Monaken Lodge

Monaken Lodge is an Order of the Arrow Lodge sponsored by the . The Lodge serves Mifflin and Juniata Counties, and a majority of both Centre and Huntingdon Counties. Monaken Lodge was formed in 1937 by then-Camp Director Jack Swetek; it will celebrate its 75th Anniversary in 2012. The Lodge's totem is the Woodchuck, which means "Digging Implement."

The Lodge does service work at Camp Seven Mountains, in Spring Mills, PA and uses the Camp for a majority of its events.

History
The Lodge was first chartered in 1937 by Camp Director Jack Swetek and Program Director Reed Babcook who inducted the staff of Camp Auquanoshioni (later known as Seven Mountains Scout Camp) as the first members. Although the original charters names us as Juniata Lodge, local records indicate we were known as Monaken Lodge. On July 28, 1937 a call out ceremony was performed to recognize the staff as candidates for membership in the Order of the Arrow. In the fall of that year, an Ordeal was held. It is believed that Mr. Swetek and Mr. Babcook were Arrowmen from other parts of the state and could have done the induction. In 1939 nine Brothers were elevated to the Brotherhood Honor at a Pow Wow held in Virginia. In 1948, the first three Vigil members were inducted at Seven Mountains Scout Camp by Mr. Hocksworth. Research continues.

In 1942, the Lodge Secretary had all of the Lodge records in the Indian Village Cabin at Seven Mountains Scout Camp. While attending a meeting at the Dining Hall, the cabin caught fire and all the records were destroyed. This is a reason for confusion about our early years.

In 1953, Monaken Lodge was a member of Area 3A and hosted the annual Area Pow Wow. Before long, the state realigned and Monaken Lodge fell into Area 3E and held Area Pow Wows in 1959 and 1967. 1974 meant a new national restructure and a new Section for us: NE-5B. We hosted three Section NE-5B Conclaves (1975, 1981, and 1987). After yet another restructuring in 1988, the Lodge settled into Section NE-5. We hosted the 1997 Section NE-5 Conclave at Seven Mountains Scout Camp. In 1998, the final national restructure was completed and Monaken Lodge combined with six other Lodges to form Section NE-4B. The Lodge has hosted one Conclave, in 2004, in this Section.

Over the past 71 years, the Lodge has earned numerous Sectional and National recognitions including the prestigious E. Urner Goodman Camping Award. Many lasting project have improved the camp facilities including Rimmey Lodge, the Maintenance Shed, the OA and Pool Pavilions, the Campfire Circle, the Chapel, the Cross-Over Bridge, etc. Many members have been instrumental in other camp improvements including the new campsites, Nature Lodge, Dining Hall, Trading Post, Rover Cabin, Pool, Shooting Sports, and many more.

Rimmey Lodge
In 2008, the Lodge will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Rimmey Lodge. The Lodge (which was built by Monaken Lodge and funded by members of the Council) was dedicated in 1983 in memory of Joseph Rimmey, a fellow Arrowman who was killed in a car accident.

Recently the Lodge has been working to improve the front landscape of the Lodge. The Lodge's plans for improving the landscape are: removing the shrubs, telephone poles, and flagpole (which was completed in 2007). In the spring of 2008, Brothers of the Lodge will install custom engraved bricks (a fund raising project started to raise money to complete interior renovations) in the ground to form a new walkway which will lead from the headstone in front of the Lodge to the Lodge itself.

At the 2007 Fall Ordeal, a member of the Lodge discovered an engraved plaque in the ground. The plaque was covered by overgrown grass and dirt for many of years. Under the plaque is a time capsule that was buried during the Lodge's 50th Anniversary. The time capsule will be opened during the Lodge's 75th Anniversary.

Chapters
The Lodge has 3 Chapters which correspond with each District in the Council:
* Shawnee Chapter - Shawnee District, which encompasses Mifflin and Juniata Counties
* Oneida Chapter - Oneida District, which encompasses a majority of Huntingdon County
* Nittany Chapter - Nittany Mountain District, which encompasses a majority of Centre County

Events
The Lodge has 6 events throughout the course of a year.
* February Pow Wow. The event is primarily a free weekend for Lodge members. There is a brunch served Saturday and a variety of activities available throughout the weekend, including: committee fair, ceremonies competition, and indoor and outdoor games.
* Chapter Weekend. This is a Chapter event. Lodge members stay with their respective Chapters for the weekend for fun and fellowship. Saturday, the Lodge holds a Woodchuck Work Day to do service for Camp Seven Mountains.
* Spring Ordeal. The biggest weekend the Lodge has, the Lodge prepares the Camp for summer use. Sunday, Founder's Award nominees are selected and Lodge and Chapter nominations are conducted.
* Section Conclave. This is the event where all 7 Lodges in Section NE-4B gather for a weekend of fun, fellowship, and training. Each Lodge hosts the Conclave once every 7 years (the Lodge last hosted the Conclave in 2004 and will host it again in 2011).
* Fall Ordeal. After the summer season, the Lodge prepares camp for winter use. Sunday, the Lodge selects 2 Founder's Award recipients (1 youth and 1 adult) which will be presented at the Family Banquet. Also conducted is the Chapter and Lodge Officer Elections, the newly elected officers take office October 1.
* Woodchuck Ordeal. Any service work that is needed to be done is accomplished during this weekend. Saturday night is the infamous Woodchuck Wing Off: where Members compete too see who can eat the most Wings!
* Family Banquet. The event where Family member and Lodge members gather for an evening meal, which features a guest speaker. Previous guest speakers include: Council Presidents, Section Chiefs, Judges, Past Lodge Chiefs, and many more. Presented at the Family Banquet is the 2 Founder's Award recipients (1 youth and 1 adult). The meal is held in each Chapter once every 3 years (Nittany hosted it in 2007, Oneida will host it in 2008, and Shawnee will host it in 2009).

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