Remembering Your Ordeal - A Scouter's Prospective

After Ordeal Ceremony - September 2010

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.  

Kawida Lodge - Fall Ordeal - September 9 to 11, 2016

Kawida Lodge Fall Ordeal - September 9 to 11, 2016

Location - Camp McKee

Total Mileage - Roughly 145 miles round trip.

Weather - High of 89 on Saturday.  Cold Front came through around 6:30 Saturday afternoon.  Rained for half an hour.  It was 59 on Sunday morning at 8, and had risen to 70 degrees when I left the camp at 11 AM.

Clothing - Shorts & tshirt - Scout uniform shirt during ceremonies

Shoes - Keen Sandals - I took my hiking boots, but never wore them

Tent - I slept in my Slumberjack tent.  I still love that tent very much!  It is a double wall tent.  It is the perfect size for a Scoutmaster!  The cot fits inside, and I could put a chair in there too if I wanted to have it.  It is not a great tent for backpack camping, but perfect for car camping.

Sleeping Bag - My red summer bag.  It is a little better than the green one that I took to camp.  I used it as a blanket.

Main Activity - I attended a late meeting on Friday night at Karrick Lodge with the Lodge Adviser and a few other people.  We talked about where I will be serving next year with the Lodge.  I ended up standing in the parking lot of Karrick watching the constellations until 3 AM with the Lodge Adviser talking about life.  I was able to get 4 hours of sleep that night.  

Saturday I helped a couple of Brotherhood Candidates memorize the obligation and the OA Song.  We helped with digging of the drainage ditches at Campsite 3 with the Ordeal Candidates and the Elangomats.  Tyler (my son) was an Elangomat for the first time.  He really enjoyed it!  He even joined the Elangomat Committee.  He did a great job.  The ceremonies (Brotherhood and Ordeal) took place at the OA Slab.  I like it when they are held there.  It makes it easy to hear the ceremonies.  Hearing the words of the ceremonies, even for those who have been through the ceremonies in the past, are vitally important.  It is more than just the obligation that makes you a member of the OA.  Service is a key to being a member (of course), but also hearing the ritual is vitally important.  The Brotherhood Ceremony is my favorite ritual of the OA.  It talks about the "burden".  It also explains the two bars on the end of the arrow.  

Saturday evening when it rained, I went to my tent to take a nap.  I was so tired!  There was a group of scouts on the porch of Stamler Hall laughing really loud.  My tent was only a few feet from the porch of Stamler, so I didn't get to sleep, but laying there seemed to help a little.  When I went back in to Stamler, I talked to Frank and JD about 2017 NYLT.  They had invited me to be a staff member of NYLT, but I had to turn them down.  The Lodge Chief stopped by where we were sitting to talk about an event he is planning in 2017.  He wanted our input.  He called it the "midnight club", but it took place at 9:30.  By 10:30, I was brain dead.  I excused myself, and went to bed.  I slept until 8 AM.

Sunday morning, I woke up as the call was being made by Shaffer to get the scouts in to Stamler Hall for prayer before breakfast.  I got out of my cot, went to the porch of Stamler Hall, stretched for 10 minutes, which helped, and then got ready for the Scouts Own Service.  I'm kind of in charge of making sure the Scouts Own Service takes place.  The day before I asked C. Cassady of Troop 269 to do the Scouts Own.  I talked him through how to develop a service.  He talked about being Obedient.  He did a great job on Sunday morning!

Sunday morning at Scouts Own, I looked up to notice Tyler was wearing his scout uniform, but not his OA Sash.  After it was over, he told me that someone stole his sash.  He said it was laying on his bunk, and he thought someone walked off with it.  I went to where his bunk was set up, and asked him to look through his backpack.  I also asked him if it was in his sleeping bag.  He said no.  He was really worried that someone took his sash.  I told him he could get another one.  His objection was that his sash was really special.  It had been through a ceremony, and a new sash would not have been through the ceremony.  He asked everyone if they had his sash.  Later on while I was taking down my tent, he walked out where I was.  He was wearing his sash.  He said he found it in the bottom of his sleeping bag.

