Immokalee Lodge 353

Founding and Chartering of Immokalee Lodge
Immokalee Lodge (#353) of the Order of the Arrow was officially chartered on January 17, 1947, as part of Chehaw Council. Even when Chehaw Council changed its name to Southwest Georgia Council in 1984—and later reverted to Chehaw Council in 2005—Immokalee Lodge remained the Order of the Arrow lodge for the council. Although the charter came in 1947, the Lodge had been organized two years earlier in 1945.

Early History and First Members
The original members of Immokalee Lodge were selected by the council and inducted at the Area J Conclave in Jacksonville, Florida, from November 2–4, 1945. Known charter members included Luther Wood, Jr. (Albany), Jimmy Buchanan (Americus), Billy Morton (Tifton), Henry David “Sonny” Collier (Tifton), and a Scout with the last name Williams (Colquitt). Luther Wood, Jr. served as the Lodge Chief from 1945 to 1947.

The Name and Its Origins
According to Luther Wood, Jr., the name "Immokalee" was chosen by council professionals without input from the youth. The name comes from the Miccosukee word “Ah-mo-glee,” meaning “my home” or “my place.” As the Miccosukee and Seminole tribes merged in the 1800s, the word evolved into “Immokalee.” The name is considered Seminole in origin and is not found in the Creek language, which uses “Cuko” for “house.”

Membership and Publications
Over the years, Immokalee Lodge’s membership averaged around 200, including youth and adults. The first recorded count in December 1960 showed 98 members: 65 Ordeal, 31 Brotherhood, and 2 Vigil. Membership peaked at 225 in 2001. The Lodge newsletter, Owl Hoot, began publication on December 27, 1960, and ran until December 2011. In 1998, under Ben Horton’s leadership, the Lodge launched one of the first lodge websites.

Youth Leadership and Section Involvement
The Order of the Arrow is a youth-led organization, with members considered "youth" until age 21. Immokalee Lodge has seen three of its members rise to Section Chief positions: Ben Horton (1987–1989, Section S4), Troy Golden (1990–1991, Section SE4), and Jason Adams (2002, Section S4N). Several others held Section positions such as Vice Chief, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian.

Totem and Patches
The long-eared owl, seen flying over the first tap-out ceremony, became Immokalee Lodge’s totem. Early identification patches were right pocket patches until flap patches became standard in the late 1950s. The first flap patch, known as the S1, was designed in 1958 by Ken Hancock, a local artist from Tifton. The owl emblem featured prominently, reinforcing the owl’s symbolism as the guardian of the Lodge.

Service and Chapter Structure
Immokalee Lodge provided critical support to Camp Osborn, including summer camp staff and maintenance. In 1994, the Lodge introduced a special gold-bordered “service flap” to honor Arrowmen who met specific service and participation criteria. The Lodge originally organized chapters based on council districts, but due to small size, disbanded them in 2004. They were reinstated in 2009 as North and South Chapters.

Legends and Lore of Immokalee
Immokalee Lodge embraces a legend tied to its name and to Radium Springs (formerly Skywater) near Albany, GA. According to lore, the Spirit Owl “Immokalee” appeared in a dream to Ponce de Leon and guided him away from Skywater to protect the magical spring. A second legend tells how during the Lodge's first tap-out, an owl appeared and inspired the adoption of the owl as totem. These legends form the mythical identity of the Lodge known as the “Legion of Immokalee."

For more information go to: http://www.withlacoocheelodge.org/353/The%20History%20of%20Immokalee%20Lodge.pdf