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In the early years of the Order, an animal or bird identified the Lodges. Ours was named Bob White because of the quail that inhabited old Camp Linwood Hayne on Boy Scout Road. Most Lodges have changed or translated their names leaving our Lodge and the Blue Heron Lodge #349 in Virginia, as the only two Lodges that do not have Native American translated names.

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Kenneth Forney was our first Lodge Chief. He was followed by O’Neal Cave, who traveled the states of Georgia and South Carolina installing new Lodges, several whom are in our current section. Our Lodge is the oldest Lodge in the Georgia and South Carolina area, and is credited with installing Lodges in the two state areas, including those in Atlanta, Macon and Savannah, Georgia and the Lodges in Columbia and Florence, South Carolina.

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In 1937, Lodge members helped reconstruct a log cabin which became the official home of the Bob White Lodge. In the early 1970’s, the Cabin was dismantled from the old Camp Linwood Hayne off of Boy Scout Road in Augusta and reconstructed at its current location at Camp Linwood Hayne in South Richmond County, Georgia.

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The third Lodge Chief of the Bob White Lodge was Carl Stelling. In 1938, eight Bob White Lodge members became the first Order of the Arrow members in Region 6 to receive the Brotherhood Honor.
 

In 1942, Chief Newbery moved to Charleston to become their Scout Executive and founded their Lodge. He went on to serve as National Secretary of the Order of the Arrow. In 1948, he compiled and edited the first OA Handbook. J. Rucker Newbery was awarded the Order of the Arrow’s Distinguished Service Award in 1948 while serving on the National level.

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In 1948, at the Area Z meeting in Charleston, Bob White Lodge Chief, Robert Humphries was elected as Area Chief. In 1955, the Bob White Lodge hosted its first Area Conclave for Area 6-C. It was held at A H Stephens State Park. The next two Area Conclaves Bob White Lodge hosted were in 1965 and in 1968 at Camp Linwood Hayne. The Region system was changed in 1973 and the Lodge hosted the Area 5 Conference in 1979.

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We hosted the 1986 Dixie Fellowship at Camp Linwood Hayne. Chip Grant served as the Section Vice-Chief of the Dixie Fellowship, and Robert Boquist was Lodge Chief at the time. 1986 was also our 50th anniversary. The Guque Dancers, the Lodges dance team, placed 3rd at the Dixie hosted by Tomo Chi-Chi in 1987, and 2nd at the Dixie hosted by Tsali Lodge. In 1989, at a Dixie held by Unali’yi Lodge, our Lodge had the best showing at a Dixie. The Lodge placed 3rd in the planbook competition, placed in many quest events, and our Lodge tied for 1st place with Skyuka Lodge in the quest for the Golden Arrow. The tie was decided by a pull-off tug of war, which Skyuka had obviously practiced for, and Bob White Lodge took 2nd place overall in the quest.

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Over this decade we sent many outstanding youth to the National Order of the Arrow Conferences at various Universities around the nation. The Lodge also sent promising youth leaders to the National Leadership Seminars held during this time.

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In 1989, our Lodge made changes in the Lodge program, and improvements in Lodge Administration. The committee structure was redone to better suit the current needs of the Lodge. The Lodge also began to incorporate fun activities into its Ordeals; including the annual egg toss contest, the whirlybird Olympics, and an adult vs. youth tug of war contest. Better known as “Funk on the Field”. In the same year our Lodge earned the distinction of National Honor Lodge. Jeff Yearick and Scott McKie were selected to serve on the Order of the Arrow Service Corps at the 1989 National Scout Jamboree.

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Graham Murray was our Lodge Chief in 1990. A contingent from the Lodge attended the 1990 National Order of the Arrow Conference in Indiana. The Bob White Lodge hosted a very successful Section Indian Affairs Seminar in the fall of 1990. Scott McKie served as SE-5 Section Vice-Chief of Indian Affairs in the 1991-1992 season. In 1992, Bert Wright began the term of Lodge Chief, but Gabe Garner succeeded him upon his resignation due to time constraints. In 1992 a contingent of five youth and six adults represented the Lodge at the National Order of the Arrow Conference in Knoxville, Tenn. At the 1992 N.O.A.C. Scott McKie, in his last Dance Competition as a youth, placed second in the National Fancy Dance Competition. In 1993 Bob White Lodge had two members, Stephen Rauls and Eric Wilson, to serve on the National Jamboree Staff. In 1994 Bob White Lodge hosted the Dixie Fellowship. Eric Wilson served as Dixie Vice-Chief with Steve Hevel as his Advisor.

