Spring Fellowship

February 23, 2008

Spring Fellowship is a one-day event full of fun and service to the camp from 6:30am - 9:45pm. Lodge Elections occur at Spring Fellowship, so come out and vote for the next Lodge Chief and other Lodge Officers. The day will start with Arrowman giving back in cheerful service to the camp. At lunch, candidates for Lodge Officer positions will give speeches and Arrowman will be able to vote during the afternoon. The afternoon includes fun events and activities, ceremony competitions, dance competitions, and much more!!!! In addition, Arrowman can learn more about Native American singing, drumming, costuming, and dancing; and make Native American crafts.

After dinner, there will be a campfire and business meeting where next year’s Lodge officers will be announced. The evening concludes with an extraordinary PowWow where everyone will be involved in a night of fun and celebration. Contact your Chapter Chief or Chapter Advisor for more information!

David Hinds Memorial Training

April 12, 2008

Cockrell Scout Center

All Arrowman are invited to attend the David Hinds Training, a dynamic annual training event, to learn more about the OA and Colonneh Lodge and how to become a better leader. Youth and Adult training classes include leadership development, event planning, tools needed to improve chapters, and communication skills to name a few. This important training is open to all Arrowman, but is required for all Lodge and Chapter Officers and Advisors.

OA Banquet

April 12, 2008

Cockrell Scout Center

Arrowman gather for a night of celebration at the annual Colonneh Lodge OA Banquet. Together we share our appreciation for the outgoing officers and welcome the new incoming lodge officers. The Lodge Banquet is an opportunity to recognize the Chapter of the Year, new Vigil Honor Members, Colonneh Lodge Numbered Certificate recipients, Founders Award recipients and to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments. It’s also a time to look back at all of fun that was had over the past year and to spend time with your fellow Arrowman.

Scout Fair

April 19, 2008

As a service based organization, Colonneh Lodge’s Arrowman provide service to Scout Fair. Contact your Chapter Chief to learn more about how you can contribute your time and service to this event. Arrowman hand out programs, staff information booths, and assist visitors. Native American Dancing demonstrations, OA candidate callouts, and Brotherhood Walk/Ceremonies are also conducted at Scout Fair.

Section Conclave

July 25-27, 2008
Baylor University, Waco, Texas

Section Conclave is an annual event where 17 Lodges from Southern Region – Section 2 get together for fellowship, competitions, and lot of fun while celebrating the traditions of the Order of the Arrow. Scouts from all over Texas and SE Louisiana will have a blast participating in the numerous special events, games, food, fun, ceremony and dance competitions, awesome shows, LOTS of patch trading and so much more. Call your Chapter Advisor or Chapter Chief today, for more information and to discuss transportation options to the event.

Ordeals

Candidates elected for membership in the OA during the fall of 2006 must complete their Ordeal during 2007. The last Ordeal for this year will be held at Camp Bovay and Camp Brosig. Registration forms 
 

	May 2-4	El Rancho Cima
	May 9-10	Camp Brosig
	May 16 – 18	Bovay
	September 12 - 14	Camp Brosig
	September 19-21	Camp Strake
	December 12 – 14	Camp Strake

 

Lodge Executive Committee (LEC) Meeting

August 24, 2008; December 7, 2008

The LEC meets several times a years to facilitate the business matters of Colonneh Lodge. All Lodge Officers and Chapter Chiefs (or designee) and their advisors are required to attend the LEC; however, all other Arrowmen are welcome to attend this important planning and business meeting. The next LEC will be held at Scout Fair from 12:00 – 12:30 where the OA does the call-out and brotherhood ceremonies.

Fall PowWow

October 17 – 19, 2008

Fall PowWow is Colonneh’s premier Lodge event. It is a combination of Native American activities such as ceremony and dance classes, regalia building activities, competitions and PowWows; sports; exciting games; shows; expos; and more. The 2007 Fall PowWow will be held at Camp Strake. Sign up now and prepare for three days of non-stop fun, food, fellowship and celebration. If you register by July 19, 2007, you will receive a special ghost patch.

