Ranachqua Lodge
Founded 1920
Ranachqua Lodge #4, the oldest Order of the Arrow lodge in the New York, Connecticut area, and the fourth to be formed in the United States, was founded in 1920 at Camp Ranachqua, which was located at the Kanowahke Lakes. When the lodge was founded the Order of the Arrow had not yet become an official part of the Boy Scouts of America. The first four members of Ranachqua lodge were inducted in the summer of 1920. The first four members were William Stumpp, Scout Executive of the Bronx Council, Dr. Fred Brown, Scout Commissioner, Ed Whelan, Field Scout Executive, and Dr. Karl Richter, Camp Director of Camp Ranachqua.
In 1927, Ranachqua Lodge was host, for the first time, to a National O.A. Convention. The convention was held at Camp Ranachqua located at Kanowahke lakes. In 1929, Camp Ranachqua moved to the Ten Mile River Scout Camps located in Narrowsbug, New York and joined the other Greater New York Council camps, to be a part of the Ten Mile River Scout Reservation.
The first lodge chief of Ranachqua Lodge, Mr. William Stumpp went on to serve as various positions in what was known as the Grand Lodge back in the mid to late 1920’s. Stumpp eventually became the Grand Scribe, and Grand Chieftain of the W.W.W. Stumpp was also awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 1940 along with E. Urner Goodman, and Carroll A. Edson.
Over the years Ranachqua Lodge has service the Bronx Council in many ways. In the earlier years they played a vital part in the construction of the new Camp Ranachqua located at the Ten Mile River Scout Camps as well as having an integral part of the camp program. All of the scouts looked forward to the 'tap outs' which were held a couple times over the course of the summer.
Overall, Ranachqua Lodge has come a long way since its inception in 1920. Out of a bright and rigourous past, the lodge has left its mark in many places and has produced some remarkable people. With a proud past as a foundation, Ranachqua Lodge #4 W.W.W. has high hopes of building an even brighter reputation in the years to come.