Ti'ak Lodge #404, Order of the Arrow

In the summer of 1915, E. Urner Goodman and Carroll Edson, then the leaders of the Philadelphia Council Camp on Treasure Island in the Delaware River north of Philadelphia, sought a definite system of recognizing those Scouts who best represented the Scout Oath and Scout Law. They organized the "Wimachtendienk, W. W.", later known as the "Order of the Arrow".

Eventually, the Order of the Arrow evolved into it's present organization, and adopted the following four objectives as it's guiding purpose:

• To recognize those campers-Scouts and Scouters-who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and, by such recognition, cause other campers to conduct themselves in such a manner as to warrant similar recognition;
• To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit;
• To promote Scout Camping which relates it's greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit's camping program, and to help strengthen the District and Council camping program both year round and in the summer, as directed by the camping committee of the Council;
• And to crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service.

The Ti'ak Lodge was first chartered in 1948 with the inspirations of Council Executive J. H. C. Thomas, Sr. and Scoutmaster Kline Coquet. The first Ordeal was held at Camp Towanda, then the Council Camp, on December 4, 1948 with 64 Scouts and Scouters attending. An induction team from the Sebooney Okasucca Lodge #260 installed those candidates and the first Lodge Officers. The Lodge took the Choctaw name Ti'ak (pronounced tee'-ock), meaning tall pine tree and in 1955 when the Council opened it's new Camp the Council adopted that name as well forever linking the Lodge to it's Camp. 

Promotion of not only our Council's Camping Program but also every Unit's year-round camping program, the Ti'ak Lodge is very active in Camp Service and Native American studies. Principally a youth organization since it's conception, the Lodge allows its members, under the guidance and support of dedicated adult advisors, the unique opportunity to grow and develop as leaders, thereby taking these skills back to their own "home" units and strengthening the Scouting Program for us all. 

For upcoming Lodge events, click on the Council Calendar page.

For information and support to your own Unit by these dedicated and active Arrowmen, contact the Council office, the Ti'ak Lodge Staff Advisor or your District Executive for the current contact person in your area.

Visit the Ti'ak Lodge #404 web site

"The order is a thing of the spirit. The things of the spirit are what count. Brotherhood, in a day when there is too much hatred at home and abroad. Cheerfulness, in a day when pessimists have the floor and cynics are popular. Service, in a day when millions are interested in getting...rather than giving."  E. Urner Goodman--Co-founder of the Order of the Arrow   1915!