There isn't ONE type of camping. My plan is to blog after every campout starting this year, and talking about the different gear used for the style of camping that I do. Basically it is a journal of camping.
For those of you who known me know that I love old
movies. My favorite movies are from the
40s and 50s, but I have a couple of favorite movies from the year I was born,
1972. One is Jeremiah Johnson with
Robert Redford. I must have seen that
movie 50 times already. Another favorite
is called The Cowboys with John Wayne.
In the movie The Cowboys, the name of the character played
by John Wayne is Will Anderson. Will is
a 60 year old cattle rancher who has hundreds of cattle that he needs to get to
the beef market which is hundreds of miles away from his ranch. The movie seems to be set in the 1880s. Will Anderson tried to find some cowboys to
help him get his cattle to market, but there was some gold mining activity in
the area, and all of the seasoned cowboys left to find their fortunes in
gold.
Will Anderson had to go into a school to recruit a group of
11 through 15 year old school boys to help him get his cattle to market. Many of the boys were scared, and they had a
lot to learn. They had to face the
unknown in the open range. But with the
guidance of Will Anderson, they grew in their abilities and became confident in
themselves.
That’s a lot of what we do in Troop 215. We help these young men grow in their
abilities and their confidence. They
learn from each other how to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous,
kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
The Cowboys is one of only a few John Wayne movies where his
character dies. The cattle were still 3
or 4 days from the market, and some thieves stole the herd of cattle after they
shot Will Anderson. After the young
cowboys buried Mr Anderson, the boys took the cattle back from the thieves, and
they were able to get the cattle to market.
We have had a very busy year in our Scout Troop. The skills that we have spent teaching these exceptional young men in the last many
years have enabled them to do things without us. Let me give you an example.
This summer at Camp McKee, three of our scouts will be
staying at camp for a few extra weeks in order to be Counselors In
Training. One of our scouts has been
selected as the Drum Team Chairman of Kawida Lodge. One of our scouts will be a guide at the
National Youth Leadership Training at Camp McKee after summer camp. One of our scouts will be representing the
Civil Air Patrol of Kentucky at the National Jamboree this summer. And our scouts who are now 18 years old, 9 of
whom earned the Eagle Scout Rank in the past few years, will be going to
college this fall. All of these new
activities will be done by these young men without the guidance of their
parents or any of the adult leaders of Troop 215.
In the scene where Will Anderson died in The Cowboys, Will
addresses the young men who he guided across the prairie. His words are particularly fitting for what I
would like to say to you guys tonight.
Will Anderson said,
“I’m proud of you.
All of you. Every man wants his
children to be better than he was. You
are.”
When I first got involved in the Order of the Arrow (OA), I was the Director of Youth and Young Adults at a Methodist Church. About a week prior to going through Ordeal, I told a young man who was in my youth group that I was going through Ordeal. He was a member of a scout troop in the town where I lived, and I knew that he was a member of the Order of the Arrow. When I told him I was going to attend Ordeal, he said that it was great that I was excited, but he didn't see the point. All they were doing was getting free labor out of me to make improvements around the camp that is the home of our Lodge. That was my modern day introduction into the OA.
Of course when I was a Scout, I attended summer camp at Camp McKee, and I remember seeing the OA Call Out Ceremony. The Call-Out has changed a lot since then, and the modern version isn't as scary to a 40+ year old like the old version was scary to a 12 year old. When I was 12, the Call-Out Ceremony was referred to as a Tap Out Ceremony. Those who were old enough to get elected into the OA would stand facing a fire. Kichkinet would walk in front the would-be candidates, look deep into their eyes, and if the person was selected, Kichkinet would slap the candidate on the shoulder rather forcefully to "tap" them or call them out so they can go through their Ordeal. I seemed scary to me, and most of what I remember is that I didn't want to get selected by the big scary Indian.
I remember showing up at the camp for my Ordeal in the Fall of 2010. I remember that I didn't have a rain coat, and rain was in the forecast. I remember the first night of the Ordeal I was staying in a campsite with a bunch of other Scouters. I slept on the ground as we were told to do, but when the rain started, we were all told to move to the tents that were still set up from summer camp. We had been told to remain silent, and I did, but I remember that in the campsite close to ours there was a Scout who was making a lot of noise. I remember that early in the morning a member of the Lodge went to the young Scout to tell him that if he didn't keep quiet he would be asked to go home.
My job during Ordeal starting on Saturday morning was to help clean out the ditch from the OA Building to the bottom of the hill. That morning the ditch felt like it was about a mile long, and I guess it had been a long time since the last time it had been cleaned out. It really wasn't that hard of work, but I seem to remember that at the time I thought it was. I remember thinking about how hungry I was, and wondering if I would make it to the end of the day.