Extra Gear - I stuffed my gear in my new Osprey Duffel bag.  I really like it.  I had no need for extra gear.  It was a great weekend.

Nights Camping - 2.  I was tempted to sleep in Karrick Lodge with the other adults, but I stayed in my tent.  

Next Campout - Hatito - Cub Family Campout Georgetown September 16 to 18, 2016.  Troop 215 Scouts will be teaching First Aid to the Webelos just like they did last year.  I'm also in charge of the Scouts Own Service.  I will have some of the Scouts who were in my Communications MB class last week to put together and carry out a Scouts Own.  This will complete a requirement for the MB for them.  I'm only camping out 1 night at Hatito.  Thomas and Tyler will be playing the band during the Homecoming Game, and I've decided to take the to the campout on Saturday morning instead of showing up at 11 PM to set up the tents.

Total Camping nights in 2016 - 17 nights so far this year.

Camp McKee waterfront on Sunday morning.  Tyler Baker took this picture.  

Call Out ceremony Friday night - Tyler was a runner.  In this picture he is introducing the candidate.

Ordeal Work.  Tyler is in the red shirt in the middle of the road.  He was an Elangomat, which means "friend" in Delaware Indian language.  He was the guide for the Ordeal candidates.

This is during the Ordeal Ceremony on Saturday afternoon.  This is the first step of the Order of the Arrow new members.  

New Ordeal members are receiving their sashes.  Tyler is on the end.  As an Elangomat, he does everything with the Ordeal Candidates, including what he eats, where he sleeps, and he even is part of the ritual as if he was a candidate, although he is able to wear his sash that he received at his Ordeal ceremony in April 2016.

Ordeal members, Ceremonialists, and Elangomats for the picture that is taken after each ceremony.

Indian Flute at the beginning of the Brotherhood Ceremony.  In this video the candidates arrive at the end the video.  

Kawida Lodge Summer Ordeal - August 12-14, 2016 - Camp McKee - BlueGrass Council BSA

Kawida Lodge Summer Ordeal - August 12 to 14, 2016

Location - Camp McKee

Total Mileage - Roughly 145 miles round trip.

Weather - Hot During the day - Warm during the night.  It did not rain.  There was a 50% chance, but the rain went around us.

Clothing - Shorts & tshirt - Scout uniform shirt during ceremonies

Shoes - Keen Sandals - I took my tennis shoes, but never wore them

Tent - I didn't sleep in one.  I brought it, but since it looked like it was going to rain, I didn't use it.  I slept on the porch of Stamler Hall.  The first night I slept on my cot, and the second night I slept in my hammock

Sleeping Bag - The green one that I use during the summer.  I used it as a blanket.  I didn't need it the first night while sleeping on the cot, but needed it the second night while sleeping in my hammock.

Main Activity - As the Associate Lodge Adviser for the Camping & High Adventure Committee, I advised Ben G. on a high adventure event that will take place at Camp McKee in November.  I also helped Tyler and Robert plan the Scouts Own Service, and I helped and encouraged Craig to memorize the Obligation so he could go through Brotherhood Conversion.  Before the first Ordeal Ceremony, I was asked by the Lodge Chief to bang the drum once (First Aid box) during the ceremony.  Everyone jumped (including Aaron!).  I also was a runner for water for the ceremonialists.  Ceremonies on Saturday afternoon lasted from 3 until about 6:30.

Extra Gear - I didn't need extra gear.  I did, however, see another leader with a Osprey Duffel Bag that I am going to order for myself as soon as I can.  Everything will fit inside it, and it won't be awkward like my backpack.

