What is NOAC?

Beginning August 1, over 7000 arrowmen, including a contingent from the Great Smoky Mountian Council, converge on Indiana University for the 30th NOAC of National Order of the Arrow Conference. What is NOAC? Here is the official description from the NOAC website:

In the summer of 2009, arrowmen from around the country have the unique opportunity to gather together for the National Order of the Arrow Conference commonly referred to as NOAC. NOACs generally have over 7,000 Arrowmen in attendance that are seeking many of the aspects you are looking for: fun, fun and more fun. Each time a conference is held, Arrowmen coming from around the world gather at a major university to share their ideas on lodge leadership, activities, and ceremonies as well as participate in a large variety of competitions. This six day adventure is unlike any other event in Scouting and is unique to just members of the Order of the Arrow.

NOAC is comprised of all aspects of the Order, which include ceremonial evaluations to learning about the latest in metalsmithing capabilities. A typical NOAC day consists of the following:

Breakfast
Morning training sessions
Lunch
Afternoon training sessions, athletic competitions and museums
Dinner
Evening show
Evening activities which include open bowling, patch trading, etc.

The training at each NOAC is world class because it brings together the most knowledgeable individuals in the area of your chosen topic. These trainers come from around the world to share their expertise with you so that you may be able to bring these ideas back to your lodge and also for personal enjoyment. The latest in bead weaving techniques will help you make your very own beaded items or Native American headdress. No matter what you are interested in, there is a training session that will create a fire within you.

What would be a gathering of people from everywhere without competitions? The competitions vary is size but there is no shortage when it comes to the breadth of opportunities available for you to showcase your talents. A wide variety of sports competitions take place at each conference. For those of you interested in the Native American aspect, we have ceremonies evaluations and Native American dancing to suit your fancy. Through these competitions, Arrowmen are able to not only better themselves physically but also mentally. If these don't appeal to you, there are a multitude of other competitions that will helpful ignite your inner competitive juices.

Also in the afternoons, the National Order of the Arrow Museum will be on display showcasing the national chief and national vice-chief's bonnet, respectively. Much of the lore spoken of in the Order will be found within this novel place. For many people, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see pictures of our founder, Dr. E. Urner Goodman and co-founder, Carroll Edson. You will also have the opportunity to see the history of Order of the Arrow sashes not found anywhere else in the world. You won't want to miss out on this chance.

After dinner, all participants and staff members gather in the university's arena for the nightly show. The first show is always one to remember as the youth National Officers are introduced with their respective bonnet placed on their heads. These impressive young men will welcome each of us to the conference and will share memories of their past that have helped to shape the people they have become today. Some of the other evening shows have depicted messages like an awards evening where the Order of the Arrow will bring in its latest class of Arrowmen to receive the Distinguished Service Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. Other nights will feature the finals of the different disciplines involved with Native American dancing. The final evening encompasses a theme show wrapping up the conference. These shows will forever remain in your heart as one of your fondest memories of NOAC.

After the show is over there is great opportunity for food, fun, and fellowship with all the participants.

After an exciting six day adventure like this, what more can a person do than SLEEP! With the amount of activities on the horizon for the coming day, you are going to need your rest but most of all you won't want to miss NOAC 2009. Don't miss your chance at participating in history. Sign up today!

Visit the NOAC site at NOAC 2009

Local Site for 100 Years of Scouting Information

A local website has been established for information concerning local participation in the 100 Years of Scouting celebration. That site (http://www.everythingscouting.org/ )can be accessed from the links on the left side of the page. The year long event has already begun. A 24 by 36 print depicting the history of the Boy Scouts of America was presented to Ken Mehlhorn, GSMC Scout Executive, on May 1, 2009. This became the symbolic beginning of the 100 Years of Scouting Celebration. Scouters from the Detroit Area Council are presenting the prints to every council in the country. The significant fact is that they are all being presented personally. You can find out more about the Century of Values Tour at: http://www.acenturyofvalues.org/

Celebrating 100 Years - A Year of Celebration

This post is from the Scouting.org 100 years of Scouting site:

For 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has created a strong foundation of leadership, service, and community for millions of America’s youth. Through A Year of Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference, we will demonstrate the incredible impact of a century of living the Scout Law.

Program participants will earn recognition for making a difference in their communities due to their dedication to five of Scouting’s core values: Leadership, Character, Community Service, Achievement, and the Outdoors. Participants will be able to earn our 100th Anniversary commemorative patch.

A Year of Celebration will take place from September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010. The program is open to all Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Scouting alumni. Read the patch requirements to learn more.

Additionally, the BSA has also teamed up with some great organizations to offer unique 100th Anniversary service projects that can apply towards your Year of Celebration Service award. These national opportunities will truly show what Scouts can do when they band together towards a shared goal.

For 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America has created a strong foundation of leadership, service, and community for America’s youth. Through A Year of Celebration, we celebrate this legacy and commit ourselves to inspire and prepare future generations.

Summer Camp Without Tents?!

Boy Scout Councils are not isolated from the current economy. They have money problems just like everyone else. A current topic in many councils is whether to continue with canvas tents at summer camp or to seek alternatives. What alternatives? Take a look at some non-scout camps. Tents are not the norm. Cabins are the usual sleeping accommodations. But does non-tent camping really sound like scout camp? Is sleeping in a tent a prerequisite for summer camp? Are cabins feasible for scout camps? Are cabins affordable for scout camps?

Some camps do already have some cabins. I don't know if any camp is exclusively housed in cabins. Two designed that I have seen are a wooden version of the old cook's tent design or the Adirondack shelter style (shown in the photo from the Allegheny Council camp in New York state)and the other is a more conventional cabin with four bunks and screens on three sides. The bunks are built in so cots are not needed. They both have wood floors but they are otherwise pretty spartan.

Another idea is camp supplying no tents at all. Immediately this is a problem for out of council troops. I doubt many would want to travel and carry tents and supplies, so I am not sure of the practicality of this option. Flat tent sites would be a must. I am not sure if tent platforms would be a good option either, since there is no standard tent size.

An option might be to offer some sites with tents and some without tents. This would allow the troop to make the decision. Some troops have very well equipped trailers with enough room to carry tents and supplies. For some, the tent option might not be the best.

What is your opinion on a scout camp without tents? Needless to say, all camps will have to look at all the alternatives. Is there a way to get more life out of a tent? What is the estimated cost of building and upkeep on cabins or shelters? Will cabins or shelters be accepted by the campers? Is there an alternative for out of council campers? I am curious about the feeling of the readers. Please respond to this post with your comments.

Happy 4th of July

Tradition has it that this is a day of hot dogs, hamburgers and fireworks. Today should be a day of thanks and introspection. Many things that are going on in our world threaten the existence of our freedom. People all over the world burn our flag and chant hate speech in the streets. We need to constantly "Be Prepared" for whatever might threaten our country.

We have a bright spot. The youth of America that area part of the Boy Scouts. They are the leaders of the future. We need to train them well. They are the spirit of America. God bless America. Happy Independence Day! Celebrate what is best about America.