Beginnings of the Order of the Arrow

Shortly after Scouting began to develop in the United States, councils began to acquire sites to use as permanent campsites for long-term summer camping. Since most of the early councils formed between the East Coast and New York City, the earliest Boy Scout summer camps also appeared in this area.

After these camps had existed for a few years, camp leaders felt that it was both necessary and appropriate to honor Scouts and Scouters who distinguished themselves at these camps. Almost predictably, "honor camping societies" began to emerge. Membership into these various societies was based primarily on leadership and camping skills demonstrated while at camp. The founders of these societies also hoped that by recognizing deserving campers, they would encourage camping among their fellow Scouts.

By the 1930's, many Iowa councils had established sites for long-term summer camping, and the idea of recognizing the exceptional Scouts and Scouters proved to be a popular idea among the camp leaders. Since the Boy Scouts National Headquarters did not have a standard policy regarding such recognition, many different types of honor camping societies emerged. Although the names and various rituals adapted by these societies differed, the primary purpose of each was to promote camping and recognize outstanding campers.

The honor society that proved to be the most popular, however, was the Order of the Arrow (OA). The Order of the Arrow society was based on the traditions of the Lenni Lenape, a native American tribe which had once lived in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

The Order of the Arrow comes to the Dubuque Area

Although the Mesquakie, and later the Sac and Fox tribes had once settled in the Dubuque area, the Northeast Iowa selected the Lenni Lenape-based honor society for their camp. A charter dated May 14, 1935, gave their Scouts and Scouters the distinction of being the first Order of the Arrow Lodge in Iowa. Two months after the National Lodge granted a charter to the Northeast Iowa council, Lodge 80 from the Southeast Iowa council became Iowa's second Order of the Arrow Lodge.

The Boy Scout National Office had officially recognized the OA the previous year. The endorsement from the National Office may have prompted the Council to select this as the honor society for campers at Camp Burton.

The Lodge name was chosen for the Northeast Iowa lodge was "Timmeu," a Lenni Lenape word meaning "'wolf head". Most likely the name was selected by Glen Fordyce, the current Scout Executive. Beginning with the country's first OA Lodge, Unami, founded by Dr. E. Urner Goodman, each lodge in the United States was assigned a number to help the National Lodge keep track of each lodge. Timmeu was the 74th lodge to receive a lodge number, and was accordingly assigned #74.

Minimal interest in the new lodge

The distinction of being the first Order of the Arrow Lodge in Iowa apparently was met with something less than bubbling enthusiasm, however, as the lodge charter lapsed on September 30, 1937. It is unlikely that this early lodge performed any OA ceremonies at Camp Burton (or anywhere else) during this two-year span. Little literature was available to give a new lodge and direction. The Local Lodge Manual, a forerunner to the current OA Handbook, was the only piece of information available to develop a program for a new Order of the Arrow Lodge.

The Order of the Golden Sun Camp Society

About three or four years after the Order of the Arrow group disbanded, a new Scout Executive Glen Fordyce initiated a new program: The Order of the Golden Sun. Fordyce brought ideas for this group from Lincoln, Nebraska, where he had previously been a part of the Order of the Golden Sun Society.

A round, 3-inch stenciled leather totem was the prize awarded to some Scouts and Scouters; the totem signified membership into the Order of the Golden Sun. To be elected, one had to meet requirements similar to the modern day requirements necessary to become an Order of the Arrow member. Camp Burton hosted all induction ceremonies. On Friday night the candidates were told to report to the flag pole. One-by-one, Scouts were led (with a blanket over their head to restrict their vision, into the darkness. Their Indian guide, dressed only in moccasins and an undecorated breechcloth, gave the candidate two matches each, no food, and told them to spend the night meditating.

The following night, each candidate was led into the ceremonial grounds one-at-a-time by their guide. The guide addressed each candidate as Kola, which means friend. Prior to their journey into the ceremonial grounds, each candidate had been given a rope, and carved an arrow out of wood. He then carved his name into the arrow and wore the arrow around his neck to identify himself.

Along his way to the ceremonial grounds, each candidate, along with his guide, made stops at four stations. The stations, representing God, Country, Family, and Self, each contained a candle and some other meaningful symbol.

After meditating briefly at each of the stations, the candidate finally reached the ceremony ring, where he was greeted by several Indians. The Scout was given an Indian name; he then placed the arrow bearing his Christian name into the fire. His new name was representative of his commitment to dedicating himself to new ways. An Indian then wrote the Scout's name on a scroll, beside the names of all other Golden Sun members. Once the ceremony was completed for each candidate, there was fellowship and snacks shared among all members of the Order.

