Who we are
Ittawamba Lodge is the Order of the Arrow Lodge serving the West Tennessee Area Council. For more than a century, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, developing leaders, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich, support, and help to extend Scouting to America's youth.
Lodge History
Ittawamba Lodge functions at Camp Mack Morris, the Council camp located on Birdsong Creek, part of the Tennessee River, eight miles south of Camden and 8 miles north of Interstate 40. Parts of the camp were constructed in the late 1940's and early 1950's. In the summer of 1991, major reconstruction of the camp was completed with new cabins, dining hall, waterfront, rifle range and skeet range.
Ittawamba Lodge was officially chartered to the West Tennessee Area Council, Boy Scouts of America on May 7, 1943. Mr. C.L. Carlisle, Council Scout Executive at the time, was primarily responsible for the founding of the Lodge. He brought a team of Scouts from the Yocona Area Council, members of Chicksa Lodge 202 of Tupelo, Mississippi, to Camp LaJoy in Chickasaw State Park to hold the first ordeal.
This ordeal was held over the Thanksgiving weekend of 1942, and about 40 Scouts were inducted. Their work project on that weekend was to build a council ring. These 40 charter members chose the name "Ittawamba", who was a Choctaw tribal chief from that area, as the official name of the Lodge. The tulip poplar leaf was chosen as the lodge totem. (The tulip poplar is the state tree of Tennessee.) These new members also held the first lodge election in 1943, and Jim Hodge of Jackson was elected the lodge's first chief.
In the summer of 1945, Ittawamba Lodge assisted in the founding of Kaskanampo Lodge #310 of Huntsville, AL. The ceremony team from Ittawamba traveled to Camp Westmoreland near Scottsboro, Alabama and performed the first ordeal ceremony for 18 charter members.
The first Vigil Honor recipients in Ittawamba Lodge were Bruce C. Fails and C.L. "Scottie" Carlisle in 1950. This was also the first year that Region V had Vigil recipients.
The Order of the Arrow cabin was converted from the old Camp Director's cabin in 1987. It houses memorabilia and is used for sleeping quarters and meetings.
Ittawamba lodge has hosted Conclaves in 1957, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1978, 1985, 1993, 1998, and 2008. We are scheduled to host again in 2018, our 75th Anniversary!
Ittawamba Lodge was officially chartered to the West Tennessee Area Council, Boy Scouts of America on May 7, 1943. Mr. C.L. Carlisle, Council Scout Executive at the time, was primarily responsible for the founding of the Lodge. He brought a team of Scouts from the Yocona Area Council, members of Chicksa Lodge 202 of Tupelo, Mississippi, to Camp LaJoy in Chickasaw State Park to hold the first ordeal.
This ordeal was held over the Thanksgiving weekend of 1942, and about 40 Scouts were inducted. Their work project on that weekend was to build a council ring. These 40 charter members chose the name "Ittawamba", who was a Choctaw tribal chief from that area, as the official name of the Lodge. The tulip poplar leaf was chosen as the lodge totem. (The tulip poplar is the state tree of Tennessee.) These new members also held the first lodge election in 1943, and Jim Hodge of Jackson was elected the lodge's first chief.
In the summer of 1945, Ittawamba Lodge assisted in the founding of Kaskanampo Lodge #310 of Huntsville, AL. The ceremony team from Ittawamba traveled to Camp Westmoreland near Scottsboro, Alabama and performed the first ordeal ceremony for 18 charter members.
The first Vigil Honor recipients in Ittawamba Lodge were Bruce C. Fails and C.L. "Scottie" Carlisle in 1950. This was also the first year that Region V had Vigil recipients.
The Order of the Arrow cabin was converted from the old Camp Director's cabin in 1987. It houses memorabilia and is used for sleeping quarters and meetings.
Ittawamba lodge has hosted Conclaves in 1957, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1978, 1985, 1993, 1998, and 2008. We are scheduled to host again in 2018, our 75th Anniversary!
