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CMO Patch - Worn on Sash
Pledge Beanie
Clan of the Mystic Oak (CMO) - The Clan of the Mystic Oak (CMO) was an honor camper organization that
existed prior to the formation of Amangamek Wipit Lodge 470. Its purpose
was threefold: To further Scouting, advance the interests of Camp
Roosevelt, and to promote fellowship among its members. These goals were
identical with Dr. Goodman's goals in creating the Order of the Arrow at
Treasure Island Scout Camp: To recognize the best Scout campers and
continue the traditions and ideals of camp from season to season.
The CMO was founded at Camp Roosevelt (NCAC summer camp) on the Chesapeake
Bay, about 1921.
The scout council at that time was named the Washington D.C. Council, BSA.
This was the name it was given on June 21, 1911, when the organizational
meeting of the Council was held in the Willard Hotel. In 1919 the
Washington D.C. Council acquired Camp Roosevelt. The camp was previously
named Camp Archibald Butt and was shared by both Washington and Baltimore
Councils as their summer camp in 1914 and 1915. The camp was not used
between 1916 and 1918 because of World War I.
Much like the Order of the Arrow, the CMO had three honors -- First,
Second, and Third Degree.
However, an all-adult governing body called the Council of Sachems that ran
the organization.
To be eligible for initiation as a First Degree Member, a Scout had to:
- Be a First Class Scout
- Be at least a second year camper. Attendance at any Council camp was
recognized but at least two weeks had to be spent at Camp Roosevelt. Camp in those days lasted two weeks for each session.
- Perform satisfactory service in at least four of the camp program areas. These had to be approved by the program heads.
- Perform a special service project for Camp Roosevelt.
- Have passed a Board of Review for two Eagle-required merit badges, four non-required.
- Be recommended by a majority of the CMO members in his Provisional Camp Unit or the CMO members of the camp staff.
Camp Roosevelt operated with Provisional Camp Units, which were slightly
larger than a Troop. Troops seldom came together as a unit at summer camp.
Each Provisional Unit was called a Ranch and the Ranches were named after
Teddy Roosevelt-related places: Chimney Butte, San Juan, Elk Horn, Powder
River, Buckskin, Big Horn, etc.
The election of the First-Degree candidates was made on the first Wednesday
of each two-week session.
The initiation ceremony started the following Saturday morning when all
candidates were called out at breakfast. The candidates were taken up
behind the camp recreation hall. Each candidate had a holly leaf placed in
his mouth to remind him to keep silent: He then received a lecture from one
of the Sachems (adults). The lecture included an admonition to keep strict
silence for 24 hours (until the Sunday breakfast ceremony). The candidate
was then given a large Chestnut Gale leaf to wear that day; the holly leaf
was taken away. The candidate took part in all daily camp activities but
maintained silence. He ate a normal lunch but had no more food until Sunday
breakfast. At supper, he had to sit at his table but could not eat or speak.
After supper, guides called "Scokamules" led the candidates, with their
bedrolls, to a holding area on the trail to the CMO ceremonial grounds.
Small groups were taken to the ceremonial grounds and put through a
ceremony, which included Spirits of Earth, Woods, Fire, and Air. Each had
an appropriate costume and a lesson to teach.
After the ceremonies, the candidates were grouped around a fire and
instructed to keep it burning all
night. In the morning each candidate was tempted with fresh fruit. Then
from a limb of a large hollow tree, the head Sachem administered the final
oath. The candidates were then recognized at breakfast and were given the
symbols of their membership.
To be eligible for initiation as a Second Degree Member, a Scout had to:
- Be at least a third year camper with at least four weeks of service at
Camp Roosevelt.
- Have to do or participate in a project of advanced service for Camp
Roosevelt. The project had to be approved by three Third Degree Members or
Sachems.
- Have to be elected by a majority of the Second Degree Members present at
the election.
Second Degree, elections were held whenever needed.
The initiation into the Second Degree included the candidate establishing
his own camp and living in it for a day in silence and having nothing but
water. It was a day of reflection. There was a ceremony at night. After the
ceremony, each candidate was assigned a place to sleep in the woods and was
left alone. The next morning he had to find his way back. They were
recognized at breakfast and given the symbols of their membership.
Third Degree membership was honorary and elective. Second Degree members
whose record in their troops, their camp units and elsewhere was of
"outstanding excellence," would become eligible for nomination by the
Council of Sachems and election by the CMO. During a camp session or at the
first meeting after camp, any CMO member could submit a list of the names
he proposed for this honor to any member of the Council of Sachems. The
Council of Sachems would select ten names from all of the submissions at
the second meeting following camp. From this list of ten, the CMO members
voted and were allowed to select five members (adults and boys) per year to
receive the Third Degree.
The Council of Sachems elected to itself, at any regular meeting after
camp, suitable adult members
who had shown conspicuous interest in the CMO and in Camp Roosevelt.
