O-Shot-Caw 265 2011 Summit Corps (SMY border)

For the two national Order of the Arrow events in the summer of 2011, O-Shot-Caw Lodge 265 issued several items, in some very limited quantities.  Slipping under the radar were two flaps made for the contingent to the 2011 Summit Corps event: GMY border (S-137), and SMY border (S-138).  Reportedly, only 50 were made of each flap.

For the contingent heading to the Indian Summer event, two two-piece sets were created.  Originally, one set was created, with a BLK fleur-de-lis on the flap (F-30; 150 made), and a short button tab on the bottom piece (X-51, no WWW on the tab; 125 made); these were designated as the “delegate” set.  When these were determined to be less than ideal, a re-order of the flap was made, with a WHT fleur-de-lis (F-31; 125 made), and a bottom piece with a longer button tab (X-52, with WWW on the tab; 125 made).   These were called the “trader set”.

O-Shot-Caw 265 F33?

In late October, O-Shot-Caw Lodge 265 joined the small number of lodges to issue a patch to raise funds for breast cancer research.  Not just one, but two two-piece sets were created.  Each of the sets features an image of a Seminole woman with early 20th century clothing, with the patchwork details rendered in a photoprinted process.  The flaps each have a PNK felt background.

Only 150 of the ”easy” sets were made (F-32, with a WHT border; X-53a, with WHT button loop).  And then there are fifty of the other set (F-33, with a PNK mylar border; X-53b, with a PNK button loop.)

As previously noted here, here, and here, O-Shot-Caw Lodge 265 has a three-year long theme to their weekend  activity patches, using depictions of National Jamboree designs.   The recent S-4 Conference was an opportunity to get caught up on the more recent creations.   The 2010 Year patch uses the design of the 1985 Jamboree patch.

All of the designs from the end of 2009 are from Jamborees held at Fort A. P. Hill, beginning with the 2009 Section S-4 Seminars Delegate.   These have been followed by the 2010 Winter Ordeal and 2010 Lodge Banquet.

This last item had not been previously shown, having been picked up a few weeks ago.   The 2008 Section S-4 Seminars.

O-Shot-Caw’s 265′s  annual Lodge Executive Committee flap (S-131) was distributed at the 2010  Lodge Banquet in March, a few months later than usual.

Also available at the Banquet event was a special patch (R-6), to commemorate the attendance of the National Chief, National Vice Chief, and a Section Chief.   Two  hundred pieces were made, sold for $6 each.

O-Shot-Caw has also created a two-piece set for the National Scout Jamboree (S-132 with X-  50).   The design of the set is reminiscent of the “Highwaymen” artwork of Florida natural landscapes.  

The latest piece in the 2008-2009 2010 activity patch series for O-Shot-Caw 265 is now out, with the lodge’s Fall Ordeal.   The designs for the series have been appropriations of National Jamboree patch designs; this latest piece is from the 1977 Jamboree.

Seven more designs to go….

O-Shot-Caw 265 2009 Year Patch

As reported in an earlier blog entry, O-Shot-Caw 265′s activity patch theme for the latter part of 2008 and all of 2009 is to reproduce past National Jamboree designs.   An earlier year patch for 2008 recreated the 1937 Jamboree patch; yet another has been made for the set, for the year 2009 by using the 1960 Jambo patch.

The lodge’s Winter Ordeal was a depiction of the 1957 Jamboree patch, while the Lodge Banquet in March used the 1964 Jamboree design.   O-Shot-Caw issued an item for their Section Conference delegates (1969 Jamboree design), with no reported extras available.

O-Shot-Caw 265 2009 Winter Ordeal

O-Shot-Caw 265 2009 Lodge Banquet

O-Shot-Caw 265 2009 S-4-Conference Delegate

O-Shot-Caw 265 2008-09 Year Patch

Previous readers of the Blog covering Florida and O-Shot-Caw 265 may recall that the lodge’s 2008 activity patch series was supposed to be inspired by 1960′s rock concert poster art (as mentioned here).   Well, for various reasons, the theme was abandoned (for more, read the Florida Collectors’ Newsletter 2008 Spring issue).    A new theme began  with the Fall 2008 Ordeal, using past National Jamboree designs.   The year theme patch has been released, with a large felt rendition of the 1937 Jamboree design.