ArrowCorps5

Summer 2008

The Order of the Arrow has had a long-standing interest in coordinating a national service project, utilizing the infrastructure and leadership established over many years of success at the BSA's high adventure bases. Working closely together, the US Forest Service and the OA have chosen five project sites, spread across America that will be the focus of our combined efforts. ArrowCorps5 will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for each participant to set an example of leadership in service to those who treasure our national forests.

Five thousand physically fit and able volunteers, made up of youth and adults, will participate. The national OA committee and key sponsors will fund the projects. Participants will pay a reasonable fee to help pay for accommodations, meals, and a full day of recreational activities during the projects.

Colonneh Lodge will be taking two contingents to Mark Twain National Forest (June 7-14, 2008 / Missouri) and Bridger-Teton National Forest (July 26 - August 2, 2008 / Wyoming). Registration form.

2007 OA Elections

September 15 – December 15, 2008

The 2008 OA candidate elections began September 15, 2008, and must be concluded by December 15, 2008. For more information or to schedule an election for your unit, please contact the Chapter Advisor in your District.

American Indian Weekend

July 11-13, 2008

American Indian Weekend is a weekend event at Camp Strake consisting of Native American workshops and a large PowWow.

OA Dues

Don’t be a flap wearer. OA dues must be paid in order to wear the Lodge flap. Dues can be paid at the Council office (713) 659-8111 or online by clicking on the appropriate year:  2008, 2009

Brotherhood

The Ordeal member’s commitment is to return in service to their unit, a duty that should never be neglected. The Brotherhood honor is a step that an Ordeal member should take when ready to seal their membership within the Order of the Arrow. The process of becoming a Brotherhood member can begin immediately upon becoming an Ordeal member; however, the longest part of the process will be the continued service to the member’s unit for 10 months following the Ordeal. The OA Handbook lists all of the requirements of Brotherhood. A Brotherhood Walk to help Ordeal members complete the requirements occurs at every Lodge event. After the Brotherhood walk, Ordeal members will be able to seal their membership in the OA by taking part in a Brotherhood ceremony marking the completion of induction into the Order of the Arrow.

Arrowman Opportunities

Troop OA Representative

The Troop OA Representative is a youth leadership position that is held within a Unit. Troop OA Representatives serve as a link between the Lodge or Chapter and the Unit. In the Unit, the Troop OA Representative makes sure that fellow Arrowmen know about upcoming OA events. In addition, the Troop OA Representative takes information back to the Chapter and Lodge on how the OA can help the Unit. The OA Troop Representative is a very important role to the OA. It is a way to serve the Lodge and Unit at the same time, and fulfill a leadership requirement for advancement towards Eagle.

Event Staff

Youth and Adult Advisors are needed to serve in a variety of positions at Lodge Events such as Fall PowWow and Spring Fellowship. Each event has a variety of committees including program, service, and facilities. Contact the youth event chairman for more information.

Elangomats

Arrowman young and old are needed to serve as an “Elangomat” or “friend” at Ordeals to make candidates feel welcome. Serving as an Elangomat is a wonderful leadership experience as well as an opportunity to make new friends. Elangomats are vital to the Lodge’s induction process. Serving as an Elangomat can also help youth achieve the Leadership in Service Award as well as the Service Clan Sash.

Chapter Ceremony Teams

Ceremony teams are needed to conduct Arrow of Light Ceremonies, Pre-Ordeal and Ordeal Ceremonies and Brotherhood Ceremonies. In addition, ceremony teams have many exciting opportunities to participate in competitions at the Lodge, Section, and National level events. For more information about ceremonial opportunities, contact your Chapter Chief or Chapter Advisor.

