1969 National Jamboree

The 1969 National Jamboree was held at Farragut State Park, Idaho, from July 16 to 22 with the theme “Building to Serve”. Astronaut and Eagle Scout Neil A. Armstrong sent the 34,251 Scouts greetings from outer space during his historic voyage to the moon.

Lady Baden-Powell made an appearance at the closing arena show and the popular singing group “Up With People” gave a special performance. This was the location of the 1967 World Jamboree and it marked a number of “firsts” such as the introduction of the “wide game” that had been used at the last two World Jamborees (which required finding Scouts from other parts of the country to complete the phrase “Building to Serve”), and the availability of a complete aquatics program with boating, canoeing, swimming, and fishing.

The Jamboree also had some of the other common elements that had become typical of a Jamboree including open competitions in Scoutcraft skills areas, a skill-o-rama and spectacular arena shows.

A total of 234 Scouts and Explorers formed the OA Service Corps serving in six troops. Duties included supporting activities in the jamboree headquarters, the waterfront, public relations, Jamboree Journal, arena shows, exhibit tents, the ham radio shack operation, and the Chaplain’s service. In addition, an OA Pow Wow was held for all Scouts, Explorers and Scouters belonging to the OA.

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NOAC 1969

The OA returned back to Indiana University for a sixth time to hold the 54th Anniversary National Conference (what we now call a NOAC). While the term “Conference” had replaced “Meeting” for a number of years, the 1969 Conference patch was the first to actually say “Conference” on it. The Conference theme chosen by the National Planning Committee was “Pathways to Service”. A record 4,421 Arrowmen attended the Conference. The national meetings were still growing in size.

A specialized group of three training sessions called “Arrowdynamics” was taught to every delegate. National Committee Chairman George Feil announced at the meeting the establishment of the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award.

The closing show featured the presentation of the Distinguished Service Awards (DSA), and, in keeping with tradition, E. Urner Goodman again gave the closing challenge to the delegates.

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Onward Arrowman Plan

Mindful of our High Tradition we, as Arrowmen assembled for our Golden Anniversary National Conference, hereby resolve to dedicate ourselves, our lodges, our areas, and national organization to the following quests in cheerful service:

The above was the preamble to the Onward Arrowman Plan announced at the 1965 NOAC. The plan was divided into four quests, the first letter in each quest spelling the word “PLAN”.

Personal Quest – What was expected of each Arrowman.

Lodge Quest – What each Lodge should strive to complete.

Area Quest – Called for Area Conferences, training conferences and more.

National Quest – Spelled out the goals of the National OA Committee.

Today the Onward Arrowman Plan is partially divided into the National Standard Lodge / Quality Lodge program and the national OA Strategic Plan.

3, Awards, OA, Scouting

1966 National Planning Meeting

The year-end 1966 National Planning Meeting was held at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, the site scheduled for the 1967 NOAC. Robert F. Szczys from Chatoka Lodge, Bottineau, North Dakota was elected National Conference Chief and Mark Samios from Shingis Lodge, McKeesport, Pennsylvania was elected National Conference Vice Chief. The Deputy Conference Chiefs selected were Paul A. Leonardi, Roger D. Maine, Gary Tomlinson, David W. Tharp, Charles Marr, David Boone, Stephen E. Lickey and Michael J. Moseman.

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First OA Jacket Patch Issued

Prior to 1967 the Order of the Arrow did not have a jacket patch. In fact, they really did not have a logo. They had of course used American Indian themes, but there was no standardized design. That all changed with the introduction of the first jacket patch featuring a multicolored American Indian chieftain. The design had been introduced circa 1961 and was used extensively starting at the 1961 NOAC.  The design is attributed to Martin Mockford.  The jacket patch was an immediate hit and became iconic in Scouting. At the 1967 World Jamboree it was among the most sought after items by the rest of the world. The design was retired in 1976.

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1967 World Jamboree in USA

The 1967 XII World Jamboree was hosted by the Boy Scouts of America and was held at Farragut State Park, Idaho, from August 1 to 9, the 60^th anniversary of Baden-Powell’s experimental Boy Scout Camp on Brownsea Island.

A total of 12,011 Scouts participated in the Jamboree representing 105 countries. The BSA host country allotment was limited to 4,282 Scouts.

