Miwok Lodge History

The Early Years: 1963-1979

In October 1963, the Executive Board of the Santa Clara County Council authorized the reactivation of the Order of the Arrow Lodge. The President of the Council appointed an organizing committee for the Order of the Arrow for that purpose. In March 1964, this committee met with Area Advisers to make plans for the new Lodge. The Lodge was reestablished and assigned its former number 439. The Lodge adopted the Silver Fox as its new totem. With the help of Mackek N'Gult Lodge 375 form the Oakland Area Council, the first Miwok Lodge Ordeal inducted 88 youth and 9 adult members into the fledgling Lodge on April 24-25, at Camp Stuart.

In 1971, Miwok Lodge instituted its "Miwok Lives" program to encourage re-registration in the Lodge. A commitment to construct a Lodge building near the sight of the established ceremonial ground at Camp Stuart was made. Construction began in the summer of 1971.

During 1973, a contingent of nine Miwok Lodge members attended the National Order of the Arrow Conference in Santa Barbara. The membership of the Lodge for 1973 grew to over 750 members strong. The Lodge accomplished a phenomenal feat with the distribution of over 1800 copies of the successful 107 page "Where to go Camping" booklet produced by the Lodge. During 1974 the Lodge celebrated its 10th anniversary.

During our nation's Bicentennial year, Miwok Lodge achieved new standards of excellence. Besides attaining National Standard Lodge for the third year in a row, Miwok Lodge also improved its fantastic Lodge building to a new height of greatness. Other outstanding accomplishments in 1976 included hosting one of the best conclaves in years at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, and formally dedicating our Lodge building on August 23. Our Lodge newsletter, camping promotions, and general Lodge program also accelerated in growth.

1977 showed continued improvement in Miwok Lodge. During the first few months of the year, our camping promotion teams visited a greater number of troops than ever before. At Our Spring Fellowship and Mini-Clave, the Lodge saw a 200% increase in attendance. In addition, Miwok Lodge sent a contingent to the National Order of the Arrow Conference, secured the National Standard Lodge for the 4th year in a row, and received the Lodge Bicentennial Award.

The Middle Years: 1979-1991

Miwok Lodge began the 1980s with many changes; among them the redesigning of the Lodge flap. Most importantly, however, the Lodge changed from a system of chapters to a committee system. This new approach paid off in the extraordinary success of the camping promotion committee and the drastic leap of membership to over 450 Arrowmen. Just two years after the Lodge redesigned the Lodge flap; it was changed once more. This basic design of the flap continued well into the future.

In 1984, the Lodge printed the first of our successful song books with nearly 300 pages of well-known camp songs for all to enjoy. Shortly thereafter came the "Where to go Camping" book, published to help troops locate campgrounds. 1984 also marked the 20th anniversary of the Lodge - 1964 -1984. The Lodge issued a special anniversary flap based on the design of the original Lodge flap.

In 1986, the Lodge returned to the chapter system for leadership experience and local area participation in the Lodge. The Lodge also maintained its committees, as well, which gave our Arrowmen more opportunities for participation in the Lodge. Miwok Lodge hosted the Section W3A Conclave at Agnews Residential Facility and Great America. Over 600 Arrowmen attended this fantastic event. That year Miwok Lodge received the Standard of Excellence from the Western Region.

Starting in 1988, our chapters began organizing and hosting district camporees in order to gain valuable experience and do our Council staff a great service. Miwok Lodge has had favorable success at conclaves including being one of two Lodges who have obtained the Conclave Award four times. With claim to the last seven years of dance competition titles at the Section W3A Conclave, the Miwok Lodge Dance Team was happy to accept the first year of a new perpetual plaque in 1990.

In 1991 the Lodge published 1000 copies of a second huge "Nashgohumewaganak" song book, and began work on an expanded "Where to go Camping" book.

The Recent Years: 1992-2004

The 1992 Lodge year saw the outstanding efforts of many spirited Miwok Lodge members as they swept the Section Conclave awards, taking home the Most Indian Lodge Award as well as being the only Lodge in the section to take the Conclave Award five times. Once again the Lodge sent a contingent to the National Order of the Arrow Conference. The Lodge also visited 95% of the troops for camping promotions and elections.

The 1993 Lodge year once again recorded an outstanding 95% of all troops received their unit visitations and camping promotions. Because of this, we were awarded the prestigious E. Urner Goodman Camping Award. Only two are presented nationwide in each of the six BSA Regions. The Lodge published a larger second edition CAUSEWEWANNACAMPA Order of the Arrow Where to go camping Book, which promised to be a big success. The 1993 Conclave Most Indian Lodge Award was awarded to Miwok Lodge for a second straight year. The Lodge also placed first in Plan Book, newsletter (3rd consecutive year), ceremonies (2nd consecutive year), and Indian Dance (10 years!) at the conclave. With outstanding success in Lodge communications through the Miwok Legend, and with great events, we saw strong, competitive chapters with active Arrowmen. An excellent program to serve our Council through Ordeals and work projects improved our spot as Honor Campers.