Native American Dancing and Drumming

Workshops on Native American Dancing and Drumming are available at Fall PowWow and Spring Fellowship. Colonneh’s Native American Committee promotes cultural education through song, authentic dance, crafts, and more. Individual dancing and drumming competitions occur at many Lodge, Section, and National events. For more information, contact the Lodge Native American Committee to learn more about the many opportunities that exist and how to get involved.

Camp Promotions

The OA was founded upon camping traditions. Each Chapter has a Camp Promotions team to improve interest in our local Scout camps and promote the excitement of camping and adventure. Contact your Chapter Chief to sign up. Arrowman are also encouraged to work on Summer Camp staff. To receive a camp staff application, please contact the Camping Services department at the Scout Service Center.

Summer Camp Staff

Serving on Summer Camp Staff is an outstanding opportunity to serve Scouting through working at one of the Sam Houston Area Council’s summer camps: El Rancho Cima Cockrell River Camp and Walter Scout Camp-Horseshoe Bend, Hamman Scout Camp or Bovay Scout Ranch. Full-time summer camp staff employment is available for Scouts and Venturers ages 16 and up and adult Scouters. In addition, Junior Staff opportunities (two weeks of service) are available for Scouts and Venturers 14-16 years old. Contact Camping Services (713-756-3303, camping@shac.org) or click here for more information.

National Programs and Events

Every year there are lots of awesome opportunities for Arrowmen to participate in national programs and events. Being a member of the OA has many benefits beyond Colonneh. Here are just a few of the programs and events available to members of the Order:

National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC)– Held every two years at a major university, this is the premier Order of the Arrow event, and is among the largest events held by the Boy Scouts of America, second only to the National Jamboree. Over 7,000 Arrowmen gather for this awesome week-long event. For more information, contact the Lodge leadership.

Northern Tier OA Wilderness Voyage– One of the last untouched wilderness areas lies on our nation’s northern border--the Northern Tier Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base. Any OA member between the ages of 16-20 can participate in the OA Voyage program for just $150, plus the cost of transportation. Participants spend two weeks on the waters of northern Minnesota; performing service the first week, and taking part in a crew-designed voyage the second week.

Philmont OA Trail Crew– Want an inexpensive, fun way to visit Philmont? All OA members age 16-20 can participate in the OA Trail Crew program for just $150, plus the cost of transportation. Participants spend two weeks in the Philmont backcountry; performing service the first week, and taking part in a crew-designed trek the second week.

Florida Sea Base Crew– The OA Ocean Adventure (OAOA) is a unique opportunity to experience the programs at the Florida Sea Base, while providing a new type of service to the Atlantic Ocean. In a two-week period, participants will complete PADI SCUBA certification, as well as interact with undersea wildlife like no other Scouts do. For one week, participants will undergo intensive SCUBA certification in preparation. The second week participants spend their time taking wildlife samples in the Florida Keys, performing island restoration and other meaningful projects to the surrounding area.

National Boy Scout Jamboree– The Order of the Arrow provides leadership to several areas of the National Jamboree—Scouting’s largest event. The OA has led the American Indian Village, T.O.A.P. (The Outdoor Adventure Place), and the highly acclaimed Scoutopia. The OA has also provided a Service Corps to the Jamboree that gave cheerful service throughout the event. Consider applying to be on staff.

National Leadership Seminar (NLS)– One of the highest regarded training weekends in the BSA, the National Leadership Seminar is a training program that focuses on leadership development. The NLS discusses the leadership skills and techniques needed by people to be successful, and how to apply those to your life in and out of Scouting. An invitation is only available through your lodge leadership, so speak with your lodge chief or adviser if you’re interested.

OA Contact Information

Physical Location
OA Office
2225 N Loop W – Houston, TX 77008-1311

Mailing Address
OA Office
c/o Sam Houston Area Council – BSA
P.O. Box 924528 - Houston, TX 77292

Phone: (713) 756-3395
Fax: (713) 659-6729
Email: oa@shac.org