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NOAC
Prologue - NOAC was a great experience! It offered a wealth of activities and events, enough to appeal to a very broad range of tastes and interests; allowed those attending to meet people and make new friends from accross the nation (and beyond); and gave us all a chance to experience what it is like when you put over 7000 Arrowmen together in one place. We have all come home with many memories of a rich and enjoyable experience. One of the memories I have heard about the most was what it felt like to stand together with thousands of brothers and sing the OA song - words cannot describe or explain what it was like, you just had to experience it to fully understand. If you have never attended a National Order of the Arrow Conference, plan on making it to the next one in 2012. It will be an experience you will remember and cherish for the rest of your like.
August 5th - One of the best parts of the NOAC experience is Founder's Day where we celebrate and acknowledge the founders of the Order of the Arrow. It starts with a parade (that I missed as I was helping set up for later), followed by the Founder's Fair. Our lodge put together a "Highland Games" theme for the fair: all of our contingent wore kilts (except me) and attempted to speak like a highlander from Scotland; we set up an area where Arrowmen from other lodges could try their hand at throwing the caber, the hammer, and the stone; and we handed out beads and old patches from the lodge to those who tried (including small plastic swords to other Lodge Chiefs).
It was very well received by young and old alike. We answered many questions about how others could set up the games at their own council camps, and even had one group tell us they would name the first prize in their games the "Kishkakon Cup" in our honor. Several national-level scouters praised our efforts and thanked us for going above the call to help make the day a huge success (there was even talk of making it a regular event at future NOAC's!).
The closing show tonight was great, and contained more than I could tell about here. Be sure to ask any member who attended about the shows at NOAC and they should be able to talk your ear off. The show closed with the OA song sung by the over 7000 in attendance, something every Arrowman should experience at least once in their life.
August 4th - NOAC offers things to do outside of training sessions, shows, eating and trading patches: there is also a trading post, history museum, "the eXperience" (an exposition of scout-friendly vendors like Alps Mountaineering, Buck Knives, Bushnell, Sawyer, Eureka, Leatherman, Nemo, and many others), outdoor games, skill contests, and much more. While the best part of NOAC is meeting and talking with people from around the country, these other activities help make this a great experience for everyone.
Today saw a real gully-washer of a rainstorm that also brought gusting winds, small (pea-sized) hail, and lightning for a short period of time. Warnings of the hazardous weather came out over the NOAC radio station and also over the cellphone text alert network that is new at this conference, so many avoided being totally soaked when it hit. The rain continued for several hours after the really bad stuff passed over and there were no reported injuries or damage.
This evening a new world record was set at NOAC - for the world's largest kazoo band. I don't know the exact count but there are over 7000 attending this conference. We played three different songs: "God Bless America", the OA song, and "Yankee Doodle Dandy". It was interesting to hear thousands of people playing the kazoo at the same time, although not all on the same beat (or note!).
After the world record was set we enjoyed region ball where the central region got put out in the first round (the fix seemed to be in on this one!); then moved on to the 'Grand Hodag' (a sort of party/fair) where there was plenty of root beer and baked potatoes with butter, sour cream, and cheese.
We learned late tonight that our ceremonies team placed in the top twenty in competition and are waiting to hear if we placed in the top 10, which would mean the team goes back in again for another performance which will decide the winner.
August 3rd - I am very impressed with how the event theme, "The Power of One", is integrated into almost every aspect of the event including individual classes.
Each day brings unique events. Today you could get the National Chief and/or Vice Chief to sign the bobble-heads that were made in their honor (or of course you could just have them sign your autograph sash). This afternoon authors Kenneth P. Davis ("The Brotherhood of Cheerful Service; A History of the Order of the Arrow") and Nelson R. Block ("A Thing of the Spirit; The Life of E. Urner Goodman") showed up to autograph their respective books. These books gives the reader a new perspective into our order and those who worked to create it, and are highly recommended reading for all Arrowmen.
There have been things not go according to plan, but the event staff has worked tirelessly to effect speedy resolutions to any issues. Many I talked with had nothing but praise for how the staff worked to help quickly resolve issues they encountered.
August 2nd - NOAC 2009 is turning out to be a great experience for all in attendance. There are classes offered during the day with a broad range of topics allowing everyone, from the most seasoned member to the newest Arrowman, a chance to enhance their knowledge and improve their skills; opportunities at every turn to meet new people from lodges around the country and make friendships that will last a lifetime; and activities and shows unique to each day.
For many in attendance patch trading holds the greatest allure. It can be found almost everywhere on campus, with both organized trading sessions each day and informal trading between individual members wherever you find NOAC activity throughout the day. This is a great way to meet people and see what other lodges are doing with their image. Many of the lodge flaps show an impressive quality of artwork and bold design concepts. Quite a number of people here own impressive collections with patches from NOAC's held decades ago and/or including lodge flaps from almost every lodge that has ever been.
August 1st - Time is short and there is much to do, so this will be brief. After enjoying a scenic drive to Bloomington, Indianna (and arriving safe and sound) we set about the tasks of getting registered and into our quarters. After dinner we enjoyed the opening show, and then some patch trading. The theme of the conference is "The Power of One". |
