James Flatt


Kaskanampo Lodge History


     During summer camp of 1945 at Camp Westmoreland, eighteen Scouts
and Scouters were selected to become charter members of the new Order of
the Arrow lodge in the Tennessee Valley Council.  These new candidates
were inducted on July 8th, 1945 at Camp Westmoreland by members of
Ittawamba Lodge 235 from Jackson, Tennessee.  The original charter,
dated July 11th, 1945, proclaimed the new lodge's name and lodge
number:  Kaskanampo 310, chosen after the name of a tribe of Kosati
Indians who were native to the area, and translated means "men
warriors".  The new members chose the mussel shell as the lodge totem,
because of the importance of freshwater mussels to the native Americans
in this area.

      The Lodge grew rapidly throughout the council, and in 1949 served
as host to the first Regional Fellowship Conference (conclave), held for
the lodges in the eastern half of Region 5 at Monte Sano State Park in
Huntsville, Alabama.  The lodge attended the second Fellowship
Conference in 1950 at Camp Pellissippi near Knoxville, Tennessee, where
it was decided that the region would be divided into areas for further
conferences.  Kaskanampo became a charter member of Area B of Region V
(5), along with Wa-Hi-Nasa 111 of Nashville, Sequoyah 184 of Johnson
City, Tennessee, and Pellissippi 230 of Knoxville, Tennessee.



       Area V-B first met annually in 1951, and Kaskanampo Lodge first
hosted the annual conclave in 1955 held at the Russell Erskine Hotel in
Huntsville, Alabama.  During that time, the host lodge was responsible
for the conference program, and the host lodge chief generally served as
the Area Chief for that conference; thus Kaskanampo's Chief Bill Bowen
served as Area Chief.   The Lodge continued to grow, and was divided
into 3 chapters to facilitate unit elections and service: the CAD
Chapter (Cullman, Athens, Decatur), Maja Chapter (Huntsville), and
Muscle Shoals (Tri-Cities) Chapter.  Lodge meetings were held quarterly
at Camp Westmoreland, and to be eligible for Brotherhood, Ordeal members
were required to attend at least 3 of the 4 meetings.  The Lodge also
began having a winter "Roundup", similar to our fall fellowship, as well
as an annual winter workday at Camp Westmoreland, performing specific
projects for the camp.  In 1960, Kaskanampo again served as host lodge
to the area Fellowship Conference, and Robert Womack, Kaskanampo Lodge
Chief, served as Area Chief.   Participants stayed at the Muscle Shoals
Hotel in Sheffield, Alabama, and training sessions were held at the
First Methodist Church, with ceremonies and the campfire held at Camp
Westmoreland.  The conference theme was "Tree of Service", and
Kaskanampo conducted both the Ordeal and Brotherhood ceremonies.  

     The Lodge's first newsletter, The Kaskanampo, was first introduced
in the late '50's, and was later named Among the Kaskanampo.  The name
was changed to The Mussel Shell in 1961, and the first edition (October
21, 1961, see below) told news of the new 6 chapter lodge structure: 
Maja (Huntsville), Arroaco (Athens/Decatur),  Muscle Shoals
(Tri-Cities), Wischiki (Cullman), Jackson (soon changed to Chiaha -
Scottsboro), and the new Cherokee Chapter for Black Arrowmen within the
council, which met at Camp Drake, the council's Black Scout Camp. During
this time, 5 Ordeals were held throughout the year, 4 at Camp
Westmoreland and 1 at Camp Drake.
 
 

 
The Kaskanampo                        Among The
Kaskanampo                            The Mussel Shell
 

    Kaskanampo won the attendance award at the both the 1961 and 1962
Area V-B fellowships, by bringing the most members to the conclave both
years.  At the 1962 conclave campfire, the Lodge presented a pagent
depicting the legend of the Order of the Arrow; it was so well received
that it was presented at the 1963 and 1965 National OA Conferences. For
the 1963 Area V-B conclave, Kaskanampo members made and presented totem
shields to each lodge in the area; these shields were used at future
conclaves to display coup feathers achieved by winning awards at the
conclave.  At the 1963 Area V-B conclave at Camp Buck Toms in Tennessee,
Kaskanampo won every available award:  Attendance, Team Dancing, and
Solo Dancing.

