A history of Wagion Lodge 6

As listed in the lodge handbook, July 1995 edition. Unknown original author. Updated with information since 1995 by Dan Wright

Boy Scouting first appeared in the Westmoreland Fayette counties in 1911. In 1920 a First-Class Council was organized at Uniontown in Fayette County.

John Getz, Scout Executive of the Uniontown, Pennsylvania Council, sent a formal application "for the institution of a Lodge of the Wimachatendienk" to E. Urner Goodman, Scout Executive in Philadelphia on June 7, 1921. The Lodge became known as Umpah Lodge and was associated with the Scout Camp at Confluence, Pennsylvania. The Lodge was chartered under the supervision of Mr. Getz and operated under the auspices of the Philadelphia council. The totem for Umpah was a buffalo.

Because of financial constraints, Umpah lodge #6 did not send a delegation to the Order's first area meet held at Camp Twin Echo near Ligonier, PA. However, John Getz (who had previously worked in the Philadelphia council with E. Urner Goodman) did attend as the lodge's sole constituent.

Mr. R.C. Witt became the Scout Executive in Uniontown late 1923. After several unsuccessful attempts to keep Umpah Lodge organized, he finally recommended on May 15, 1925 that the Lodge be considered inactive.

Owing to financial and other problems that developed, the Fayette County Council dissolved. Troops were placed on direct service with the National Council.

In the late 1920's, the Scouts that camped at Camp Wildwood near Normalville, PA started a fraternity organization. They named their organization the Wigwam Lodge and their totem was a chenille of an Indian Chief's profile. Their ceremonies for induction were based on Indian customs and fraternity type initiations.

This lodge was not affiliated with the Order of the Arrow but operated parallel to Wagion Lodge, which afterward formed at Camp Wesco. The Wigwam dissolved after the Council closed Camp Wildwood. At the time of the closing (cira 1948-49), all Wigwam members were given the opportunity to transfer as Ordeal members into Wagion Lodge. They had one year to do this. After one year's time they had to be elected and take the Ordeal in the normal manner.

In September of 1937, the Westmoreland County Council absorbed the Fayyette County Council forming the Westmoreland-Fayette Council. It then went through a process of applying for a new charter in the Order of the Arrow. On March 24th, 1939 the Lodge elected it's first Lodge Chief, Thoburn Snyder, and informed the National Lodge of its intention to become a lodge in the Order of the Arrow. This new lodge became known as Wagion Lodge and was assigned the Lodge number 147. The name WAGION was derived from the Indian word meaning Thunderbird. It was chosen as our totem since it symbolized good luck.

The final application for lodge 147 was received by the national council and accepted on May 5th, 1939. 8 days later on May 13th, 1939 Mr. H. Lloyd Nelson, nation scribe, informed Wagion that the numbering of the lodge was incorrect, and that the lodge should have been numbered as lodge 6 since it revived the old Umpah Lodge of Uniontown.

Mr. J. T. Ewing, the first Scout Executive of the new Council did much to insure the growth of Scouting and prosperity of our Lodge. The 88 Troops of the new Council camped at Camp Wesco and Camp Wildwood. As Scouting and interest in camping grew the Council secured the use of Camp Pleasant in Laurel Hill State Park. This camp now is known as group camp #2 in the park.

In 1943, at Camp, representatives from old Anicus Lodge inducted nine of our Brothers into the Brotherhood. The Arrow Ring at Camp Wesco was placed on the ridge of the hill opposite the Dining Hall. Today you are aware of it by the circle of hemlock trees which were planted around it.

Camp Conestoga was secured in 1949 and developed for the increasing number of Scouts. The first O.A. circle at Camp Conestoga was placed in the wooded area behind the rifle range and just behind the Shawnee Campsite. Our present circle was built in 1953 in preparation for the Area Fellowship Conclave held at Conestoga the following year. No major changes were made untill 1965 when the circle seating was replaced for the first time with the old log seats from the Barclay Campfire Circle (and have been replaced three times since), the candle holders were converted from logs to steel pipe, and the bear-skin back drop was replaced. Other changes at that time included: constructing the altar behind the circle with stones from Wesco, building a new shed for storage, cementing the stone alters, planting trees, etc.

