October 29, 1946
After much research and thought, the following history of the Order of the Arrow, Lodge Number 185 is submitted and to the best of my knowledge is correct. As to the number of ceremonies held the first year and activities engaged in by these original members, I am not too sure. I have talked to several of the charter members and the memories of these are faint. However, Earnest Pittman and any other person there that summer may prove of help.
The Order of the Arrow was first introduced into the Blue Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America, at Camp Old Indian in the summer of 1940. At this time a large number of the staff, as well as 10% of the campers were issued invitations. As one, possibly the only, initiation of the summer was held at the last [week] of camp, many of the new initiates came back to Old Indian for their ceremony. A group from an unknown camp in North Carolina came down and carried on the ceremony. Among the new members were [Earnest] Pittman, the camp director; Earle Rice, waterfront director; ?? [Snoddy], the camp doctor; Milton Sullivan, handicraft director, John McArthur, who has since been killed in action, and numerous campers that, at present, I am unable to identify.
This group worked on the cleanup of what is now known as the Order of the Arrow Lodge. The dipping ceremony took place on the creek near where the present medical shack is located. The candle lighting was held on the hill above the lake and was almost in a direct line between the old and new council rings.
There was no initiation the first week of camp in 1941, but the second week found the Order going strong. The staff selected from the campers present, without regard of rank, number of years at camp, or previous scout experience, twenty percent of the scouts they considered as honor campers. This list was presented to the scouts at supper and they voted on 50% of the names presented. A tapping out ceremony was carried out in the campfire circle after the regular campfire program. This method was used all except the third camp week when, due to the fact that all the scouts in camp went into Greenville to help in an aluminum drive, the new members were awakened about midnight and the ceremony started from there.
The officers as well as can be remembered were Earle Rice, Chief; Dr. [Snoddy], medicine man; Milton (Blubber) Sullivan, Guide; and John McArthur, Guard. These officers may not have held office all summer, but they served for several weeks it is definitely known.
There were several projects worked on by the Order that year. One was the beginning of the clearing of ground for the proposed chapel, which was located in about the same spot that the Order used for its candle ceremonies the year before. The new men also worked on the campfire circle and did some work toward the new Order of the Arrow ring.
This new ring, which was located on the ground where the chapel now stands, was started in December of 1940, when the Order held its first out of [summer] camp meeting. The meeting was well attended and the new ring was started, as well as more improvements made on the Lodge, including the rustic sign that stood at the entrance until recently.
In the spring of 1942, April 12 to be exact, there was held the second meeting of the Order out of [summer] camp. This was attended by about 25 members and at this time the members got their first look at [Horace] Williamson. At this meeting four men were elected to attend the national conference. They were E. Graham, Greenville, J. Orders, Greenville; Bill Wright, Anderson; and G. Fant [George Fant], Anderson; Dr. Lovejoy was selected as the adult leader to attend this meeting. The meeting was called off shortly afterwards and nothing was done towards any future attendance. The guest speaker for the meeting was Mr. Riley ???, of Greenville. The meeting was presided over by George Fant, with Bill Wright serving as the Guard and Bill Sloan as the Secretary. (Note: the records were turned in to the Greenville office.)
Officers for the 1942 camp season were elected at the pre camp staff meeting and were as follows: Will Rice, Chief; Bobby Linsey, Medicine Man; James Orders, Guide; and Milton Sullivan, Guard. These officers changed slightly during the summer but not to any great extent. At the end of the fifth period, these officers, for quest done and for work done in the organization, became the first boys in the Blue Ridge Council to take on the Obligations of the Second Order. The ceremony was carried out by Horace S. Williamson, in the circle by the lake. The last night of camp, George Fant received his Second Order by the above named. There were no particular projects carried out during the year by the new members. The work being done was of a clean-up and repair nature.
The ceremonies were made more impressive by the trip by canoe to the circle. The annual meeting for 1943 was held the week preceding camp. At this time, the new officers were elected. They were Jim Glenn, Chief; E. Graham, Medicine Man; Bill Wright, Guide; George Fant, Guard. About half way through the summer Jim Glenn left camp and George Fant became Chief, Bill Wright, Guard, and Max Rice took over as Guide. The new circle, located in the present location, was begun and used for the first time. The tapping ceremony was used this year.