265 2008 Fall Ordeal

The Fall Ordeal patch is a depiction of the 1950 Jamboree emblem (which will look a lot like 1957 and 1964).   The theme will be used through the end of 2008 and through 2009.

Not part of the annual theme for this year are the patches for the annual Haunted Forest program.   Separate pieces were made for attendees and staff.   And for once, the difference is more than just a border change.

265 2008 Haunted Forest; attendee

265 2008 Haunted Forest; Staff

This summer, South Florida Council sent a contingent to the 2008 Irish National Jamboree.   Ordinarily, not an OA patch event, but O-Shot-Caw 265  has two flaps that were created for the Jamboree, the first woven flaps from Florida.

The flaps are identical, except for the borders.   Neither have been designated “contingent only”.    Fifty were made with the BLU border (265-W-2), sold as sets with 75 of the RED border.    The remaining RED border flaps (265-W-3)  were sold to the contingent while in Ireland.   Most of these were traded at the Jamboree, and may not be heading back to the States any time soon.

The design should look familiar, as the stylized star was used for the American Bicentennial celebration in 1976; this was also used on some of the contingent items.   The flaps do not have any verbage specific to the Irish Jamboree, so the design may be used again by O-Shot-Caw for future international contingents.

O-Shot-Caw 265 Gokhos Chapter J2

Way back in October of 2006 I wrote a post entitled “Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery” in which I pointed out some patches whose designs appeared to be inspired by other patches.   I now offer up another pair of patches.

Pictured here is an image recently sent to me by Robert Mathis.   This is the J2 from O-Shot-Caw lodge’s Gokhos chapter.     As you can see, the design is simply a large cut-out owl, wings outstretched, on an arrow.     The chapter had previously issued their X1 with an almost identical design.   I think it’s an effective design and looks good.     However, it might look more than a little bit familiar to some folks.

Mikanakawa 101 X2

In the mid 1990s, Mikanakawa 101 issued the patch pictured here.     This a rather small patch, smaller than a flap.     The odd shape makes this a rather fragile item, especially the arrow.   I wonder how many of these have become damaged since the patch was first issued.

The similarities between this piece and the later chapter issues from O-Shot-Caw lodge are obvious.   The most significant change is the increase in size to a jacket patch for the chapter’s J2.     It’s almost as if the lodge or chapter went to their patch company with the Mikanakawa issue in hand and said, “Make us this… just bigger and with our chapter name on it.”

This type of owl pose is not uncommon.     My own lodge even portrayed its hawk totem in a similar fashion (70 S2).   It was also used by Achunanchi lodge on their S31. However these are the only examples I know of right now where the patch has been rendered in a cut-out shape.

On the weekend of May 16-18, Echockotee held its Summer Fellowship, and continued with the 2008 activity patch series of “Florida’s Coral Reef”.   The weekend patch featured the design of a snapper.

A few weeks earlier, at the Nok-Su Chapter Conch Craziness Weekend, a discovery was made that could potentially add a patch to the series.

The patch design that was used for the 2008 Spring Fellowship patch was also used (by agreement) for the Buccaneer District Cub-O-Ree event for the Cub Scouts in the Keys, held a few weeks earlier.   While the manufacturer changed the verbiage on the patch to reflect the purpose of the Cub Scout event, the manufacturer failed to remove the WWW from the patch.

For those that are involved with the classification of emblems, does this become (pick one or more):

> An Echockotee patch?
> An Echockotee curiosity?
>  An O-Shot-Caw 265 patch?
> An O-Shot-Caw curiosity?
> None of the above?

O-Shot-Caw 265 has released their multiple sets for the lodge’s ArrowCorps⁵ contingent.   Two of the sets were available for sale as fundraisers, while a third set was distributed to the contingent only, at 2/ person.

The RED mylar border set, tentatively numbered S-123 and X-45, was sold for $15 each; 125 were made.   Only 75 were made of the GRN mylar border set (S-124, X-46), sold for $25 each.     The contingent set (S-125, X-47)  is identical to the RED mylar border version, except with the added verbage of DELEGATE.

Both fundraiser sets are pictured below.     Click on either image to see a   full sized version of it.

