Santee Lodge #116

F3a Flap

Pee Dee Area Council (#552)

Santee Lodge #116 F3a flap. Santee Lodge was chartered in 1938 in the Pee Dee Area Council (#552) located in Florence, South Carolina. In 1939, Santee Lodge changed its name after Cherokee Lodge was rejected. In 1953, Santee Lodge rechartered after previously disbanding twice. The Santee Lodge totem is the Carolina parrot.

F3a flap: Plastic back; Twill left fine rows; Red outer border and black inner border; Trader; 11/01; Yellow FDL; Red name, number, left arrow, and "WWW"; white background.




F3b flap: Plastic back; Twill right fine rows; Red outer border and black inner border; Trader; 11/01; Yellow FDL; Red name, number, left arrow, and "WWW"; white background.

Some Santee Lodge #116 History

Among the requests received for Order of the Arrow Charters by the National Boy Scouts of America in 1938 was one postmarked Florence, South Carolina.

Apparently, Mr. Rucker Newberry had inspired local scouts to become part of the rapidly growing organization of honor campers. The lodge chartered to the Pee Dee Council was the 116th Order of the Arrow Lodge. After a selection period, the name "Santee" was settled upon and duly registered with BSA. The lodge grew slowly, suffering numerous difficulties, which eventually led to a return visit by Mr. Newberry to reorganize the group. After his return, the lodge began to expand and become more involved in the Order and service to the Pee Dee Area Council. Two totems were adopted prior to the middle of the 1950's. The Carolina Parakeet became the official lodge totem when the first patch was issued in 1955; just before Santee Lodge hosted the Dixie Fellowship for the first time. The actual bird used on the patch was adapted from the Audubon painting of Carolina Parakeets.

Santee was the first lodge to conduct an OA member's only week of summer camp. The tradition began about 1958 when arrow men were encouraged to attend the last week of camp to present a special parent's night program. In the 1960'5, original scripts were written as the parent's night program evolved into a full-scale production. Since 1969, only OA members have attended the last week of summer camp with the lodge offering a special program of merit badge sessions and activities. It is at this time that most Ordeal candidates are inducted into the Order.

The annual Pageant is presented on Friday night, which also kicks off the Summer Fellowship during which more members are inducted, the Vigil Honor Calling Out is usually held, and officers of the lodge are chosen for the coming year.

Over the past sixty years, Santee Lodge 116 has become an active, viable part of the Pee Dee Area Council. Many former youth members of the lodge are still involved in Scouting as Volunteer Leaders. Several members have become professional Scouters and one cannot enter a city, town or community without finding someone that has been touched by the Lodge. Many members have gone on to become Section Officers and serve with distinction. Jody Clark became the first Santee Lodge member to become a national figure as he was elected Southeast Region Chief. Both he and Mac McLean have been honored with the Distinguished Service Award, the National Order of the Arrow's highest honor.

Members account for about 85% of all Eagle Scouts from the Pee Dee Area Council. Many of the adult members have been awarded the Wood Badge, District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver.

At the National Convention in 1995, Santee Lodge was honored as recipient of the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award, one of only eight presented nationally.

Endowed with tradition, Santee Lodge is not afraid of initiating new ideas. With its rich memories of the past and vision of the future, Santee Lodge 116 stands ready to play a continuing important role in Scouting in the Pee Dee Area Council.

Thanks to Derek K. Lewis for the Santee Lodge historical information.

Bill Griesmyer -- Last updated 15-January-2011