Transferring/Returning To The Lodge
Whether you are transferring from another OA lodge or returning to the OA after a well-deserved absence, the Arrowmen of Muscogee Lodge #116 want to welcome you. We’re glad you found us, and we want to make your return as easy as possible. Toward that end, there is information compiled, below, which will assist you in getting up-to-speed and back into the fold.
There are a few steps to follow when registering with Muscogee #116. Before undertaking those steps, please contact us at info@muscogeelodge.org so that we may better understand your specific circumstances. In most cases, we’ll ask you to follow the steps summarized below, which are provided here in the spirit of helpfulness.
- Go to the Lodge Dues page on our website.
- Select your preferred dues option on the right-hand side (i.e.. either Annual Pass or Lodge Dues). We encourage you to select the Annual Pass option to take advantage of tremendous cost savings by paying your lodge dues and pre-paying for all of the year’s lodge events!
- Either log-in or continue as a guest, whichever option you use when registering for other Scouting events.
- Under “Transfer/Rekindled”, select the number of individuals you are registering today.
- Enter the password to be provided to you by info@muscogeelodge.org, then select the green button on the bottom-right.
- Complete the information requested to the best of your ability, starting with entering the registration contact (you or your parent/guardian). Then, click Update Information and enter the requested information for each registrant. Please use your BSA ID and registered name for accuracy. If you don’t remember some of the OA dates, just provide estimated dates.
- Next go to the Check Out tab to pay for your Annual Pass (or just the $15 annual dues) so that you can register for and attend all lodge events!
- After finishing the check out process, email info@muscogeelodge.org to let us know you’ve completed your registration.
- Lastly, our Admin team will sync the information between the membership systems and circle back to you with any further questions. Keep in mind, every lodge member must be currently registered with the BSA, and, if 18 or over, have completed Youth Protection Training in the last two years.
Once your data is synced amongst the BSA and OA membership systems and your dues are paid, you’ll be fully setup to complete registrations/pay for various lodge events. The admin team will be happy to answer any remaining questions you may have, so feel free to include those in your email in step #8.
Each year, Muscogee Lodge holds three Fellowships, two Induction Weekends, and one Winter Banquet. We also attend the Cornerstone Conclave, the statewide area Fellowship, the hosting responsibilities for which rotate annually amongst the lodges in our Section.
All Fellowships run from Friday to Sunday and feature 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.
Every odd numbered year, our national organization holds the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) at the end of Summer, with locations alternating between the Eastern and Gateway Regions.
Muscogee Lodge’s official calendar runs from November through the end of the next October (e.g., 11/1/2023-10/31/2024). Several types of events occur each year, with different purposes and attendees as discussed on the New Arrowmen page in more detail.
Though interests may differ between Arrowmen, the following carefully curated collection of pages may provide a starting point for your broader exploration of Muscogee #116.
Chapter Contacts
Muscogee #116 is organized into 7 local chapters. Each chapter elects a chief, vice-chief, and secretary at the annual Fall Fellowship, and an appointed chapter adviser provides guidance and adult leadership for the chapter officers. The chapter chief represents the chapter constituency as a member of the Lodge Executive Committee, the lodge’s governing body of elected youth members. And, the chapter chief coordinates and conducts unit elections (i.e., OA Elections) visits for each unit in their chapter’s service area.
History
Muscogee Lodge #116 covers the Midlands and Pee Dee Area regions of South Carolina. The Lodge’s history begins with its formation in 2023, as a result of the merger of Muscogee #221 and Santee #116, two of the most storied lodges in Section E7. As an homage to the legacy lodges, the new lodge combines their two totems (the Carolina parakeet and Muscogee fox), takes the “Muscogee” lodge name, and the Santee lodge number, 116.
Publications
The lodge publishes the Tail and Feather newsletter four times per year, an annual handbook (FKA, planbook), several social media pages, all of which are archived on the MuscogeeLodge.org website. Many of these communications are prescribed for in the Lodge Rules, as written and amended by the youth of the lodge.
Choose Your Journey...
Having re-tied the bonds of brotherhood by joining Muscogee #116 and reviewing the information, above, you may be ready to challenge your knowledge, understanding, and resolve by demonstrating these accomplishments for the Brotherhood Board. The Board meets at all three Fellowships and the two Induction Weekends, and you’ll have an opportunity to signal your interest when registering for any of these events. The requirements are reviewed in the following Brotherhood Study Guide, which is only available to those who are already members of the Order of Arrow. These materials are 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 #116 proudly serves the Indian Waters Council, BSA, across