Nights Camping - 2.  I could have slept in the dining hall, but I didn't because I knew it wouldn't count as nights camping if I slept in a building.  Therefore, I slept outside, even though I don't have a bug net over my cot or hammock. The bugs had a feast out of my flesh.  I am hoping to get a hammock with a bug net perhaps from Sheltowee Hammock Company that is a local company that has great hammocks.  I'm going to see if I can get the owner of Sheltowee Hammock Company to do a demonstration during our high adventure campout this coming November.  I will talk to the Lodge Adviser about if first.

Next Campout - Kawida Lodge Fall Ordeal September 9 to 11, 2016

Total Camping nights in 2016 - 15 nights so far this year.

Brotherhood Ceremony in a beautiful place.

Summer Ordeal Schedule

Call Out Ceremony

My son Tyler as Nutiket.  He did a great job on his first time as a ceremonialist!

Nutiket waiting on the new candidates to arrive.

Candidates being led into the ceremony by Kichkinet

Nutiket speaking to the first group of candidates before they received the obligaiton

Second group of candidates receiving obligation

New Ordeal Members receiving sashes

New Kawida Lodge Members with ceremonialists

Brotherhood Ceremony uncropped

My hammock on the porch of Stamler Hall.

E Urner Goodman Camping Award that was awarded to Kawida Lodge.

Spring Fellowship - Kawida Lodge - March 18 to 20, 2016

Location - Camp McKee, Levee Rd, Jeffersonville, KY 

Lake Vough Sunday morning approximately 7 AM.

Mileage - I guess the mileage didn't count this time.  I drove my truck to our charter organization, and then drove the church van to McKee.
Weather - NO Rain.  Chilly Friday afternoon and evening.  Cold Saturday and Sat night.

Ice on my tent - Sunday morning approximately 7 AM

Clothing - Shorts on Friday and Saturday during the day.  Long sleeve fleece jacket and rain coat.
Shoes - Hiking Boots, tennis shoes, and Keen sandals.  I wore the sandals mostly all the time I was inside the dining hall.  I didn't know if there would be a Brotherhood ceremony, so I took my boots just in case I had to walk around the camp.  I did some shooting at the shotgun range, so I wore my boots on Saturday morning.
Camping Style - slept in my Slumberjack 4 tent.  I had put up my tent and my cot when I realized that I had forgotten my Zero Bag at home.  I didn't drive home to get it.  I slept on my cot with two camp pads underneath me and I used my extra tarp both nights above me.
Sleeping bag & Sleeping - I have a really good system of sleeping in cold weather.  Before I left the house on Friday afternoon, I took out my 0 bag to take with me to the event, and because of getting my zero bag, I didn't take my REI Co-Op Jacket.  I took my fleece coat and my rain coat because I didn't think that I would spend very much time outside if it got cold.  The week before the event, it was in the 70s.  I knew it was supposed to be in the 30s on Saturday night, so luckily I also took my sock cap and winter gloves.  I also had my "cheater-heater", but I was planning on not using it even after I discovered that I had forgotten my bag.

When I realized that I had forgotten my sleeping bag, I put my tarp over my bed.  It really wasn't very cold when I went to bed around 11 PM Friday night.  Around 1 AM, I woke up cold.  I decided to go in the dining hall (right beside where I set up my tent) to use the restroom.  While I was in there, I was thinking about how I was going to stay warm.  I decided to get a cardboard box to see how it would work  between my body and my tarp.  Afterall, I am the director of a homeless shelter, and a common stereotype is that homeless people sleep in cardboard boxes.  It worked for a few hours, but I still was cold after a while.  I ended up turning on my "cheater heater" with a few hours left until it was time to wake up.

