We Are Getting Together Again at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan for Its 96th Year!

Food, Fun, Service, and Inductions in the Beautiful Northwoods

Join us again as Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge sponsors a weekend that is critical to getting our beloved Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation ready for the Summer. Any Scout or Scouter may attend for the weekend and take part in fellowship, fun, meals, and service. OA members can additionally attend the Pre-Ordeal, Ordeal, and Brotherhood (must be at least Brotherhood) Ceremonies. Arrangements for rides to and from MSR will be available through the Lodge. Some cabins and stumps will be available on a first-come-first-served basis for camping but you may also bring your own tents. Attendees who are OA members and dues paid will receive the 2025 Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge Service T-Shirt. Other attendees may purchase the service T-shirt from our Store if desired. 

NORTHEAST ILLINOIS COUNCIL UNITS: Use the Autofill button next to each participant spot to add names. If a name is not listed, use the Update Information button instead. Contact your Unit Leader if they should be on our list to ensure the participant is properly registered; include Debi Geiger or Sam Dummer in the email so they are informed of their BSA status.

Weekend Schedule

Friday (Note attendees are on their own for Friday dinner)

• 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Members, Candidates, Guests Arrive
• 10:00 PM - The Ordeal Induction begins with the Pre-Ordeal Ceremony (OA Members Only) (Start time subject to change but will be after 10:00 PM)

Saturday

• 7:30 AM - Breakfast
• 8:00 AM - Work Projects Begin
• 12:00 PM - Lunch
• 1:00 PM - Work Projects Resume
• 4:00 PM - Work Projects End. Ordeal Candidates stop work, clean up
• 6:00 PM - Dinner
• 6:15 PM - Lodge Presentations
• 7:15 PM - Fellowship Activities Begin
• 7:15 PM - Brotherhood Hike Begins
• 7:30 PM - Brotherhood Ceremony (OA Brotherhood and Vigil Members Only)
• 8:00 PM - Ordeal Ceremony (OA Members Only)
• 9:00 PM - Hodag (Don't know what this is, come find out!)

Sunday

• 7:30 AM - Breakfast
• 8:00 AM - Work Projects Begin
• 8:00 AM - Ordeal Candidates attend Aim High Orientation
• 12:00 PM - Lunch
• 1:00 PM - Work Projects Resume
• 5:00 PM - All Work Projects End, Attendees Leave Camp

Ordeal Inductions

If you are a candidate for the Order of the Arrow and have been elected (youth under 21) or selected (Adults over 21) in 2023 or 2024, this is one of your chances in 2024 to complete your induction by completing the Ordeal. To register, please select the Ordeal registration option. This is the only fee you need to pay for the weekend. Ordeal fees include the following: registration in the Lodge for 2024, your sash, your meals, a Lodge flap, an Order of the Arrow Handbook. You should also make sure you bring the following. 

• BSA Medical Form Parts A and B These medical forms will not be returned! Please bring a copy and not the original.
• Medicine (if applicable) Must be in original bottles with attendee name, dose, etc. All medications will be turned into the Health Officer except medication for life-threatening condition, i.e. epi-pen. 
• Ground cloth or tarp to sleep on the ground
• Sleeping pad
• Sleeping bag
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Refillable water bottle
• Rain gear
• Field Uniform (aka Class A) - wear this Friday night and change into Saturday after work projects
• Work clothes - be sure they are clothes you don't mind getting paint on as some projects are painting
• Work gloves
• Bug Spray
• Sun Screen

Ordeal Candidate Information

Please see our Ordeal Candidate Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Brotherhood Inductions

Members who have been Ordeal members for at least 6 months and wish to complete their Brotherhood membership should register as regular attendees and check the box that indicates they wish to complete Brotherhood. The following details the Brotherhood Induction process and you will need to prepare a little in advance.

• All current Lodge members who are Ordeal are eligible
• Be currently registered in the Lodge by paying your 2024 dues
• A fee of $25 for Brotherhood will apply. Please check the box on your registration form. 
• Complete the 5 requirements as outlined in Brotherhood Letter and Study Guide (Document to be sent out prior to the event, check your emails).
• Complete the Brotherhood Hike and Ceremony

Costs

Please note that all guests must be registered in Scouting America and, if 18 or older, Youth Protection trained. 

All Attendees - Be Prepared

Bring the following for this event. 

• BSA Medical Form Parts A and B These medical forms will not returned! Please bring a copy and not the original. 
• Medicine (if applicable) Must be in original bottles with attendee name, dose, etc. All medications will be turned into the Health Officer except medication for life-threatening condition, i.e. epi-pen. 
• Work clothes - we often have painting projects so be sure to bring clothes you don't mind getting paint on including outerwear to stay warm or dry
• Work gloves
• Water Bottle
• Rain Gear
• Tents (If using a tent)
• Sleeping Bag
• Field Uniform (aka Class A)

Work Projects

Getting Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan ready for the summer is our goal, and we will be working on many projects for the facilities and programs to maintain them, beautify the camp, and prepare camp for this year's use. Many specific projects are already being planned and will be sent or posted in advance ot the weekend. If you have specific skills, you can check the list when it is available to determine if you should bring any of tools. Troops and Crews that come together can sign up for a project together. 

Ride Sharing

We coordinate rides for this weekend. If you need a ride or can provide a ride, please fill out the Ride Share Request/Provider Form.

Lodging and Cabin and Stump Sign-Up

You can bring your own tent(s) and camp in the West Camp field. Also, we do have the availability of most of the cabins and some of the stumps to use for housing during the weekend. If you would like to request one, please fill out the Cabin and Stump Request Form. 

If you cannot find room on the cabin and stump request, please fill out the tab Can't Find a Place and we will try and find something for you. 

Service Shirts

Ordeal candidates and dues paid OA members will receive a 2025 Service T-Shirt included with their fees. Non-members may purchase a shirt at our cost if desired. Non-dues paid members of the OA may either purchase a shirt at cost or pay their current dues at the event to receive a Service T-Shirt.

Questions and Issues Registering

If you have questions, please contact Lodge Chief Alex S at chief@lodge40.org or the Lodge Adviser Steve Rossbach at adviser@lodge40.org or Lee Haak at leehaak57@gmail.com). 

If you miss the registration deadline, contact Steve Rossbach at OALodge40@gmail.com to see if it is still possible to attend.  An additional fee may be required.

*A 3% Processing Fee will be assessed for all online Credit Card payments. **A 0.5% Processing Fee will be assessed for all online e-Check payments. *** Checks sent or brought to 850 Forest Edge Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, will not be assessed this Processing Fee. Make sure the Memo line mentions your registration number.