Arrowmen from all over the US gathered at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan for training and fellowship. This was NOAC the National Order of the Arrow Conference . This was held July 29-August 03, 2006 and Wahpekute Lodge had 10 Arrowmen there. It was a great experience that brought more meaning to me on what it means to be in the Order of the Arrow. On Saturday morning the 29th we got into East Lansing after staying the evening in South Bend, Indiana. The first thing most people did after stepping off the busses or getting out of their vehicles was to go to an orientation session put on by our Central Region Section Chiefs in Munn Field. Here we were given general information about NOAC and all the activities in which we could participate. When orientation was over, we checked into our dormitory. After settling in, we ate our first meal on campus and then gathered as a lodge to trek over to the Breslin Center for the opening show of NOAC. In an exciting display of lights, fireworks, video, and the traditional parade of lodge flaps; the 2006 National Order of the Arrow Conference was officially started. We were introduced to the National Chief and Vice Chief of the Order of the Arrow, and the audience was shown a multi-media representation of the conference theme, “The Legend Lives On.” In the Chief’s moving address to the crowd of over 8,000 (the largest in NOAC history), Sean Murray spoke of the hardships in his own life and how the Order of the Arrow had helped him overcome. He spoke of why Arrowmen do what they do – cheerful service. After seeing the opening show, Wahpekute Lodge members were enthused about the days to come at NOAC. The next few days would be filled with training classes, workshops, competitions, patch trading and many of the other events at the conference had to offer. After each day there would be a big show for all of the members. On Sunday, after a fun-filled first day at NOAC, the lodge gathered to go to the History/Awards Show. Thirty-nine Arrowmen were awarded the Distinguished Service Award on the main stage of the arena. Lastly, the Chief Scout Executive, Roy Williams addressed the Arrowmen in attendance. For the last two nights we did not have the best seats for the show. On Monday and Wednesday we were quicker getting to the Breslin Center and thus we had prime seating in the lower part of the arena. At the arena on Monday evening, we saw a Native American themed show that explained how Buffalo Bill and his Wild West show helped preserve the Native American spirit and culture. The segments about Buffalo Bill were broken up with dances from the top dancers in all categories and the national winners were announced. On Tuesday there was no arena show as this was an opportunity for the lodges to gather and simply kick back before Founders’ Day. On Wednesday, there was a parade formed around Brody Hall as a suitable opening to the upcoming Goodman Games. National Officers, Sections, Lodges, and other Arrowmen were all in attendance at the event in preparation for Founders’ Day. The Goodman games are a collection of 22 games and activities held at the Brody Complex. After a relaxing or busy morning, depending, many were ready for the Founders’ Day Fair. The Fair was a high point of the day for many reasons. Many enjoyed lunch on the beautiful Munn Field. As if it wasn’t enjoyable enough, there were many, many booths at the Founders’ Day Fair. These booths were run by lodges, sections, and other groups who offered information and giveaways. One event booth had silk-screening for T-shirts. Our lodge did not have a booth, but we talked about having one next time, perhaps with Spam. Other booths had free goodies ranging from mini tape measures to coffee packets and camp promotion materials. This was a great time for all. In the evening we gathered as lodge to walk to the last arena show together. We were ahead of schedule and like before we got very good seats on the arena floor. It was awesome. Some arrowmen had funny, over-the-top head gear such as chicken hats or large green cowboy hats. Tonight’s show was very different from the other shows. It was more of a play called, “Testing Brandon.” The test was a series of staged scenarios in which Brandon had to display a good quality, to join a club which represented Arrowmen and Eagles striving for better fellowship. At the end of the show everyone stood and sang the song of our Order. Nothing at this conference has been more impressive than the uniting voice of over 8,000 Arrowmen singing in the spirit of brotherhood and fellowship. It was a powerful and lasting ending to NOAC 2006. After we all sang the song, that was supposed to be it – everyone was to go outside and eat ice cream and watch a fireworks show, however, hail and thunder-storm warnings kept everyone stuck inside the arena for an hour. This did not sour any spirits as the end of the song turned into a scene of Arrowmen dancing, cheering and collecting confetti in their hats. Some of our lodge members were seen in a line circling the arena floor, while others were up on stage dancing and singing with the national officers. We left the arena floor an hour later and off to the dorms we went to catch a few hours of sleep. Some of the things that we also did at NOAC were visiting the OA History Museum. The museum is set up at every NOAC to preserve the history of the order and its lodges. This was very interesting. Also, it seems that every NOAC brings new and innovative designs from lodges all over the country, and our members like to collect. Go to any hall on the campus and you might have found one of our lodge members trading patches. As it seems, our patch was trading very well this year. Some were getting three or four patches for one of ours. It was a great time and speaking of patches we would like to thank everyone who purchased a patch in helping us get there as the proceeds helped with the transportation costs. Everyone had a great time and we learned a lot, had great fellowship and wish to go back to the next NOAC in 2009. Thank you, Steve Knuth Contingent Leader.
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