History
Southern New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania have a long history of the Order of the Arrow. Unami Lodge One and Sanhican Lodge # 2 are the first two lodges of the Wimachtendienk and were members of Section NE-5A. However, Section NE-5A is not always the way it was. In addition, the history of the Order in this area is an integral part of the history of the Order as an organization.
In 1948, the Order of Arrow was adopted as an official program of the Boy Scouts of America. From 1950 to 1973, the Lodges of Southern New Jersey gathered at Area 2C Conferences. An Area Conference is the forerunner to the present Section Conclave. Although Area 2C underwent changes, it was generally composed of Lodges serving Mercer, Hunterdon, Monmouth, Burlington, Camden, Atlantic, Ocean, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties of New Jersey. As a youth, Dr. Carl Marchetti, former Chairman of the National Committee of the Order of the Arrow, served as an Area Chief in New Jersey.
From 1950 to 1973, the Lodges of Eastern Pennsylvania gathered at Area 3A Conferences. Area 3A was composed of Lodges serving Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Lehigh counties of Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson, co-founders of the Order, were frequent guests at these events.
In 1973, the Boy Scouts of America changed from twelve Regions to six. New Jersey and Pennsylvania were to become a part of the Northeast Region. At that time and for purposes of local Order of the Arrow gatherings, the old Areas were converted to sections in time for the 1974 Conclave season. The Lodges of Eastern Pennsylvania became a part of Section NE-5A and the Lodges of Southern New Jersey became a part of Section NE-4B.
Section NE-5A was composed of the nine lodges of Southeastern Pennsylvania. They included 1, 5, 22, 33, 39, 43, 44, 223, and 542. Dr. Glenn Ault, member of the National Committee of the Order of the Arrow, served as a Section Chief for NE-5A. The Lodges of Mid to Southern New Jersey became a part of Section NE-4B. They included 2, 9, 68, 71, 76, 77, 107, 423, and 535. In 1977, Lodge 68 would be moved out of Section NE-4B. In 1988, the first NE-4B Native American Events weekend was held at Quail Hill SR. It was the forerunner to the Indian Affairs weekend traditionally hosted by Lodge 76.
In 1989, the Northeast Region realigned Section NE-4B to include both Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. The last Chief of Section NE-5A, Mark Chilutti, was a strong influence in the forming of the new section. The first Conclave was held at Resica Falls Scout Reservation and the first Chief of the new section was Jeff Goldsmith. In 1990, Section NE-4B held its Conclave at Treasure Island Scout Reservation, celebrating the birthplace of the Order in its 75th year. Although Lodges would be added and removed from Section NE-4B, it retained its connection to Southern New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania.
In 1998, Section NE-4B would be changed to become Section NE-2A. Lodges 1, 2, 33, 44, 71, 76, 77, 107, 341, and 562 composed the new section. The first Section Conclave for the new section was held at Roosevelt Scout Reservation. Mike McCrea served as the first Section Chief of NE-2A. The theme of the Conclave, "A New Beginning to Old Traditions", was fitly chosen for the new section.
The 1999 Section NE-2A Chief was Sage Lichtenwalner from Sanhican 2, a long time section officer and still active in the Order of the Arrow. The Conclave was held at Kittatiny Scout Reservation. In 2000 and 2001 Joe Shaw from Te’kening 37 served as Section Chief and the Conclaves were held at Forestburg with Na Tsi Hi 71 as Service Council and Citta Scout Reservation with Hunnikick 76 as Service Council. In 2001, Yokahu Lodge 506 (Puerto Rico Council) was added to Section NE-2A and Yokahu Lodge 506 made the trip to the 2001 NE-2A Conclave. One of the highlights of the weekend was Yokahu’s rendition of the Ordeal Ceremony in Spanish and in full Taino regalia. Also in 2001, NE-2A delegates traveled to Puerto Rico to visit with the Lodge and stay at Camp Guajataka.
In 2002, upon the election of NE-2A Section Chief Brian J. Favat as the Northeast Region Chief, Bryson Palmer from Japeechen 341 was elected NE-2A Chief. Also in 2002, Section NE-2A was well represented when the National Leadership Seminar was held for the first time at Camp Guajataka in Puerto Rico. The 2002 Conclave Service Lodge was by Ajapeu 33 and the Conclave was held at Ockanickon Scout Reservation. Guests at the Conclave included National Vice Chief Riley Berg and Northeast Region Chief, Brian J. Favat.
In 2003, NE-2A delegates attended the U.S.V.I. Camporee at St. Croix and met with members of Arawak Lodge 562. 2003 brought the Conclave to the Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation, hosted by Japeechen 341, and for the first time ever, all seven lodges in NE-2A were present. 2003 also brought a change to the Section Adviser role, as James W. Palmer, Jr. retired and Jeff Goldsmith became Section NE-2A Adviser. In 2004, NE-2A gathered at Roosevelt SR for Conclave with recognitions to Bryson Palmer for completing his terms as Section Chief, Lee Tripp for retiring as Section Staff Adviser, and Lou Romond for his long time service to NE-2A (and previously NE-4B).
NE-2A was ranked the Number 1 section in the country out of the 46 sections for 2004. This was the first time the section was bestowed with this honor.
In 2005, Section Chief Gary Nuzzi and NE-2A delegates attended a Yokahu Service Project Weekend at Caguas where trees were planted at a reproduction of a Taino ceremonial site. NE-2A gathered at Forestburg SR for Conclave and Dan O'Neill was re-elected Section Chief. NE-2A was ranked the Number 4 section out of the 47 sections for 2005. Bill Roberts completed his role as Section Staff Adviser and was promoted to become a Council Executive in California.
In 2006, NE-2A delegates attended the Retorno Weekend at Roosevelt Roads Base in Ceiba hosted by Yokahu Lodge 506. The year 2006 also brought a first for NE-2A, with the Conclave being hosted by Hunnikick Lodge 76 at two military bases: Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base in Burlington County, N.J.
From 2006-2007, Brian Ceres took the reigns of NE-2A as Section Chief and helped bring the national ranking of NE-2A up to the number 3 spot on the national chart. At a successful and traditional Conclave at Okanickon Scout Reservation, hosted by Ajapeu 33, J. Ryan Zambon of Hunnikick Lodge was elected Section Chief.
In 2007-2008, J. Ryan Zambon lead Section NE-2A through the National Leadership and Conservation Summit, ArrowCorps5, and a Conclave at Camp Quajataka in Puerto Rico. The Conclave set a record for attencence with over 500 Arrowmen on-site, including the National Chief, National Vice Chief, the Northeast Region Chief, and several Section Chiefs. Ryan served the last term as an NE-2A Chief - the 2008 realignment plan for the Order of the Arrow changed our name from NE-2A to NE-5A, although the section lost nor gained any lodges.
At the Puerto Rico Conclave, Brian T. Ahrens of Hunnikick Lodge was elected the first NE-5A Chief. Brian was elected to a second term as Section Chief at the 2009 Conclave hosted by Japeechen and was elected as the 2010 Northeast Region Chief at the National OA Planning Meeting in Dallas, Texas later that year.
In January 2010, Ron Apostle was elected to serve out the remainer of Brian's term and will plan this year's conclave, hosted by Te'kening.
Section NE-5A continues to serve Central and Southern New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and is now composed of Lodges 33, 37, 71, 76, 341, 506 and 562.