The Council of Sachems:
- Supervised all initiation ceremonies, rituals, and qualification tests.
- Were the sole authority for determining and administering discipline,
including expelling members.
- Cooperated with youth CMO officers to the fullest extent possible while
still insuring that the purpose and traditions of the CMO were followed.
- Controlled all finances.
- Selected the ten candidates for the Third Degree each fall.
- Proposed for election each fall, the officers of the CMO.
Each September the Council of Sachems elected the President,
Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The CMO permitted Adult Honorary Memberships. The CMO or the Council of
Sachems elected these at any regular meeting. The recognition was for
outstanding service to the CMO or to Camp Roosevelt.
Third Degree members and the officers of the CMO were allowed to attend all
regular meetings of the
Council of Sachems but they were not allowed to vote.
The youth officers of the CMO were a President, Vice President, and
Secretary. They all had to be
Second or Third Degree members who were not yet 21 at the time of their
election. Any member
of the CMO could recommend a candidate for office. The Council of Sachems
then selected six
names as nominees which they presented at the second meeting following
camp. The CMO members
then selected the three officers from the list of six.
During World War II, the CMO became less active since so many of the
Sachems and Third
Degrees were off in the military service. Following the war, the CMO ceased
to operate and
the only thing that was left was a few Sachems. Without new boy members
being inducted,
the organization had no way to sustain itself.
On September 24, 1952, five of the remaining 19 active members of the
Council of Sachems
met at the Council (BSA) Headquarters. In attendance were Thomas
King--President, Roy Swab--Secretary, John Cole--Treasurer, Ralph Bartley,
Richard Ellinger, and a professional
scouter--Andrew J. Murphy. (Mr. Murphy became the first Staff Adviser of
Amangamek-Wipit
Lodge and served in his Job through 1956.) At the meeting, Richard P.
Ellinger was elected as the
last member to be added to the Council of Sachems.
The purpose of the meeting was to adopt a resolution to dissolve the Clan
of the Mystic Oak and
clear the way for the formation of a new lodge of the Order of the Arrow in
National Capital Area
Council, BSA. The existing CMO records were en-trusted to Roy Swab for
posterity. The remaining
CMO funds of $107.45 were given to the Council to purchase a memorial in
the name of the
CMO to Dr. Walter H. Merrill, the Camp Roosevelt doctor, and whatever was
left over was to be used for the betterment of Camp Roosevelt. The
resolution which was unanimously approved and signed by Thomas A.
King--President, Daniel J. Tyrrell--Vice President, Roy C. Swab--Secretary,
and John S. Cole--Treasurer, pledged cooperation in the future of the new
Lodge of the Order of the Arrow and permitted the new Lodge, if it so
desired, to use the name "Clan of the Mystic Oak."
Emblems of the Clan of the Mystic Oak
The badge of the CMO was a Chestnut Oak Leaf with the letters CMO
superimposed.
Third Degree members could wear a badge made with a silver pin with green
letters.
All other members could wear a badge made with a gold pin with green letters.
Each member could also wear a green felt patch on the right pocket of the
Scout shirt.
It was in the shape of an Oak Leaf.
The color of the letters "CMO" on the patch denoted the CMO rank.
Each member could also wear a beanie skullcap.
The same was true of the letters "CMO" on the cap denoted the CMO rank.
Patches
Green Felt Chestnut Oak Leaf patch with felt letters CMO was 5 1/2 inches
long and 2 ¾ inches wide and it was worn diagonally on the right pocket
with the top of the leaf pointing over the right shoulder.
- Red "CMO" Letters for First Degree,
- White "CMO" Letters for Second Degree
- Blue "CMO" letters for Third Degree
- Gold "CMO" letters for Sachems.
Hats
Beanie with Six Alternating Panels of Green and Gold with felt CMO sewed to
one of the green panels.
- Red "CMO" Letters for First Degree,
- White "CMO" Letters for Second Degree
- Blue "CMO" letters for Third Degree
- Gold "CMO" letters for Sachems.
Information was provided by Ken Finch. Scans provided by Jeff Feldman
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Based on information from Apatukwe OA lodge 107 history, the CMO also existed in the Salem-Gloucester Council from 1928-1949 until it was replaced by the Unilachtego OA Lodge 411. Their camp was also called Camp Roosevelt which has led to a bit of confusion as to where CMO existed. I have verified with Bob Sherman that Salem-Gloucester Council did have a Camp Roosevelt. Candidates at this location were called out on friday nights and spent the night camping under the stars. The program worked well and was dissolved grudgingly. It appears that the beanie that is pictured with this page is from this location as the colors are different from what is mentioned as having existed at the Washington Council location. -Dave Eby
Material found on this page is the work of David L. Eby and used USSSP, Inc. by permission. This material may not be reproduced without the express permission of David L. Eby
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