     In December 1963, the Lodge held a service encampment at the new
Camp Jackson, and helped create the initial trails and campsite areas. 
Kaskanampo members were instrumental in helping develop the new
wilderness camp into a summer camp facility, which was first used as a
summer camp in 1970.


     Kaskanampo served as host lodge to the 1964 Area V-B conference,
held at Redstone Arsenal, and a record 322 were in attendance from the 5
participating lodges.  Mr. John Dowe, the Area V-a Adviser, was the
keynote speaker, and at the area elections, Kaskanampo's Vice-Chief
Morgan Weed was elected Area Chief, and presided over the 1965 Area
Conclave in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Prior to moving to Decatur, Morgan
was a member of Cowikee Lodge, and served as Area V-a Chief in 1962. 
Kaskanampo's Arroaco Chapter won the Campcraft fair at the conclave with
their presentation of Indian Corn (Yuchi) Soup and "hole-less"
doughnuts!  At the end of the conclave, it was announced that Area V-B
would become Area V-D, and a 6th lodge was added to the area, Ittawamba
235 of Jackson, Tennessee.

     1965 marked the Lodges' 20th Anniversary, and the lodges' charter
members were invited to a banquet at the Second Ordeal marking the
occasion.  At the 1965 Area V-D conference in Chattanooga, Kaskanampo
won the display booth competetion, and placed 2nd in Team Dance.  Plans
for a Lodge Building were first introduced in early 1965, and the Lodge
sold gummed-back address labels to help raise the necessary funds to
construct the building. The Maja (Huntsville) Chapter was divided into
Caddo and Micco Chapters due to the large number of members.  A total of
58 Kaskanampo members, the nation's largest contingent, attended the
1965 NOAC at Indiana University, and most members participated in staff
positions ranging from discussion group leaders, to Band/Chorus
participants.  At this conference, Kaskanampo won the Exhibits
"Sweepstakes Award", and placed Honorable Mention in both the Camping
Carnival and the Variety Show.

 
     At the 1966 Area V-D Conference, Kaskanampo Lodge Chief Terry Stull
was elected Area V-D Chief, which marked the first Friday-to-Sunday
conclave program.   The ground was finally broken for the Lodge Building
at Westmoreland, and was subsequently completed in 1967.  Also in 1967,
the Lodge received the National Award for Excellence for Region Five, as
part of the 1967 Onward Arrowman Plan.  Kaskanampo members traveled to
Chattanooga, Tennessee to conduct a "Train the Trainer" session for
Talidandaganu' Lodge officers, helping them to become a more active
lodge.  The first annual winter Banquet was held on December 30th, 1967
at the new OA Lodge Building at Camp Westmoreland.

     In 1968, the lodge inducted a record 406 new members, and each
chapter was responsible for conducting its own training session.  The
Muscle Shoals Chapter was divided into 2 chapters:  Minewa Chapter and
Yuchi Chapter.  24 Kaskanampo members attended the 1968 Area V-D
Conference hosted by Sequoyah Lodge 184 of Johnson City, Tennessee.

     In 1969, the lodge dance team attended the Southeastern Indian
Festival, hosted by Quinipissa Lodge 479 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  The
bar-b-que pit was completed at the annual spring work day at
Westmoreland.  Kaskanampo sent a delegation of 33 to the 1969 Area V-D
conference at Camp Buck Toms in Tennessee, and 31 members attended the
1969 NOAC, where the lodge displayed a booth highlighting the history of
the Native Americans in Alabama.  At this NOAC, Kaskanampo Lodge Lay
Advisor Mr. Bill Ingersoll received the Distinguished Service Award for
his years of service to the lodge and Area.


     1970 was a banner year for Kaskanampo, as again the lodge hosted
the 1970 Area V-D Conference at Camp Jackson, and Kaskanampo's Kevin
Millen served as Area Chief.  This event was attended by over 500
Arrowmen, making it one of the largest conclaves to date, and many
agreed it was one of the best yet, despite the constant downpours of
rain (sound familiar?).  The conclave preparations served as a final
push in readying Camp Jackson for its first year as a Scout summer camp
in 1970.   Kaskanampo also celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 1970, and
at the 3rd annual lodge fellowship banquet on December 28th, a special
25th anniversary lodge flap was available for members who were in
attendance.  