Work on the same ditch during Fall Ordeal 2016
According to an American dictionary, an Ordeal is defined as ANY EXTREMELY SEVERE OR TRYING TEST, EXPERIENCE OR TRIAL. I guess my Ordeal was kind of trying. It was hard, but I'm not sure I would have called it extremely severe. I certainly didn't consider my "trial" simply as a version of free labor by the camp, but I wasn't sure I gained any new knowledge out of the Ordeal Ceremony. After getting home from your Ordeal, most of your thinking falls on the work that was completed instead of the ritual that you heard after the work was finished.
Maybe that's why the young man from my youth group had a negative attitude about the OA. I think the young man was not encouraged by this troop to attend OA events after his Ordeal, which therefore made him and the rest of his toop "sash and dash" members of the OA. A definition of "sash and dash" is when someone goes through the Ordeal, but never goes to another OA event afterward. Therefore, their thinking about the OA is on the work that they completed during their Ordeal, and not the beauty of the ritual or the bonds of brotherhood that one forms with other OA members.
Fall Ordeal 2016 - Ordeal Ceremony. The First Step
I finished my Ordeal, and I was initiated into the Order of the Arrow that evening, and I was proud to have my new sash and flap. That sash wouldn't get dirty for 3 more years. I almost became a Sash & Dash member of the OA. At the time I was the father of a two very young Scouts who were not old enough to join the Order of the Arrow. I didn't want to get involved without being able to share the experience with my boys. I paid my yearly dues, but didn't attend any OA Events until my oldest son was able to be involved with me.
In the Spring of 2013, my oldest son was elected into the Order of the Arrow. From the time he went through his Ordeal, I have been active in the OA. In the Spring of 2014, he was eligible to become a Brotherhood member, and I couldn't wait to go through the Brotherhood Ceremony with him. Both of my boys are now members of the OA, and both of them are Brotherhood members.
I had to write a letter to the Lodge Secretary to be able to go through Brotherhood. Since I emailed my letter, I still have a copy:
Dear Lodge Secretary,
In my efforts to become a Brotherhood member in the Order of the Arrow, I’d like to tell you what our Obligation means to me. I believe that the obligation is a reminder for me to remain cheerful in my service to others even when it is difficult to do so. I am the director of a homeless shelter, and my job is service to people.... Sometimes it is difficult to remember to be cheerful during stressful situations, but the last words of my obligation to the OA are often running through my head…unselfish in service and devotion to the welfare to others. These words often help me.
Since I completed the Ordeal.... I served as an Elangomat in 2013....
I gained an understanding by not speaking during the time of Cheerful Service at my Ordeal, and this has helped me in my daily life by performing service to others without trying to draw attention to myself. In addition, I have been able to serve my troop by being serving as the Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop Chaplain, and helping the New Patrol in our Troop by being the Adult Mentor....
I look forward to sealing my membership in the Order of the Arrow by becoming a Brotherhood member. As a Brotherhood member of Kawida Lodge I plan to serve the OA program by serving as a mentor in our troop for OA members, driving to OA events, and assisting with Chaplain duties when needed for Lodge activities.
Yours in Brotherhood, Andrew F. Baker ASM – Troop 215
My oldest son and I went through the Brotherhood Conversion together in April 2014. A few weeks before the Brotherhood Conversion, we went to our first Conclave. When we showed up to Conclave, both of us wore our Sash on the wrong shoulder. The person who welcomed us to Conclave said, "Hey look, it's a couple of Newbies."
It was through the Brotherhood Ceremony that I learned about the meaning behind the Order of the Arrow. I reflected on Cheerful Service. I learned about the Burden. It's true that the Order of the Arrow is a youth organization, but in the ceremonies of the Order there are lessons for Adults to learn, and I soaked up the lessons!
Summer Ordeal 2016
In the Spring of 2016, I was asked to become an Associate Adviser of our OA Lodge. I was adviser to a committee position. I was also able to get my Troop more involved in the OA. In the Fall of 2016, I was asked to become an adviser to an officer, and that is when my understanding of the OA took on a new meaning. In fact, my ORDEAL took on a new meaning.
As an adviser to an officer, my position in the OA is a year long position. I need to be at most events for our Lodge. My job is to advise the Scout, which is not the same as doing the job for the Scout since I already know how to do it, or because I'm older. I feel like my biggest job is to encourage the Scout who is my advisee. That includes my Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) as much as my OA advisee.