There was no annual meeting until the week preceding camp in 194? [Illegible, either 1944 of 1945]. At that time those present went to the camp operated by the Spartanburg District and started the Order of the Arrow in that camp. Officers for the year were elected as follows: George Fant, Chief; Forest Fowler, Medicine Man; Max Rice, Guide; and Bill Kennedy, Guard. Shortly after camp opened Lake Aull took over the position occupied by Max Rice when he was promoted to the position vacated by Forest Fowler. There were no particular projects carried out this year.
In 1940 the campers were elected by the staff and 50% of those got in by popular vote of the entire camp. In 1941, the same method was used. In 1942, the same method was used, but at the annual meeting it was decided that in order to be eligible for the nominations by the staff that a scout must be at least first class and a second year camper. This was changed shortly after camp opened to a nomination, by all members in good standing, of all scouts eligible, not to exceed 20% of the boys in camp at that time. This list was to be presented to the campers who could elect up to 10% of the entire camp population. In 1943, the method was changed so that the eligible scouts were elected entirely by the troop or group they were living with. That is, the groups made the nominations and the list was presented to the entire camp as before. In 1944, this was changed so that the troop nominated and elected to the Order the eligible members it saw fit to.
In 1940, 41 and 42, a tapping out ceremony was used. In 1943 this was changed and the scouts to become members were awakened after going to bed and the ceremony started from there. However, in 1944 the tapping ceremony was reinstated and believed to be the most effective.
There have been several places used for the dipping ceremony, including the creek near the present medical building, the creek on the way to the old wilderness camp, and the in-flowing creek to the lake. Of these, the one on the way to the old wilderness camp more nearly approaches the ideal on, as called for in the ritual. There were no seconds [Second Order] awarded in 1943 but Bill Kennedy, Luke Aull, and Max Rice received their Brotherhood in 1944 from Williamson the 1st week of camp.
In 1942, the record book mysteriously disappeared and the records for the preceding years were lost. Bobby Linsley, camp secretary was keeping the records and had the book until just before time to leave camp for the summer. No trace of the book has ever been found. In 1943 a similar thing happened when George Fant was keeping the records but the book was found the following summer in the handicraft lodge attic. Jim Glenn kept the records in 1941 and Bill Kennedy in 1944.
During the first four years of operation, there were four camp directors taken into the Order. Pittman [Earnest Pittman], Uncle Charlie, Roy Green, and Pappy Nelon. During this time, numerous Scoutmasters and scouts, as well as staff members, became members of the National Brotherhood of honor campers.
Author Unknown
1941 – In December 1941, the first meeting of the lodge apart from the summer camp setting was held. Charter Member Earle Rice serves as Lodge Chief during the summer of 1941.
1942 – On April 12, 1942, a second meeting was held apart from the summer camp setting. Late in the summer, the Lodge held its first Brotherhood ceremony, inducting Will Rice, Bobby Lindsay, James Orders, and Milton Sullivan – the ceremony was carried out by Council Scout Executive Horace Williamson. George Fant is also inducted as a Brotherhood member later in the summer.
1944 – Just prior to the summer camping season of 1944, the Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge assisted in the creation of the Skyuka Lodge 270 in the Palmetto Area Council, Spartanburg, SC at Camp Palmetto. The second group of Brotherhood members of Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge were inducted at the beginning of the summer camp season.
1947 – Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge participates in the first Area Z Fellowship meeting of lodges held at Camp Barstow – the council camp of the Central S.C. Council, headquartered in Columbia, SC.
1949 – AKK hosts the 1949 Area Z Fellowship at Camp Old Indian on April 8-10, 1949. This would be the third and last Area Z Fellowship as the areas would be subsequently reorganized.
1955 – AKK inducts its first Vigil Honor member (as evidenced by the records in the National office of the Order of the Arrow) – Kirk Sullivan of Greenwood.
1956 – AKK hosts the 1956 Dixie Fellowship (the seventh Area 6-B Fellowship), attended by the six OA lodges in Area 6-B, on April 13-15, 1956 at Camp Old Indian. AKK won the Quest for the Golden Arrow at the 1956 Dixie Fellowship – its first of only three wins in that competition in lodge history.
