southern meal.
Muscogee Lodge’s official calendar runs from November through the end of the next October (e.g., 11/1/2025-10/31/2026). Several types of events occur each year, with different purposes and attendees as discussed, below. Click each season to see the events.
After officer elections, in the Fall of each year, the Lodge Chief assembles the elected officers, appointed chairpersons, and all advisers for a Lodge Leadership Development Conference (LLDC). Nationally-trained facilitators from around the Section lead Muscogee’s officers in team-building activities, goal setting, and in planning the year’s lodge events – it’s a great chance for the lodge leadership to have fun for the weekend!
Each January, Arrowmen and all family members are invited to a local church or gathering place for a catered lodge banquet, featuring an extensive patch and memorabilia auction. During the banquet, we recognize our new Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil Honor Members as well as present several special lodge awards and the Founder’s Award (if awarded). In a special ceremony, we also swear-in our new Lodge Chief as well as other lodge and chapter officers.
During the Induction Weekend, candidates for the Order of the Arrow are given an opportunity to complete their Ordeal. The Spring Induction Weekend provides the first opportunity of the lodge year for candidates to complete the Ordeal. Candidates must complete their Ordeal within 18 months of being elected by their Troop or unit. Upon successful completion, those candidates join Muscogee Lodge as full members of the OA. The weekend also gives members a chance to earn the Brotherhood honor.
In the first fellowship of the lodge year, Muscogee #116 takes advantage of beautiful Spring weather by providing an exciting program, leveraging opportunities only available at camp.
The Summer ‘Super’ Fellowship runs from Thursday to Sunday, combining an Induction opportunity which feeds directly into the biggest fellowship of the year.
During the Induction Weekend, candidates for the Order of the Arrow are given an opportunity to complete their Ordeal. The Fall Induction Weekend is the last of the lodge year, giving candidates one more option to complete the Ordeal within 18 months of being elected by their Troop or unit. Upon successful completion, those candidates join Muscogee Lodge as full members of the OA. The weekend also gives existing members a chance to earn the Brotherhood honor.
The Fall Fellowship caps-off the lodge year, and it includes officer elections during Saturday’s Lodge Business Meeting.