Lodge History

The Order of the Arrow was originally designed as an Honor Camper Society for just one camp and as it spread, it replaced scores of similar organizations serving local council camps.

The Mazama Lodge held its first Ordeal in the summer of 1948 at Camp McLoughlin on the shores of Lake of the Woods near Mt. McLoughlin.  In the following year in August 1949, they were granted their charter with 42 members, electing as Lodge Chief, George Goodman.  The Coucil Executive, Cliff Hanson, of the Crater Lake Council helped organize Mazama Lodge.  Mazama, named after the mountain that erupted and created Crater Lake, was the namesake of the Council.  The Thunderbird was chosen as Lodge totem as it has been a legendary, mythical inhabitant of Crater Lake.

Makualla Lodge 437
1948-1994 (charter 1950)

In 1948 a group of dedicated Scouters started a Lodge in the Modoc Area Council.  Makualla meaning "the time and place of testing," was chosen as its name and the Antelope became its totem.  Chartered in 1950, Makualla was the first lodge to host our Section Conclave in 1952.

Lo La 'Qam Geela Lodge 491
1994 - present

In 1994 Mazama and Makualla merged to form Lo La 'Qam Geela Lodge.  Lo La 'Qam Geela means "Land of the Fire."  The lodge chose a new totem, the Firebird.  Lo La'Qam Geela hosted its first Conclave at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls.  The theme was, "Spirit of the Flame Uniting Our Fires."