Alberto D. from Occoneechee Lodge went through the race at the 2017 National Scout Jamboree and was excited to complete it again this year. “It’s pretty tough, but if you’re in decent physical shape, you can make it,” said Alberto. Canon A., also from Occoneechee Lodge, was going through the race because “Alberto asked me to do it, but now that I’m here I kind of want to do it; not just to beat the course, but also to pass Alberto’s time.” When asked what he was looking forward to the most about the race, Canon said it was “getting to say that I did it.”

At the end of the course, Jeremiah F. from Colonneh Lodge said that he decided to try the course because “why not, you don’t have to complete it by a certain time, you can take it at your own time and give it your best shot.” Richard L. from Amangi Nacha Lodge, who had just completed the race, said that he gave it a try because “it seemed really fun.” Both Jeremiah and Richard said the hardest point in the race was where it required delegates to climb a rope and ring a bell. Both finishers said it was a challenging, yet rewarding experience and would recommend the race to anyone who would be willing to step up to take the challenge. “It’s tons of fun…I’m wiped, but it was a lot of fun,” Richard said at the end of the race.

The post Run the Spartan Race appeared first on NOAC 2018.

The first-ever week-long summit for Scouting Historians, jointly sponsored by the Order of the Arrow and the National Scouting Museum, will be held at Philmont Scout Ranch from June 9 – 15, 2019. Participants will immerse themselves in the Rules, Tools, & Strategies for capturing and preserving Scouting’s rich heritage. Scouting Historian experts will guide Scouts and Scouters in a variety of essential topics including:

• Archival & Preservation Best Practices
• Digital & Physical Preservation
• Preservation Strategic Planning
• Developing Scouting History Websites
• Conducting Living Histories and Interviews
• Exhibiting & Displaying Scouting Memorabilia
• Publishing Scouting History Books
• Historical Narrative Storytelling
• Preserving your Council and Lodge History
• Scouting Art Preservation
• Advanced Management of Collections

Space is limited with only 100 seats available. To register, visit www.Philmonttrainingcenter.org, select “2019 Conferences” from the left-side menu and follow the prompts to register for the National Scouting Historian Summit. If you have any questions, please email Lodge_History@oa-bsa.org.

The post The National Scouting Historian Summit appeared first on NOAC 2018.

Meet Arrowmen from Black Eagle Lodge 482 of the Transatlantic Council. They represent 200 units with 6,000 Scouts from 62 countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The majority of their units are spread throughout European military bases, U.S. embassies, and U.S. companies in Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, and Italy. Their most distant Scout is a Lone Scout in South Africa and their most distant troop is from Abu Dhabi, UAE.

90% of the members of the Transatlantic Council are connected to U.S. military families. Military families are required to move often on assignments which last anywhere from one to three years. They learn to make new friends quickly. A transient life puts a different perspective on normal and Scouting provides a comfort level and familiarity they depend on.

Michael P. is an Eagle Scout from Kaiserslautern, Germany. “Being a military kid is like being a Scout, you arrive set up, camp, then move on,” said Micahel. His mom is a school nurse for the DODEA and dad serves in the U.S. Army. Michael started his Scouting in South Korea, was inducted in Gila Lodge (TX), completed his Brotherhood with Wipala Wiki Lodge (AZ), and is currently a Vigil candidate in Germany.

“Boy Scouts is the only constant factor in my life,” shared Bannon M., an Eagle Scout. He joined as a Bear Cub Scout and was inducted into Occoneechee Lodge (NC), he sealed his membership with Lowanne Nimat Lodge (NY), and kept his Vigil in Amangamek Wipit Lodge (DC). His parents are attached to the NATO forces in Italy, where he currently resides and will start college next year.

Skylor M. is an Ordeal member and a Life Scout. Skylor joined Scouting in Texas as a Tiger Cub and earned his Arrow of Light in Florida before he crossed over, but the majority of his Scouting experiences have been in Germany. Skylor helped clean the 4,399 headstone crosses at the Florence American Military Cemetery in Italy as an Ordeal candidate. Shawn is a brotherhood member and has been involved in Scouting in Washington, D.C., Colorado, England, Italy, and Germany.

Tom Backner, their Lodge Adviser, served for 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, the last 4 with NATO, and has served in eight different councils. His wife was a volunteer with the Boy Scouts in Okinawa when they met. “She was looking for someone with the same values that would be a role model for her two sons,” Tom stated proudly. He staffed NYLT and earned his woodbadge at Gilwell Field in England.

Being part of Black Eagle Lodge and the Transatlantic Council has given these delegates some worldly experiences. Keep in mind they may have to travel to another country or continent before you protest driving across a state border or the few hours to get to a service weekend.

No matter where their families assignment may take them, whether home or abroad, these Arrowmen can count on their Brothers and fellow Scouts to keep them connected and feeling at home. When they return, these brothers are hoping their experiences at NOAC 2018 will help them motivate other Black Eagle Lodge members to make the trip in 2020.

If you, your family, or someone you know in the Order of the Arrow is moving to a different country – and wants to stay involved – visit the Transatlantic Council website, http://tac-bsa.org/programs/oa/.

