2004 NOAC

July 30 - Friday - Day 0

Well the plane was an hour and a half late in leaving LA. We just made the connection in Denver, but did make it to Des Moines. We then took the bus to Ames and the Hotel. Even though it was 1-am the kids wanted to jump in the pool and some even ordered their favorite food PIZZA, and yes they deliver till 3-am! we will meet at 10-am to go to the University which is less then a mile from the Hotel.

July 31 - Saturday - Day 1

Just a hurry up and wait type of day ..

We left the hotel at about 11-am to go to check in to NOAC. Got the standard Hotel breakfast, which by the way maybe better than NOAC's food, we will see. The check in this year was great because of all the computer work that was done before hand.

We are staying with Siwinis Lodge tradition and this is a true NOAC (no air conditioning) and it is HOT. Not a bad hot just HOT. After getting setup in the rooms we had time to go to the trading post and do some looking around.

After a great dinner (the food is better than expected) we went to the opening show. They installed the new National officers and give us a little update on what is going to happen for the rest of the week.

LATE NIGHT UPDATE ! !

Boy did we have a light show! About 2am mother nature decided to give us a great light show. A thunder storm came through the area with lighting and thunder. Some of the youth thought that we were having a tornado, but it was just the wind of the thunder storm.

August 1 - Sunday - Day 2

We started our day with GREAT food again today. Even Brian Wilder said that this has been the best food of any NOAC he has been to. That's saying something because he has been to 11 of these. We had our first training classes and we are leaning many new things.

In the afternoon we had Indian Lore craft sessions and some of our guys played flag football. We lost, but had a great time doing it.

The show tonight was the Awards show, where National gives out awards for outstanding service to Section, Region and the National Order of the Arrow. The President of the Boy Scouts of America gave a speech to thank all the OA Lodges for their great work at their Council's camps over the years. It was noted that the OA has provided over 2 million hours of service and $12 million dollars to our Councils these past 5 years.

We ended our day with a meeting to go over the next days information.

August 2 - Monday - Day 3

Second day of training and events. Some of the things that our members got to see today were: High Adventure Expo, Memorabilia road show, Scuba, and TOAP - The Outdoor Adventure Place. There is a lot to do here at NOAC.

American Indian Activities Show - What a show. We got to see all of the finalist of the dance competition and boy are they good.

August 3 - Tuesday - Day 4

With the training and competitions coming to an end today we have a lot to do. What a wet afternoon. A BIG thunder storm came through the University. And guess what? We had a tornado form right above us. It did not touch down till a 1/4 mile out side of the University and only took out a tree, boy was that Fun.

There is no show tonight, but we had our Region Gathering and worked to complete a cube by trading different pieces among the different Region members. This helped us meet members from Lodges across the country. We had to do this in side because of the heavy rain.

August 4 - Wednesday - Day 5

Founders' Day is where many of the Lodges across the country put up displays and hand out goodies. The Day also included the Goodman games where the athletic skills of the Arrowmen were tested and even a parade.

What a way to end NOAC. Tonight we had the Theme or closing show, a Rededication Ceremony to dedicate ourselfs to the ideals of the OA and fireworks to end the night.

August 5 - Thursday - Day 6

NOAC has been a lot of fun and memories. We are now heading home with lots of new friends and many ideas on how to make our Lodge better. We can't wait till 2006...