OA Lodge Building

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OA Lodge Building

———— EXHIBIT ————

< Horseshoe Buildings

“He who serves his fellows is, of all his fellows, greatest.”
-Dr. E. Urner Goodman, Order of the Arrow Founder

Exhibit Details

Octoraro Lodge 22 has always been a big part of Camp Horseshoe. In the 1950’s the OA Lodge Building was built near the Dining Hall and was completed in 1959. Since then it has been used for special events such as Conclaves, for OA Snacks during summer camp as well as staff housing, and also as housing for OA Winter Camp Staffing.

Displays in this Exhibit:

Photos

Display Details

The OA Lodge Building has seen it’s fair share of use, and construction, and renovation, and more construction, and also some more use. These photos chronicle a building’s journey since the 1950s.

The Octoraro Lodge 22 building.

The OA Lodge Building was built in 1950 and dedicated in 1959.

Members of the Octoraro Lodge put a new roof on the OA Lodge in 1993.

Here is photo of the Lodge Building in 1969.

OA Lodge under construction – it would be later dedicated in 1959.

OA Lodge Dedication.

From Troop 11’s 60th Anniversary Scrapbook; written by Joseph N. DiStefano.

Joe is now a columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer. He would be glad to hear from fellow Troop 11 veterans at JoeD@phillynews.com.

OA Lodge Dedication.

OA Lodge Back Porch

The key from the OA Lodge dedication on June 20th, 1959.

JB Rettew III, Council Commissioner, and Commissioners’ conference in the OA lodge building.

The inside of the Octoraro Lodge building, as seen during a Webelos Woods outing.

Several of the door frames and walls seen here are being reconstructed for new electrical cables and new doors.

The lodge building renovations, as part of the 50th anniversary restoration.

The OA Lodge Building wall panels have been removed in this picture so that new cable could be run and better paneling installed.

Mike Arles inspects the new Lodge Building walkway that was paved with memorial bricks purchased by Octoraro 22 members.

At the very head of the walkway, several brick pavers are adorned with the names of the Octoraro Lodge 22 Founders.

Octoraro Lodge 22 installed new memorabilia display cases in the Lodge Building at Camp Horseshoe just before the Lodge Re-dedication ceremony at the 85th Anniversary Fall Fellowship weekend.

LLD participants listen to a session being presented during the seminar at the Octoraro Lodge Building.

Another view of the display cases used to house Octoraro Lodge 22’s memorabilia.

These flagpoles are right outside the Lodge Building in the picnic area, and are used when conducting ceremonies or training at the building.

David Seace works on fixing one of the lights and the windows of the Octoraro 22 Lodge Building.

Wayne Cherry works on cleaning up the floor of the Octoraro 22 Lodge Building during the 2015 April Service Weekend.

During a CCC board retreat at the Octoraro Memorial Lodge Building, Gary Schroeder is congratulated by Blake Pritchard, Charlie Rogers and Lisa Antonucci after he was surprised by the announcement that he was going to receive the very prestigious “Distinguished Eagle Scout Award” by National.

Several members of the lodge work on fixing the Lodge Building porch at the 2017 June OA service weekend.

Electrical work was done as part of the Lodge Building renovations being done in December 2018.

The center wall in the back sleeping area is removed and paneling stripped so that renovations can take place.

Lots of construction work including insulation was done in December 2018.

Here is the Lodge Building decked out with some excellent decorations for the “Buzz the Beard” reception.

Members of MRG work on the Octoraro Memorial Lodge Building patio in April 2024.

Members of MRG, including Bill Cox and Rick Crompton, work on the Octoraro Memorial Lodge Building patio in April 2024.

The OA Lodge is a central site for the 1983 Section NE-5A Conclave, hosted by Octoraro Lodge #22.

Some Scouters do repairs to the entrance of the OA Lodge Building in 1973.

Documents

Display Details

This display chronicles some of the more interest aspects of the OA Lodge Building, from fundraising, to construction, to dedication, and more!

Octoraro Lodge Home Construction

This brochure gives an artist’s rendering of what the lodge building might look like, as well as provides a description of the Order of the Arrow and the purpose of the future Lodge Building.
1944 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Lodge Dedication Ceremony

This booklet was issued to guests who attended the Octoraro Lodge Dedication Ceremony in 1959.
1959 – Contributed by Mark Morris

State of the Lodge

State of the Lodge building renovations posted on the Octoraro 22 website in 2009.
2009 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Lodge Building Letter

This letter solicits for additional funding for the Octoraro Memorial Lodge Building construction.
1954 – Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard

Lodge Building Mortgage Burning Ceremony

The OA Lodge Building Mortgage Burning Ceremony.
1965 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Lodge Building Mortgage Burning Schedule

The OA Lodge Building Mortgage Burning Schedule.
1965 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Lodge Dedication Notes

Jim Gawthrop’s notes on the Lodge Dedication Ceremony held in 1959.
1959 – Contributed by James H. Gawthrop

Lodge Building Attendance Notes

Here is the attendance book that was kept from June 20, 1959, which is when the Lodge Building was opened, until 1983.
1983 – Contributed by James H. Gawthrop

Videos

Display Details

A few videos of the OA Lodge Building at Camp Horseshoe.

OA Lodge Building
Here is an exterior shot of the Octoraro Lodge Building.
1995 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III

Walking to the OA Lodge
A little stroll down to the OA lodge.
2016 – Contributed by Mike Arles

Memorabilia

Display Details

The Order of the Arrow Lodge Building has had a few memorabilia items issued over the years, and they are displayed here.

Jigsaw Puzzle

Display Details

Enjoy this jigsaw puzzle of the OA Lodge Building. Press this button to play on Jigsaw Planet’s website.

2018 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

Tour Stops

Octoraro Loop Tour

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Last updated December 12, 2025