Wahunsenakah issues Fellowship and Summer Service weekend patches

Wahunsenakah Lodge 333 held their final event at Bayport Scout Reservation on August 14-16, called the "Bayport Bash." The event served as their fellowship weekend, and a triangle-shaped patch was issued featuring E. Urner Goodman as the first recipient of the Vigil Honor.

Camp Pipsico was the site of Wahunsenakah's Summer Service weekend, held September 18-20. A turtle shaped patch picturing Arrowmen from different eras of Scouting was issued. Both emblems were designed by Barry Green, and include the Centennial totem recognizing 2015 as the 100th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow.

Wahunsenakah 'Bayport Builder' flaps issued

The Wahunsenakah Lodge special edition flaps to raise funds for an OA Shelter at Bayport Scout Reservation are out. The flaps were sold via preorder and are now shipping. The fundraiser flap patch is solid blue with ghosted design pictured above. There are three versions: blue border/lettering sold for $5 each, silver mylar border/lettering for $20, and a gold mylar border/lettering  only available in a set of all three for $75.

Wahunsenakah Spring Service patch continues military theme

Wahunsenakah Lodge 333 continued their "Saluting the Military theme" for their Spring Service weekend patch. The Spring Service weekend was held May 16-18 at Bayport Scout Reservation and the oval patch issued for the event features a jeep and truck in salute to Fort Eustis Military Transportation.

You can see all of the activity patches issued by Wahunsenakah Lodge since 1996 here.

Wahunsenakah Winter Service Weekend patch issued

Wahunsenakah Lodge issued their first activity patch of 2014 for their Winter Service Weekend, held Feb. 21-23 at Bayport Scout Reservation.

The solid embroidered oval pocket patch with attached button loop pictures an F-22 fighter jet against a sunset over water background, with "Saluting Our Military - Langley Air Force Base" lettering in addition to the Lodge and event names.

Recognizing the military is an especially appropriate theme for the Lodge's 2014 event patches since the Hampton Roads area the council serves (along with neighboring Tidewater Council) has the largest concentration of military bases and facilities of any metropolitan area in the world. Nearly one-fourth of the nation’s active-duty military personnel are stationed in Hampton Roads (Wikipedia).

Established in 1916, Langley Air Force Base is one of the oldest continuously active  air bases in the United States. Today it is headquarters of the Air Combat Command and home of the 1st Fighter Wing whose 27th Fighter Squadron and 94th Fighter Squadron fly the Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor.

Final 2013 Wahunsenakah Activity patch

Wahunsenakah Lodge 333 held their final activity of 2013, the Holiday Banquet, on December 7 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Smithfield, VA. To commemorate the occasion a large oval pocket patch with attached button loop was issued that continues the theme of prior 2013 event patches featuring ceremonial team members.

The Holiday Banquet patch includes all four of the characters from the Ordeal ceremony. From left to right: Nutiket (Guardian),  Kichkinet (Guide),  Allowat Sakima (Mighty Chief), and Meteu (Medicine Man). These characters were featured on the Summer Service, Spring Service, Fall Fellowship, and Winter Service patches, respectively. You can view pictures of all Wahunsenakah activity patch issues here.

The OA History Timeline has a wealth of fascinating information about the history of Order of the Arrow ceremonies. Check it out.

Wahunsenakah Service flap gets new issue number

Unless you were watching very closely, you may have missed the latest new flap issue from Wahunsenakah Lodge 333. Released at the Fall Fellowship, the new fully embroidered S51 issue is virtually a twin of the S2 service flap which has been around since the Lodge was established in January of 1996.

The classic design is the same, but the size is noticeably bigger. While there were many loom runs of the S2 over the past 17 years, resulting in many minor variations, they were all essentially the same size. When the latest reorder of the Wahunsenakah service flap was received Lodge collectors quickly noticed that the new patches were both wider and taller than any previous order.

Dr. Barry Green, Insignia Design Advisor for Wahunsenakah, spoke with Kelly Williams of the Krelman Company, manufacturer of the Lodge 333 flaps, and learned that the patches were enlarged to comply with new National regulations that specify a 5" width. The original S2 flaps were 4 5/8" wide. To accommodate the larger size the design components of the patch were enlarged, including the lodge name and number lettering, FDL, and reeds in the water. The increased size of the ducks makes the white tips of the blue feathers much more prominent. There are also evident color differences in the red and green areas, as well as a more blue appearance of the border rather than the teal of the S2.

