Tomo Chi-Chi Lodge 119, the Coastal Empire Council’s Order of the Arrow organization, was formed in May 1938 with the assistance of Bobwhite Lodge 87 from Augusta, Georgia. Bobwhite Lodge conducted an Ordeal and an induction ceremony at Camp Strachan for eighteen Ordeal
candidates. These eighteen Ordeal members and one Brotherhood member (the lodge’s professional advisor) who transferred his membership from another lodge became the charter members of Tomo Chi-Chi Lodge 119.
In June 1938, Tomo Chi-Chi Lodge 119 conducted its first Ordeal. Eight additional members were inducted into the lodge. Also, one Brotherhood member moved his membership to the lodge. Now, the membership of the lodge consisted of 26 Ordeal members and two Brotherhood members and started the long tradition that continues today of cheerful service by Brothers of Tomo Chi-Chi Lodge 119.
The Order of the Arrow’s Tomo Chi-Chi Lodge 119 was named after the Creek Indian chief, Tomo Chi-Chi, who was befriended by General James Edward Oglethorpe upon his arrival in 1733 to form a new English settlement (Savannah) along the Savannah River near Yamacraw, Tomo Chi-Chi’s village.
Today, Tomo Chi-Chi Lodge 119 has approximately 350 members in three chapters within the Coastal Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America.