This past weekend was the annual “Conch Craziness Weekend”, hosted by Nok-Su Chapter of O-Shot-Caw Lodge 265 in the Florida Keys. Folks came from four different lodges to attend, with the furthest attendee travelling over 500 miles to Camp Sawyer (Mile Marker 34 oceanside, just north of Big Pine Key). Still, a longer trip than the Cuban refugees that sailed their raft a few weeks ago, to land on the shores of the camp.

Along with the sun, camping, fellowship, and great food, there were, of course, patches. The patch for the weekend depicts a pelican, which is also the unofficial totem of Camp Sawyer. There was a Vigil Breakfast patch; same design as the regular patch, with the word VIGIL stitched into the side.

Onathequa Chapter of Echockotee Lodge 200 sold their own patch, to help pay for the gasoline and the tolls for their 480 mile trip. This is the fourth year in a row that Onathequa created an emblem for their contingent. This year’s design featured the “tourist” owl totem standing at “Mile Marker 0″, the southern end of US Highway 1.*

John Pannell is still learning the new “gallery shortcode” in this version of Word Press, so he adds the gallery of all images related to this post. You can click on any of the images below to see the complete full sized image.

* Full disclosure: Robert is the advisor for Onathequa Chapter.

John has beaten me to the punch with postings about the recent Section S-4S Conference. Osceola Lodge 564 hosted the event, held at Flying Eagle Scout Reservation near Bradenton. Over 1000 Arrowmen were in attendance. The number of patch traders seemed to be lower than usual, making it hard to find some of the more difficult items. Along with the host items that John had previously mentioned, three lodges (Aal-Pa-Tah 237, Echockotee 200, and O-Shot-Caw 265) made items for their lodges’ attendance at the Conference.

Besides the conference items, Osceola had a large selection of items to commemorate their role in the event. Three flaps were available: GRN border for all Osceola members, unrestricted (1200 made), YEL bdr for service to prepare for the Conference, 2/ member (450 made), and a PUR bdr for the chairmen and advisors for each of the Conference host committees, 2/ person (150 made). The PUR border has the word WITAHEMUI in WHT thread. Eight flaps were made with a PUR border and no word; seven to be given to key leaders of the Conference, with the eight to go in the lodge collection. Also produced was a host pocket patch with no restriction, and a “blood donor” patch (more on that later). An embroidered host neckerchief was also made, and host back patches and chenilles were back-ordered by the vendor.

Two topics for discussion, one that comes up every year: first is, how to classify Conference attendance patches made by non-host lodges. The need for those that decide on consistent classifications across the country can determine that such non-host, non-flap shaped emblems. The distinction between host and non-host, to me, is a real difference; a host item is for the lodge’s work over several months to prepare for the event, while non-host items are for a lodge to commemorate their attendance at the weekend event.

With that in mind, the Florida collectors tend to consider non-host items as activity patches, rather than classifying them as X, R, or A emblems. Of the three lodges that have made such items, O-Shot-Caw has had their attendance items as a part of the annual themed set every year since 1993, except for the theme for this year (for reasons that cannot yet be explained). Echockotee has had their two patches match the themed sets for 2006 and 2008. Aal-Pa-Tah bases their attendance design on the design used for the Conference (2006-2008), incorporating their totem of the alligator in the design when possible. No lodge has yet to make an attendance flap, so I won’t worry about classifying what isn’t yet in existence.

The second question is for a new item for 2008, the “host patch” for donating blood. The local blood bank was on hand to solicit donations, with a special patch (150 made) for those that either donated, or attempted to donate but were unable to do so. The only reason why this is an Osceola patch, instead of a Conference item, is the OSCEOLA HOST at the bottom. But any attendee, in theory, could receive the patch for their participation, not just host lodge members.

So, in both cases, what should be the overriding factor in determining the classification of a piece: purpose, shape, or distribution? Discuss.

Nok Su Chapter of O-Shot-Caw Lodge 265 will host their annual “Conch Craziness Weekend” on May 2-4, at Camp Sawyer, located on West Summerland Key, just north of Big Pine Key. This event attracts Arrowmen from all over Florida, and even a few making the trip from Alabama, for a weekend of fellowship, tourism, camping, fishing, and patch trading in the Florida Keys (for those that want to visit but stay in civilization, Marathon is about 15 miles away, and Key West is 30 miles the other way. Miami? 120 miles). Camp Sawyer is extremely small (less than 4 acres), but no where else can you set your tent up 20 feet from the ocean like this. Activities include self-guided tours of Key West and the nearby Key Deer National Refuge.

