Owaneco Lodge
Founded 1998
When the Connecticut Yankee Council was formed in January 1998, OA members from the two former Council Lodges (Tankiteke 313 and Arcoon 369) formed a lodge steering committee.
A total of six meetings were needed to complete the merger between the two Lodges. At their first meeting on February 14, 1998, basic structure of the Lodge was discussed and another meeting was scheduled for March 22. During the second meeting, the committee focused on Committee responsibilities. The third meeting (May 4) the committee made plans for a joint June Ordeal and briefly discussed bylaws and Lodge names. A name was agreed upon during the fourth meeting (August 14) where the committee decided that there would be one Fellowship instead of two separate ones. Bylaws were also written and finalized. At the fifth meeting (August 23), the committee planned the Fall Fellowship and discussed what events the new Lodge would hold. During the final meeting (September 20), the committee made finishing touches on the Fellowship plans.
The 1998 Fall Fellowship 'In the Morning of a New Day' would serve to be the first event as one Lodge. During the weekend, members of both Lodges enjoyed food, fun, games, fellowship, and brotherhood. On Sunday October 4, 1998, Owaneco Lodge 313 was born. This historic event took place during the first Lodge meeting where the Lodge membership approved the Lodge Name, Number, and Bylaws. The first group of Lodge Officers were also selected at that time. Garland Jackson was elected Lodge Chief. Chapters remained the same within the Lodge to make a total of seven: Aschewon (Sleeping Giant District), Keewayden (Lighthouse District), Ockenuck (Wepawaug Valley District), Pequot (Nutmeg District), Powahay (Powahay District), Saganaw (Saganaw District), and Scatacook (Scatacook District).
The Lodge’s first year the Executive Committee worked to mold the new Lodge program. Several changes were made by the Lodge’s Executive Committee to combine the traditions of Tankiteke and Arcoon and adapt a new Lodge program. It was also during 1998 when Ockenuck Chapter re-named itself to the Arcoon Chapter. On the Section level, Jeff Berkowitz was elected as the Section NE-3A Vice Chief and Adam Fromm was elected as the Section Secretary. Jeff later finished the year as the Section Chief when the position became vacant.
The 1999-2000 Lodge year began with the election of Eric Boehm to the position of Lodge Chief at the 1999 June Ordeal. The Lodge continued to sharpen and make changes to the Lodge program. At the Section NE-3A Conclave, Bill Chin was elected as the Section Vice Chief. The Lodge sent two youths and an adult to the first ever National Leadership Summit at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Lodge Chiefs and other youth officers from all across the country met to discuss and plan the National Order of the Arrow program. Bill Chin also attended the event and represented the Section. During the year, seven Chapters became six when Pequot (Nutmeg) and Saganaw (Saganaw) combined to form the new Chief Pomperaug Chapter (Pomperaug District). It was also during the 1999 year that Owaneco Lodge achieved 'Honor Lodge' for the first time in its short history.
In the 2000-2001 Lodge year, Damien Becroft was selected to serve as Lodge Chief at the June Ordeal. In the summer of 2000, the Lodge went to its first National Order of the Arrow Conference at the University of Tennessee. The Lodge sent a spirited contingent of 16 youth, 6 adults, and 3 youth staff members to the Conference. The Ceremonies Team comprised of Mike McCann, Bob Kravecs, Michael Card, and Rob Emerson was awarded National 'Honor' status for their performance in the Pre-Ordeal Ceremony. Bill Chin was also awarded 'Honor' status for his performance in the Vigil Honor Ceremony. Later in the year, the Lodge donated $7500 for the construction of new latrines at Camp Sequassen. The Executive Committee also decided to switch the Fall Fellowship and May Ordeal weekends. This switch was made in order to give Ordeal candidates more time to prepare for their Ordeal weekend after their Call Out ceremony during the Spring Camporees. The Lodge’s first Spring Fellowship weekend was held in May of 2001.
The 2001-2002 Lodge year saw the election of Bob Kravecs as Owaneco’s forth Lodge Chief. The phrase, 'Catch the Higher Vision,' was chosen as the theme for the year. The Lodge focused on increasing active membership and improving Lodge events. In addition the Lodge Officers worked to strengthen the core committees of the Lodge. The Lodge sent its first contingent to a National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill.
In June of 2002, Bob Kravecs was re-elected as Lodge Chief, making him the Lodge’s first multiple term Lodge Chief. The theme, 'For He Who Serves His Fellows is of All His Fellows Greatest,' was selected as the theme for the year. In the summer of 2002, a contingent of 13 youth, 5 adults, 4 youth staff, and 3 adult staff members to the campus of Indiana University for the National Order of the Arrow Conference. The Lodge will spend the 2002-2003 year focusing on building the Chapter program, increasing youth participation, and preparing for the 2003 Section NE-2C Conclave which will be held at Camp Sequassen and hosted by Owaneco Lodge.