1957 – Kirk Sullivan of Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge 185 serves as Area Chief of the 1957 Dixie Fellowship held at Camp Palmetto.
1958 – AKK wins the Quest for the Golden Arrow and the Group Dance Competition at the 1958 Dixie Fellowship hosted by Catawba Lodge 459 at Camp Steere.
1960 – AKK hosts the 1960 Dixie Fellowship on April 29-May 1, 1960 at Camp Old Indian. AKK wins the Group Dance and Costume Award at the fellowship. John Richard Vaughn is Area Chief at the Dixie Fellowship.
1961 – John Richard Vaughn becomes the first member of Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge to receive the OA’s National Distinguished Service Award, at the 1961 National OA Conference and only the second South Carolinian to date to receive this honor.
1962 – AKK hosts the 1962 Dixie Fellowship on April 27-29, 1962 at Camp Old Indian.
1968 – AKK hosts the 1968 Dixie Fellowship on April 19-21, 1968 at Camp Old Indian.
1970 – AKK wins the Knowledge and Training Award at the 1970 Dixie Fellowship for its discussion group on Camp Promotions.
1971 – AKK wins the Knowledge and Training Award at the 1971 Dixie Fellowship for its discussion group on the National Standard Lodge program, conducted by Keith Brown and Phil Couch.
1973 – AKK hosts the 1973 Dixie Fellowship (the first SE-3B Section Conclave, after national realignment of how councils are grouped in Areas and Regions and this realignment affected the groupings of lodges for conclave purposes), with nine lodges participating, on April 27-29, 1973 at Camp Old Indian. Preston Reid of Greenville serves as Section Chief at the event. The event produces a totem pole for the host lodge camp, for the first time, which totem pole served as a beautiful landmark at Camp Old Indian for years.
1979 – AKK wins the Quest for the Golden Arrow at the 1979 Dixie Fellowship and Marshall Brown of Anderson serves as a Section officer.
1980 – AKK is well represented with youth leadership at the 1980 Dixie Fellowship where Marshall Brown and Lodge Chief Tony Turner, both of Anderson, serve as Section officers. AKK also hosted a Section SE-3B Indian Seminar at Camp Old Indian on September 12-14, 1980.
1981 – AKK wins the Group Dance competition at the 1981 Dixie Fellowship and Kevin Dunn of Mauldin serves as a Section officer.
1982 – AKK hosts the 1982 Dixie Fellowship (the first SE-5 Section Conclave, after a national realignment of councils in areas within the Southeast Region) on April 23-25, 1982 at Camp Old Indian. Because of the realignment, eleven lodges send delegates and cause this to be the most attended Dixie Fellowship to date. Lorin McCollough of Clemson serves as the Section Vice Chief of Dixie Fellowship and thereby is AKK’s host lodge youth leader for the event. Juan Ramos of Greenville becomes the Section Adviser for Section SE-5, a position he would hold for four years.
1983 – AKK wins the “Best Newsletter” competition at the 1983 Dixie Fellowship. Andy Garrett of Simpsonville serves as a Section officer.
1986 – Pat Lollis of Easley serves as a Section officer at the 1986 Dixie Fellowship.
1988 – Frankie Welborn of Williamston serves as a Section officer at the 1988 Dixie Fellowship.
1990 – AKK kicks off its 50th anniversary year by having Charter Member and 1941 Lodge Chief Earle Rice speaks at the Winter Banquet. AKK hosts the 1990 Dixie Fellowship on April 20-22, 1990 at Camp Old Indian. Greg Moore of Greer serves as the Section Vice Chief of Dixie Fellowship and thereby is AKK’s host lodge youth leader for the event. AKK wins the “Totem Pole” carving event at the 1990 Dixie Fellowship. The anniversary is also celebrated with an August 4 anniversary barbecue and by having a “50 event” Fall Fellowship.
1991 – AKK wins the Parade of Braves group outfitting competition at the 1991 Dixie Fellowship.
1992 – Trevore Ross of Williamston placed second in Grass Dancing at the 1992 National OA Conference. Tim Cooper and Stephen Sheriff place second there too in the national “lip sync” competition – singing “Islands in the Stream.”
