History of Itibapishe Iti Hollo
History of Itibapishe Iti Hollo
A History of Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service
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The Order of the Arrow: National Context
The Order of the Arrow: National Context
The Order of the Arrow was founded in 1915 by Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson at Treasure Island Scout Camp in Pennsylvania. Established to recognize Scouts who best exemplified cheerful service, the Order began as a local camp honor society known as Wimachtendienk. Its purpose was to identify those who placed service to others above self and to inspire them to continue that service beyond the campsite.
During the 1920s, the Order expanded beyond Treasure Island as other camps adopted the program. In 1921, representatives from the early lodges gathered for the first national meeting, marking the beginning of a unified national organization. As the Order distinguished itself through its emphasis on youth leadership and service, it gained increasing recognition within the Boy Scouts of America. In 1934, the OA was formally recognized within the BSA program, and in 1948, it became an official part of the Boy Scouts of America with the establishment of the National OA Committee and the first National Order of the Arrow Conference.
Throughout the mid-twentieth century, the Order continued to grow, even amid the disruptions of World War II. By the post-war era, hundreds of lodges existed nationwide, supported by standardized ceremonies, insignia, and governance. While outward forms evolved, the core ideals of Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service remained unchanged.
In the latter half of the twentieth century, the OA broadened its mission to include leadership development, conservation initiatives, national service projects, and high-adventure programs. Today, the Order of the Arrow remains a youth-led organization, with leadership positions reserved for members under 21, and more than one million individuals have been inducted since its founding.
Dr. Turner E. Goodman
Founding of Itibapishe Iti Hollo Lodge
Approximately twenty-five years after the founding of the Order of the Arrow, and as the OA had grown to 187 lodges nationwide, Itibapishe Iti Hollo Lodge was founded in 1940 as part of the Central North Carolina Council, which at the time was headquartered in Concord, North Carolina. The lodge name, Itibapishe Iti Hollo, translates to “brothers together,” a reflection of the spirit the founders sought to instill.
The lodge’s founders are believed to include V. Reary, N. Rabb, Ralph Mullinax, Hubert Powell, C. D. Hemphill, and George Thomason, who was serving as Scout Executive at the time. From its inception, Itibap quickly became an active and influential lodge within the region.
Early Growth and Regional Leadership
In its early years, Itibapishe Iti Hollo Lodge was a member of Area H, which encompassed many lodges that would later form Section SR-5 and extended south through Georgia into Florida. In 1944, the lodge became part of Region 6, Area I, alongside lodges from Greensboro, Raleigh, Wilson, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Reidsville, and High Point, while South Carolina lodges formed Area Z.During the World War II era, Itibap played a critical role in the growth of the Order of the Arrow in North Carolina. The lodge provided Ordeal and Brotherhood Honor teams for other lodges throughout the state and assisted in organizing Nayawin Rar Lodge 296 in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Under the leadership of Scout Executive G. E. Ashwill, Assistant Scout Executive Ralph P. Mullinax, C. D. Hemphill, and Hubert Powell, Itibapishe Iti Hollo successfully hosted Area Meetings at Morrow Mountain in 1946 and 1947, drawing more than 200 Arrowmen.
The 1946 meeting was particularly notable, as several Itibap Arrowmen received the Vigil Honor, an event that drew national attention and prompted discussion at the national level regarding Vigil Honor selections. The lodge’s first Vigil Honor members were N. Rabb and V. Reary, who received their Vigil Honor at the 1946 National Meeting held at Chanute Field.
Fellowships, Sections, and Recognition
Itibapishe Iti Hollo Lodge hosted the Dixie Fellowship for the first time in 1954 at Camp Dick Henning near Ellerbe, North Carolina. In later years, the lodge hosted the Dixie Fellowship in 1967, 1972, 1979, 2001, 2012, and 2022, all at Camp John J. Barnhardt in New London, North Carolina.In 1981, the lodge transitioned from the former Section 3B to Section 7, remaining there until January 1, 1997. During its time in Section 7, Itibap was consistently recognized for strong lodge spirit and participation. This recognition was highlighted in 1988 when the lodge earned the Spirit Award at the Old North State Conclave held at Camp Bowers. The following year, Itibapishe Iti Hollo hosted the conclave at Camp John J. Barnhardt. Itibap will host the Cornerstone Conclave next in 2031.