     Kaskkanampo Lodge had another big year in 1971, as the lodge was
named a "National Standard Lodge" for both 1970 and 1971;  Kaskanampo
was the only lodge in Region Five (AL, MS, TN, AR, LA) to receive this
award two years in succession. Also, at the 1971 NOAC, Kaskanampo was
presented with the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award, and was the first
lodge in Region Five to achieve this honor, which was presented to only
one lodge per region.


     In 1972, the Arroaco Chapter was divided into Sequoyah Chapter for
Athens, and Arapaho Chapter for Decatur. The first Lodge Pow-Wow was
held on April 1st at Camp Westmoreland, and dance team competetion was
done to choose which team would represent the lodge at the Area
conference.   30 Kaskanampo members attended the last Area V-D
conference in 1972 at Boxwell Scout Reservation, and placed second in
dance competetion.  Kaskanampo also received an award for their
presentation of "The Vanishing Apatche", a Native American play
depicting the Apatche Nation.  This program was also performed at the
1972 Area V-E conference at Camp Tuckabatchee, and on several occasions
within our council, including the 1972 Baden-Powell Council Jamboree. 
The Caddo Chapter members who were part of the presentation team had a
special patch on a neckerchief which they wore to distinguish themselves
as members of this team.


     As a result of Regional realignment in 1973, Kaskanampo Lodge
became a member of the new Southeast Region Section 4-A, meeting for the
first time with the other lodges of Alabama at the 1973 SE 4-A conclave
at Camp Horne.  At the 1976 Section conclave, Kaskanampo's Tim Kimbrell
was elected Section Chief to plan and preside over the 1977 SE 4-A
Conclave which was hosted by Kaskanampo at Camp Westmoreland, and
Kaskanampo's David Allen served as Section Secretary. During the Ordeals
that year, the "Elangomat Clan" system was first used, and 58 new
members were inducted. The 1977 NOAC at UT - Knoxville was attended by 8
lodge members, the largest contingent from any lodge in Alabama.  The
first Lodge "Fall Fellowship" was held in 1977 at Camp Jackson, (prior
to this the event had been called the Lodge "Pow-wow" and was held at
Westmoreland), and 32 members attended the weekend event. 

      In 1978, the lodge changed its flap design for the first time in
20 years, issuing the "Indian and Canoe" design with a FDL to comply
with National guidelines.  This new flap was first available at the
Spring Fellowship at Camp Jackson.  Kaskanampo's Chief Tim Hall was
elected Section Chief at the 1978 SE 4-A Conclave to preside over the
1979 SE 4-A Conclave held at Camp Tuckabatchee.


     Kaskanampo again hosted the SE 4-A conclave in 1984 at Camp
Jackson, and the lodge did an excellent job of hosting this event
despite almost constant rain throughout the weekend.  In 1986, the lodge
issued a flap with a pink background as a fund-raiser, and over $3000
was raised to purchase a new computer for the Council office.  In
addition, the last gold FDL "Indian and Canoe" flaps were sold at the
annual fall fellowship, and the new "underwater shell" flap was first
available at the December Lodge banquet held at Joe Wheeler State Park.  

     During 1987, the lodge participated in the first Council "Beaver
Day" at Camp Jackson, helping with several needed projects.  43
Kaskanampo delegates attended the 1987 SE 3 Section conclave at Camp
Tuckabatchee, where Kaskanampo's Chief Brennan Smith was elected Section
Vice-Chief, and the Lodge placed first in the OA Olympics and OA
Jeopardy.  Later that year, the Lodge constructed a barbeque pit at Camp
Jackson, and completed a landscaping project around the Council office
in Huntsville.  The 1987 Fall Fellowship returned to Camp Westmoreland
for the first time in several years, and the annual winter banquet saw
the first lodge "patch auction", which raised over $1,100 placed toward
the construction of a new trading post at Camp Jackson.

     In 1988,  the Lodge earned "National Honor Lodge" certification for
the first time since 1971, and the "Honor Chapter Award" was introduced,
renamed the Myron W. Cole Award in 1989 after this dedicated brother
passed away in the fall of 1988; 3 chapters earned it in its first
year:  Arapaho, Caddo, and Chiaha.  Work continued on the new Trading
Post and the new Health Lodge at Camp Jackson, which was ready by the
summer of 1989.  At the 1989 SE 3 Conclave held at Comer, Kaskanampo's
Vice-Chief Mike Sutton was elected as Section Chief, and Kaskanampo was
awarded "Best Demonstration" for their presentation of Indian Headdress
Neckerchief Slide construction, led by Dr. Tom Willis.