1993 – Sean Cox, the 1992 National OA Chief, speaks at the AKK Winter Banquet on February 6, 1993. AKK assists in the demolition of the Camp Old Indian dining hall at the end of the summer camp – commemorative pieces are sold – enabling the council to begin construction of the dining hall used today. The 1993 Fall Fellowship (and the 1994 Spring Fellowship) are held, as a result of the closing of the camp during this period of construction, at Camp White Pines.
1994 – Michael Salazar, the 1993 Southern Region Chief, speaks at the February 5 Winter Banquet. Russell Cann of Greenwood serves as a Section officer at the 1994 Dixie Fellowship. Russell Cann is subsequently elected at the event to serve as Section SR-5′s Section Chief for the upcoming 1994-95 year. AKK hosts the Section SR-5 Seminars on November 18-20 at Camp Old Indian.
1995 – Russell Cann serves as the 1995 Southern Region Chief, having been elected in the waning days of December 1994, thereby becoming AKK’s first national officer of the Order of the Arrow. Russell Cann, Tim Cooper, and Chris Alex all attend the National OA Retreat at Philmont. Kurt Yusi of Greenville participates in the first year of the National OA Trail Crew at Philmont. The lodge also sponsors May and November work days at Camp Old Indian.
1996 – AKK wins the “Best Where-To-Go-Camping Book” competition at the 1996 Dixie Fellowship. Russell Cann receives the OA’s National Distinguished Service Award, at the 1996 National OA Conference. AKK amends its Bylaws on September 8, 1996, to provide for elections of Lodge officers in the Spring. The last Fall election of lodge officers takes place in October 1996, for officers to serve a short term. AKK hosts the Section SR-5 Retreat on November 8-10 at Camp Old Indian.
1997 – AKK wins the Spirit Award (for the first time in the lodge’s history), the Knowledge and Training Award (for Best Discussion Group – for the session on “Enhance Your Image” led by Chris Alex and Justin Kennedy), the “Best Where-To-Go-Camping Book” competition, and is co-winner of the Lodge of the Year Award at the 1997 Dixie Fellowship. Scott Cann of Greenwood serves as a Section officer at the event. Former Lodge Adviser Mac McLean of Greenville is selected to serve as Section Adviser of newly realigned Section SR-5 and remains in that position of service to date.
1998 – At the Spring Fellowship, AKK procures and lays 6,000 square feet of sod on the council ring at Camp Old Indian. At the 1998 Dixie Fellowship, AKK wins the Spirit Award, the Knowledge and Training Award (for Best Discussion Group – for the session on “Chapter and Lodge Goals” led by Justin Kennedy and Peter Villano), and the “Best Where-To-Go-Camping Book” competition.
1999 – On February 6, 1994, Mat Milleson, 1998 National OA Chief, speaks at the AKK Winter Banquet. AKK hosts the 1999 Dixie Fellowship on April 23-25, 1999 at Camp Old Indian. Jeremy Hayes of Simpsonville serves as the Section Vice Chief of Dixie Fellowship and thereby is AKK’s host lodge youth leader for the event. AKK wins the Spirit Award (the first time a host lodge has ever won) and the “Best Where-To-Go-Camping Book” competition at the event.
2000 – AKK wins the Spirit Award at the 2000 Dixie Fellowship.
2001 – Jason Kemp, 2001 Southern Region Chief, speaks at AKK’s February Winter Banquet. AKK wins the Spirit Award, the “Best Where-To-Go-Camping Book” competition, and is named winner of the Lodge of the Year Award at the 2001 Dixie Fellowship. Lodge Chief Michael Kirby of Anderson is elected at the event to serve as Section SR-5′s Section Chief for the upcoming 2001-02 year. AKK, led by Doug Henry, tapes summer camp activities and in the fall creates a new summer camp promotional video for Camp Old Indian. A-Ni-Wa-Ya Chapter conducts its “Gobbler Grab” in November – donating 753 turkeys to charity – as part of a “one day of service” to the community. The event results in a feature article in the March 2002 National OA Bulletin.
