CybeRaven

Fellow Arrowmen,

I am pleased to announce that the 2010 applications for OA Trail Crew, OA Wilderness Voyage, and OAWV: Canadian Odyssey, have been posted to the high adventure website, http://www.adventure.oa-bsa.org .  There  will be 9 sessions of each program, including the new Canadian  Odyssey Voyage, running from early June through mid-August. The OA Ocean Adventure program is currently being revised to give arrowmen the opportunity to leave an even greater impact on the areas Sea Base serves, at a lower cost to the participants.  Details about the program, as well as the application, will be available later this summer.

Each year the OA's High Adventure programs continue to grow in popularity and have been filled to capacity for four straight years. As  such we encourage arrowmen to apply as soon as possible.  For more  program information including promotional flyers, videos, participant  testimonials, newsletter articles, scholarship form templates, website banners,  training syllabi and more, visit the resources section of our website.

Many of you on this list serve in leadership capacities within your lodge and section.  I hope that I can count on all of you to help spread the news about our 2010 application release by putting articles in your lodge & section newsletters, posting the information and applications on your websites,  sending an email to your lodge distribution lists and using the promotional  resources our team provides at all your OA functions.

We promote OA High Adventure so vigorously because we firmly believe  that the experiences of our participants can be life changing and  inspiring.  At the bottom of this article I have copied a letter we  received from the father of a past OAHA participant.   I  hope this letter will help show you the power of these programs and that  you will help us fill them for a fifth straight year.

Thanks for all  you do.

In  WWW,
Ryan Braddy
OA High Adventure Promotion
Cell:  865-254-9102
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

"Proud doesn't begin to describe my feelings when my  son related stories of his OA Trail Crew adventure.  In a short two weeks  he had an experience that literally transformed his life.

Rob has always been serious about Scouting.  He loves  camping and the outdoors.  After election into the Order of the Arrow, Rob  wouldn't miss a service project or a Lodge meeting.  Applying for OA Trail  Crew was the next natural step in cheerful service and high adventure.

During his trek, his mother worried constantly.  I  even became concerned when he didn't call after finishing the work week and  leaving for the trek.

Finally the call came and a tired –but happy- voice  said “had a great time, will tell you about it when I get home, bye."

The ride home from the airport was something I'll always  remember.  The car had the strong odor of clothes that had been worn for a  week of strenuous activity.  His uniform was wrinkled after the long  flight.  His face looked like someone who had been in the sun too  long.  But his broad smile wouldn't quit and his voice was filled with the  excitement of someone who had been to the moon and back!

He told me of the work week and how difficult it was – yet  how much he enjoyed it.  They had moved boulders, cut trees and shoveled  dirt.  They built a small section of trail that would be used for many  years to come and they were felt a great sense of accomplishment.    They slid down snow on shovels, watched fireworks on top of Baldy and  experienced the beauty of the Philmont backcountry on a trek that was unique to  their crew. He spoke of the quiet time they had for reflection.   In that time he was able to recognize his own strengths and weaknesses.  As  he spoke, the increase in maturity and self-confidence was unmistakable.   He had grown from a Boy Scout into a young man – who understood more about life  and knew himself better than before.

I didn't think anything could top the Philmont experience  until this last summer when he returned for a second OA High Adventure with  Wilderness Voyage at Northern Tier.  His return home was déjà vu – the same  broad smile, the same excitement about building a trail, the same smelly  clothes.  The trek experience was different, but the spiritual growth and  increased confidence were unmistakable.

If there's ever any question about the value of these  programs or if there' s any question if we should encourage more young men to  participate, consider my son who says -without hesitation- that OA High  Adventure was THE BEST times of his  life!"

The Chapters of Colonneh Lodge are conducting Chapter Ordeals this year. Three day format Ordeals require the candidate drop off at 7pm on Friday and pick up on Sunday at 10am. Two day format Ordeals require the candidates to be dropped off at 7pm on Friday and picked up at 9 pm on Saturday. The registered candidate list will be updated weekly. Read more for schedules.

We have added a Lodge Ordeal on September 11-13 at Camp Strake.  Forms have been updated to include the new date.

Since we do not have online registration for ordeals it is important to download the appropriate registration forms linked in the table and make sure to fax or mail it in with payment or payment info.

Contact:
Don Dunbar
(713)416-4975 or (281)933-0546
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Link:
Ordeal Packet (all letters, generic forms, FAQ)
Ordeal Staff Registration Form (last 3 ordeals)
Download 2009 Ordeal Schedule
Candidates Registered for Ordeals (as of 5/12/09) 

The time has come upon us again to begin the process of nominating those Arrowmen who are deemed worthy for consideration for our Order's higheset recognition, the Vigil Honor.  I encourage you to look closely at the Scouts and Scouters in your chapter or committee who have devoted themselves to the ideals and purpose of the Order in their actions, and in turn warrant the cheerful spirit and devotion to service that is inherent in the character of a brother in the Vigil Honor.

Click here to go to photo gallery from David Hinds Leadership Development and the Colonneh banquet. 

Click here to go to photo gallery from Section Conclave.