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As they are sent in, recaps of our lodge's delegates to the 2004 NOAC will be posted on this page.

Jeff's Story
This year I was able to attend NOAC or National Order of the Arrow Conference. If you have never been to one before you don't know what you are missing. This year NOAC was in Ames, Iowa. You have never seen corn till you have been to Iowa. They always hold the NOAC's at big universities. This year it was at Iowa State University where we got to stay in the dorm rooms. In the morning at NOAC you go to training sessions. You can choose anything from High Adventure classes to Indian bead work classes. In the afternoon is when NOAC is at its best. You can almost do anything! They have cooking demonstrations, a museum of Boy Scout History stuff, athletic activities, hatchet throwing cow roping, flight simulators and much more. You can also do patch trading. I have never done patch trading before because I thought it would be boring but it wasn't it was one of my favorite parts of NOAC.

You also get to meet a lot of new people from all over the country and even the world! Right after dinner you get to go to the NOAC shows. During the show they do fireworks, little shows, Indian dancing, and much more. They just take a basketball court and put a huge stage in the middle. On the stage they have a big projection screen where they play many different things. NOAC was one of the best things I have ever done in Boy Scouts. I hope to see you there next time!

Tim's Story:
The National OA Conference is BSA's second largest event, and one heck of a good time. It's a chance to make new friends, and get to know old ones even better. While the rest of the lodge chose to fly out, my dad (who served on staff) and I drove out a few days early and got the lay of the land. Once the lodge got there we got settled in our rooms and hit the trading post. We walked around campus a little and went to the arena show that night. After that first day, I didn't see the lodge much except at night, I spent most of my time practicing and playing in spots all around the campus with the Brotherhood Band (playing Bass Clarinet). The band was made up of about 50 Arrowmen from around the country who came together for those 4 days and played like they had known each other for years. We played for the opening of the museum, for national officers, and outside the Trading post just to entertain our Brothers.

Being in the band was exhausting but rewarding. We didn't get to see that much of the campus, and had to struggle to earn the Brotherhood Award (for participation) but we all enjoyed making music together, and at the next NOAC we will all be given "Event Staff" patches. If there is anyone out there who can play an instrument at any level, I highly encourage you to sign up for the Brotherhood Band. It's an amazing opportunity to play with your Brothers from around the country, make new friends, and have a unique and awesome experience.

More NOAC Stories and Pictures coming soon!

There are several great reasons to come to the National Order of the Arrow Conference!

NOAC is the national gathering for the Order of the Arrow. Arrowmen from all over the country come together and have a great time on a beautiful college campus. Arrowmen stay in dorms, eat in the cafeterias and have a blast attending the events throughout the campus. No matter if this is your first NOAC or you are a veteran conference attendee, there will be something new there to do along with many old favorites.

A key part of NOAC is sharing knowledge and learning new ideas. One of the best ways to learn at NOAC is through the formal training sessions that take place. This is a chance for Arrowmen to share new ideas and suggestions of some of the best trainers in the country. They present sessions on various topics that range from being an efficient officer to the meaning of the customs and traditions of the Order of the Arrow. Another way to get important ideas are through demonstrations, workshops and talking to other Arrowmen. Although more informal, this way of learning can be just as fun. Not to forget, attending NOAC is probably the best way to meet the National Officers. These young men make the Order of the Arrow the way it is. They liked to be questioned and told new ideas.

American Indian Activities are another of the traditional events that take place at NOAC. They include many training sessions and workshops, as well as chances for lodges with individuals interested in American Indian dancing and singing a chance to perform for a panel of judges. During Founders Day, there is usually a Pow Wow in which the American Indian Events participants are encouraged to take part. There is a dazzling array of regalia and talent.

Ceremonies have also been a part of NOAC for many years. Lodges can enter teams in Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil evaluations. Judges give recommendations on how the team can become better. The goal of this type of competition is for the participants to become better through the evaluation. The participants have put a lot of time and effort into practicing and it is incredible to watch them. Seeing other teams gives lodges ideas on what they would like their own teams to be like. Those interested in ceremonies can also attend training sessions on all aspects of our ceremonies.

Another set of exciting events are the sports and competitions. These activities give those lodges who are willing to sweat and have some fun a chance to take home a trophy in basketball, volleyball, or a ton of others events. If you are the type of person who prefers a less physical approach, OA Jeopardy can challenge your mind. Also, patch trading can be very fulfilling. There is a sense of fascination watching some of the patch trading experts in action. All the lodges that attend have patches that are unique and very well designed. Not only is it fun to see all of the different designs from the various lodges, but patch trading is a great fellowship opportunity. Don't pass up an opportunity to take part in the fun.

Founders Day is a day at NOAC where the original founders of Order of the Arrow are celebrated. A Midway is set up and lodges do all kinds of displays and activities. One of the most popular activities during Founders Day is the silk-screening of T-shirts. Make sure you bring a plain T-shirt so you too can have the Founders Day logo silkscreened on. Lodges do many different things that generally reflect the part of the country they are from. They may cook food associated with their hometown or bring pictures and memorabilia to distribute. Anyway you look at it, Founders Day is another great way to meet new folks and have fun.

For the entertainment lover in all of us, the shows are definitely worth going to. This is an opportunity for all the Arrowmen to pack into a theater for a brilliant display of lights flashing, music playing, and Arrowmen having a blast. In case you missed it earlier, you can usually catch a glimpse of the best American Indian Activity participants at the American Indian Show. The Theme show is made spectacular with the use of outstanding special effects, such as laser light shows and fireworks. The shows are also where many of the important awards are handed out to those Arrowmen who have shown exceptional service.

There are so many more activities at NOAC that you cannot possibly do them all. Besides those mentioned above, there are such things as The Outdoor Adventure Place (TOAP), Special Events, VIPs, Regional Gatherings, Religious Services, Displays and Exhibits, and much more. There's also a Conference Newspaper, Radio Station, Band, Chorus, Trading Post, and still more!

Check out the highlights of the last NOAC, held at Indiana University in 2002.

But the overall best reason to attend NOAC is this will probably be the most fun you have ever had in five straight days! For whatever reason you decide to attend NOAC, we guarantee that it will be one of the best memories you have of the Order of the Arrow!