2002 – AKK wins the Spirit Award (6th time in a row) at the 2002 Dixie Fellowship. At NOAC, AKK wins one of 20 NOAC Spirit Awards, earns the 2nd highest score in the nation in the Website competition, and wins the National Star-Search Championship. The Lodge approves a donation of $10,000 over two years to the Blue Ridge Council Capital Campaign. The Fall Fellowship saw a record-breaking attendance of 218 Arrowmen. Mac McLean receives the Silver Antelope Award.
2003 – Brad Hutto, SC State Senator from Orangeburg, speaks at AKK’s Winter Banquet. AKK wins first place in Planbook and places second overall for Quest for the Golden Arrow at the 2003 Dixie Fellowship. Barratt Park of Greenwood is elected to serve as a Section Officer at the event.
2004 – AKK is named winner of the Lodge of the Year Award in a tie with Muscogee, and takes first place in Planbook, Where-To-Go-Camping, and Web Page competitions at the 2004 Dixie Fellowship. The National Order of the Arrow Committee awards AKK the only 2004 service grant ($5000) in the Southern Region to improve the rifle range at Camp Old Indian. Jon Hobbs receives the Distinguished Service Award at the 2004 National OA Conference. AKK wins one of 20 NOAC 2004 Lodge Spirit Awards, and earns a NOAC 2004 Honor Website award (website scores were not released). Aric Wilkins places 5th in Fancy Dance, Greg Bajan places 4th in Straight Dance, Ryan Bajan places 4th in Old Style, Robert Rocha places in Top Ten Old Style. Russell Smart received the Silver Antelope Award. AKK is awarded the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award by the National OA Committee.
2005 – This is the 65th year of the Lodge. Charlie Sullivan, a representative of the Southern Region on the National Council for the BSA, speaks at the Winter Banquet. The Spring Fellowship involves the continual building of the Rifle Range at Camp Old Indian. The May workday involved cleaning up camp and getting it ready for the summer. AKK wins Website Champion at Dixie. Ryan Bajan is elected to serve as Section SR-5 Vice Chief. In December Ryan is elected as Section Chief to fill a vacancy. AKK is recognized at Dixie as Lodge of the Year.
2006 – AKK gets runner-up in Lodge of the Year at the Dixie Fellowship. AKK’s website and Where to Go Camping Guide bring home first for the third year in a row. Ryan Bajan installed Greg Bajan as 2006-07 Section SR-5 Chief. Michael Thompson receives the OA’s National Distinguished Service Award, at the 2006 National OA Conference. AKK has a Great NOAC with the website, lodge display, and pre-ordeal ceremony all receiving honor recognition. Multiple dancers recieved top 10 finishes including two national runner-ups of Greg Bajan and Ryan Bajan.
2007 – Section Chief Greg Bajan speaks at the Winter Banquet and the lodge holds the annual LLDC that weekend. The Spring Fellowship announces 13 Vigil Candidates to be inducted in the fall. Dixie Fellowship is held at Camp Blue Heron near Savannah, GA and provides numerous awards for AKK in all areas of competition. Josh Hipps is elected Section Secretary at the event. AKK sends the Key-3 to the National Conservation and Leadership Seminar at Indiana University and gears up for ArrowCorps5 the following year. Dr. William E. Dukes, Sr., receives the Silver Antelope award.
2008 – Josh Hipps is elected Section Chief after Mason Thomas, Muscogee Lodge, is elected Southern Region Chief. Garrett Riddle, current Lodge Chief, is elected to serve as the Section Secretary. The three-flap system for AKK is stopped after National policy prevents the production of three different flaps. AKK chooses the red bordered flap to be the AKK flap of the lodge.
2009 – Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge is chosen as the host Lodge for the 2010 Dixie. Michael Thompson receives the Silver Antelope Award.
2010 – The Boy Scouts of America celebrates 100 years. Atta Kulla Kulla hosts the 2010 SR5 Dixie at Camp Old Indian.
2011 – A major focus is directed toward Brotherhood Conversion. A new program is created by the Lodge known as “Quest for Brotherhood.” At Dixie, the Indian Affairs team scores highly and wins in most of the Ceremonial Categories with almost perfect ratings and received great comments from each of the judges. The group dance team, led by Johnny Culwell, works very hard and receives third place in the event.
