Kyle R. and Anthony W, from Tamegonit Lodge in the Heart of America Council, are National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) veterans, attending previously in 2004 at Iowa State University and in 2006 at Michigan State University. Because of this, the two roommates knew some of the extra touches to bring to make their dorm room more comfortable for their stay this year.
Anthony brought a handful of CDs and an iPod clock while Kyle brought some DVDs - "for evening down time," they said. They were both happy their room was air conditioned, a welcomed change from the last conference. "It's really nice," said Kyle. "I like all the closet space."
Michael T, another member of Tamegonit Lodge, had never stayed in a dorm before. His reaction upon opening the door to his home for the next week: "Sweet!" before testing out the bed.
These three young men are just some of the 7,000 Arrowmen expected to move into the Indiana University dorms today as they arrive for the conference. But with all the activities planned for the week ahead, they hopefully will not be spending much time there.
As they waited for their room keys, Arrowmen received their conference cinch sacks filled with a new Order of the Arrow handbook, a conference guest guidebook and campus map, nametag and other paperwork from their contingent leaders.
Eu-Jin O, from Wiatava Lodge in the Orange County Council, was a rather light packer - only one small duffel bag for all his clothes and a small backpack holding lenses for his camera. In contrast, Arrowmen competing in the dance or ceremonies competitions had a few more boxes to carry in for all the pieces of their regalia.
Revised 8/1/2009