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1995 proved to be a busy year for the Lodge. A great contingent went to N.O.A.C. as well as to the Dixie hosted by Tomo Chi Chi at Camp Blue Heron. Two Ordeals and three Trail to Brotherhood opportunities were held with great success, and a grant was received for our Lodge to construct a shelter for the new C.O.P.E. Course. The Lodge Officers made great strides this year to improve our Lodge. This was evident in our success in many areas, at Dixie, Troop elections, and camp improvements.

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In 2000, our Lodge Chief, Jay Widby, was elected as Section Chief. The Lodge sent a large contingent to NOAC. The year 2001 brought many changes to our Lodge. In 2001 Bob White Lodge voted to authorize District Chapters, with each District working to further enhance our Lodge. The Lodge began to focus more on council and district service.

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2002 was a banner year for the Bob White Lodge. The Lodge inducted over 100 members at the March Ordeal. At the 2002 NOAC, Jay Widby received the Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award. While several former Lodge members (Larry Warlick, Dr Ken Davis, and David Surrett) of the Bob White Lodge have received this award, Jay is the only one to receive it while a current member of our Lodge.

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2003 Lodge Chief Kane Bonnette was selected to be the Administrative Coordinator for the Dixie Fellowship of 2004. Also in 2004, the first Ordeal at Knox Scout reservation was held in March. Lodge Member Pete Cato was elected Vice Chief of the Section at the 2004 Dixie Fellowship. Also, in 2004, the Lodge sent 10 Arrowmen and 5 adults to the 2004 NOAC at Iowa State.

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2005 started successfully as we prepare to host the 2006 Dixie Fellowship at Knox Scout Reservation. Former two term Lodge Vice Chief Joe Dorsey was selected to become the Dixie Vice Chief for 2006.

At 2005 Dixie, hosted by Muscogee Lodge, the Bob White Lodge performed exceptionally well, taking first place in Ultimate, second place in Plan Book, and received the C. Norman Alston Spirit Award.

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In 2006, the Lodge hosted Dixie at the newly developed Knox Scout Reservation. The Lodge was instrumental in providing the manpower to clear campsites, fields, and have the camp ready for Dixie and Knox’s first Summer camp in 2006. In 2009, Patrick Garcia was elected Section Secretary. In 2009, Arrowmen furnished the bulk of the civilian labor to put on the 3,000 person Jimmie Dyess Days Camporee. The Lodge laid out campsites, acted as troop guides, and operated its Store/Information booth at the Bob White Lodge Tipi.

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The strength of the Lodge was easily seen in the awards it earned. It was a Quality Lodge in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009.  It was a SectionHonor Lodge in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009. It won the Spirit Award at Dixie in 2005 and 2007. It won the Knowledge and Training Award at Dixie in 2008. It earned first place in Newsletter in 2009. It earned a national award for the 2007 Scoutreach program. It sent Kent Plunkett, Keith Jones, and Bill Charters to the ArrowCorps5 project. The Lodge sent 15 Arrowmen, youth and adults to the 2004 NOAC at Iowa State, 19 youth and adults to the 2006 NOAC at Michigan State, and 11 youth and adults to the 2009 NOAC at Indiana University. At the 2009 NOAC, SR-5 demonstrated the most unity and loudest pride in the nation. The Section Officers and Lodge Chiefs staged their Cheerwine chugging con- test before rocking the last show.

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In the 2010’s, the Lodge continued on its excellent record of service in its eighth decade. It was a Quality Lodge in 2010 and 2011. It was a Section Honor Lodge in 2010, 2011, and 2012, and earned the Journey to Excellence Gold Award standard in the first year of the Award Program. In 2010, Patrick Garcia was reelected as Section Secretary.

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In 2011, the Bob White Lodge sent a full contingent to the SummitCorps to build 28,000 feet of bike trails for the National Park Service adjacent to the Bechtel Summit Reserve. On December 30, 2010, the Bob White Lodge received a National Service Grant to move the Rivers Lodge, its 1813 hand hewn log cabin, from the Highway 56 Camp Linwood Hayne to the Knox Scout Reservation. By October 2011, the Rivers Lodge was moved with a month to spare from the deadline in the grant. In 2012, the Lodge received its first E. Urner Goodman Camping Award for camp promotion.

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In 2012, Arrowmen again furnished the bulk of the civilian labor to put on the 3,000 person Jimmie Dyess Days Camporee. The Lodge laid out campsites, acted as troop guides, and operated its Store/Information booth at the Bob White Lodge Tipi. The Lodge sent 14 Arrowmen, youth and adults, to the 2012 NOAC at Michigan State. Again, SR-5 demonstrated the most unity and loudest pride in the nation. The Section Officers and Lodge Chiefs staged their cheerwine chugging contest before rocking the last show.

