NOAC 2015 INFORMATION

Transcription

1 NOAC 2015 INFORMATION NOAC at a glance NOAC 2015 will be held August 3-8, 2015 at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. The National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) is the premier event of the Order of the Arrow, and is Scouting's second-largest national event. Over 10,000 Arrowmen from across our nation gather for an inspirational and unforgettable experience full of fellowship, training, adventure, and fun! The conference fee is $475 and includes housing, food, and program activities. It does not include travel costs, costs for patches, uniforms, class b shirts, etc. During NOAC, Arrowmen will participate in a six-day conference which includes top notch training sessions, cool recreational opportunities, and evening shows full of theatrics and special effects, and exciting programs. Special Sash: Arrowmen attending the 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conference will get a once in a lifetime souvenir, a special edition red sash. These sashes will differ from those currently worn in that the colors will be reversed, with a white arrow emblazoned on a red sash. The rarity of the sash is noteworthy, as only those present at NOAC 2015 will receive them. Any extras produced will not be sold. A $100 nonrefundable deposit will need to be made to reserve your spot in the Wulapeju Contingent. Checks can be made out to Blackhawk Area Council. Please add the NOAC 2015 payment sheet with your deposit. The remainder is due in two installments; the first of $200 in February 2015 and the last payment of $175 is due in May of NOAC details What is the National Order of the Arrow Conference? From August 3-8, 2015, Arrowmen from around the country will have the unique opportunity to gather together at Michigan State University to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow at the 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC). Over 10,000 Arrowmen are expected to attend the 2015 conference seeking the best that the Order has to offer. Each time a national conference is held, Arrowmen come together from around the world to share ideas, learn from one another, and most importantly experience an outstanding conference that is unlike any other event in Scouting. NOAC is open only to members of the OA.

2 A typical NOAC day consists of the following: Breakfast Morning Training Sessions Lunch Afternoon Activities and Special Events Dinner Evening Show Evening Activities and Special Events The training at each NOAC is world class. Trainers at NOAC are hand selected by conference leadership due to their immense knowledge and expertise in a particular subject. Trainers come from around the world to share their expertise so that you may bring information and new ideas back to your home lodge and grow as an individual. Training session range in topics from leadership, to event planning, to Native American crafts, dancing, and ceremonies just to name a few of the many topics available. No matter what you re interested in there is a NOAC training session for you! Each afternoon, conference participants can choose to participate in a wide array of actives and special events. The National Order of the Arrow museum will be on display showcasing unique historical items that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. What would a gathering of people from all over the country be without a little competition? Attendees have the opportunity to compete in athletic events like dodge ball and ultimate Frisbee. Arrowmen can also participate in OA ceremonies evaluations to improve their performance and learn from the experts. Interested in Native America dance? We have that too! No matter what your talent there is no shortage of opportunity to showcase them at NOAC. After dinner, all participants and staff gather at the university s arena for the evening show. These shows are nothing short of amazing and are on par with what you would expect on Broadway or the biggest touring concert of the year! Each evening show is unique ranging from the opening and closing show, to Native American dance, to national awards and recognition. These shows will remain as one of your fondest memories of NOAC. After the evening show, there are many opportunities to enjoy fun, food, and fellowship (not to mention trade your favorite patches)! After an exciting conference like this, what more can a person do than SLEEP! You are going to need your rest to make sure you don t miss out on all NOAC has to offer. Interested in attending to conference now? Explore the other areas of this website to learn more about conference details. Registration is coordinated through your local lodge. Contact your lodge adviser to get more information and reserve your spot today!

3 Dates and Location The 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) will begin with dinner on Monday, August 3, 2015 and conclude following breakfast on Saturday, August 8, The conference will be held at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. Eligibility All Arrowmen who are registered members of the Boy Scouts of America and have their council s approval are eligible to participate in the 2015 National Order of the Arrow Conference. All guests must register as a member of a council contingent or be a member of the conference staff. Conference Fee The conference fee is $ for youth and adult members who pay their total conference fee by the date set forth by the conference planning committee. Conference fees paid after this date will incur a late fee. The fee includes five night s housing, 14 meals, program and support materials, registration materials, and recognition items. Your local lodge contingent may have additional fees for transportation and/or other activities that may happen before or after NOAC. Please contact your local lodge contingent for more information. Food Conference participants and staff will eat in the university's dining halls beginning with dinner on the first day of NOAC and concluding with breakfast on the last day of NOAC. Each meal will include main dishes, sides, beverages, and desserts. Housing Conference participants and staff will stay in the university s residence halls. All attendees are encouraged to bring a fan with them, as not all residence halls are air-conditioned. Each floor within the residence hall has their own male and female bathroom facilities with showers, sinks, and toilets. Each residence hall will have a NOAC housing staff member assigned to it. Each room includes linens, a pillow, and towels. Security NOAC security staff and University Police will be present around the university grounds 24 hours a day to provide a safe environment for participants and staff. Other security personnel will be present at arena shows and other major conference events. While at NOAC, if you need help, check in with a NOAC security staff member or an information booth. For immediate concerns where NOAC security is not available, guests are encouraged to dial or go to a university staff member.

4 Transportation There will be plenty of walking at NOAC so it is best to be physically fit. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes and drink LOTS of water. Limited shuttle service will be available. Special transportation arrangements will be made for those in need. For those flying to NOAC, chartered shuttle service will be available from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) to MSU on August 3rd and August 8th only. Contingent leaders will be able to request this service with the NOAC registration system. Trading Post Items such as patches, neckerchiefs, hats, t-shirts, mugs, luggage tags, magnets, bolos, and more will be available for purchase from the NOAC Trading Post. Lodge contingent participants and NOAC staff members must utilize the online Trading Post to order merchandise in advance of the 2015 conference. This will help ensure all mementos desired can be obtained and avoid long lines and possible disappointment in attempting to purchase merchandise at NOAC. All mail orders will be shipped from the conference site between August 1 and August 7, Reserved orders must be picked up on Monday, August 3 or Tuesday, August 4 of the conference, at the NOAC Trading Post location. Onsite at NOAC 2015, the official Trading Post will be have NOAC memorabilia, Order of the Arrow items, patches, prints, figurines from the National Endowment, and ScoutStuff supplies. Arrowmen are encouraged to pre-order their NOAC memorabilia as some items will sell out before the conference. The conference logo itself will not be released until the first day of the conference, but each item description will give an overview of each available item. What to Pack? Uniform All NOAC participants and staff members are required to wear their full Scout uniform when attending shows, training sessions, and meals. The activity uniform may be worn during recreational events such as afternoon and evening activities. What to Pack? The packing list will be released in the future.

5 Medical Form All NOAC participants and staff will be required to have a completed BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A, B, and C) to attend the conference. All youth and adult medical examinations (Part C) must have been completed after August 31, 2014 to be valid. Additional information about medical care available at the conference and those conditions that may require a waiver will be included in the April 1, 2015 administrative information. No BSA Annual Health and Medical Record examinations will be performed by NOAC medical personnel onsite.