The final group of Scouts were inducted into the Order of the Golden Sun in September, 1951, at Camp Burton. By this time, Scouts had focused their attention on switching to the Order of the Arrow. The National Office recognized this society in 1934, and had officially integrated this program into the Boy Scout movement in 1948.

A return to the Order of the Arrow

By the early 1950's, the Golden Sun members decided that it would be beneficial to convert to the nationally recognized Order of the Arrow. On February 9, 1952, a Charter Night Banquet was held, and Arrowmen from the U.S. Grant council from Freeport, Illinois, formally inducted 36 members into the Order of the Arrow. This new lodge retained the Timmeu name and number used by the original lodge.

The first induction of the new lodge members (non-Golden Sun members) was held from September 5-7, 1952, at Adventure Island Scout Camp. By 1955, the lodge had organized committees including a camping committee (for ceremonies), a permanent records committee, and a social committee.

The Call-out Ceremony

Recognizing those that have been chosen by their fellow scouts to become members of the Order of the Arrow is a summer camp tradition. In years past, this ceremony was referred to as the "Tap-Out" ceremony as each new inductee was tapped on the shoulder with the wand of the mighty chief, thus they were "Tapped-out".

At the conclusion of the weekly "family night" campfire, the Order of the Arrow call-out ceremony begins with the lodge medicine man addressing the scouts and their guests. This address is followed by fire dancing and the lighting of the fires to reveal the OA Circle. The scouts are led down the hill from the council campfire area and are placed around the OA circle. Once the circle is complete, the Lodge Chief appears from the teepee next to the circle and lights the larger fire in the center to officially "open" the call-out ceremony. If any Vigil Honor candidates, the highest honor bestowed upon a member by the lodge, are being recognized that night, their name(s) will be called out and they will stand in the Vigil triangle in front of the central fire.

The 4 ceremonial figures, proceed around the circle several times to recognize each new inductees as their name is called-out and asked to follow behind. After all names have been called out, the chief "Allowat Sakima" moves out of the ceremony circle and challenges those left behind to live by the Scout Oath and Law. When the Mighty Chieftain is finished speaking, the inductees are led to the waterfall deck and the public Call-out ceremony is completed.

The final part of the ceremony is only viewed by those who were called out. As the procession comes to the waterfall deck, the inductees are led up the stairs to listen to the challenges of the might chief, Allowat Sakima, who appears standing on the rocks above them. Once the Chief is done with his address, the new candidates leave the site with excitement, for their adventure has just begun.

Mother's Day Pancake Breakfast

The first breakfast was held on Mother's Day, May 11, 1958, at Eagle Point Park. Profits from the first two pancake breakfasts completely paid for the new health lodge, which was built and financed entirely by Timmeu Lodge.

Little did the 1958 Executive Board realize that their decision to hold a pancake breakfast would extend beyond the need to raise money for the health lodge.

By 1998, the annual Mother's Day Pancake Breakfast has become one of the major events of the Timmeu Lodge calendar and draws crowds of a few thousand pancake enthusiasts annually.

The 1970s

In 1971, Timmeu Lodge was recognized as a National Standard Lodge. This recognition is only given to a few selected lodges each year who meet strict program requirements and who compare favorably with other lodges in their region.

On November 6, 1974, the Lodge Executive Committee voted to spend $750 to build and A-frame building at Camp Klaus. Built and financed entirely by Timmeu Lodge, the A-frame has proven to be a welcome addition to Camp Klaus.

In 1976, Timmeu Lodge was honored to have Kevin Lange serve as the NC-4 Section Chief. A Section Chief is elected by all other lodges at a Section Conclave and represents the section up to the following conclave.

The 1980s

In 1983, Timmeu Lodge had the first-time-ever privilege of hosting a Section Conclave for NC-4. This conclave, an annual event, brought together nine lodges from Iowa and Nebraska. Arrowmen came to the conclave for fellowship and to exchange ideas; they were greeted with the theme "Strengthen the Lodge-Strengthen the Unit." Timmeu hosted the conclave at Camp Dodge Army Reserve Base in Johnston, Iowa to comply with the wishes of the Section Professional Adviser, who had decided to hold all conclaves at a central location.

In 1987, Timmeu Lodge history was put down in writing when Paul Lewis took upon himself to write "The History of Scouting in Northeast Iowa". The handbook was used to write the majority of the Timmeu Lodge history shown here. Although the handbook was never a major bestseller, Paul went on to become the Lodge Adviser in 1995.

The 1990s - Little Lodge With a Big Impact

The 1990's were filled with a lot of great achievements for Timmeu Lodge on sectional, regional, and national levels. The moniker "Little Lodge with a Big Impact" was used often to describe Timmeu Lodge.