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To close out 2012 and as part of the OA’s centenary celebration, the Bob White Lodge provided a Legacy Rock to be installed in Brotherhood fireplace at the Bechtel Summit Reserve. The Legacy Rock was made from Georgia granite from our area. It was 22.5 inches by 10 inches by 4.5 inches with “Bob White Augusta, Ga” carved into the face of the rock. It weighed 85 pounds. The rocks were to be delivered by December 15, 2012 to the OA National Chairman Ray Capp’s home in Nashville, Tennessee. The Lodges were encouraged to use a rock which is representative of their area. Ultimately, the rocks are to be used at a fireplace at the Summit Bechtel Reserve. The Bob White Lodge was the first in SR5 to do so.

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In 2013, Steve Kerr became the Lodge Adviser.  Bob White had a great representation on staff at the 2013 National Jamboree, the first to be held at the Bechtel Summit Reserve in West Virginia.  The Lodge also set a contingent of two to National Lodge Adviser’s Training Seminar and three to the National Leadership Seminar.  The Lodge continued its service to the Council through events including University of Scouting and Merit Badge University.

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Through its hard work, the Lodge obtained Journey to Excellence Gold for 2014 and 2015. The Lodge had the privilege in January of 2015 to have one of our largest banquets in recent years with former Augusta Mayor Bob Young and 2015 Southern Region Chief, Alex Leach as guest speakers. At the 2015 Dixie Fellowship, Lodge Chief Reed Powell was elected SR-5 Section Chief. The Lodge sent a contingent of 19 to the 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conference at Michigan State as well as three Arrowmen on staff. The Lodge recognized six Lodge leaders as Centurions for their service over a period of years to the Bob White Lodge. These Arrowmen include Gregory Francisco, J. Rucker Newbery, Gregory Sewell, David Surrett, Jay Widby, and Paul Whittle.

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To open up the 2016-year, Bob White Lodge hosted the Dixie Fellowship at the Robert E. Knox Scout Reservation with over 1,000 Arrowmen from SR-5 in attendance. 2016 was a big year for the Lodge as we also celebrated our 80th anniversary with the theme “Service before Self” and produced a special anniversary flap in recognition of the first flap of the Lodge.

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In more recent years, Bob White Lodge has had ceremonialists place in the top 3 ranks at the 2017 and 2018 Dixie Fellowships along with a Brotherhood team placing in the 2018 Dixie competitions. While at the 2017 Dixie Fellowship, Bob White Ceremonies Chairman, Robert Bolton, was elected to serve as the 2017-2018 SR-5 Section Secretary. After the 2018 Dixie Fellowship, the Lodge began to plan the final logistics of the National Order of the Arrow Conference at Indiana University. Bob White Lodge sent a small contingent and 3 members to serve on Staff for the conference, as well as 11 Arrowmen to the Conference.

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Following NOAC 2018, the Lodge prepared for the induction of female Arrowmen in February of 2019 as well as electing new members from Venturing BSA Crews and Sea Scout Ships! In March of 2019, the Bob White Lodge introduced and approved the production of a new Standard Lodge Flap, known as the S81, which has officially replaced the S14 as the new symbol of the Bob White Lodge.

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Kicking off the new decade, the Bob White Lodge continued its dedication to programs, induction, and service, despite the issues presented by the COVID-19 Pandemic. In January 2020, the Bob White Lodge executed its Winter Banquet hosting more than 90 members and guests. The Lodge continued to execute its programs conducting both Spring and Fall Fellowship and Inductions weekends ensuring the stability and growth of Lodge membership and fostering induction of new Arrowmen in the Order of the Arrow. During the Fall Fellowship in September of 2020, Parker Powell was elected as the Bob White Lodge Chief leading our Lodge in Brotherhood, Cheerfulness and Service in the Augusta area. In October 2020, we conducted a virtual Lodge Leadership Seminar in keeping with safe conduct and COVID guidance. Finally, in December 2020 to close out the year we completed our annual Winter Fellowship, which included both a Brotherhood conversion and Vigil honor. During the Winter Fellowship members were introduced to bead work skills and encouraged to participate in American Indian Affairs programs.

