Octoraro Memorabilia

“You have to go through rough patches to achieve great things.”
–Victoria Azarenka

Exhibit Details

This exhibits houses artifacts issued or pertaining to Octoraro Lodge 22 activities as they relate to Camp Horseshoe or Ware.

Displays in this Exhibit:

Cat’s Meow Replicas

Octoraro T-Shirts

Octoraro Conclave Neckerchiefs

Octoraro Mugs

Octoraro Conclave Patches

Octoraro Winter Camp Staffing Patches

Legends of the Lodge

Other Octoraro Patches

Octoraro Conclave Pins

Octoraro Conclave Centerpieces

Octoraro Awards

Cards

Miscellaneous Memorabilia

Documents

Cat’s Meow Replicas

Display Details

Cat’s Meow replicas are popular collectibles amongst some, and Octoraro 22 planed to do an entire series but only two were ever made.

Octoraro T-Shirts

Display Details

Octoraro 22 has issued a number of shirts over the years, either for conclave or for various crews who work at service weekends at HSR.

Octoraro Conclave Neckerchiefs

Display Details

Every few years, Octoraro Lodge #22 hosts conclave at Camp Horseshoe and we list these lovely neckerchiefs here.

Neckerchief of the 1969 Area III A Conference hosted by Octoraro 22.

This excellent neckerchief is one of several issued at the 1974 Section NE-5A Conclave.

This neckerchief was awarded to those who competed in the Dance Team competition.

One of the many neckerchiefs from the 1983 Section NE-5A Conclave.

The 1983 Section NE-5A Conclave Staff Neckerchief.

This neckerchief was issued to participants of the 1991 NE-4B Conclave at Camp Horseshoe.

This neckerchief was issued to the staff memebers of the 1991 NE-4B Conclave.

This neckerchief was issued to participants of the 2003 NE-4A Conclave.

This gold neckerchief was issued to the staff of the 2009 Section NE-6B Conclave.

This was the neckerchief sold at the trading post at the 2014 Section NE-6B Conclave.

Octoraro Mugs

Display Details

These mugs were issued by Octoraro 22 or HSR related to Octoraro 22 activities at Horseshoe Scout Reservation.

Octoraro Conclave Patches

Display Details

These patches were specifically issued as part of Octoraro’s hosting duties for conclave at Camp Horseshoe.

The 1961 Area III-A Conference Patch.

The conclave patch issued in 1974 to NE-5A Conclave participants.

The 1983 Section NE-5A Conclave Patch.

This patch was issued to participants of the 1991 NE-4B Conclave.

The 1991 Section NE-4B Blue Conclave Patch with Dangle.

This patch was issued to participants of the 1991 NE-4B Conclave.

The 1991 Section NE-4B Magenta Conclave Patch with Dangle.

This is the patch issued to participants and staff of the 1997 NE-4B Conclave held at Camp Horseshoe in June 1997.

The design harkens back to an earlier design with the arrowhead inside the horseshoe.

This back patch was available for sale to participants of the 2009 Section NE-6B Conclave.

One of the 2003 Section NE-4A Conclave flaps.

The participant patch was available to delegates who participated in a minimum of activities at the 2009 Section NE-6B Conclave.

The trader patch was available for sale for all participants of the 2009 Section NE-6B Conclave.

The staff patch, with golden sky, was issued to the Octoraro staff members for the 2009 NE-6B Section Conclave.

This patch was issued to all participants of the 2009 Section NE-6B Conclave.

The Lodge Committee flap was made available to brothers who attended at least all but 2 Lodge Committee meetings from 2008 – 2009.

The 2009 Section NE-6B Conclave staff flap.

The 2009 Section NE-6B Conclave delegate flap.

The 2009 Section NE-6B Conclave Fundraiser / Trader flap.

Based off of “Captain America”, this patch was issued to all staff and delegates of the 2014 Section NE-6B Conclave.

The “Hulk Patch” was the template for the Conclave Staff Patch.

The “Thor” Trading Post patch of the 2014 Section NE-6B Conclave.

This Conclave Chenille is a larger version of the standard conclave patch that was issued to participants of the 2014 Section NE-6B Conclave.

The “Iron Man” patch design was also incorporated into this Conclave Backpatch.

Similar to the conclave backpatch and based around “Iron Man”, the participation award was given to those brothers who completed the requisite number of activities throughout the conclave weekend.

The 2019 Section NE-6B Conclave Delegate Patch.

The 2019 Section NE-6B Conclave Trading Post Patch.