Two examples come to mind. This past weekend was a Scouting event. My advisee was at a separate event at the same location where the event I attended took place. The Scouts at my event were told to leave the Scouts alone that attended the other event where my advisee was. In the afternoon I was with a couple of Scouts from my Troop when we walking up the path that was beside the building where the event was for my advisee. I saw my advisee and yelled over to him HELLO! He yelled back, "Hey Andrew, come over here for a second." I went over just to say hello to him and the other Scouts at his event.
The same weekend for my Troop ended on Sunday morning. We packed up the Troop Trailer with our gear from the campout. For years we've been fussed at by our committee about the returned condition of the troop trailer after a campout. I've been trying my best to change the way we return the trailer. After it was all packed up this weekend, I asked my SPL if he was satisfied with the condition of the trailer. He is 14 years old. He looked around in the trailer, and then turned his attention to me to say YES, he was satisfied with the condition of the trailer. I never even looked inside for my own inspection.
I didn't have to do either of these things. The SPL doesn't get fussed at then when Trailer is returned in bad shape. But my point was to say that his opinion is important. I trust his opinion. I also didn't have to stop to say hello to my advisee, especially since I was told not to interrupt them. It took 30 seconds to walk by and say hello. I hope it made him feel important, because he is. Hopefully my investment of TIME and TRUST in those to whom I advise will have great meaning to them as they get older.
I do some of these things naturally. However after attending a training at a camp outside of Nashville in March 2017 entitled Developing Youth Leadership Conference (DYLC), my perspective of being an adviser in the OA was totally changed. It also changed my focus of being a Scoutmaster. I feel like I'm a better Adviser and Scoutmaster because of it. The best point from that training for me was one simple line.
EVERY YOUNG PERSON NEEDS ONE CARING ADULT
We watched this video during the training, and it is very powerful.
I have a very good relationship with the Scouts whom I advise, and my advisee in the OA is no exception. I get along with his whole family! His Dad and I are good friends. He is also a Scoutmaster and Associate Lodge Adviser, and the three of us (my advisee, his dad and I) were elected to be members of the 2017 Vigil Honor Class of our Lodge.
I'm once week away from going through the ceremony for Vigil Honor. I really don't know what to expect from the ceremony. I feel like I've learned the lessons I need to learn before I progress to Vigil Honor, and I am ready to take the next step. I'm actually glad I have that foundation that is called an Ordeal.
After receiving my Vigil "cookie" at the 2016 Winter Banquet. This was when I found out I would become a member of the 2017 Tom Peek Vigil Honor Class of Kawida Lodge.
I'm looking forward to wearing that new sash that I will receive when I become a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow. But to be honest, the meaning of the sash is pointless without the hard work that went into being recognized by those who chose me to wear it. If my character doesn't show you that I'm a Vigil Honor Scouter, then wearing my Vigil sash will have no significance to anyone, especially to me.
I think it's easy for adults to fall into the trap of thinking that this life is all about me!! Me, me, me, and as much of it as I can get! It's really not about you, and the sooner you figure that out, the happier you'll be. The sacrificial giving of yourself and your talents will not only make things better for other people with whom you share your life, it will also change the world. I'm planning on changing my world one intentional relationship at a time.
Looking back at my Ordeal, I realize that what I have done in the Order of the Arrow in the 7 years since then is so much more difficult than those few hours of scant food and strenuous labor during that Ordeal.
I know that I'm capable of greater things; I've been tested.
I watched a video today called "Does Scouting Work". The video states that young men who have spent time in Scouting have higher positive character attributes. I liked the video and shared it on my social media sites.
I was curious about what words are used to define Positive Character Attributes. I did a web search, and found a list of words from a website that gave words that would define it for me. It listed 292 words. It had everything from Accessible to Zany.
I wondered if the Scout Law was in that list.
Trustworthy, yep.
Loyal, yep.
Helpful, yep.
Friendly, of course.
Coureous, yep.
Kind, definitely.
Obedient. Hmm. Obedient isn't there. I then went to find a definition of obedient.
Amenable. I looked on the list. Amenable isn't there. Biddable. Huh? Nope. Not there. Compliant, nope. Docile, law-abiding, submissive; nope, nope nope.
Here is one. Tractable. Yep. Tractable is listed among the Positive Character Attributes from the website.
Tractable means easily led or easily taught. I like that.
BSA was started on February 8, 1910. Just over 107 years ago. Certainly some of the words used in 1910 have had a change in connotation or understanding in such a long time. Perhaps OBEDIENT is one of them.
BSA Law 1910 - Obedient - He obeys his parents, Scoutmaster, patrol leader, and all other duly constituted authorities.
Baden-Powell Scouting 2004 - Scouts follow directions from proper authorities and obey the law.