Cost for the weekend is $22, which includes meals and a patch for the weekend (also a breakfast for Vigil members on Sunday morning). While this has been an annual event since 1993, this may be the last for two years, as construction on new facilities may cancel plans for 2009. If you are interested, contact Bob Wolz (chapter advisor) at Bob.Wolz@Craftsmandesigns.com, or: Bob Wolz, Advisor, Box 1411, Key West, FL 33041. Please let Bob know by April 25 if you are interested, by sending in your registration fee. Anyone that needs a ride from out of town, let me know, and I can put you in touch with the people to make it happen.

Oh yeah, the Section S-4S Conference (Florida) begins tomorrow, with 1200+ expected to attend. See you there.

This is a sequel to an earlier post on this blog called, “What is a Neckerchief?”

Recently I posted the item pictured here as the “X28.5?” from O-Shot-Caw 265. It’s from the 2002 NOAC but had not previously been listed in Blue Book or my site. I had been told it was issued sewn onto a backpack and added it to the listings.

That last point has been debated by some collectors in Florida in email to me. Some believe this piece does not exist separately from the backpack unless the pack is cut up, and that’s why it had not been listed before now. Upon examination of the item in question, the facts prove otherwise.

As you can see, in the image at the top of this post, the item clearly has a finished cut edge border and a plastic backing. After production, this patch was sewn onto the backpack ini question and sold. As far as I’m concerned, this needs to be listed as a lodge issue.

I want to use this item as a jumping point to a more general question.   So, what exactly is a patch? I’ll also ask the related question: What is a piece of OA insignia? What follows is my opinion and your mileage may vary. This is a more difficult question to answer than you might think.

A patch, in the context of Order of the Arrow items described on this site, is a piece of insignia that is textile – produced using embroidery, silk screening, felt work, bullion work or a similar process – designed to be worn on or as part of the Boy Scout uniform. This definition includes most of the items on this site. Flaps, lodge activities patches easily fall into this category. They all have places specified on the BSA uniform for their wearing and placement. Also falling into this group are patches sewn onto neckerchiefs, odd-shaped patches designed for the right pocket of the uniform, and various jacket patches.

By extension we can also add the chenilles, bullions — designed to be worn like one of the other categories above. I’ll also add the few blanket patches, currently listed in the same category as the jacket patches.     Likewise, even though it was never intended to be worn on the uniform or any of its parts, the backpack patch that sparked this post is also clearly a patch.

I suspect at least 95% of the items listed on this site readily fall into this definition.

This site also lists some items that are pieces of insignia, but not patches. Remember the full title of this site, “The Internet Guide to Order of the Arrow Insignia.”

Neckerchiefs (as defined in the earlier post) fall into this category.

There are also some armbands and headbands that get listed. The earliest of these were of special historical significance. As the precedent for their listing has been established, newer items are also listed. They must meet a requirement similar to that of a neckerchief: directly embroidered or silk screened items. Patches sewn onto headbands and armbands do not create a new listing.

There are also a few metal items included that are not textiles.     All of these are items designed to be worn on or with the uniform.   The Wapinachi 308 M1 was the first of these, being used by that lodge as a flap, and set a precedent. Coosa 50 has since issued a few metal flaps to their Vigil members. Egwa Tawa Dee issued a large metal flap shaped item that could possibly be worn on a BSA red wool jacket.

Generally excluded are hat pins, medals and belt buckles as they are not textiles. We can also similarly exclude belts and bolo ties. I have included some of these as miscellaneous items when I find them especially interesting, but they fall outside the main body of this site.

What about hats? I would argue that these are not worn on or with the uniform; they are (part of) the uniform. Hats are excluded for the same reason that trousers, shirts, and socks are excluded. To me it’s a matter of use and purpose: a neckerchief is a piece of insignia, a hat is not. Patches sewn onto hats, not directly embroidered, do get listed.

Other textiles are excluded that are not part of the Scout uniform or worn with/on it. Polo shirts and t-shirts don’t get listed. Likewise we also exclude embroidered jackets, pull overs, “hoodies”, and equipment with customized embroidery or logos. The O-Shot-Caw item that is the genesis of this post falls into this last category.

