The History of the Order of the Arrow in Vermont

Green Mountain Council and Ajapeu

 

     Chartered in Waterbury in 1973 under the newly formed Green Mountain Council 592, Ajapeu Lodge 351 remains the active Lodge for the entire state of Vermont.  The Lodge’s totem is a buck and aptly named “Ajapeu” from the Lene Lenape word meaning “buck” or “deer.” Because the Lodge is active throughout the entire state of Vermont, Ajapeu meets annually at both Camp Sunrise and Mount Norris Scout Reservation, frequently holding Ordeal, Brotherhood and Vigil ceremonies at both locations. 

 

     Currently, the Lodge has over 400 members in four separate chapters and serves the Vermont Scouting community through service projects, camp promotion and active attendance and participation in Section and National Order of the Arrow events.  Most recently, members of the Lodge constructed a new chapel at Mount Norris, overlooking Lake Eden. 

 

     Based on the uniquely close knit Scouting community of Vermont, members from the four historic Vermont Lodges, Wisie Hal’a Con, Memphremagog, Nicaweeggee and Nianque can still be found actively involved in Ajapeu Lodge and Green Mountain Council.  Many of these members continue to teach younger generations about the ceremonies, traditions and histories of the former Vermont Lodges and Councils.

  

     Ajapeu was the first Lodge in Vermont to issue a solid embroidery emblem as its first issue as opposed to the more commonly produced “F” series or twill pattern first issue flaps.  Ajapeu would go on to produce many firsts for Vermont Lodge emblems to include Anniversary, Conclave, National Order of the Arrow Conference and National Jamboree flaps.