In early August, the national Order of the Arrow committee, key volunteers and national staff met in Beckley, West Virginia for a powerful weekend dedicated to looking at the future of the Order of the Arrow. No formal decisions were made regarding programs in the near future. Instead, the group looked inward and took a deep dive into discussions related to all aspects of the Order of the Arrow. These topics included communications, outdoor stewardship, Cub Scout support and membership & retention strategies.
To kick off the event, vice chairman of special projects Scott Beckett challenged the group to explore the Order of the Arrow’s mission and purpose within small discussion groups. Additionally, his session allowed both youth and adult participants to explore their personal experiences and ideas with one another.
During lunch, OA Summit Experience Director Tyler Allen and Assistant Director Matt Brown highlighted the structure and successes of our newest high adventure program’s inaugural summer. Allen and Brown’s story of one young Arrowman’s positive transformation of self confidence throughout the program sparked an emotional connection throughout Advance! participants. An additional lunch session allowed national committee member Carey Mignerey time to outline key programs and initiatives of the OA’s centennial anniversary, including the recent launch of the Arrowman Service Award.
A highlight of the weekend was a dedication ceremony at the Summit Circle, the OA’s new home at the Summit Bechtel Reserve. The ceremony, conducted by the 2014 national officers, included an original test of of Ordeal membership as well as a symbolic construction of the fire ring in the site. At the end of the ceremony, the national officers distributed candles and molded necklaces in the shape of an arrowhead with a piece of rock from Treasure Island Scout Reservation to symbolize the transition to the OA’s new home at the Summit Bechtel Reserve.
At the end of the retreat, National Chairman Ray Capp presented the first 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conference promotional patches to all participants of The Advance! All NOAC 2015 participants and staff will have the opportunity to display this commemorative patch on their upper right chest of their field uniform.
Overall, The Advance! was an opportunity for deep discussion about the future of the Order of the Arrow and also a time of great fellowship. The ideas that sparked from this weekend will no doubt assist our organization as it enters its second century of service.