Delmont History

Chartered to the former Valley Forge Council #507, Valley Forge, PA

On July 9, 1929, under the leadership of Jack Foster, who was activities director of Camp Delmont, the principal scout camp of Delmont Council (until 1996, the Valley Forge Council), assisted by Henry M. Fawcett and Russel H. Moll, of the Minsi Lodge, Reading, PA. Delmont Lodge was chartered as the forty-third Lodge in the Order of the Arrow (then called the Wimachtendienk, W.W.) and was known as Delmont Lodge #43. The lodge was so named because it was a combination of the first syllables of Delaware and Montgomery, the two counties comprising the Valley Forge Council. Some suggest that the word "Delmont" is also the Indian word for "valley between two hills". However, others like Derek Pillie (dpillie@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu) contend that Delmont has no Indian meaning, but an effort by the founders of the council to appear closely tied to Native American roots.

In its first year of existence, Delmont Lodge inducted 71 candidates into its ranks as Ordeal members. Henry M. Faucett was member number 1 of Delmont Lodge and Jack Foster was the first Chief. The first Arrow Cermonial ground was near the old rifle range in back of Camp Long. Two ceremonies were held weekly, on Friday nights, after the regular campfire. The ceremonies began in the tail of the Arrow and ended at the head. On April 26, 1930, following the National Lodge's institution of the Brotherhood and Vigil Honor Degrees, Delmont's first Brotherhood was conferred upon 40 brothers at the Norristown Scout Cabin.

In selecting one of the many totems available, Delmont Lodge selected the cabin as the most appropriate totem. The cabin was situated in what later became Camp Wilbur, and was the first memorial cabin built at Camp Delmont. Having been built before Camp Wilbur was founded, it was originally used as a first aid shack and housed the doctor when he was in camp. Built of cedar, the cabin was referred to in national camp publications as one of the finest types of shelters for overnight camping. It was highly advertised and was considered by many as a high mark in camp cabin construction. The cabin was built in memory of William C. Saville, Scoutmaster of Highland Park Troop 1 in 1928. He was born in 1895 and died in France in 1918. The cabin was built and deicated to Mr. Saville because he helped open Camp Delmont.

By arrangement with the Council Camping Committee, Tops'l, a cabin on the east ridge was set aside as a Lodge House. Being adjacent to the ceremonial site, Tops'l was an appropriate place for Ceremonial Teams to prepare for Ordeals, for meetings of chapters and committees. Tops'l was used during the winter months by the various chapters of the Delmont Lodge, each chapter being assigned a particular weekend. When in camp, each member does some work for the good of Delmont Scout Reservation.

In 1949, the Lodge selected a new ceremonial site on the east side of the lake and developed this site as a more fitting place to honor those who were about to become members. Once again, in 1960, the Arrow Site was moved to its present location, just above the Schweiker Memorial Lodge. It was also in 1960 that Mr. Malcolm Schweiker gave the present cabin to the Order of the Arrow. It is this cabin that is the focal point of the ceremonies conducted each year at Delmont.

In 1960 Delmont Lodge was the host lodge for the Area III-A Conference, where plans were laid and carried out to make the Order of the Arrow the means by which camping would be promoted throughout Scouting. In 1962 at the Area III-A Conference held at Camp Rodney, Maryland, Thomas Butcavage, Chief of Delmont Lodge #43 was elected Area Chief for the year 1962-1963. In 1964 Delmont Lodge was again in the enviable spot of having the Area III-A Chief from among its members. F. Joseph Loeper Jr. was elected Area III-A Chief for 1964-1965 at the conference held at Camp Ockanickon. He also served on the National Conference Committee at Bloomington, IN as Coordinator of Personnel for the National Conference held in August of 1965.

In 1964 plans were drawn up to renovate the present Arrow Site for the Area III-A Conference to be hosted by Delmont Lodge at Delmont Scout Reservation in 1968. The project was completed just prior to the conference with all work having been done by the brothers of the Lodge. The new site was offically dedicated at the 1968 Area III-A Conference by our founder, Dr. E. Urner Goodman.

Valley Forge Council and Philadelphia Council merged in 1996 to become the Cradle of Liberty Council. Later in the year Delmont Lodge merged with Unami Lodge #1. The new lodge retained the Unami name and number.

Last updated January 2, 2009