 Dr. Green pointed out that the intent was not to make a new "issue," but to comply with the directive from National to meet the new guidelines. After collaborating with Trading Post Advisor Larry Johnson and noted collector Rob Kutz, Dr. Green confirmed that the changes to the service flap were so significant as to merit classification as a new issue, so it is now considered S51. It will be interesting to see how many new issues from other Lodges will be created by the new flap size guidelines. Below are some additional pictures that illustrate the comparative size differences between the smaller S2 service flap and the new larger S51 issue.

New 333 metal flaps with FDLs issued

In May of 2013 Wahunsenakah Lodge issued two metal flaps, each manufactured by The Witch Trail Committee of Mansfield MA, who also produced the first lodge belt buckle. Like the buckle, the metal flaps featured the design of the S2 service flap. Upon receipt of the finished flaps the lodge noticed that the manufacturer inadvertently left out the fleur-de-lis. Rather than return the flaps they were sold and a corrected version ordered. The new versions complete with FDL in each design were recently released. Like the first versions, there is a pewter version (the 333 M4) and a gold wash finish version (333 M5). Both can be purchased by any member of the Lodge, but the gold version is restricted to wear by youth members of the Lodge Executive Committee.

Wahunsenakah issues Fall Fellowship patch

Bayport Scout Reservation in Jamaica, VA was the site of the Wahunsenakah Lodge 333 Fall Fellowship on October 25-27. Following the theme of other activity patches issued by the lodge this year, the patch for the event features a Scout in the ceremonial dress of Allowat Sakima, the Mighty Chief.

Eleven new Vigil Honor members of the Lodge were recognized at the Fall Fellowship.

Wahunsenakah issues Summer Service patch

Wahunsenakah Lodge 333 held their annual Summer Service weekend Sept. 12-14, 2013 at Bayport Scout Reservation in Jamaica, VA. The 3" round patch issued for the event continues in the series of 2013 activity emblems by picturing a member of the ceremonial team. This patch features Nutiket, the Guardian.

Wahunsenakah issues Spring Service patch

Wahunsenakah Lodge held their Spring Service weekend May 17-19 at Bayport Scout Reservation, and issued the patch pictured above, a 3 inch solid embroidered round pocket patch featuring the Guide Kichkinet.

Wahunsenakah issues two new metal flaps

Wahunsenakah Lodge recently issued two new metal flaps, each manufactured by the Witch Trail Committee of Mansfield, MA who also made the first Lodge belt buckle. Like the buckle, the new M2 and M3 metal flaps are replicas of the S2 service flap.

The metal flaps were available via preorder at a cost of $15 for the pewter M2 and $20 for the M3 which features a gold wash finish (see above). Both can be purchased by any member of the Lodge, but the M3 is only authorized for wear by youth members of the Lodge Executive Committee.

The manufacturer inadvertently omitted the fleur-de-lis from these versions, and a corrected reorder is planned for later this spring.

Wahunsenakah issues Winter Service patch

Wahunsenakah Lodge held their first event of 2013, the Winter Service weekend at Bayport Scout Reservation, on February 22-24. The 3" round patch includes a pocket loop and features a Scout playing the role of Meteu.

Wahunsenakah issues pewter belt buckle

At their annual Holiday Banquet on December 1, 2012 a new pewter belt buckle for Wahunsenakah Lodge was sold for the first time. The design mirrors that of the Lodge's official service flap, the S2.

100 of the buckles were made, and they were sold for $15.00 each.

The buckle was manufactured by the Witch Trail Committee of Mansfield, MA. This nonprofit group was originally formed in 1968 by a Scout troop that set out to research and document an historic trail as a troop project. Since the Freedom Trail in Boston already existed the troop decided to document the history of the witch hysteria of the 1600's in nearby Salem. After submitting their report to the national office the Witch Trail was declared an historical BSA trail. It was the first of nine trails researched, documented, cleaned, and marked by the group, which supports itself through the sale of books, patches, and pewter medals for each of the trails.

The group also designs and creates custom pewter bolo ties, buckles, medals, and medallions, specializing in Order of the Arrow, Wood Badge, and other Scout related subjects. You can view samples of their work on their web site. I think the Wahunsenakah buckle is the nicest one they have ever produced!

