New Blue Heron standard flap

Blue Heron Lodge 349, based in Norfolk, VA has used the same flap patch design since their original fully embroidered S1 debuted in the late 1950’s. The flap they issue to their newest lodge members today looks virtually identical to the first flaps issued in 1957, with the singular exception of a small white fleur d’lis (added in 1976 to comply with national policy for Scout emblems).

When the Blue Heron flap was first issued it was one of the first fully embroidered Order of the Arrow flap patch in the country, and was highly sought after by OA collectors. Its timeless design depicts the stately blue heron catching a fish in the waters of Lake Constance at Camp Darden, where the Lodge was founded. According to the Blue Heron Lodge history web site, the flap design was derived from the original diamond shaped neckerchief patch which was first produced in 1954.

Through the years with the advent of new embroidery technology the Blue Heron flap has evolved to feature more precise details and there have been slight variations in the thread colors and sizes of lettering and the fleur d’lis. The flap pictured at the top was first issued in August of 2012 and is slightly different than the previous standard flap pictured below. Note the lettering on the newer flap is taller and the fleur d’lis is  thicker. The newer flap is about 2mm less wide than the prior standard issue, and there are more dimensional details in the tail feathers of the heron.

Blue Heron lodge member John Ortt advised that the new version was confirmed by Lodge Advisor Bill Stine.