     The Order celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 1990, and 90
Kaskanampo members earned the OA 75th Anniversary Award.  50 Lodge
delegates attended the 1991 Section conclave, and Kaskanampo placed 2nd
in the volleyball competetion and 3rd place in the ceremony competetion.

     1993 brought another Region realignment, and Section SE 3 was
renamed Southern Region Section 8, adding Chattahoochie Lodge 204 and
Ini-To Lodge 324 to the ranks.  SR 8 first met at Camp Alaflo, where the
Kaskanampo Ceremony Team placed first in the ceremony competition.   At
the 1994 SR 8 Conclave, Kaskanampo's dance team placed 2nd, and the
ceremony team placed 4th in competition.  The ceremony team also
achieved "National Merit Status" in competition at the 1994 NOAC, and
Lance Putman finished 5th in the Vigil Ceremony competition. 
Tragically, Camp Jackson's Ranger George Smith was killed in a camp
accident in August '94, prompting the Lodge to dedicate the ongoing
restoration of the Camp's Administration Building to his memory, naming
it the George W. Smith OA Lodge and Training Center.


     Kaskanampo Lodge celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 1995, and
several commemorative patch issues were available throughout 1994 and
1995.  In addition, a 50th Anniversary Participation Award pin was
awarded to members who attended at least 4 of the 7 Lodge events during
the anniversary year; these were presented at the 1995 Lodge Banquet. 
The Ceremony Team again proved to be Section SR 8 Champions at the 1995
Conclave, and the OA Jeopardy team finished a close second.  The year
was filled with preparation and anticipation of the 1996 SR 8 Conclave,
hosted by Kaskanampo at Camp Jackson.  As in the past, the rains came
but did not dampen the spirit of fellowship shared by the 454
participants, and many commented that it was one of the best conclaves
ever.  The Lodge also had 30 delegates at the 1996 NOAC, and placed 2nd
in the basketball competition.

     Kaskanampo members are proud of the Lodge's heritage of cheerful
service to the Tennessee Valley Council, and pledge to continue this
tradition as a part of the new consolidated council.

        Kaskanampo Lodge 310  -  Lodge Chief Honor Roll

1945  Clyde Hoatlen         1966  Terry Stull          1986  Brennan Smith
1946  A. J. Coleman         1967  Klaus Heimburg       1987  Brennan Smith
1947  A. J. Coleman         1968  Curtis Youngblood    1988  Brennan Smith
1948  Bob Miller            1969  Manning Mauldin      1989  Dan Seymour
1949  Bob Miller            1970  Kevin Millen         1990  Dan Seymour
1950  Bill Lindsey          1971  David Strickland     1991  Ryan Strong
1951  Charles Nelson, Jr.   1972  Steve Miracle        1992  Chris Hooie
1952  Joe Allen Price       1973  James Vasil          1993  Jason Lindsey
1954  Milton Herrin         1974  Dale Golliver        1994  Jim Krell
1955  Bill Bowen            1975  Tim Kimbrell         1995  Robby Thomas
1956  Jim Marshall          1976  David Allen          1996  Robby Thomas
1957  Jimmy Brown           1977  Tim Hall             1997  Dan Watson
1958  Mike Roberts          1978  Tim Hall
1959  Robert Womack         1979  Chris Whitacre
1960  Robert Womack         1980  William Foxx
1961  Bill Hinshaw          1981  William Foxx
1962  James Stull, Jr.      1982  Jeff Gothard
1963  Jim Hayes             1983  Jeff Gothard
1964  Grigs Christopher     1984  Jeff Gothard
1965  Grigs Christopher     1985  Chris Humphries


     Founder's Award Recipients  -  Kaskanampo Lodge 310 

1984  Barry Oxley           1991  Chip DeRamus              1994  Lance Putman              
Jeff Gothard                      Mr. Dennis Morgan 
Mr. Hal Swartz
1988  Ray LeCroix           1992  Chris Hooie               1995  Sam Hetrick
1989  Brennan Smith               Mr. Walt Whitacre                             
Mr. Tom Hetrick
Mr. Don Burt                1993  Jason Lindsey             1996  Robby Thomas              
1990  Dan Seymour                 Mr. George Smith                Mr.Richard Willhite
Mr. Lynn Hagen