By Eric Zavinski
Most lodges have Ordeal weekends and lodge fellowships scheduled as a part of the yearly calendar, but these events are one and the same in Wenasa Quenhotan Lodge. The last event Lodge Chief Bobby Miller ran was one of two Ordeal-fellowship combos; the spring event was held at Ingersoll Scout Reservation in the W.D. Boyce Council in central Illinois from May 16th. Having coinciding events is not the only thing unique about this lodge. Miller says having four separate sites for the Ordeal, Brotherhood and Vigil ceremonies is, “a way to keep [the events] interesting.”
“In reality, these sites aren’t far away from the camp at all, but Arrowmen get to explore different parts of camp they don’t know about,” Miller said. “This makes for very special Brotherhood and Vigil hikes at Ingersoll. They all have what Miller refers to as a distinct, “mystical-type environment.”
Another unique thing to note about the camp is that these sites form a triangle on the camp map, taking symbolism to the next level. The most recent of Wenasa Quenhotan’s events was an exceptional success not only due to the integration of different events, but also because of the earlier Ordeal ceremony on Saturday. The decision to have an earlier ceremony was made so newly inducted members could bond with each other and the more senior Arrowmen. Doing so allowed members to explain more efficiently what the Ordeal and the OA are about.
“This allowed new members a chance to work and [bond] with these experienced Arrowmen,” Miller concluded.
With more time, new Arrowmen could better decide which roles they would play in the lodge while also taking a break from a long day of service to focus on the brotherly aspects of the Order. All of this placed a great emphasis on membership retention, hopefully keeping new members interested and engaged further into the lodge’s future. With 37 new Ordeal members and 13 new Brotherhood members inducted into Wenasa Quenhotan in May alone, Miller looks forward to a fall Ordeal and fellowship weekend that is expected to be even more fruitful and just as rewarding as the last.