The 2019 Section NE-6B Conclave Staff Patch.

The 2019 Section NE-6B Conclave Chenille Patch.

The 2025 Section E11 Conclave Delegate Patch.

The 2025 Section E11 Conclave Trader Patch.

The 2025 Section E11 Conclave Staff Patch.

The 2025 Section E11 Conclave Rededication Patch.

One of the 2025 Host Lodge Flaps issued for the 2025 Section E11 Conclave.

Octoraro Winter Camp Staffing Patches

Display Details

Each weekend in the winter, Octoraro Lodge #22 provides arrowmen staff from various units around the council who provide program and service to the other units camping on the reservation. Here are some patches to commemorate those arrowmen who have served in that capacity. For more information regarding OA flaps and patches, visit www.octoraro22.org.

Legends of the Lodge

Display Details

This series of patches was started in April 2019 to encourage attendance at lodge meetings at the end of service weekends. Only attendees received the patches.

The inaugural patch for this series designed to encourage attendance at the Lodge meeting on Sunday of service weekends, this patch highlights Charles M. Heistand, a founder of Octoraro 22 and affectionately known as “Chief”.

Appearing at the June 2019 OA Service Weekend, the second in this series of patches focuses on Jimmy Jordan who passed in 2018. His exemplary service as a staff member, campmaster, and overall volunteer was unmatched.

This patch was issued at the 2019 September Fellowship weekend to participants of the LEC on Sunday morning. It features Karl “Moose” Winsch who was a volunteer at Camp Horseshoe for 44 years and stalwart servant to the lodge.

This patch was issued at the 2022 September Fellowship weekend to participants of the LLT on Sunday morning. It features Joseph H. Brinton who was a founding member of Octoraro 22 in 1926, its first lodge chief, and went on to serve Scouting and OA at various levels.

This patch was issued at the 2022 September Fellowship weekend to participants of the LLT on Sunday morning. It features James “Jim” Gawthrop Jr. who served as Deputy Lodge Adviser for many years amongst many other roles.

This patch was issued at the 2023 April Service weekend to participants of the LLT on Sunday morning. It features G. Ernest Heegard who was a Scoutmaster of Troop 78, Camp Director at Horseshoe for 29 years, and Octoraro Lodge 22 Adviser for 28 years. Ernie has been referred to as “the living embodiment of Scouting in Chester County”, and has been the role model for the Scout Oath and Law for generations of Scouts for nearly 75 years.

This patch was issued at the 2023 June Service weekend (and later, reissued at the 2024 April Service Weekend) to participants of the LLT on Sunday morning. It features Bill Waxbom who was a lodge member for over 50 years and contributed greatly to our understanding of the history of camp and the early days of Octoraro 22.

This patch was issued at the 2023 September Fellowship weekend to participants of the LLT on Sunday morning. It features John McGovern who was a lodge member for over 50 years and was the Adviser for the Vigil Honor committee for a very long time. He worked on the Bunk Repair Crew for a long time as well, and was awarded the Allouchsit Allogagan Award in 2010. John served in the Vietnam War with the Army and as a Scoutmaster of Cedarville Troop 95.

This patch was issued at the April 2025 Service Weekend. Claude Boddy was a dedicated servant who first camped at Horseshoe in 1928, later working in the kitchen. After fighting in WWII, Claude joined Troop 125, was inducted into the OA, and kept his Vigil in 1984. He was later honored with the Allouchit Allogagan Mighty Servant Award.

This patch was issued at the June 2025 Service Weekend. Ben Thomas was Scoutmaster of Malvern Troop 1 (later Malvern 7) since the early days of Chester County Council. Ben Thomas was the second lodge chief, and bestowed the Vigil Honor in 1927. In 1933, the summer following his death, Camp Horseshoe created a “Wilderness Camp” and eventually called “Thomas” in his honor.

This patch, which will be made available at the 2025 September Fellowship Weekend, celebrates Louis Lester who was a Scout Executive who was one of the primary drivers for growth in camping during the 1940s and 1950s as well as being instrumental in having the Octoraro Memorial Lodge Building constructed.

Other Octoraro Patches

Display Details

These patches relate to other Octoraro 22 activities at Horseshoe Scout Reservation.

1970 Fall Fellowship Patch issued to participants.

This patch was issued during the 1971 Fall Fellowship weekend at Camp Horseshoe.

This patch was issued to participants who took their ordeal at Horseshoe in 1971.

The first 2016 LLD Patch, with the Octoraro 22 goose totem prominent on the top for the lodge’s 90th anniversary.