The theme was “For Friendship” and featured Arena shows, skill-o-rama activities, an adventure trail, aquatics activities, a representation of Baden-Powell’s Brownsea Island Camp, a Jamboree-wide game and the thrills and spills of a real Western. Key visitors were Lady Baden-Powell and U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

OA Service troops supported headquarters operations for the Jamboree including commissary service, dining area service, telephone service, traffic control, and conservation demonstration areas.

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NOAC 1967

Building on the great success of the 1965 NOAC, 4,148 delegates traveled to the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Over 400 different lodges had a contingent. The Conference theme "With Hearts and Wills United" also built on the 1965 theme. They both came from the same stanza of the Ordeal ceremony:

We who bear the obligation

Of the Order of the Arrow

Mindful of our high tradition

Ponder that which is our purpose

Pledge ourselves to cheerful service

With the guidance of our Maker

We with hearts and wills united

Pledge to serve His holy purpose.

Golden Sun Lodge of the Cornhusker Council served as the host lodge. Alden Barber, Scout Executive of Chicago Area Council was the keynote speaker. Barber had recently been selected to become Chief Scout Executive upon Joseph Brunton’s retirement. E. Urner Goodman gave his traditional challenge at the close of the conference.

Along with the traditions of training, Indian Pageant and the OA Distinguished Service Award (DSA) presentation, this conference had an unusual first (and likely last). The NOAC program started with a parade. The parade began with five white Chrysler Imperial convertibles. The first contained incoming Chief Scout Executive Alden Barber and the Lt. Governor of Nebraska. The next contained the Founders, Goodman and Edson. Unami Lodge led off the parade of lodges that were presented in lodge number order with all 4,000 delegates marching along. They carried banners and blow-ups of their lodge flaps. There were floats, Indian dancing with music provided by the Offutt Air Force Band and the Brotherhood Arrow Band. The parade took an hour to pass in review.

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1967 DSA Recipients

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is presented to those Arrowmen who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional, or national basis. The following were presented the DSA at the 1967 National Order of the Arrow Conference - Alma D. Banks, Harold W. "Hal" Cairney, William R. Clary, Judson "Jud" Compton, Michael S. Costello, Roger J. Frey, John R. Miltner, Bruce A. Moore, Walter W. Nappa, James J. Petro, Robert H. Schley, William E. Slesnick, Harris M. Tanner, Gary A. Waldorf and Arthur B. Wood.

3, Awards, OA, Scouting

Red Arrow Award

The Red Arrow award was created in 1967 to recognize individuals who are not members of the Order of the Arrow, for outstanding service to the Order. In many ways this award is the OA’s equivalent award to the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) for Arrowmen, except it is the award for non-OA members only. This attractive award has varied in design over the years. The award currently is a red arrow and medallion superimposed on an engraved plaque. A miniature charm for civilian wear is also available. The Red Arrow Award can only be awarded by action of the National Order of the Arrow Committee. Recommendations by nomination form are sent to the National OA Director.

The National Order of the Arrow Committee at each NOAC presents the Red Arrow Award at the same time as the DSA. The recipients of the Red Arrow Award are either non-Scouters or Scouters who are not members of the Order of the Arrow. Prior to 1988 this included all women.  The service to the Order of the Arrow may take many forms and usually involves a significant period of time, as opposed to a single event. Only a limited number of awards are presented (52 have been awarded in just over 43 years), therefore, only those nominees whose accomplishments are of the highest magnitude are recognized. Nominations are not accepted or considered for posthumous awards.

