History 1949 - 1958
Working with the American Legion Posts, the Lodge would be building a new cabin at Camp Howell. As of January 11, 1949 the following details were available
- Sleep 32 and have a storage space for Arrow equipment
- Screened-in porch and a fire-place
Located on either South or Ore Creek- Cost determined about $5,000 plus.
The first two Saturdays in April 1949 a group of 13 stalwarts moved stone from an old barn basement wall to Camp Howell looking toward the Arrow Cabin project. Distance of barn to Camp -one league or three miles.
Latest on cabin at Howell -1950 -is that it will be a training center for the teaching of scout-skills. $1,080 by year-end received by American Legion District Association and Posts. A site overlooking the lake is mentioned. Goal now $6,000.
A Donor's Book to be made for placing in the Arrow cabin. Two bucks and up necessary to get a person's name listed. This should swell the Cabin fund to $2,428.61 balance by year-end 1951.
In 1952 the national policy on Brotherhood returned to what was the original concept -the sealing into full membership. Mi-Gi-Si O-Paw-Gan took the lead in support of the National Committee of the Order of the Arrow, and put into practice two policies which greatly affected the character and operation of the Order: opening up the Brotherhood membership to all who in their own conscience deemed themselves worthy, and the removal of age restrictions. This later changed the Order from a part of Senior Scouting to a part of the whole Scout program, exclusive of Cubing. The Lodge also lent powerful support to restrict the right to vote and hold elective office to Scout, rather than Scouter, members.
1954 saw the Lodge expanding its cheerful service to the camps. In the Spring of 1954 the first Service Weekend was held. Reading from the April Tally-Ho: On April 30, May 1 and 2, 1954, we will attempt for the first time a special camp service project at the Scout Ranch near Metamora, Michigan. Space will be available for 60 Brothers who wish to spend the full weekend at the camp. If you desire, you may come out on Saturday morning and spend as much time as you are able.
In May the Lodge put on its annual hoe-down (Square Dance) at Charles Howell Scout Reservation.
The September issue of the Tally-Ho carried a banner heading of great significance: It's conclave time again - Lodge assembles at D-A for first arrow conclave held at new camp. The event was held on October 1, 1954.
The lodge closed out this eventful year with the 5th Annual Banquet and Election of Officers on Tuesday, December 28, 1954.
After 2 years of hard work, the Order of the Arrow Lodge at CHR was dedicated in 1955. The calendar for that year showed the Lincoln Pilgrimage, Feb 12; the hoe-down, April 30; May 1, Conclave; July and August, Summer Inductions held at both CHR and D-A Scout Camps; Fall Conclave at D-A Sept 30 and October 1. The Lodge Annual Meeting was held on December 29th. Also announced was the new Lodge Totem. Price $0.20
1956 saw an event of singular importance. New Officer Training held in February at CHR. This was the first ever Officer Training Seminar of the Mi-Gi-Si O-Paw-Gan Lodge. The Lodge held two Conclaves that year. Spring at Charles Howell, and Fall at D-A.
Again the Spring Conclave was held at CHR and the Fall at D-A for 1957. It is interesting to note that in a few short years the reference to the Ranch no longer included Metamora. The Scouts knew where the Ranch was located.
The Lodge participated in the Scouting Exposition held at the State Fair grounds on June 6, 7, and 8, 1958. The participated by helping to man the Council Camps booth. Services performed by members include horse back loading, canoeing, canoe repair, conservation, cooking, and patrol camp.
In May, the Arrowmen participated in Webelos Den Day held at Charles Howell. 100 Arrowmen took part, rendering service such as directing traffic, parking lot, directing Webelos and their fathers to the various exhibits and demonstrations, and in general, acting as salesmen for the camp.