The post Eagles “Flying” Far and Wide appeared first on NOAC 2018.

The World Scout Jamboree is an event that brings together the world’s youth to promote peace, mutual understanding, and to develop leadership and life skills and will feature the hallmarks of past world jamboree programs such as the Global Development Village, the World Scout Centre, a special sustainability initiative, and the socialization elements that allow participants to make lifelong friends from around the world.

The Summit Bechtel Reserve is a world-class and sustainable Jamboree site and will be home to the 24th World Scout Jamboree. The Summit Bechtel Reserve is located in West Virginia, USA, and is comprised of more than 14,000 acres of beautiful forested mountains adjacent to more than 70,000 acres of national park in the scenic New River Gorge area of West Virginia. Sustainable practices will be evident everywhere you look, as they are at the core of the Summit Bechtel Reserves infrastructure, and sustainability will be a core part of the World Scout Jamboree program.

The 24th World Scout Jamboree will be unique because it is a team effort by Scouts Canada, Asociación de Scouts de México, and the Boy Scouts of America. These three countries are getting ready to welcome Scouting friends as family to “Unlock a New World.” Unlike any other youth event, the World Scout Jamboree invites you to surround yourself in diverse global cultures by joining your new Scouting friends at a single destination for 12 unforgettable days. The jamboree experience extends beyond your home—and beyond the boundaries of our countries—to create a global adventure lasting a lifetime!

Scouts have two amazing opportunities to join the staff of the World Scout Jamboree as part of our Rover Brigade and provide service in support of the 50,000 scouts from over 160 countries we will be hosting. The Rover Brigade is composed of two teams, the Puma Patrol and the Baden-Powell Corps. For additional information, visit here.

To learn more about the Boy Scouts of America contingent to the 2019 World Scout Jamboree, visit here and the World Scout Jamboree website here.

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Here is your guide to what is happening on Friday, August 3, 2018, at NOAC!

For lodges who are in the championship athletic events, the games will take place between 9:00 a.m. and noon. Come out and support your lodge and enjoy the national championships of basketball, flag football, ultimate Frisbee, and volleyball.

Adventure Central and Conversation Central will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for its final day at NOAC. Be sure to go and visit all of the booths and other fun activities.

The Wayfinder Festival will certainly be a highlight of NOAC with music, lodge displays, food, and more. Be sure to stop by between 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to experience one of the best events at the conference.

The final show of the conference, The Theme Show: The Journey, will wrap up the entire conference and discuss the theme, Decide Your Destiny. The decisions we make today can change our lives forever. Doors will open at 7:15 p.m. and the show will begin at 8:00 p.m. The ice cream social will follow at 9:30 p.m.

Be sure to make the most of your day here at NOAC 2018

The post Friday: Your Guide to NOAC Today appeared first on NOAC 2018.

Technology Equipment Sale

Do you like a good deal? The NOAC Technology Committee has several items for sale which were purchased and used only this week to support NOAC 2018. The committee will publish a list of items and prices later this week. Prospective buyers can go to the Trading Post and purchase items, then pick them up Friday night in the Technology office located in Briscoe, C130.

Great items!  Rock-Bottom prices!

On Friday from 2pm to 5pm, NOAC will be selling surplus, non-technology equipment, and supplies from a tent at the Wayfinder Festival.  Delegates and staff will be able to acquire great items for themselves, their councils, and their lodges at prices between 40% and 60% off retail.

Items for sale include:

• Skateboards
• Radio-controlled cars
• Drones
• Coolers
• Tarps
• Storage lockers
• Shop vacuums
• Whiteboards
• Office supplies
• MUCH, MUCH, MORE

If you are interested in seeing the full inventory before Friday, please email NOACEquipmentSale@gmail.com.  Limited pre-purchase opportunities exist, so reach out to lock in the best items now! Payment for items will be credit card only, and the purchaser will be responsible for transporting their items home.

The post NOAC Technology and Equipment Sale appeared first on NOAC 2018.

Offering new and innovative opportunities, the Wayfinder Festival will be unlike any other previous conference experience. Here are just 10 reasons why you do not want to miss out on this experience:

1. Curious about other lodges? There will be over 100 lodge booths showcasing their local culture and history at the Destiny Displays! Make sure to browse because you never know what you may discover!
2. What makes good food and great company even better? Awesome music!! Come to the Wayfinder Festival Main Stage to hear some awesome tunes!
3. Looking to snag some swag without having to walk all the way to the IMU? Come to The Satellite Trading Post where we brought all the goods to you!
4. Feeling futuristic and interested in tech? Then drop by The Pathway for inspiration as you Decide Your Destiny.
5. Who wants to party? Come party and show off your dance moves at The Hideaway and get down to some electronica and house music!
6. Feeling hungry? We have that covered too. Head on over to The Breakaway to purchase some festival snacks from our food trucks and concession stands to fuel your destiny.
7. Need a quick break from all of the excitement? Grab a bean bag, charge your phone, and relax at The Wayside so you can be ready to go out for more fun!
8. Have you ever wanted to venture to Mars, check out the International Space Station or try flying a fighter jet? Then stop by The Getaway where you can explore some cool virtual and augmented reality opportunities sponsored by Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, and Boeing.