Okiciyapi Splash

Arrowmen,

On Saturday, August 23, 2008, our Chapter will hold a “Splash” cook-out at Beautiful Camp James Ray. This invite is for Arrowmen only, and will consist of a hamburger/hot dog cook out and a pool party at the James Ray pool. The time for the event is 2:00pm – 8:00pm. I ask that you sign up for the event here: http://okiciyapi.org/tinc?key=vW69rLSa&formname=Okiciyapi_Splash so that we know how many people are coming. That way we can buy the appropriate amount of food for everyone. We also ask that you pitch in $5.00 a piece to cover the cost of food and the pool. We also could use some adult leaders to hang out and help at the Splash. If you have any further questions about the event, please don’t hesitate to ask or email me at computers@weasle.net

Mr. Thompson

ArrowCorps 5 at Mark Twain National Forest

ORDER OF THE ARROW ArrowCorps 5

During the summer of 2008, the Order of the Arrow will conduct 5 events that constitute the largest conservation project completed by the BSA since World War 2. 

The events were planned in conjunction with the US Forest Service (USFS) and occurred in the Mark Twain (Missouri), Manti-La Sal (Utah), Washington & Jefferson (Virginia), Shasta-Trinity (California), and Bridger-Teton (Wyoming) National Forests.   Each of the projects has its own goals, but they all have one thing in common:  if the Order of the Arrow had not volunteered to complete the projects, they may never have been completed due to funding constraints.

ArrowCorps 5 AT THE MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST

MIKANAKAWA:  80 Arrowmen from Mikanakawa Lodge participated in the project to clear invasive Eastern red cedar from the Glade Top trail area of Taney County in southwest Missouri.  Now that the cedars have been cut, the area will be treated in the future with prescribed burning to help control the Eastern red cedar and increase species diversity in the native limestone glade ecosystem.   

RESULTS:  576 Arrowmen came from across the U.S. to participate in the Mark Twain project.  The USFS was extremely pleased with the results.  Project planners hoped to clear cedars from 100 acres.  When the week was over, 284,750 cedar trees on 134 acres had been cleared–an average of 494 cedar trees cut by each Arrowman!  ArrowCorps 5 was the largest volunteer porject ever on the Mark Twain National Forest, with our volunteer service worth an estimated $542,000.  USFS personnel expressed their appreciation at the closing recognition ceremony by naming the glade “Arrowmen Glade” in recognition of the contribution made by ArrowCorps 5. 

SAFETY:  Working with saws and loppers in remote areas in the summer made safety a major concern.  At check-in, each Arrowman received his own personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety glasses, glove clip, and emergency whistle).  Stainless steel ”dogtags” were issued to facilitate identification in case of an emergency.  Every Arrowman received a safety briefing prior to going into the glade.  All of this planning paid off!  At the end of 6 days of hard work in the wilderness, there were no broken bones or serious injuries.

CAMP:   The Mark Twain base camp had the least infrastructure available at any of the ArrowCorps 5 project sites.  Generators were brought in to supply power.  Showers were available in specially-oufitted cargo trailers.  7,724 gallons of bottled water were provided for all drinking and cooking.  A fabulous field kitchen and dining hall were established under tarps.  Seating was provided by laying log slabs on inverted, empty 5-gallon buckets.  In spite of our wilderness conditions, the inventive communications team from St. Louis improvised an amazing wireless high-speed internet connection sending signals from fire lookout towers down to our valley.  This system allowed the incident command team to keep an eye on the weather conditions at all times.

MEALS:  With all of the hard work being put forth by Arrowmen, calorie intake had to keep up!  Breakfast and lunch were provided by Philmont Scout Ranch–the same meals that crews receive on their Philmont treks.  Each of the 3,600 dinners was a FEAST!  Whether it was a ribeye steak, half of a chicken, spaghetti, or pork chops, it was cooked to perfection and there were plenty of accompanying vegetables, salad, and desserts.

