NOAC On Site Visit

Arrowmen across the country are busily preparing for the 2002 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC), scheduled to open on July 27th. Lodge Contingents are finalizing their travel plans, packing their t-shirts, and getting all ready to go. But the preparation for this NOAC began many months ago.

After the Conference youth leaders were selected at the 2001 National Planning Meeting back in December, the various committees began their plans for this great event. Then, in early March, the key conference leadership visited Indiana University to plan the second largest gathering the Boy Scouts of America has to offer.

The key conference leadership touring the IU campus.

The beautiful city of Bloomington was cold and rainy in early March as the National Chief, National Vice Chief, Region Chiefs, Conference Vice Chiefs, Service Lodge Chief, Lead Advisers, and selected support staff stepped though the gates of Indiana University. However, only thoughts of warm sunny weather and fun was on the minds of these key leaders as they prepared for NOAC this year.

Friday night started with the arrival of these leaders from all over the country. After a relaxing supper, they began their mission: To get the nitty gritty plans ironed out for the Conference. This includes determining the facilities and schedules for all NOAC activities, visiting the key areas of the school, and finalizing the program plans for the conference.

Conference Leaders planning for NOAC.

"Indiana University will be a great host for NOAC", 2002 National Chief Clay Capp proudly stated. "We have a winning team assembled to put on this conference, and it will be a fabulous one."

As the group walked through the conference, they fine-tuned the locations for all the good things NOAC has to offer. There are great training facilities, a fine location for Founder's Day, and excellent venues for the many other event and competitions. For example, the HPER (Health, Physical Education and Recreation) building has several large gymnasiums that will give rise to some really great competitions this year, not to mention an Olympic-sized pool. Arrowmen will have an opportunity to utilize these top facilities while they have the chance to score big in the competitions.

The main HPER gym.

The HPER pool.

After touring Indiana University Saturday morning, the group got "down and dirty" adding more information to their plans, and resolving any scheduling or facility conflicts. Saturday night ended with great aspirations of the conference, as the Conference Vice Chiefs reported their updated program plans to the assembled leaders. Sunday morning awakened with gently falling snow as everyone departed to continue planning for the conference at home.

Key Leaders fine-tuning their plans.

When the sun rises at 5:43am this July 27, over 7,000 Arrowmen will start to invade Bloomington as they make their way to Indiana University. It is the planning of the national key leaders that will help make this year's NOAC a blast!

More Photos of the On Site Visit.

Revised 06/05/02