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Buckskin Lodge - History
Here
Here's a history of the lodge, reprinted from
Scouting Collectors Quarterly, Vol. 17, No.4. - but we got our copy of it from
BILLCOTTER.COM
Steeped in a Rich Tradition
To fully appreciate and understand the meaning of Brotherhood in Buckskin Lodge,
it may be helpful to trace the beginnings of cheerful and humble service in
Nassau County Council, B.S.A. The heritage of the lodge significantly predates
the start of the Order of the Arrow in the council. The symbols, their meanings,
and those traditions which help bind all members together in a life of service
to Scouting and ultimately our fellow man, come from a society forgotten by all
but a few, The Buckskin Sons of Wauwepex. The members are fortunate that their
traditions have such deep roots, they provided a firm foundation for the
principles of the Order of the Arrow. Establishing Buckskin Lodge 412 was
essential to making unselfish service a permanent part of the Scouting program
in Nassau County. It fulfilled all of the visions of the Buckskin Sons of
Wauwepex and its founders.
The Heritage - The Buckskin Sons of Wauwepex
The Buckskins of Camp Wauwepex was born in 1923 as part of the camp Indian lore
program. Founded by "Chief" Howard Covey and Irving "Southy" Southworth, it was
not a society as we know the Order today, it was designed to provide
opportunities for Scouts sincerely interested in the American Indian. To be a
member, a Scout was to have been a three-year camper and first class. The
organization took its name from Dan Beard's Buckskin Men and helped promote
advancement by making the earning of merit badges a requirement in order to
obtain additional feathers for a members bonnet. The Buckskins had not yet
realized the potential of their group to promote the high ideals of cheerfulness
and service.
The Neckerchief
 The
Buckskin Sons wore a royal blue neckerchief with a white stripe bisecting the
triangle vertically; it represented humble service. Superimposing the red arrow
pointing over the right shoulder made the traditional neckerchief official for
Buckskin Lodge, Order of the Arrow. Buckskin brothers receive only one
neckerchief in their lifetime; therefore, it becomes a cherished item in the
arrowmen's OA wardrobe.
Tradition tells us that special neckerchiefs were once made for those attending
National Order of the Arrow Conferences. One half was always gray and the other
was a different color for each meeting. The white stripe and arrow remained
constant.
The Feather
A single white squaw feather was worn by Buckskin Sons at special camp
functions. As the squaw of an Indian tribe served without recognition, so the
white feather served to remind the brother of his obligation to serve with
humility. The Lodge Chief approves the functions at which the feather is worn.
The Pocket Flap and Other Emblems
While most brothers wear a Buckskin Lodge pocket flap, it is not the official
emblem of Buckskin Lodge. Therefore, it is the item most often traded to, and is
available to brothers from other lodges. With the exception of the Tab and
neckerchief, the lodge permits brothers to exchange Buckskin Lodge emblems with
arrowmen of other councils.
The Totem and Symbols - Reminders of Humility, Service and Self-Reliance
 The
totem of Buckskin Sons of Wauwepex, the Tab, is still worn by lodge arrowmen
today. It is the official emblem of the lodge. It consists of a white buckskin
(older members) or leather "tear drop" upon which is drawn a pine tree. The tree
points of the tree represent the qualities of trust worthiness, service and
self-reliance. The wolf, whose head profile is superimposed on the drawing, also
exemplifies self-reliance.
Tradition urges brothers to have the back of their Tab signed by fellow arrowmen
for whom they hold esteem and respect. Often this may be one who has helped them
follow the path of the arrow - perhaps a guide, elangomat or brotherhood
sponsor. Lodge members receive only one Tab in their lifetime. To trade or
giveaway one's Tab means to forfeit it.
During the early 1920's many Scout Councils sought to develop organizations to
recognize the outstanding Scout campers. Some affiliated with Wimachtendienk
W.W., later known as the Order of the Arrow, while others started their own
societies with local membership prerequisites. The Order was not yet recognized
as an official B.S.A. Scouting institution, only experimental. Consistent with
the national trend, the camp's Indian lore program at Camp Wauwepex was
abandoned and one to honor Scout campers was put in its place. The Indian based
foundations was retained, however, to give the new Buckskin Sons of Wauwepex its
character and mystique.
The Buckskin Sons' development of ceremonies, traditions and ideas consistent
with those of the Order of the Arrow was not accidental. both Covey and
Southworth had been inducted into the Order at one of its national meetings.
During the 1930's the Sons became an integral part of the council camping
program.
On June 2, 1934, the Order of the Arrow was officially approved by the National
Council as an institution of the Boy Scouts of America to honor Scout campers.
With this historic event came speculation that The Buckskin Son's would seek
affiliation with the Arrowmen. Such was not to be. It was not until 1948 that
the idea of merging with the national organization was seriously discussed. A
committee of dedicated Sons was selected to meet with the Order's national
secretary. The parallel growth of the two service organizations made the
transition easy; the national secretary agreed that "inasmuch as our Ordeal was
similar to that of the Order we could become the Buckskin Lodge after going
through an initiation ceremony".
Preserving our most cherished traditions and yet binding us into a national
brotherhood of honor campers, Buckskin Lodge 412 Order of the Arrow, became a
reality on September 3, 1949. Twenty-four Sons were inducted in ceremonies at
the Area 2A Conclave held at Camp Manhattan, Ten Mile River Scout Camps. The
Tap-Out was presented by the Ranachqua Lodge of the Bronx and Shu-Shu-Gah Lodge
of Brooklyn presented the pre-Ordeal. Man-A-Hattan Lodge of Manhattan conducted
the Ordeal ceremony.
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