RECREATION:  After all the hard work each day, there were games areas available in camp for the Arrowmen.  The most popular features were the 8 cooling pools available.  Each Arrowman also had the opportunity for a day of recreation.  Choices included canoeing, golfing, a trip to the original Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, or a trip to an amusement park in Branson.    
   

IMPORTANCE:  In addition to the thanks expressed by the Mark Twain National Forest Manager, Paul Strong, the importance of the project was also emphasized by those who attended and visited the site.  All week long, our National Order of the Arrow Chief, Jake Wellman, and Southern Region Chief, Mason Thomas, were in attendance.  Day visitors included these Scouting dignitaries:  the National Order of the Arrow Committee Chairman, Brad Haddock, National Order of the Arrow Committee Director, Clyde Mayer, Assistant Chief Scout Executive, Jim Terry, and BSA’s Central Region Director.

OUTCOME:  Now that 576 Order of the Arrow members have experienced the cooperative incident command between BSA and the USFS at the Mark Twain, they can take this excellent example of goal-setting, teamwork, project planning, and importance of safety back to their communities.  Not only will they be able to plan and execute more effective Scouting projects, but also school, church and community projects will benefit from their time in the Missouri woods.

Keith and Markie Nathan
Okiciyapi Mark Twain Arrowmen 

Howdy Brothers,

I am Grant Bingham, your VC (Vice Chief) of Inductions.  To our new brothers, WELCOME!  I was just going to let you know that im still trying to get a dance pratice set up, when we get one up there will be an email sent out and it will be posted on here, our great website!

VC of Inductions

Grant Bingham

May Chapter Meeting Topics

Brothers,

Bellow is a list of topics up for discussion for this month’s chapter meeting.

I also wanted to let you all know that I will be recording this month’s chapter meeting and will post it as a podcast on the website for those arrowmen not able to attend. This will be just one of many ways of keeping communication withing our Chapter.

Mikanakawa Lodge Inductions and Brotherhood Weekend May 2-4, 2008 Beautiful Camp James Ray

We have Ordeal candidates from Troops: 15, 23, 42, 44, 66, 605, 611, 615 (possibly a couple more).

We have Brotherhood-eligible members in just about every one of our Chapter troops.

It would be good and right to have Chapter Arrowmen from all our troops to support these Scouts, Scouters, and our camp projects. Weekend service opportunities include: elangomat/assistant elangomat (guides), service corps, ceremony teams and support. We need your energy and talents!

Check-in at the camp Dining Hall, Friday night at 7:00 PM-10:00 PM. Or Saturday morning at 7:30 AM-8:30 AM. Be prepared to jump right in to serve!

Weekend fees are $10 Ordeal Staff fee (plus your 2008 current Lodge Membership of $15, if applicable). Brotherhood fee is $15 for the new sash (plus your 2008 Lodge Membership of $15, if applicable). 2008 Lodge Membership forms are on the miki.org website.

Thank you for guiding your troop’s Ordeal candidates to the Inductions Weekend. Please remind them to prepare for the weekend, using the checklist on their Ordeal Registration card (wear full Scout uniform, backpack, camping gear, water bottle, work clothes/gloves, ground cloth/tarp, tent). Also, advise them to eat a hearty dinner before they come to camp on Friday night.

Thank you for encouraging your troop’s Brotherhood-eligible Arrowmen to rededicate themselves to the Order. Their Brotherhood project, walk, and ceremony will be memorable.

Please contact Markie Nathan (903-893-6660) if you have questions.

Thank you for living up to your Order of the Arrow pledge to serve others, and come out to support this Chapter/Lodge event. Your brothers need you!

 
Keith Nathan

Welcome to the new website

Welcome Brothers!

We are currently in our rebuilding stages both within the chapter and on the website. We hope to add lots of important information that will be helpful to all. We have gone to a “blog” style of website ensuring we stay more up to date as news unfolds, plus giving us the “foward” thinking tool for future Chapter members to easily integrate and participate in this website. If anyone has any questions or coments, you may direct them to our Vice Chief of Info & Tech, Matthew Gaskill at leapordweasel@yahoo.com, or to myself at computers@weasle.net.

Mr. Thompson
VC Info & Tech Advisor