Lodge Chiefs & Lodge Advisers
1958 - 1959 Wiley B. Jones, Adviser
1959 - 1960 John Fumbanks, Chief & Wiley B. Jones Adviser
1960 - 1961 Bill Jones, Chief & Wiley B. Jones, Adviser
1961 - 1962 John Jennings, Chief & Wiley B. Jones Adviser
1962 - 1965 Bob Carney, Chief & Wiley B. Jones, Adviser
1965 -1966 Pat Hundley, Cheif & Wiley B. Jones, Adviser
1966 - 1967 Mickey Granger, Chief & Wiley B. Jones, Adviser
1967 - 1968 Marion Fowlkes, Chief & Bud Rankin, Adviser
1968 - 1969 Steve White, Chief & Bud Rankin, Adviser
1969 - 1970 Richard DeBerry, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1970 - 1971 Lee Nethery, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1971 - 1974 Ron Darby, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1974 - 1975 Eddie Russell, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1975 - 1976 Jay Whitley, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1976 - 1977 Larry Fowlkes, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1977 - 1979 Doug Reem Jr., Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1979 - 1980 Danny Cleavanger, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1980 - 1981 Randy Wilson, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1981 - 1982 John Lott, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1982 - 1984 Steve Williams, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1984 - 1985 Brian Pope, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1985 - 1986 Jimmy Rhodes, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1986 - 1988 Terry Webb, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1988 - 1989 Chris Price, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1989 - 1991 Trey Carney, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1991 - 1992 Scott Ribble, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1992 - 1993 Brian Davis, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1993 - 1995 David Hudson, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1995 - 1996 Chris McDaniel, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1996 - 1997 Jim Cheatham, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1997 - 1998 Matt Stine, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1998 - 1999 Brian Irick, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1999 - 2000 Charles McDaniel, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
2000 - 2001 Phillip Eubanks, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
2001 - 2003 Neil Johnson, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
2003-2004 Caleb McLaughlin, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
2004 - 2005 Matthew Young, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
2005 - 2007 Jeremy Fair, Chief & Rick Ribble, Adviser
2008 Trey Climer, Chief & Rick Ribble Adviser
2009 Owen Lewis, Chief & Jim Cheatham, Adviser
2010 - 2011 Clint Beilke, Chief & Jim Cheatham, Adviser
2012 - 2014 Nick Varnick, Chief & Joe Craven, Adviser
2015 Paylor Eubank, Chief & Dr. Brian Jackson, Adviser
2016- 2017 Joshua Waffird, Chief & Dr. Brian Jackson, Adviser
2018 Cooper Barton, Chief & Joe Vandyke, Adviser
2019 John Wayne, Chief & Joe Vandyke, Adviser
2020 Nathan Redding, Chief & Joe Vandyke, Adviser
1959 - 1960 John Fumbanks, Chief & Wiley B. Jones Adviser
1960 - 1961 Bill Jones, Chief & Wiley B. Jones, Adviser
1961 - 1962 John Jennings, Chief & Wiley B. Jones Adviser
1962 - 1965 Bob Carney, Chief & Wiley B. Jones, Adviser
1965 -1966 Pat Hundley, Cheif & Wiley B. Jones, Adviser
1966 - 1967 Mickey Granger, Chief & Wiley B. Jones, Adviser
1967 - 1968 Marion Fowlkes, Chief & Bud Rankin, Adviser
1968 - 1969 Steve White, Chief & Bud Rankin, Adviser
1969 - 1970 Richard DeBerry, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1970 - 1971 Lee Nethery, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1971 - 1974 Ron Darby, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1974 - 1975 Eddie Russell, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1975 - 1976 Jay Whitley, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1976 - 1977 Larry Fowlkes, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1977 - 1979 Doug Reem Jr., Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1979 - 1980 Danny Cleavanger, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1980 - 1981 Randy Wilson, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1981 - 1982 John Lott, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1982 - 1984 Steve Williams, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1984 - 1985 Brian