Tetonwana Lodge #105
Sioux Council, BSA
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Last updated 08/18/09
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Every two years, Arrowmen from across the country gather on the campus of a major university for the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC).
The National Order of the Arrow Conference is Scouting's second-largest national program event. The reason for its growing popularity can be attributed to the fact that it is planned and carried out by Arrowmen themselves. Youth involvement ensures that the conference program will be exciting, relevent, and non-stop fun.
These gatherings draw over 7000 Arrowmen, traveling from as far away as Europe and Asia, for five days of training, fun, and fellowship. With each conference, NOAC becomes more diversified, more fun, and more exciting.
Photos from past NOAC's
NOAC has many different aspects and it is impossible to participate in every event in one year. Each year events are added and changed so you could go to NOAC every time and do new things each time. The main activities at NOAC include training, ceremonies evaluation, American Indian events, shows, competitions, and Founder's Day. NOAC has something for everyone of all backgrounds and all ages. It is definitely one of Scouting's most unique and entertaining training events.
A typical NOAC day covers all aspects of the OA. In the morning, delegates pick their choice of world-class training sessions ranging from Leadership, to Indian Crafts, to Ceremonies, to High Adventure Skills, and more. The afternoon brings sports, competitions, special events, and more. After dinner, they get to see an outstanding Evening Show, a new show each night. After the show, there are open activities, patch trading, and just hanging out with friends. Finally, delegates head to bed, to get some sleep so they're ready to do it all again the next day!
NOAC is a great opportunity for Arrowmen to learn more about the OA and Scouting (and maybe a little bit more about themselves), to get to know the rest of the members of the lodge, and to make new friends from around the country. The next NOAC will not be held until 2012.
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12 Tetonwana Lodge Arrowmen attend 2009 NOAC!
Updates from NOAC . . . . . . .
08/02/09 UPDATE: The Lodge's NOAC contingent arrived safely at the Indiana University. Prior to arriving at Champaign after a day on the road, the crew had dinner and then over-nighted at a motor inn.
About 10 miles from Champaign, a front wheel bearing began to make noise. Prior to leaving the next morning, the bearing was replace and we were back on the road again for the remaining 3 hour drive to Bloomington, Indiana - the site of NOAC.
The Indiana University is huge - larger than most towns in South Dakota! The weather's great. Our dorm doesn't have air conditioning, but the temperatures have been comfortable. For most of the crew, NOAC turned out to be more than expected. There are constant events and training sessions, so nobody has a chance to get bored. The place is so large and there are so many activities, it's not possible to take everything in while here - though some of us will try. The 7,000 plus participants makes this one of the best Scouting events one could ever hope for.
The nightly stage shows are awesome. They're full of excitement; indoor pyrotechnics; a great sound system, competing with the noise of over 7,200 Arrowmen. What an experience! Participants get to see themselves on the large overhead scoreboard TV screens, and large screens on the stage.
At every show participants might be lucky to catch one of the many NOAC t-shirts that are shot into the crowd with compressed air cannons.
Several of the crew are taking lots of pictures, which we hope to be able to post on the Lodge photo album soon. We're also planning to put together a digital presentation and give a report on NOAC at the Fall Conclave/Ordeal weekend in a couple weeks at Camp Iyataka.
08/03/09 UPDATE: Photos being taken while at NOAC are starting to be posted on the lodge photo album.
08/04/09 UPDATE: The weather has had a dramatic change from the first three days. From early mornng until at least early afternoon it's been raining cats and dogs, with lots of lightning and thunder. Of all the days to happen, today is probably the best day for it to happen. Tomorrow is "Founders Day" and there are lots of outdoor activities planned. Everyone in the Lodge is fine, spirits remain high, and everyone is looking forward the all the upcoming events and activities.
Mike D. & Todd G. spent 6+ hours playing golf in the NOAC tournament. Last night there was another fantastic arena show, featuring Native American Indian dancing and drumming. The winners of the National OA Native American Indian dancing and drumming competitions were introduced. After the arena show, the lodge got together with the other Lodges in the section for a pizza part.
08/05/09 UPDATE: It's Wednesday, Founder's Day . . . . only one more day and then we have to head for home. Last night we put together the largest Kazoo band ever assembled. Rumor has it we'll be in the Guiness Book of Records. Our section also had the most people ever do the Hokey Pokey at one time. Boy, we're famous! Also last night each of the regions played each other in a game of "Lodge Ball. Later that night there was a huge party, known as the "HoDag". Great food and lots of activities.
08/06/09 UPDATE: The final full day (Wednesday) at NOAC was full of activity. The Arrowmen of Tetonwana Lodge gave service to NOAC by serving as parade ambassadors at the Founder's Day parade, which concluded at the an area across the street from our dormitory, where the Goodman games where held. At noon, all 7,000 participants participated in a huge NOAC picnic. Thursday evening everyone got together one more time for the final area show, followed immediately ice cream social of epic proportions, complete with six hot air balloons and a live band.
08/07/09 UPDATE: It's Thursday, and
we're in the process of returning home after a great six days at NOAC.
We'll update this page when we get home, updating everyone on our final
day at NOAC. We discovered Tetonwana Lodge actually had 12 Arrowman
instead of 10. We also had two adult Arrowmen who worked on NOAC staff
- Brian Sutilla and Bill Lenker.
"Elvis has left the building!" . . . . or, make that, "Tetonwana Lodge has left the NOAC!"
Thursday morning we had our last NOAC breakfast; packed our stuff; cleaned out our dorm rooms; loaded the van; turned in our dorm keys; and switched our NOAC experience into "memory mode". Thanks goodness for souvenirs, digital photos, and NOAC web sites with videos.
On the way home we stopped by the world's largest truck stop for our final meal as a group.
As the saying goes, "a picture is worth 10,000 words". To get a better idea what we experience at NOAC, please check out the links below.
A Tetonwana Lodge 2009 NOAC display has been put together, and will be on display at upcoming Lodge events.
Click on the links below to see what we did each day at NOAC!
Saturday highlights
Sunday highlights
Monday highlights
Tuesday highlights
Wednesday Highlights
Day-in-review videos
Click on the video links below to experience some of the sounds and action at NOAC!
NOAC Closing Show - Last Song
NOAC Patch Procession
Straight Dance NOAC 2009
NOAC 2009 Promo
World's largest Kazoo band - NOAC 2009
NOAC 2009 AMerican Indian Heritage Show grand entry
2009 NOAC Show Grand Entry
2009 NOAC Show Grass Dance
2009 NOAC Show Fancy Dance
After the Closing Show at NOAC 2009
Closing Show at NOAC
Closing Show at NOAC -- good vibrations
T-Shirt gun at the NOAC shows
NOAC youtube 09
Guinness World Records Kazoos Play at NOAC 2009
Gabe-Shi-Win-Gi-Ji-Kens Rock the BusAfter the Closing show at NOAC
NOAC 2009 Bob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive
NOAC 2009 Welcome by Jack O'Neill
NOAC 2009 Dan Highman, National Vice Chief Remarks
NOAC 2009 Del Loder Remarks
End of the closing NOAC show 2009
Return to opening page.