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In January of 2021, the Lodge Key 4 set out to inject the Lodge into Council-level Scouting programs for youth in the Council. This was kicked off by the Lodge hosting the GeorgiaCarolina Spring Camporee with the theme based on the “Amazing Race” in an event called “The Race for the Golden Quail.” More than 110 Scouts representing 18 Patrols from 10 Troops participated in this unique event combining Scout skills, team building, communication, leadership and fun. This is now an annual event that will be hosted by the Lodge where Patrols not only compete in individually scored Scout skills events, but also for the coveted “Golden Quail” trophy. The camporee was followed quickly with the Spring Fellowship and Inductions weekend. This event not only focused on Ordeal for our new members, but also introduced members to woodcarving, dance and drum, as well as quest games in preparation for the 2021 Cornerstone Conclave. At Conclave our Bob White Lodge ceremonies teams took top honors for both individual and team performances in both the Pre-Ordeal and Brotherhood Ceremonies. Rylee Furby took best dancer in the men’s Grass Dance competition, and the Lodge took first place in several Quest events. Continuing through the year, in May 2021 the Lodge provided service to the Cub Scout “Cub Fun Day” program with the “Quail Run” obstacle course and injecting a little taste of “Order of the Arrow” fun and presence at the event. During June, Bob White members provided service as Summer Camp Staff at Robert E. Knox Scout Reservation. In September, the Lodge carried out its Fall Fellowship and Inductions weekend welcoming 30 new Arrowmen through Ordeal and the conversion of 15 Arrowmen to Brotherhood. Also, during the Fall, Lodge members supported both the annual Cub Scouting Spookoree and Webeloree events by supporting field activities, campfires programs and the first ever OA Haunted House. We rounded out the year with our annual Lodge Leadership Development program in October followed by our Winter Fellowship event in December.

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In 2022 the Bob White Lodge hosted their second annual “The Race for the Golden Quail” in the Spring, as well as sending 40 arrowmen to the E-7 Cornerstone Conclave at John J. Barnhardt in New London, N.C., where our ceremonies teams once again took top honors in pre-ordeal and Brotherhood. The Lodge sent 21 Arrowmen to the 2022 National Order of the Arrow Conference being held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN. In an effort to improve the Lodge, our activities, and service to our Arrowmen, we improved in the area of American Indian Affairs by introducing AIA craft into our fellowships. And finally, during 2022 we hosted several events such as our Spring and Fall Fellowships and Inductions weekends. During the Spring and Summer the lodge held their first tailgate weekend at the new Nature and Adventure center. The lodge had a record number of Ordeal and Brotherhood candidates at Fall and Spring Inductions weekends. The lodge held its Winter Fellowship event at Camp Daniel Marshall where the theme was the Polar Express. We conducted camp service days, staffed events supporting local Cub Scouting programs such as Cub Fun Day  and Liger Prowl manning the obstacle course, and our annual Lodge Leadership Development at the Nature and Adventure Center.

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In 2023 the Bob White Lodge hosted a third annual " Race for the Golden Quail" in the Spring. The Lodge sent a contingent to the E-7 Cornerstone Conclave at Camp Ho Non Wah on the shores of the Bohicket River in Wadmalaw Island, SC.  In an effort to improve the Lodge, our activities, and service to our Arrowmen, the Lodge reintroduced call out ceremonies at camporees and summer camp as well as realigned our elections with Inductions to better the candidate experience. The lodge revamped the training offered in our annual Lodge Leadership Development to include more diverse offerings for all Arrowmen. To improve our leadership pool, the Lodge sent 3 arrowmen to NLS hosted by the Atlanta Area Council. The Lodge held it's Winter Fellowship event at Knox Scout Reservation with Dr. Seuss The Grinch as the theme for this year. During this fellowship, we hosted the Section Chief, VC Chief, and Inductions Coordinator as well as VC of Inductions from EGWA TAWA DEE Lodge. 

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Looking ahead to 2024, the Lodge plans to send 3 more arrowmen to NLS hosted in Columbia, SC. The Lodge plans to hos a fourth "Race for the Golden Quail" in the Spring, The Lodge will host the Winter Banquet with 70 arrowmen in attendance as we celebrate the previous year. As we continue to improve our Lodge, activities, and service to our Arrowmen, the Lodge will be continuing Call Out services and introducing AOL ceremonies back into the program. The Lodge plans to send 17 Arrowmen to NOAC in Boulder, Colorado as they "Seek New Heights". The Lodge will also have 3 staff members present. We plan to send 50 arrowmen to E-7 Conclave in April hosted by Catawba Lodge and held at Camp Belk. During the Spring Fellowship, we will be hosting the newly elected National Vice Chief John Andrew  Segebarth. Our service days in 2024 will be consentrating on preparation for Summer Camp as well as E-7 Conclave 2025 which will be hosted by the Lodge at Knox Scout Reservation.