A Note from the Lodge Chief

Welcome to our Lodge Website:

The 1300 members of Egwa Tawa Dee Lodge welcome you to our official website. We are members and supporters of the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) Program in Metro Atlanta’s 13 counties. The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the BSA’s National Honor Society. Scouts are elected into the order by their fellow Scouts because of their commitment to the Scout Oath and Law and dedication to the camping program. You can learn more on this by visiting the OA National Website: www.oa-bsa.org

Our OA Lodge was first chartered to the Atlanta Area Council in 1938 as the Broad-Winged Hawk Lodge Number 129. In the early 1950's, our name was changed to Egwa Tawa Dee, which is from the phrase “equa tawadi” meaning big hawk in the Cherokee Indian language.

Our OA Lodge is divided into 16 Chapters along the same lines as the Atlanta Area Council is divided into Districts. These chapters plan and run independent programs to foster the principles of the OA and scouting in their districts. The programs include: staffing district camporees, community service projects, Cub Scout crossover ceremonies, and numerous other programs.

Our lodge enhances the traditions of the Order of the Arrow through unselfish service to the community and our council. Each year our Lodge and Chapters provide hours of cheerful service to the Council’s three camps: Allatoona, Bert Adams, and Woodruff. These camps are used by the Council’s over 1,000 Scouting units comprising of approximately 74,000 registered youth members for Summer camp and for off-season camping as well.

At our annual Fall Fellowship in September Lodge officers are elected and begin their term immediately. Our Lodge hosts several events every year including Spring Pow Wow, three induction weekends, Fall Fellowship and the Winter Banquet. Arrowman from all 16 chapters come out to celebrate food, fun and fellowship. Also every fall we serve as staff for the Council’s Scoutreach Mentoring Program and the OA Trailblazer Adventure Camp at Bert Adams.

We hope that this website provides you with the information you need. I welcome all arrowmen brothers to attend each and every event this year.

Yours in Scouting,

Joseph Hawkins
2008 Lodge Chief
Egwa Tawa Dee

Egwa Youth,
Below are the applications for the three 2009 OA High Adventure programs. You are some the first Arrowmen in the Nation to receive the applications (they are not even posted on the National OA website yet, nor have any hard copies been printed). These programs are an excellent opportunity for young Arrowmen to experience the three bases and the premier programs at the three bases (and for a very good price). Trail Crew (OATC) at Philmont, Wilderness Voyage (OAWV) at Northern Tier, and the Ocean Adventure (OAOA) at the Florida Sea Base.

Regardless of what the applications say, or you have heard, the slots are filled first come first serve, so please fill out the applications and get the appropriate signatures then mail it into the national office ASAP.

Because next year is a NOAC year the programs will be only 75% of the slots available in a none NOAC year. (That's only 48 slots for OAOA) The OAOA program will probably fill up before the fall fellowship, OATC and OAWV will most likely fill up by December. (They have a little over 100 participants each.)

Yours in Scouting Service,
Lorance (Randy) Yates
OA Lodge Adviser