Lodge Story

Over seven and a half decades, Yustaga Lodge has established a track record of success and service. In recent years the Lodge has become known for its strong programs serving Scouting, for serving as a great host, for putting on excellent shows, and for having outstanding ceremonies and dance teams.

The Lodge was founded in 1948 thanks to the foresight and efforts of Ted Childress and Norman Savelle, Field Scout Executives of the Gulf Coast Council. That year, a chief and eleven braves from Alibamu Lodge #179 of the Tukabatchee Area Council of Montgomery, Alabama helped initiate our Lodge. They came to Camp Big Heart on May 21-22, 1948 where they bestowed the title of Honor Camper and Order of the Arrow member upon 24 Scouts and Scouters.

Charter members of the lodge included Thurston A. Shell, Jack Shreve, Fred Polhemus, Glen Ivey, Ray Kelly, Wallace King, Bo Sharpless, Bill Stewart, Oswald Geiger, Cecil Sewell, Ed Nowak, DeWitt Thompson, Albert Pledger, Lamar Henderson, Tiller Phillips, Charles Dial, Captain Wayne Sage, Robert Smith, Ed Crowe, Melvin Hatcher, Harry Sampley, Cdr. H.M. McDowell, Norman Savelle, and Ted Childress. 

Thurston A. Shell was elected the first Chief, Bo Sharpless the Scribe, and Albert Pledger the Treasurer. The first Order of the Arrow business meeting was called to order by Netami Sakima (Chief) T.A. Shell at Camp Big Heart on September 11, 1948. The first item of business was to select a lodge name. “Yustaga” was chosen and was unanimously accepted by the lodge. The Osprey (fish hawk) was selected as lodge totem, and green and white as the lodge colors (this was later changed to gold and white). The name Yustaga comes from a small but powerful Florida tribe that was a part of the Creek nation. Translated, the words mean “Drinkers of the Fire Water”.

Since 1948, the Area, Section, and Region structures have changed several times. Yustaga made a mark in each Section to which it has belonged. It has been named Best All Around Lodge at least 15 times in 3 different Areas or Sections.  At least twice Yustaga has been the Best Lodge in the Best Section in the Best Region of the country making it arguably the best Lodge in the United States.

The Lodge Ceremonies and Dance Teams have accumulated cabinets full of awards. But the most important mark of success is the level of service Yustaga Lodge has provided to the Gulf Coast Council and to the communities served by it. Since its inception, it is estimated that Yustaga Lodge has provided more than 100,000 hours of service. It has helped staff Camporees, Scout-O-Ramas, Encampments, Summer Camp, Jamborees, NOACs. It has cleaned up  cemeteries, collected food, assisted during disasters, and much, much, more. It has provided leadership training to thousands of youth and provided many opportunities to put that leadership to work.