THE LODGE ARROWHEAD

By Judy Blase Woodruff

You might have seen Lodge Members with an arrowhead stitched onto their Lodge sash and wondered what it was for. It is the Lodge Arrowhead. I wasn’t aware of this honor until around the time of Camp’s 50^th Anniversary, when I applied and worked toward receiving the arrowhead in 2009.

Originally, the Lodge Arrowhead could be earned in the 1960s. Larry Davis explains that he completed the requirements and received his arrowhead in 1965. There were numerous tasks to complete in order to earn the arrowhead. Two of the requirements were a) to make a Native American costume to be used in the Lodge Ceremony on Thursday evening. He meticulously crafted an elaborate costume that was adorned with intricate beading; and b) he remembers he had to participate in at least three Lodge Ceremonies. He sewed his original Lodge Arrowhead onto his Brébeuf award sash that he received years after he earned the arrowhead.

From what I can gather, sometime around 1973/1974, the arrowheads became obsolete and instead, awards were presented to those Lodge Members who were very active and did exceptional work in the name of Camp Ondessonk. The boys received the Valiant Warrior award and the girls received the Faithful Maiden award. A valiant warrior is often depicted as one who exhibits exceptional courage, strength, and faith in God, whereas a faithful maiden is one who is true to her word.

Gone since the 1970s, most Lodge Members did not know the Lodge Arrowhead existed. In 2007, the 50^th Anniversary of the Lodge of Ondessonk & Tekakwitha, the efforts of Lodge Princess Nikki Enderle and other Lodge Members, brought back the Lodge Arrowhead.

The Lodge Arrowhead is very sacred and is not easily attained. It has come back from many years of retirement, and very appropriately at the time of the 50^th Anniversary of the Lodge of Ondessonk & Tekakwitha. It is not meant to be earned in a week or perhaps even a year; it is continuing the work and dedication that earns one the arrowhead.

Each project listed in the prerequisites must be completed and presented to the Lodge Officials for approval. Once all the requirements are completed satisfactorily, the arrowhead will be presented to you.

Lodge Arrowhead Requirements for Staff

1. Make 20 Ondessonk and 20 Tekakwitha Lodge sashes.
   1. It is easy to figure out how a sash is put together by looking at your own. For help, consult the Camp website.
   2. Specialized sashes: such as officials and award sashes, are also needed. Instructions for these can be obtained from the Lodge officials.
2. Must participate in the Lodge Ceremony.
   1. You may hold a speaking part for one whole season. You must try out for speaking parts.
   2. You may dance at least two times during the summer.
   3. You may serve on Combo or as a coordinator.
   4. You MUST participate in ALL practices before the ceremony for any speaking or dancing parts.
   5. Completion of ceremony requirement is at the discretion of the Lodge Officials.
   6. You may serve as a trail lighter at a smudge pot.
3. Must participate in two Second Campfire Ceremonies, with a speaking part.
4. Perform two weekend service projects at Camp during the Fall, Winter, or Spring.
   1. You must call Camp and explain that you want to volunteer at Camp for a weekend.
   2. You may work in a group with other Lodge Members.
   3. You must have a parent’s consent and proper supervision (if under 18 years old) while staying at Camp.

Lodge Arrowhead Requirements for Campers

1. Make 10 Ondessonk and 10 Tekakwitha Lodge Sashes. 
   1. It is easy to figure out how a sash is put together by looking at your own.  For help, you may contact the Lodge Officials. 
   2. Specialized sashes, such as officials and award sashes are also needed.  Patterns for these can be obtained from the Lodge Officials.
2. Participate in the Lodge Ceremony during the summer.
   1. Standing by a smudge pot counts.
   2. You can also audition for a dancing part. If this is desired, you must contact the Lodge Officials at the beginning of the week you come to Camp Ondessonk.
3. Perform two weekend service projects at Camp during the Fall, Winter or Spring.
   1. You must call Ondessonk’s office at (618) 695-2489 and explain that you want to come in and volunteer at Camp for the weekend.
   2. You may work in a group with other Lodge members.
   3. You must have your parents’ consent and proper supervision while staying at Camp.

After the re-establishment of the Lodge Arrowhead in 2007, which is depicted by a blue background with a red star and gold accents with a white arrow through the middle, it is the only arrowhead a Lodge Member is allowed to display on their sash. The Lodge Arrowhead is a symbol of dedication to the Lodge and to Camp Ondessonk, and is earned over time.

Click here to learn more about The Loyal Lodge of Ondessonk & Tekakwitha.