Anniversaries and Realignments
In 1990, Itibapishe Iti Hollo Lodge celebrated its 50th anniversary. The milestone was marked during Fall Fellowship, which drew more than 160 Arrowmen from across the region. A time capsule containing lodge and council memorabilia was sealed during the celebration, with plans to open it at the lodge’s 75th anniversary.
In April 1993, the lodge attended the final Section SE-7 Old North State Conclave hosted by Occoneechee Lodge 104. Following that event, sections were realigned, creating Section SR-7 within the newly formed Southern Region. Effective January 1, 1997, Itibap and two other North Carolina lodges moved from SR-7 to Section SR-5, which included lodges from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
The lodge celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2010, a year that coincided with the Boy Scouts of America’s centennial. Special anniversary patches and neckerchiefs were produced, making it a memorable year for the lodge.
The 85th anniversary was in 2025 and marked 80 years of strong Itibap pride. Its celebration was marked with a commemorative lodge flap.
Chapters, Modern Era, and Milestones
By the mid-2010s, the lodge underwent several structural changes to align with council realignments. In 2016, Itibapishe Iti Hollo adopted a five-chapter structure corresponding to council districts. In 2021, following a council reorganization into three districts, the lodge adjusted accordingly and established three chapters: Hmùkwinùnt (Cardinal), Onacona (White Owl), and Sënihële (Sparrow).The lodge’s 75th anniversary was celebrated in 2015 alongside the 100th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow. The lodge sent 75 members to the National Order of the Arrow Conference, and Fall Fellowship featured a special feast, a historical presentation, and a rededication ceremony led by the ceremonial team.
In recent years, Itibapishe Iti Hollo Lodge has continued to make history. In 2020, Ainsley Moore was elected as the lodge’s first female secretary. In 2021, Salem Fleming became the first female lodge vice chief, and Abigail Watson was elected as the first female chapter chief. In 2022, Abigail Watson was elected as the lodge’s first female lodge treasurer. That same year, the lodge successfully hosted Section Conclave, and Lodge Chief Andrew Adler was elected Section Chief. In the summer of 2022, the lodge sent 18 members to the National Order of the Arrow Conference at the University of Tennessee. Abigail went on to become the 2024 Section secretary and 2025 Section Vice Chief.
A Living Legacy
Looking ahead to 2026, Itibapishe Iti Hollo Lodge is also preparing for significant programmatic updates guided by national direction from the Order of the Arrow. These changes include the implementation of the updated induction and ceremonial experience, which places a renewed emphasis on reflection, purpose, and service while preserving the spirit and intent of the Order’s traditions. Adjustments to the Ordeal are designed to strengthen the meaning of the induction experience, ensure consistency across lodges, and better align the process with modern Scouting values and expectations.As part of these updates, the Order of the Arrow is also transitioning away from legacy terminology in favor of language that more clearly reflects its mission and values. This includes the retirement of older internal naming conventions and the adoption of terminology that emphasizes inclusivity, clarity, and the timeless principles of brotherhood and service. These changes do not alter the foundation of the Order, but rather ensure that its traditions remain meaningful and accessible to future generations of Arrowmen.
Itibapishe Iti Hollo Lodge is committed to implementing these updates thoughtfully and respectfully, ensuring that Arrowmen understand both the why behind the changes and the history that shaped the traditions they inherit. As the lodge enters this next chapter, it continues to balance respect for its past with a responsibility to evolve, remaining firmly grounded in the values that have guided it since 1940.
If you would like to provide some historical information to add to this page please reach out to Caleb Smith at lodgevicechief188@gmail.com
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