2012 – Our Lodge attends the 2012 NOAC with a contingent of about 20. Ryan Bajan receives the Distinguished Service Award, while our Lodge helps host the first Chicken Dance event in the nation for American Indian Events. Participants who danced from AKK 185 include Tyler White, Brian Almond, and Aidan Apel, all of whom placed in their events. Also, the Lodge Publications are focused on after the Fall Fellowship by VCC Matthew Watson to ensure revitalization of Lodge participation as well as to be a clean source of Communications in the Lodge. The American Indian Activities team decides to work with other Lodges, specifically Muscogee and Skyuka, to enhance the fading Drum team. Russell Smart receives the Silver Buffalo award and is the first Blue Ridge Council volunteer to receive all three “Silver” honors.
2013 – The new website created by Matthew Watson is published. The Lodge wins several Dixie competitions including second place website and many first place ceremonial awards. Many Arrowmen from the Lodge attend the National Jamboree at the Summit either on the OA Staff or with the Council troops and Venture crew. At the 2013 Fall Fellowship, several past Lodge Chiefs speak on the Lodge history.
2014 – At Dixie, AKK wins first in fire building, second in group dance, third in chariot race, and overall in Pre-Ordeal. The Get Your Bars program is created by VCA Matthew Watson to increase Brotherhood conversion. The Executive Committee revises the Lodge bylaws. At the 2014 Fall Fellowship, Chief Atta Kulla Kulla makes a special theatrical performance for the Lodge. The first performance of the new Brotherhood ceremony takes place at the Fall Fellowship. Matthew Watson is appointed by Section Chief Travis Broadhurst to serve as the 2015 Dixie Administration Coordinator. Inali Chapter is dissolved between Ca-Nu-Pa and Oolenoy.
2015 – The Order of the Arrow undertakes its 100th anniversary while the Lodge celebrates 75 years. The Lodge Trail Crew begins and establishes the trail from Camp Old Indian to Camp White Pines. The Lodge website is updated by webmaster Matthew Watson with a new and more modern template. Fred Hyslop receives the Silver Antelope Award. Lodge historical records revised by Matthew Watson and several adult advisers including Mac McLean, Tim Hunt, Mickey Stokes, Michael Thompson, David Hollar, Ted Dreibrodt, and Johnny Ray Smith in preparation for the new Lodge history book. A delegation of Lodge Officers including Matthew Watson, Tucker Shealy, and Jakob Helderman visits Egwa Tawa Dee Lodge in Atlanta for their “Centennial Celebration” Fellowship. At the 2015 Dixie, the Lodge wins Spirit and is recognized as an Honor Lodge. The Lodge wins 1st place Newsletter, 2nd place Planbook, 1st place Website, 1st place Display, 2nd place Cross Country, 1st place Fire Building, 2nd place Rope Throw, 3rd place Chariot Race, and 2nd place overall for Pre-Ordeal ceremony. Matthew Watson is elected to serve as the Section Vice Chief. Lodge members work with the Council Venture Crews to staff the 2015 Council Exporee. A contingent of Lodge members attend the SR-5 ArrowTour stop at Muscogee Lodge where a centennial time capsule is dedicated. Mac McLean, Tim Hunt, Michael Thompson, David Buchanan, James Stokes, and Matthew Watson are recognized as the Lodge’s Centurions. The new Lodge History Book written by Matthew Watson with counseling from several adult advisers is published. A contingent of 65 Lodge members attends the 2015 national conference at Michigan State University where participants wear special red sashes. At NOAC, Greg Bajan and Russell Smart receive the Distinguished Service Award, the Legacy Project which contains the rock, panel, history book, and wood is completed and displayed, Matthew Watson earns honor recognition in Vigil Honor ceremony evaluations, and the Lodge adds to the centennial fire. James Stokes and Tucker Shealy are appointed by the Section leadership to serve as coordinators for the 2016 Dixie Fellowship. The first recipients of the Outstanding Eagle Scout award in the Blue Ridge Council, Charlie Warlick, Tim Hunt, and Ed Patton, are recognized at the Fall Fellowship by Council President Michael Thompson.