Since neckerchiefs are included, what about neckerchief slides? Some neckerchief slides are listed. The rough rule is that those slides that are textiles — ie. cloth items — are included. Some leather slides have also been listed, especially if they are of significant historical import.

Wooden, metal or enamel slides are not listed in the main body of this site. Their are considered to be neither patches nor items of insignia. Like hat pins, medals, and belt buckles they are included as a miscellaneous item if I find them interesting.

Now, not all OA patches or insignia that fall into these categories is listed on this site. That is a topic for a possible future post.

I hope this clarifies what gets listed on this site as a patch or piece of insignia. Did I leave anything out?

  The new year means a new annual theme for the patches made for O-Shot-Caw Lodge 265′s weekend events: “Rock Concert Posters”.   The first was their Winter Ordeal, held January 11-13.

To-Hopki-Lagi Chapter also  sold a new patch (X-2), with 100 made.

Occasionally it is more difficult to obtain images of items from the lodges of Florida on a timely basis.   O-Shot-Caw Lodge 265 made several items in  the last few months  of 2007, that are now becoming available to picture.   Shown here is the contingent patch for members attending the Section S-4S Seminars in November, and is the last of their 2007 series “Indians of the Southeast“.   While not a lodge event, O-Shot-Caw has made a patch for their attendees to this Sectional event since 2005, as part of the series of themed event patches for those years.

At the lodge’s “Fellowship” event in late November, the latest bullion (B-5) was released.   Like three of the previous four bullions sold in 2005, the designs match that of the one of the early twill flap-shaped patches of the 1950s and 1960s; this one is based on the  ”ugly duckling” flap from the 1960s.   A total of 50 of these were produced.

In October, the lodge ran its annual “Haunted Forest” event, a fundraiser for South Florida Council.   The patch on the left has a BRN border, and was available to all particpants, including non-Arrowmen.   To the right is the staff version, with the brown mylar border; 100 of this version were made, and distributed at the Fellowship event.

For many years, the members of the Lodge Executive Committee of O-Shot-Caw 265 have been the recipients of a special flap patch made on their behalf.   This year’s version has been released, and tentatively identified as S-122.  

These are usually distributed to attendees at the December LEC meeting, normally about two per person.

The LEC members of the lodge have been the received such largesse for many years, with the following flap issues: S-21, S-30, S-33, S-41, S-45, S-72, S-75, S-79, F-25, S-89, S-90, S-94, S-106, and S-115.   Additionally, there are  several neckerchiefs and chenilles that have been made available to members of the Executive Committee (C-5, C-14, C-20, C-23, and N-18, among others).

Even with the 2007 series that O-Shot-Caw Lodge 265 created for this year in their “Indians of the Southeast” theme (one year patch, six weekend patches), the lodge created an event in late November, mainly for members of the lodge to seal their membership.   Over 50 members trekked down to Camp Sawyer in the Keys for the 2007 Fellowship, with only 150 patches made.

The shape may look familiar to Florida collectors, as it was designed and produced to mimic the Echockotee Lodge 200 1963 Winter Fellowship patch.   While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the designer did not have an actual Echockotee patch with which to make the proper comparison.   So while the proportions are pretty close, the difference in size don’t make these two twins separated at birth.   More like, “Mini-me”.

Camp Sawyer is located around Mile Marker 34 (oceanside) on US 1, about 7 miles south of Marathon and just north of Big Pine Key.   The camp is but a few acres  of oceanfront property on two sides, that allows for camping within feet of the shore.     This was one of the first lodge events held at Sawyer in over twenty years, although Nok Su Chapter has hosted their “Conch Craziness Weekend” at Sawyer  since 1993.

O-Shot-Caw Lodge 265 recently held their Fall Ordeal, with the patch for the weekend being the latest of the 2007 set, depicting Southeastern tribal leaders, as depicted from McKinney-Hall lithographs.   The Fall patch is the sixth in the annual set (five weekend activityes plus the   year theme patch).   One more is to be made, for the upcoming Section S-4S Seminars in November.

Also depicted here is the patch for the 2007 Summer Ordeal.   This event was scheduled at the last minute, with less-than-expected attendance, so the patches are not easy to come by.

Another event held by the lodge had a patch that did not fit in the theme for the year.   The event was to honor long-time Lodge Advisor Ron Bell,who served in the position from 1983 to 2006.   Because the name of the event itself was not in the design, this will end up being classified as an “X”.