Year Name Hometown

1967 William DeGrace - Birmingham, MI

1967 Harvey U. Gill - Indianapolis, IN

1967 Jack E. Platt - Union, NJ

1969 W. Norris Wentworth - Bloomington, IN

1971 Dominic Spilatro - New Brunswick, NJ

1975 Natasha Hawaka - North Brunswick, NJ

1975 Doris Tonemah - Norman, OK

1975 Scott Tonemah - Norman, OK

1977 Paul Y. Dunn - Cranbury, NJ

1977 Annaliese Kruegar - New Brunswick, NJ

1977 Allen White - Bloomington, IN

1979 Mary L. Feil - Cascade, CO

1979 Louise Goodman - Penney Farms, FL

1981 Hilda Abbot - Atlanta, GA

1981 David Christensen - Big Timber, MO

1981 Ginger Ihlow - Bloomington, MN

1981 Bonnie Stock - Irving, TX

1983 Ann P. Jennings - Memphis, TN

1983 Nettie Shawaway - Parker, WA

1985 Judy M. Kolb - Lewisville, TX

1986 Robert A. Patyk - Philadelphia, PA

1986 Marjory Phillips - Dayton, NJ

1986 Arthur F. Werner - Kenmore, NY

1988 Sharon Bartholomew - Sunnyvale, CA

1988 Margaret B. Cash - Memphis, TN

1988 Rachel Rand Jones - Kensington, CA

1988 Alayne M. Werner - Kenmore, NY

1990 Nina C. Dukes - Findlay, OH

1990 Jeanne Hudak - Irving, TX

1990 Melvin Kerchee Sr. - Lawton, OK

1990 Nettie Kerchee - Lawton, OK

1990 Marion Sanders - Chicago, IL

1992 Katie Chase - Annadale, VA

1992 Carolyn Jaegers Thom - Louisville, KY

1994 Karen Lee Chastain - Kennesaw, GA

1994 Elizabeth B. Knapp - Clayville, NY

1994 Jeanne Ann Rivera - South River, NJ

1996 Phyllis Collins - Cridersville, OH

1996 Vivian B. Haskell - Downers Grove, IL

1996 Sandra Story - Cincinnati, OH

2000 Chief Curtis Zunigha - Tulsa, OK

2002 Carolyn A. Bartlett - Middletown, OH

2002 Daniel Andrew Norris - Bloomington, IN

2002 Michael W. Schwandt - Bloomington, IN

2002 Carolyn Toler - Irving, TX

2004 Joseph Csatari - South River, NJ

2004 Nancy Gully - Naperville, IL

2004 Paula G. Mont - Powder Springs, GA

2006 Irene Fujimoto - Tempe, AZ

2009 Rosetta LeClair - Ponca City, OK

2009 Sandra Reti - Parlin, NJ

2009 Patricia Swedenburg - Dallas, GA

2012 Barry G. Funderberg - DeMotte, IN

2012 Jeanette Lord - Nashville, TN

2012 Cory Mensen - Ely, MN

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Wes Klusmann Retires

In 1962 longtime BSA Director of Camping Wes Klusmann announced his retirement. Klusmann had played a pivotal role in the integration of the Order of the Arrow into the BSA, serving as the professional in charge of oversight. It was Klusmann who had hired Norman C. Wood and J. Richard Wilson as National Secretaries when it was a part time job and it was Klusmann that expanded the role of his next two National Secretaries, Phillip Robins and Martin Mockford.

In total, Klusmann had served the Order for 16+ years. Among Klusmann’s greatest contributions to the Order was his love of camping. He always insisted that the OA remember its roots in the council camp and camping. Klusmann was beloved by Arrowmen. He truly loved camping and he knew the well the Boy Scout and OA programs. He worked alongside volunteers and youth with ease. He is perhaps best remembered by a generation of Arrowmen for leading each National Conference in singing his favorite song, “The Happy Wanderer.”

3, OA, Scouting

1962 National Planning Meeting

As had become the tradition, the Area Conference Chiefs and the National OA Committee met at the end of the year to plan the upcoming National OA Conference at the National Planning Meeting. In 1962 they met at site of the 1963 NOAC, The University of Illinois, Champaign and Urbana, Illinois. During the meeting Robert B. Ellsperman was elected Conference Chief. Ellsperman resided in Lakewood, Colorado and was a member of Tahosa Lodge.

For the first time since 1946 (when it was an adult position) a National Vice Chief office was created. Gerald R. McNellis of Agaming Lodge, St. Paul, Minnesota was elected National Conference Vice Chief. The seven appointed Deputy National Conference Chiefs were Ed Salter, Rick Ayers, Ralph Bollinger, Randolph Scott, Larry Teshara, Ronald Wilkinson and James Knepler.

3, Elections, OA, Scouting

Randolph Scott

Another African American Arrowman who made significant contributions to Scouting and the Order was Randolph Scott. An Eagle Scout from Clairton, Pennsylvania, as a youth he was a member of Shingis Lodge and was elected to area chief. Scott attended the 1962 National Planning Meeting and was chosen to serve as the deputy conference vice chief of training for the 1963 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC).

Scott graduated with a B.A. in social studies and education from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a master’s degree in education administration from the University of West Virginia. Professionally Scott continued his work with Scouting as an Exploring Executive and training at the National Executive Institute when it was based in Mendham, NJ. He also continued working on NOAC staffs and became the first African American Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recipient in 1969 while working for Exploring in Portland, Oregon as a member of Skyloo Lodge.

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