Twenty-six members of the Apoxky-Aio Lodge of the Montana Council traveled to the University of Colorado Boulder to participate in the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) this past July. NOAC is the primary national gathering for members of the Order of the Arrow (OA) and is typically held every two or three years.
Training subjects included general Lodge function, patch design, communication skills, and learning about ceremonies. Scouts could stay busy with activities like mountain biking, fly fishing, a 5k run, cooking demonstrations, flag football, scuba experiences, escape rooms, a science fair with a STEM lab, and visits with conservation groups including the Forest Service and the National Park Service. All of the Scouting high adventure bases were there, promoting treks and recruiting for service adventures from OA members.
A highlight for many of the Scouts was the Air Force and Navy flight simulators. The Coast Guard and Army displayed vehicles and all military branches were represented.
Patch trading was HUGE. It is impossible to go anywhere during NOAC without finding someone willing to trade. Each night there was a show in the CU Events Center with music, skits, and speeches from the National Lodge Chief and staff.
One fun, new aspect of the conference was the NOAC Ascent app. Scanning QR codes at activities and trainings earned participants points they could redeem for swag. Each individual also had a unique QR code with their contact information. It was a great way to meet people and track activities.
Thanks to Paul Rodgers, for the overview, photos, and gathering Scout’s comments from Troop 649. Thanks to Eric Sommer, for collecting the Scout’s perspectives from Troop 1212.
Hear from Scouts who attended the 2024 NOAC
There were so many activities that there wasn’t any way we could have done them all. I’m still finding out about activities I didn’t even know they had! I would say my favorite activity I experienced was the flight simulator where you can fuel up HUGE Air Force planes like the B2 bomber, a C-17, and the famous F-35. We were even able to fly the F-35 in the simulator! I got to meet the National Chief and the Vice National Chief, I they signed a cape another Scout gave to me! That was just a few things about my NOAC experience!
From Ganen McLaughlin (Life Scout, Troop 649)
This was my first NOAC and it was phenomenal. I loved the patch trading and the Mascot Madness! I had the opportunity to go zip lining and miniature golfing. The variety of classes was great, and we could choose our own learning experience. The shows were amazing and entertaining. I cannot wait until 2027 for the next NOAC.
Carter Sommer (Life Scout, Troop 1212)
NOAC was a great experience. This is my second time going and it was just as fun as the first. We got to go to some cool trainings on how to improve our lodge and other stuff. We also got to do a thing call via ferrata which is rock climbing across a cliff and zip lining. There was some good patch training and I made a lot of great trades. The coolest part were the shows where all 6000 OA members gathered together to watch great speeches, music, and messages.
From Ben Rodgers (Life Scout, Troop 649):
I’m Ethan Bellcock from Belgrade Montana and I’m the vice Lodge Chief for Apoxky Aio. This is my second NOAC. My favorite part remains the freedom of getting to hang out with whoever you want for a week on campus. There are activities all around and you don’t run out of things to do. The trainings and shows further your connection to the Order of the Arrow and strengthen the ties of brotherhood. I met all four of the national Chiefs and other cool OA Scouts from around the country. Getting to hear about OA traditions, chapter and Lodge ideas was very interesting. I also had the opportunity to go on a via ferrata, BMX bike around Boulder and in a huge bike park, and run a 5k. NOAC is a blast, and something every Arrowman should do at some point.
Ethan Bellcock (Life Scout, Troop 649):
This was my first NOAC and it was great. My favorite part was going to another state and experiencing someplace new and exciting. This was my first time on a large university campus and it was cool. Riding the buses and navigating campus was a new and challenging experience. Staying in the dorms gave me a taste of what college life will be like. I loved the mini golfing and classes.
John Sommer (Life Scout, Troop 1212)
Thanks to all who put time and effort into making the 2024 NOAC experience happen for Montana’s Scouts. These are experiences that will last in the hearts and memories of our youth as they become the leaders they are set to be.
Want more perspective on what went down at NOAC 2024? Check out Aaron on Scouting’s post, “This was the best thing I saw at the National Order of the Arrow Conference”.
