It is time to begin planning your adventure at the 2012 National Order of the Arrow Conference. This exciting opportunity will be held at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan from July 30 until August 4, 2012. Our Lodge Contingent will leave by Charter Bus Early on Sunday, July 29, and return on Sunday, August 5. The Lodge has begun planning our trip, and the expected cost will be between $850.00 and $950.00 per person, depending on how many Arrowmen attend. On top of the amazing activities that are a part of the National Conference, your fee includes all Meals, including those meals during travel, room and board, two Lodge delegation patch sets, a lodge T-shirt, and a visit to the National Museum of the United States Air Force Dayton, Ohio. The Lodge has worked out a payment schedule to help you plan your trip, and your spot can be reserved with a $100 deposit. Registration forms will be available soon at the council office and online, so look for announcements coming soon on the Lodge Webpage and at Fall Fellowship.
The Payment Schedule is as follows, and is based upon the maximum fee of $950. Payment is required on your behalf to the National Office for $420.00 in April; therefore, there will be no refunds after that date:
Deposit: $100 Dec 1:$100 Jan 1:$125 Feb 1:$125 Mar 1: $125 Apr 1:$125 May 1:$125 June 1:$125
NOAC 2012 Application - pdf
As a special bonus this year, the Lodge will be allocating 50% of all Stew Sales made by an individual (Youth or Adult) and registered by the priority Stew Deadline of November 1, towards your NOAC Fee. Scholarships are also available to cover a portion of the costs, and priority will be given to Arrowmen who have participated in the Stew Sale.
For our members who do not know what the National Order of the Arrow Conference, or NOAC, here is an excerpt from the National webpage at http://www.event.oa-bsa.org/events/n2012/ :
Arrowmen from around the country have the unique opportunity to gather together for the 2012 National Order of the Arrow Conference commonly referred to as NOAC. NOAC 2012 will host more than 8,000 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, American Indian Activities, and Inductions and OA 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.
The training at each NOAC is world class because it brings together the most knowledgeable individuals in the area of your chosen topic. The trainers are some of the best in the Order who will 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 training topics vary from American Indian Activities to Inductions and OA Ceremonies to high adventure such as SCUBA and kayaking.
What would be a gathering of people from everywhere without competitions? The competitions vary in size but there is no shortage when it comes to the breadth of opportunities available for you to display your talents. A wide variety of sports competitions like volleyball, dodge ball, and soccer take place at each conference. For those of you interested in the American Indian Activities aspect, we have dance competitions for the many styles of dance. The Inductions and Ceremonial Events committee will host OA ceremonies evaluations. Through these competitions, Arrowmen are able to not only better themselves physically but also mentally. If these do not appeal to you, there are multitudes of other competitions that will helpful ignite your inner competitive juices.
Also in the afternoons, the Order of the Arrow Museum will be on display displaying 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 from patches to memorabilia to paintings. 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 will not want to miss this chance.
Each evening, Arrowmen will gather in the university's arena for the nightly show. The shows will introduce the NOAC theme and will deliver an inspirational message to Arrowmen. From keynote speeches, award presentations, and original performances, the shows are not to be missed.
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 will not want to miss NOAC 2012. Do not miss your chance at participating in history. Sign up today!
Please see the National OA Website for the lastest developments.
To see images, pictures and events from NOAC 2009 click here.