1993 & 1994 showed all the promise of continuing the Miwok tradition. 1994 marked the 30th anniversary of the Lodge. Miwok also marked its first year in the new concept of e-mail through the West-World BBS. Miwok continued its excellence in Publications and Dance competitions as well as a number of the athletic competitions at the annual Section Conclave. At the Lodge Banquet, we presented our first Founder's Awards to four deserving members. In December 1994, Miwok Lodge decided that better communications was needed between the Lodge and the units. With this, the OA Liaison Committee was established.

In 1995, Miwok Lodge continued its traditional programs and events with excellence. At the Section W3A Conclave, Miwok Lodge once again took the first place awards for Newsletter, Plan Book, and Dance competitions. We also earned the Most Indian Lodge Award for the Section. Virtual Valley Community Network offered bulletin board space for the Lodge in conjunction with the Council to supply news and information to our members. Free e-mail service was made available to all.

In 1996, Miwok Lodge was once again took an active role in the Section Conclave as the Service Lodge. Many months of preparation went in readying the lodges of the Section and Miwok for the Conclave held at Camp Parks in April and earned the Most Indian Lodge Award. During the year, the Lodge conducted two very successful Ordeals at our Council camps. We once again sent a contingent to NOAC held at the University of Indiana. We also earned the Order of the Arrow's Quality Lodge Award.

1997 saw Miwok Lodge continue with its usual excellence. The Lodge conducted and participated in many activities offered to our membership. These activities included the OA Pow Wow, Spring Fellowship, Section Conclave, Lodge Banquet, Spring and Fall Ordeals, OA Days at Camp Hi-Sierra, Lodge Barbecue, and Vigil Ceremony. The Lodge also earned the Order of the Arrow's Quality Lodge Award.

In 1998, Miwok Lodge once again sent a contingent to a National Order of the Arrow Conference, Iowa State University. Twelve Arrowmen traveled to University of Iowa in Ames for the time of their lives. Miwok had it first Dance Committee members compete at the National level. The most remarkable achievement at NOAC was in the newsletter competition. In its first entry even, the Miwok Legend was named "National Honor Newsletter" and chosen number one in the nation. Throughout the year, Miwok Lodge conducted a successful year of activities, unit visitations, and inducted many new Arrowmen into the Order. The Lodge also achieved our highest percentage of Ordeal-to-Brotherhood conversion for the Lodge in recent years.

1999 marked the 35th anniversary of Miwok Lodge and continued through the Lodge Banquet in 2000. We co-hosted the OA Pow Wow, participated in the Section W3A Conclave, inducted our new Lodge officers, held successful Spring and Fall Ordeals, inducted our new Vigil Honor members, and held Spring and Fall Fellowships . We also started our "Miwok-News Dispatch" e-mail broadcast.

2000 proved to a successful year for the Lodge. Our new and improved CAUSEWEWANNACAMPA Order of the Arrow Where to go Camping Book on CD-ROM was also introduced. Once again, the Miwok Legend was named "National Honor Newsletter" at the 2000 National Order of the Arrow Conference. In doing so, we once again claimed our number one status for the second NOAC in a row. We also sent a contingent of 15 Arrowmen to NOAC, University of Tennessee.

2001 was once again a successful year for the Lodge. Our Lodge events and programs ran smoothly and well attended. We improved our Lodge Web site and increased our "Miwok News-Dispatch" e-mail broadcast numbers to include almost 75% of the registered membership for the year.

The Lodge held various successful events during the year and earned Honor Lodge Status. The Miwok Legend was named "National Honor Newsletter" at the 2002 National Order of the Arrow Conference. In doing so, we once again claimed our number one status for the third NOAC in a row. We also sent a contingent of 13 Arrowmen to NOAC, Indiana University in Bloomington.

We hosted the Section W3A Conclave for the forth time in the Lodge's history. The member lodges of the section joined us at Roaring Camp Railroads for the 2003 Conclave. Congratulations to Miwok Lodge for winning the Conclave Award for the first time in a decade. Our membership helped make the Lodge's events even better and attendance was up.

Through the efforts of dedicated Arrowmen, Miwok Lodge reaches toward even greater heights in 2004. As for the future, we will send a contingent to the 2004 NOAC at Iowa State University. We also look forward to attending the Section W3A Conclave, and celebrating our 40th anniversary.