Pope, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1985 - 1986 Jimmy Rhodes, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1986 - 1988 Terry Webb, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1988 - 1989 Chris Price, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1989 - 1991 Trey Carney, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1991 - 1992 Scott Ribble, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1992 - 1993 Brian Davis, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1993 - 1995 David Hudson, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1995 - 1996 Chris McDaniel, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1996 - 1997 Jim Cheatham, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1997 - 1998 Matt Stine, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1998 - 1999 Brian Irick, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
1999 - 2000 Charles McDaniel, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
2000 - 2001 Phillip Eubanks, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
2001 - 2003 Neil Johnson, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
2003-2004 Caleb McLaughlin, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
2004 - 2005 Matthew Young, Chief & Dr. Bob Carney, Adviser
2005 - 2007 Jeremy Fair, Chief & Rick Ribble, Adviser
2008 Trey Climer, Chief & Rick Ribble Adviser
2009 Owen Lewis, Chief & Jim Cheatham, Adviser
2010 - 2011 Clint Beilke, Chief & Jim Cheatham, Adviser
2012 - 2014 Nick Varnick, Chief & Joe Craven, Adviser
2015 Paylor Eubank, Chief & Dr. Brian Jackson, Adviser
2016- 2017 Joshua Waffird, Chief & Dr. Brian Jackson, Adviser
2018 Cooper Barton, Chief & Joe Vandyke, Adviser
2019 John Wayne, Chief & Joe Vandyke, Adviser
2020 Nathan Redding, Chief & Joe Vandyke, Adviser
Section, National, and Regional Awards and Service
Lodge Awards:
2006
E. Urner Goodman Camping Award
2007
E. Urner Goodman Camping Award
Individual Awards:
Distinguished Service Award:
1986- Dr. Robert (Doc) Carney
1996- David Shettles
2002- Jim Cheatham
Area or Section Officers:
1963
Dan McGehee
Area V-C Chief
1971
Richard DeBerry
Area 5-D Chief
1974
Ron Darby
SE-2A Chief
1991
Trey Carney
SE-2 Vice Chief
1992
Scott Ribble
SE-2 Vice Chief
1994
David Hudson
SR-6A Vice Chief
1995
Jason Russell
SR-6A Vice Chief
1995
Matt Stine
SR-6A Secretary
1997
Jim Cheatham
SR-6A Vice Chief
1998-99
Jim Cheatham
SR-6N Chief
1999
Phillip Eubanks
SR-6N Secretary
2002
Neil Johnson
SR-6N Vice Chief
2008
Jeremy Fair
SR-6N Vice Chief
2016
Paylor Eubank
SR-6 Section Secretary
2017
John Wayne
SR-6 Section Secretary
Section Advisers:
2009-11
Jim Cheatham
SR-6 Associate Adviser
2012- Present
Jim Cheatham
SR-6 Adviser
Regional Officers & Advisers:
2000
Jim Cheatham
Southern Region Chief
National Officers & National Committee Members:
1998-00
David Shettles
National OA Committee Member
2006
E. Urner Goodman Camping Award
2007
E. Urner Goodman Camping Award
Individual Awards:
Distinguished Service Award:
1986- Dr. Robert (Doc) Carney
1996- David Shettles
2002- Jim Cheatham
Area or Section Officers:
1963
Dan McGehee
Area V-C Chief
1971
Richard DeBerry
Area 5-D Chief
1974
Ron Darby
SE-2A Chief
1991
Trey Carney
SE-2 Vice Chief
1992
Scott Ribble
SE-2 Vice Chief
1994
David Hudson
SR-6A Vice Chief
1995
Jason Russell
SR-6A Vice Chief
1995
Matt Stine
SR-6A Secretary
1997
Jim Cheatham
SR-6A Vice Chief
1998-99
Jim Cheatham
SR-6N Chief
1999
Phillip Eubanks
SR-6N Secretary
2002
Neil Johnson
SR-6N Vice Chief
2008
Jeremy Fair
SR-6N Vice Chief
2016
Paylor Eubank
SR-6 Section Secretary
2017
John Wayne
SR-6 Section Secretary
Section Advisers:
2009-11
Jim Cheatham
SR-6 Associate Adviser
2012- Present
Jim Cheatham
SR-6 Adviser
Regional Officers & Advisers:
2000
Jim Cheatham
Southern Region Chief
National Officers & National Committee Members:
1998-00
David Shettles
National OA Committee Member
Vigil Honor Recipients
The Vigil Honor is a high mark of distinction and recognition reserved for those Arrowmen who, by reason of exceptional service, personal effort, and unselfish interest, have made distinguished contributions beyond the immediate responsibilities of their position or office to one or more of the following: their lodge, the Order of the Arrow, Scouting or their Scout camp.
Founders' Award Recipients
The national Order of the Arrow Committee created the Founder’s Award in 1980. The purpose of the Founder’s Award is to recognize those Arrowmen who memorialize in their everyday life the spirit of achievement as described Founder, E. Urner Goodman and Co-Founder, Carroll A. Edson.
