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About Us

Purpose of the Order:

As Scouting's National Honor Society, our purpose is to:

  • Recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and through that recognition cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition.
  • Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout's experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp.
  • Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our nation.
  • Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Order of the Arrow is to fulfill its purpose as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults.

The Order of the Arrow was founded by Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson in 1915 at the Treasure Island Camp of the Philadelphia Council, Boy Scouts of America. In 1948 the OA, recognized as the BSA's national brotherhood of honor campers, became an official part of the national camping program of the Boy Scouts of America. Today, the OA is recognized as Scouting's National Honor Society.

Among the requests received for Order of the Arrow Charters by the National Boy Scouts of America in 1938 was one postmarked Florence, South Carolina. The lodge charted to the Pee Dee Area Council was the 116th Order of the Arrow Lodge. After a selection period, the name "Santee" was settled upon and duly registered with BSA.

Santee Lodge serves the Pee Dee Area Council in North-eastern South Carolina. We support the communities within Florence, Darlington, Marlboro, Chesterfield, Marion, Horry, Lee, Sumter, Clarendon, Williamsburg, and Dillon counties.

The Purpose and Intent of our Lodge is to promote and sustain the Goals and Values of Scouting, promote camping and a love of the outdoors, and in all ways to live up to our Oaths, Promises, Laws, and Obligations.

Our Lodge's Camp is Camp Coker, located just outside Society Hill, SC. Camp Coker is an active, full-featured Camp, with an outstanding C.O.P.E. course, a great aquatics program on a large lake, new campsites, archery, rifle range, and more!

The Pee Dee Area Council Service Center is located at 701 Coit Street, in Florence. The Service Center can be reached at (843) 662-6306 or fax them at (843) 669-4284.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Donations? Contact us.
Last updated February 19, 2012.