Fake Wahunsenakah jacket patch surfaces

Unauthorized version of 333 J-1 jacket patch

In November of 2012 a Wahunsenakah Lodge 333 jacket patch was listed on eBay for sale by a seller from Hong Kong. To those not familiar with the official issues of the lodge it appeared perfectly legitimate. In fact, even to those familiar with the official issues of the lodge it probably appears perfectly legitimate. Although the design of the patch is spot on, there are color differences that identify it as an item that was never issued by the Lodge:

• The border is red, rather than the black border of the official issue.
• The background of the wildlife scene with three ducks is light blue rather than the silver-gray of the official issue.

Otherwise the design is virtually identical which suggests that the patch was made from the original embroidery pattern. Given the scarcity of this variety it is probable that this patch was perhaps a manufacturer's sample rather than a full loom run.

Official version of 333 J-1 jacket patch

You can view full sized versions of both the official and the newly discovered red border variety on the Wahunsenakah Emblems-Other page on kecoughtan.com here.

Thanks to Larry Johnson for the picture and information about the red-bordered 333 ZJ-1 jacket patch.

Wahunsenakah issues Holiday Banquet patch

The Brothers of Wahunsenakah Lodge 333 gathered for their annual Holiday Banquet on December 1. Hosted by Pamunkey Chapter, the banquet was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Hampton. Guest speaker for the event was Eagle Scout and Brotherhood Member, Mr. Parrish Crosby; Virginia Air and Space Museum Scout Liaison.

In keeping with the prior 2012 activity patch theme of recognizing the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, the Holiday Banquet patch issued for the occasion features a scene from the Battle of Williamsburg, inspired by the 1893 illustration of the event by Kurz and Allison entitled Battle of Williamsburg-Gen. Hancock's charge, May 5, 1862 (pictured below).

The activity patches for Wahunsenakah Lodge this year have been outstanding examples of utilizing local features to highlight the unique culture and history of the region served by the Council and Lodge. The Lodge Insignia Committee deserves recognition for taking the time and effort to insure that the event patches served as far more than generic or standard themed emblems, but instead paid tribute to a significant part of our nation's past while highlighting the local areas involved. I am sorry to see the year end and the series completed. It will be a hard act to follow!

On the last weekend of October the brothers of Wahunsenakah Lodge 333 celebrated their Fall Fellowship at Bayport Scout Reservation, with an event that was cut short by the impending arrival of Hurricane Sandy.

The Lodge issued an oval activity patch commemorating the Battle of Yorktown as the fifth of their series honoring the Civil War Sesquicentennial. The final patch of the series will be for the last Lodge activity of 2012, the Holiday Banquet held in December.

Thanks to Larry Johnson for the picture of the Fall Fellowship patch.

Wahunsenakah issues Summer Service patch

Wahunsenakah Lodge held their Summer Service weekend September 14-16 at Bayport Scout Reservation, and issued their fourth oval activity patch in a series recognizing the Civil War Sesquicentennial. This patch honors the Battle of Big Bethel, the first land battle of the war inVirginia, which occurred on June 10, 1861.

333 issues rubber duck flap

Wahunsenakah Lodge recently issued their first flap shaped emblem that is not fully embroidered. In fact, it's not even cloth. The bright yellow issue made of rubber, is the same color as a bathtub duck, and actually has a design featuring a bathtub duck.

The emblem was issued for the 2012 National Order of the Arrow Conference which will be held July 30 through August 4 at Michigan State University.

The lodge also issued 2 two-part sets of flaps with a corresponding pocket part. The delegate version has a silver border of both parts, while the trader version has a white border. In keeping with the Lodge's theme of recognizing the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, the pocket piece features the Monitor and Merrimac naval battle of Hampton Roads. The flap features silhouettes of Civil War leaders superimposed over the first national flag of the Confederacy and the United States flag. You can view these and all Wahunsenakah Lodge flap and pocket part issues here.

Wahunsenakah issues 2012 Spring Service patch

Lodge 333 held their annual Spring Service Weekend at Bayport Scout Reservation May 18-20 and issued a third oval activity patch in their series recognizing the Civil War Sesquicentennial. This patch honors historic Fort Monroe.

Wahunsenakah issues 2012 LLDC patch

On March 24 Wahunsenakah Lodge 333 held their 2012 Lodge Leadership Development Course (LLDC) at the McGrew Towers Conference Center at Hampton University.

To commemorate the event the Lodge issued an oval event patch styled to match their series of 2012 activity emblems. The patch features the Emancipation Oak which stands near the entrance of Hampton University. It as was the site of the first Southern reading of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

Thanks to George Homewood and Larry Johnson for the patch picture.