The second 2016 LLD Patch, with the Blue Heron 349 totem prominent on the top for the lodge’s 70th anniversary.

The 2013 LLD Patch.

The 2012 LLD Patch.

The 2014 LLD Patch.

The 2015 LLD Patch.

This flap (S78) is the typical magenta border flap issued to members of the Lodge Executive Committee who have attended at least all but 2 meetings each year. It is usually modeled after a special flap issued just prior to the Exec. Committee flap, in this case, the Lodge Building 40th anniversary flap.

This flap (S77 in Blue Book) was issued by Octoraro 22 in 1999 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Octoraro Lodge Building.

This flap is available to Elangomats who have served at service weekends for a requisite amount of time.

This Race to Scouting, Run with the Pack patch was given out to Cubs who brought a friend down to the event.

This patch was made available during the Buzz the Beard Campaign in 2017 and cost $10.

This patch was made available during the Buzz the Beard Campaign in 2017 and cost $15.

This patch was made available during the Buzz the Beard Campaign in 2017 and cost $25.

OA members who stayed through the lodge committee meeting on 9/24/2017 received this patch. He buzzed it!

Those who attended the special breakfast with beardless Tom Murphy on 9/24/2017 received this patch.

This award is presented to those who participate in at least 12 hours of service to rehabilitating the HSR trail system. This award is sponsored by Octoraro #22 and the first recipient of the award was Dr. David Sherwood.

This patch signifies Octoraro 22 celebrating the 95th anniversary of Camp Horseshoe.

Octoraro Conclave Pins

Display Details

This display shows the various pins that have been issued during Octoraro-hosted conclaves.

Octoraro Conclave Centerpieces

Display Details

This display shows the various centerpieces that have graced the Allen Memorial Dining Hall during Octoraro-hosted conclaves.

Octoraro Awards

Display Details

This display shows off a few of the National Service Awards that Octoraro 22 has won over the years.

Cards

Display Details

Whether to keep track of things or as a thank you, cards are sometimes issued at HSR for various purposes.

Miscellaneous Memorabilia

Display Details

For those items that truly defy categorization…

“Bricks” of the “W.W.W. Lodge” fundraiser seen here were sold to individuals interested in raising money for the Lodge Building.

The Buzz the Beard Campaign Pin.

This mini frisbee was another merchandise item sold during the Buzz the Beard campaign.

The gold / magenta epaulets signify that the wearer at the 2009 Section NE-6B Conclave as staff.

A luggage tag used at the 1954 Area 3A Pow Wow.

Here is the sling backpack used as the swag bag for the 2009 Section NE-6B Conclave.

The 2019 Section NE-6B Conclave Backpack.

The 2025 Section E11 Conclave Bag entitled “Scoutcraft”, inspired by Minecraft

In the swag bags given out to delegates, each person got a red wristband with black text that said “2014 NE-6B Conclave – Camp Horseshoe”.

This tote bag was given out free to all participants and staff at the NE-4B Conclave in 1997.

The 2025 Section E11 Conclave Parking Pass – Purple!

Here is a miniature version of the patch, encapsulated as a shiny neckerchief slide.

The rally towel handed out at the 2013 Section NE-6B Conclave to promote the 2014 conclave.

Here is another rally towel that was given out to a different lodge in Section NE-6B.

This flag was flown during the day on June 7, 2014 along with 4 others from the 4 other lodges in Section NE-6B during the conclave. They were later auctioned off that evening.

This conclave button was used to promote the 2009 conclave.

Not your typical memorabilia: matchbooks were available as part of the 1959 OA Lodge Building dedication.

Participants in the 1997 NE-4B Conclave received wooden nickels depicted the various lodges in the section.

The 1997 Section NE-4B Conclave Bolo Tie.

The 1991 NE-4B Conclave Bolo Tie.

Documents

Display Details

Not much here yet, but as we find other documents pertaining to Octoraro memorabilia, we will add them here!

Paver Fundraiser Form

Paver fundraiser form from 2009. These pavers were used to build the Octoraro 22 walkway leading to the front door of the Octoraro Memorial Lodge Building, but were later moved to be part of the patio to the North of the building.
2009 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

50th Anniversary Lodge History Book

This 50th Anniversary Lodge History Book was issued in 1976 by Octoraro Lodge 22 to commemorate their year-long celebration. Though the book encompasses all of their history, much of that history was lived at Horseshoe Scout Reservation.
1976 – Contributed by Andrew Coe

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Last updated October 14, 2025