I'm not crazy about those definitions even though I fully agree with them. The first category on the page with word meanings states the Knight Code.
The Knight Code states:
Chivalry requires that youth should be trained to perform the most laborious and humble offices (jobs) with cheerfulness and grace, and to do good to others.
I really like that. These words that are used in the Scout law were not invented by Baden-Powell, nor were they a new idea when he compiled them for the Scout Law. He must have used codes of conduct that were passed down through the ages to come up with the Scout Law. The Knight Code was apparently carried down through the essays and poems from the Middle Ages in European History. The period of which I'm speaking would be in the the 1000s to 1200s. I think this is why the Scout Law is so easy to remember. It's kind of like a natural law.
Whether or not you are obedient or tractable, you are always a Scout, and this is a very important character trait for you to have.
Today is the 2nd day of January 2017. I haven't been camping since mid November! I missed the December Campout with Troop 215, and I also missed the "homeless campout" with Troop 1. I guess that's okay since I did 24 nights camping in 2016.
2016 Campouts:
Klondike Derby - Frankfort KY - 2
*Spring Fellowship - Kawida Lodge, OA - McKee - 2
*Orbital Ordeal - Nancy KY - 1
New Scout Campout - KY Horse Park - Lexington KY -2
Summer Camp - Camp Roy C Manchester - Benton KY - 6
*Summer Ordeal - Kawida Lodge - McKee -2
*Fall Ordeal - Kawida Lodge - McKee - 2
*Fall Fellowship - Kawida Lodge - McKee - 2
Natural Bridge Campout - Slade KY - 2
*Kawida Adventure Weekend - Camp McKee (sleeping)/Red River Gorge (hiking) - 2
Lost Sea Caves - Sweetwater TN - 1
6 campouts (11 nights) with Kawida Lodge, and 5 campouts (13 nights) with Troop 215. With this kind of reflection, it seems like I shortchanged my Scout Troop on campouts. However, one month we had a lock-in at our charter organization, and being inside, it didn't count for nights camping, and one month we took at one day trip to a ski resort with no camping at all. I know for sure I missed two campouts with Troop 215.
It was a good year of camping! Out of 24 nights camping, it only rained on 2 days, and on one of those two days, it only rained for 30 minutes. The hardest rain storm I have been in took place at Camp Roy Manchester this past summer. It was scary for a while. Our campsite was right on the shore of Kentucky Lake. I wonder if some of the campsite further inland took as much punishment from the weather as we did in Campsite 1.
I'm hoping to do some camping outside of Kentucky in the coming year. Kentucky has some amazing camping and hiking spots, maybe some of the best in the country. But I would like to explore some new camping spots outside of the state.
I like to think that I've learned a lot this year. I've picked up some new gear that I can't wait to continue to use in the coming year. I know for sure I learned some new things about myself this year, and I took some new strides in leadership.
I was honored at the Kawida Lodge Winter Banquet this past December by being selected to be in the 2017 Vigil Honor Class of Kawida Lodge. I've already made room on my office wall for the plaque that I will receive when I go through the ritual. I'll move the cross to a different location in my office, and put my Vigil Plaque in it's place. Just like athletes keep their trophies on display, I display my scouting "tropies" and memories in my office at work. It helps me remember that I have an outlet when work gets stressful.
I need camping! As the director of a Soup Kitchen and Homeless Shelter, I really really need camping! In the span of 3 minutes just now, I had to fuss at two people about different things. There is a man at the Shelter right now who was released from State Penitentiary last month after being locked up for 9 years. He hums all the time, and even while sitting in my closed office I can hear his humming as clearly as I hear the people who stand outside of my office and talk about me like I'm a dog. I'm not going to fuss at the guy who hums all the time since it's just a habit and not something he is doing intentionally. He may not even realize that anyone else can hear his humming. I still play music in my office to drown out the things I can hear outside of my office walls. I realize I'm the "bad guy" since I'm the director (boss), but I want to shield my employees from having to be the bad guy as much as I can since they are here more than I am. I'm sure that without camping, I would have lost my sanity a long time ago!
More than 24 nights camping may be a bit extreme, and I hope to not exceed 24 nights in 2017. This coming year will also change everything for me in Scouting since my oldest son (who is now an Eagle Scout) will be turning 18 in June, after which he is no longer able to be a Boy Scout unless he is willing to take a leadership role. He will not be able to go to summer camp with us as a Scout. If I can talk him into going as a leader, that would be awesome, but since he will just barely be 18 when we go to camp this year, I doubt he will want to go to camp as an ASM just to sit around and make sure the Scouts are going to their Merit Badge Classes.
A new journey in Scouting will definitely be a subject for my camping blogs in 2017!