Three-term Lodge Chief and two-term section chief, Dean Frommelt, kicked off the decade as Timmeu Lodge's first national officer as the North Central Region Chief. Dean also became the first lodge member to receive the National Distinguished Service Award at the National Conference in 1992. In 1991, Jason Erpelding was elected to his first term as Section Chief. Timmeu played host to the Section Conclave in 1992 at Camp C.S. Klaus. During Lodge Chief Bill Smith's term in 1995, the National Lodge enacted a "Year of Service" program, and the lodge followed by providing the financial resources and man power to build the deck and staircase leading up into the trading post. The following year, the lodge assisted in providing money and support to build a new Scoutcraft shelter as well as a shelter, changing facility and beach-front seating area at Aquatics.

Following his year as Lodge Chief, Jason Accola was elected Section C-7 Chief in 1996. Four months later in Dallas, Texas, Accola was elected 1997 Central Region Chief, Timmeu's second national officer. During the same year, four Timmeu members served on the OA Service Core at the National Jamboree.

In 1998, Eric Lassance served as the C-3B Section Chief, while Timmeu took an astounding 50-member contingent and several staff members to NOAC at Iowa State University and a 69-member contingent to the final C-7 conclave. At this conclave, Timmeu became part of Section C-3B. The lodge executive committee also voted that year to donate money to Camp C.S. Klaus over the next few years to build a climbing/ rappelling tower which would be completed for the 2000 summer camp season.

1999 brought yet another change to our lodge as Timmeu joined its current section, C-3B. At that year's conclave, lodge member Bob Richards was elected to Section Vice Chief. The lodge sent a contingent of four people to NLS. Lodge members Jason Accola and Aaron Seier were involved in planning and developing a new national program, the OA Wilderness Voyage at the Northern Tier Canoe Base in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The lodge again voted to pass lodge funds on to be utilized for the climbing/ rappelling tower at Camp Klaus.

The 2000's - Little Lodge of Many Leaders

In 2000 Timmeu sent a 40-member contingent to the conclave at Canyon Camp in Stockton, Ill, and a 15-member contingent went to NOAC at the University of Tennessee. The lodge purchased a new teepee for Camp Klaus and gave the council money to finish construction and supply equipment for the climbing/rappelling tower. Paul Lewis stepped down as lodge advisor after five years and was replaced by Aaron Seier.

In 2001 the lodge donated money to help pay for 1 of the 4 new staff cabins being built at Camp Klaus. Timmeu had the honor of hosting the section conclave at our own Camp Klaus. The lodge did a great job; the 120-member contingent helped make the weekend run smoothly. At the conclave, former Lodge Chief Nick Williams was elected to the position of Section Vice Chief.

In 2002, Nick Williams was elected the Section Chief of C-3B. The Lodge under the leadership of Joe Sadewasser, who was re-elected to a second term as Chief, applied for and received the largest National Service Grant awarded that year to help fund the construction of a new Health Lodge building, which replaced the "A-Frame" building at Camp Klaus that had been in use since the 1970's. Timmeu Lodge took a 20-member contingent to NOAC at the University of Indiana in Bloomington.

In 2003, Ricky Passanisi was elected as Lodge Chief and former Lodge Chief, Joe Sadewasser was elected to Section Chief. Less then 4 months later Joe was elected to be the Central Region Chief, the third member of Timmeu Lodge to hold this National Position. Nick Williams was appointed as a National CVC of "Indian Summer".

In 2004 Timmeu took a 28-member contingent to NOAC at Iowa State University in Ames. At the fall Section Conclave, former Lodge Chief, Ricky Passanissi was elected to Section Chief and Timmeu Lodge was moved to section C-1C. In 2005 Ricky was re-elected to a second term as Section Chief. This time he was joined by two other Timmeu members, Section Vice-Chief Don Andersen and Section Secretary Tim Riedl, the first time ever that Timmeu Lodge memebers would simultaneously hold three elected positions at the section level.

In 2006, Timmeu Lodge Adviser Aaron Seier stepped down after 5 years of service and was replaced by the new Lodge Adviser, Sally Leeser at the Fall Fellowship. During NOAC at Michigan State University, Joe Sadewasser and Nick Williams became the 3rd and 4th Timmeu members to receive the National Distinguished Service Award. At the section conclave that was hosted at our own Camp. C.S. Klaus, Don Andersen was elected as Section Chief.

In 2007 former Lodge Chief and Section Secretary Tim Riedl was selected as the Section Chief for section C-1C.

In 2009, Timmeu Lodge member Spencer Washburn was selected as the Section Co-Chief for the re-aligned section C-3A.

The 2010's --

A new decade in the making... What will Timmeu Lodge do next and what will it leave for it's legacy?