2016 – The 2016 Southern Region Chief, Jeffrey Sedlacek, speaks at the annual Winter Banquet as the keynote speaker. Also at the Banquet, a collection of every item ever produced by the lodge is on display and Associate Lodge Adviser Ted Dreibrodt, who once served as Dr. Goodman’s Lodge Adviser in Florida, is recognized for 70 years in Scouting. At the 2016 Dixie Fellowship, the lodge wins the spirit award among many other recognitions and Matthew Watson is elected to serve as the SR-5 Section Chief. During the summer, the first inter-lodge games with Skyuka lodge is hosted at Camp Old Indian. A contingent from the lodge attends NEXT: A New Century at Indian State University. At the fall fellowship, E.W. “Doc” Rabon, Gary Dean, Cindy Carter, and Virginia Matthews present Matthew Watson the new Section Chief bandolier bag. Also at the fellowship, a memorial Vigil is held in honor of Ben Howard. Inali Chapter is officially reinstalled as a chapter of the lodge. At the National Planning Meeting in Dallas, Matthew Watson is elected to serve as the Jamboree Vice Chief of the Indian Village.
2017 – At the 2017 Winter Banquet, Dr. Will Goins, Chief of the South Carolina Cherokee Tribe, speaks to the gathered Arrowmen and their families. Matthew Watson and James Stokes receive the inaugural Ben Howard Spirit of Service Award and Michael Thompson and Mickey Stokes receive the inaugural Ted Dreibrodt Legacy Award. At the 2017 Dixie Fellowship at Camp Barstow, AKK brings its largest contingent ever (outside of hosting) of 116 Arrowmen. Awards included 1st place overall Pre-Ordeal Ceremony, 1st place overall Brotherhood Ceremony, 1st place Pre-Ordeal Allowat Sakima (Jake Rice), 1st place Pre-Ordeal Nutiket (Matthew Watson), 1st place Brotherhood Nutiket (Arthur Brock), 2nd place Pre-Ordeal Meteu (Ben Killinger), 2nd place Brotherhood Allowat Sakima (Lawrence Coleman), 2nd place Brotherhood Meteu (Justin Kujath), 2nd place Brotherhood Kitchkinet (Zachary Pynne), 2nd place Rifle Shooting, 3rd place Shotgun Shooting, 3rd place Ultimate Frisbee, 3rd place Group Dance, Section Honor Lodge, and the Section Spirit Award. Section Chief Matthew Watson sweared in the newly-elected Section Chief Jakob Helderman. At the May 6 Lodge Workday at Camp Old Indian, a special ECM was held and Matthew Watson was unanimously elected to fulfill the remainder of the term as Lodge Chief. At the ECM on May 28th, the lodge bylaws were revised and the traditional three-flap system was reinstated. Also, “tap-out” lakeside call-outs were announced to return to camp on Thursday evenings. At the 2017 Lodge Cookout and Vigil Honor Callout, one of the largest crowds ever was in attendance. During the Cookout program, Lodge Chief Matthew Watson was recognized with the Area Venturing Leadership Award by the Area Venturing Officers Association for his service as Section Chief and efforts to build a strong relationship between Venturing and the Order of the Arrow. In addition to this, DSA recipient David Surrett was presented his Wood Badge beads by Council President Michael Thompson. During the 2017 National Scout Jamboree, Matthew Watson served as the Jamboree Vice Chief of the American Indian Village which saw over 30,000 Scouts over the course of six days of program and Vigil Honor member Russell Smart served as the Jamboree Program Chairman. During this time, Matthew also had the unique opportunity to perform the first ceremony featuring the OA’s Principal characters at the Summit Circle. Along with three of the most seasoned ceremonialists in the country, Matthew portrayed Allowat Sakima and this ceremony was featured at the OA’s “Fellowship and Service” show following President Trump’s remarks in front of over 40,000 Scouts gathered in the stadium. It was also the first time the OA’s Principals had been publicly featured in a Jamboree Show. Dylan Wilcox publishes Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge’s new website and during the summer, keeps the Vigil due to a conflict during fall semester. The Order of the Arrow hosted it’s first OA Hackathon with JR Clark and Dylan Wilcox as our delegates.