Between 1954 and 1973 our lodge was assigned to Area 3-F. The outstanding leadership development provided by our Lodge produced two Area conference chiefs: Art Seitz in 1956 and Ed Lewis in 1966. We also produced an Area Leader who received the Distinguished Service Award. In addition, several other Lodge brothers have held Area offices and various Area Committee Chairmanships. Wagion hosted the Area Conferences of 1954, 1960, 1966 and 1972.

In June, 1973, Northeast Section 5-C was organized and replaced the former Area 3-F. Wagion Lodge has provided leaders for the Section since its inception. Wagion Lodge had the honor of providing the first Section Chief, Vince Johnson (1973-74). Mitch Clauser (1976-77), Tom Vater (1979-80), Dave Hostoffer (1982-83), and Mark Henry (1985-87) also have served as Section 5-C Chiefs. In 1982, Charles L. Dunn was appointed Section 5-C advisor. Wagion Lodge has been one of the strongest lodges in the Section since its beginning. Wagion has hosted the Section Conclave in 1976, 1984, and 1992.

Service to the Council's camps has been the highlight of our accomplishments. Among the projects completed at Conestoga were: The purchase of resuscitation equipment for the swimming pool, the purchase and installation of metal flagpoles at the main parade ground, at Ruth Rhoda Lake, and at the Buck Run parade grounds; the five time renovations of Barclay campfire circle, the building of the Wagion Training Center (Aug. 1965), and the two time renovation of the Camp Shower House which is now the visitors restroom facility (as of 1990). The lodge has also built a paint shed for the camp, a large Handicrafts Pavilion on the path to Barclay Campfire Circle (1980's), and smaller Pavilions in the Grove, Hill, and Buck Run. In 1985, the Lodge re-shingled the Wagion Training Center, Miller's Lodge, several Latrines, and the Dining Hall. In 1986, re-shingling continued with the Staff Lodge, Administration Building, Health Lodge, and Activities Buildings on area at Camp Buck Run and performed a variety of maintenance projects at Conestoga and Camp Tenacharison.

In fulfilling the Order of the Arrow goals of Boypower "76" program, Wagion Lodge received the National Standard Lodge Award many times. We also received the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award for outstanding camping promotion in 1972.

In 1987 the Lodge re-did the concrete pool apron and built Wolenter Lodge at Camp Tenacharison. In 1988-1989 the Lodge built the Grove and Hill Showerhouses and the Scruggs Pavilion at Camp Tenacharison. In 1991 the Lodge built a Boat Tower near Ruth Rhoda Lake. In 1993 the Lodge constructed the showerhouse at Camp Buck Run. In 1994 the Lodge built the Buck Run pavilion and in 1995 two flush toilets on each ridge at Buck Run.

A service project completed in 2001 was the completion of Rohrbacker lodge, a brand new central building at Camp Conestoga, replacing the old camp office and health lodge.

In 1997, Section NE-5 was re-aligned. At that time, Wagion bid goodbye to it's brothers in Langundowi #46, Gyantwatchia #255, and Ho-Nan-Ne-Ho-Ont #165 lodges. Wagion then became a member of section NE-4B along with Enda Lechahaune #57, Monaken #103, Ah'Tic #139, Kuskitanne #168, Nachamawat #275, and Ahtuhquog #540 lodges. Wagion has had several NE-4B Chiefs including John Krempecki (2000-01), Ken Hager (2006-07), and the very last Chief of the old NE-4B: Tom Price (2007-08). Additionally, during that time, Ken Hager went on to become the Northeast Region Chief. Wagion hosted NE-4B conclaves in 2001 and 2008.

In 2008, at the conclusion of the Section Conclave at Camp Conestoga, section NE-4B was re-aligned once again. Although we kept the same section number, we bid goodbye to our brothers from Ah'Tic #139 and Kuskitanne #168. This left us as a 5-lodge section: Wagion #6, Enda Lechahaune #57, Monaken #103, Nachamawat #275, and Ahtuhquog #540. Wagion had the honor of providing the very first Section Chief for the new NE-4B: Allen Martello (2008-09).

Wagion Lodge has grown to become one of the strongest Lodges in the Arrow program. Our officers and committee chairmen have worked continuously to provide a well-rounded program aimed at carrying out the objectives of the Order of the Arrow. We, as a Lodge, have done much to be proud of and grown to be a vital part of the camping program in the Westmoreland Fayette Council, B.S.A.

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