Saturday got VERY cold.  I knew I wouldn't survive the night unless I bought some kind of sleeping bag.  I found an Army Surplus store on the internet (phone) that I thought was in the town next to the camp, but it ended up being too far to drive.  I went to a big box store in the town next to camp and bought a Coleman 20 bag.  The bag said it was long enough for my height, but when I got back to the camp with it, I discovered it was too short, but only after I went to bed at midnight.  I pulled it up to cover my body, and it only came up to mid chest.  I was disappointed.  I was still cold, so I turned on my cheater heater.  The cheater heater fluttered off after only 20 seconds of use.  My fuel tank was empty.  I had to make due with what I had.  I already knew that I would not take the option of taking my cot inside the dining hall.  There were other people in there, but I didn't want to lose a night of camping outside even though it was cold.  I had to make it work.  I unzipped my sleeping bag.  I had on thick socks, long pants, my fleece, my gloves, and my sock cap.  I took out my rain coat, and put the hood over my head.  I zipped it up to my chin.  I then took out my tarp, and put it over the sleeping bag that I had zipped up to the top.  It was quite comfortable.  I went to sleep, and in the morning, I discovered that I had some how gotten my body inside the sleeping bag enough to keep warm.  The rain coat worked.  I had condensation inside the tarp since it had been over my head, but it didn't make my bag wet.  It was almost as comfortable as the 0 bag.  BTW, the Coleman 20 bag is still crap.  It doesn't have a cord to tighten around your shoulders and head.  Without the cord, you lose a lot of heat that is inside your bag.  Spend a few extra dollars and get a good bag if you are planning on camping in the cold, or especially if you are going to send your son out to sleep with a Boy Scout troop...in the cold.

Main Activities - The event was Spring Fellowship. It was a good weekend.  There was a Vigil Honor ceremony on Friday night.  Thomas and I are both Brotherhood Members of Kawida Lodge.  On Saturday there were inflatables that were put up inside the dining hall.  It was perfect.  The scouts loved it!

On Saturday evening I was asked to lead the Scouts Own Service the next morning.  The lodge chief asked me to speak about Fellowship.  I spent 45 minutes on Saturday night putting together what I was going to say.  I used Proverbs 27:17.  As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.  I talked about the importance of fellowship, and how it makes everyone a better person.  I didn't cry. :-)

Here is the reason why I forgot my bag.  This was the first camping event with the OA that there were more people from my troop than just me and Thomas.  There were two other scouts from my troop, and one other adult.  The fact that we were able to use the church van to drive to the event also was very exciting.  In the excitement of all of the changes and what it would mean in the future for my scout troop at OA events, I went off and left my bag.  I didn't even think about it until after I had set up my tent and cot.  The reason why I wanted to camp without my bag at first was because I was sure it would be a good Scoutmaster Minute at the end of a scout meeting.  I have to say that by figuring out how to make it work and not giving in was the outcome that I wanted.  I think I'm better because I figured it out.

One of the scouts from my troop who went to Spring Fellowship with us was not planning on going until I asked him the Tuesday before the event.  I didn't think anyone else had signed up.  I didn't know that he had been elected to the OA and went through Ordeal 4 years before, but hadn't been back to an event since.  He also had stopped going to campouts with our troop.  He went to Philmont the summer before, and that is what made Thomas excited about him going to Spring Ordeal when he finally agreed to go.  He had a good time.  Thomas and the other scout who was with us talked him into going through the Brotherhood Conversion as soon as it is possible for him to go through it.  In other words, we rescued a "Sash and Dash" OA Member.  He was paying his dues, but had no intent of returning to an event.  All it took was an invitation.  I also registered the scout so his dad wouldn't have to figure out how to do it.  It isn't hard, but I didn't want that to be a stumbling block to his registration.

Extra Gear - I had my "cheater heater" just in case the weather was horrible.   I only used it for a while on Friday night/Saturday morning.  The fuel ran out after 20 seconds of use on Saturday night.
Nights Camping - 2
Total nights camping so far this year - This was my second campout of 2016.  This was my 3rd and 4th night camping this year.

Next Campout - Orbital Ordeal, Somerset.  Tyler will be going through his Ordeal since he was recently elected and called out.  Thomas and I will both be Elangomats, which means we will go through the same thing that the Ordeal candidates will go through.  I don't think you will find many OA members who are willing to tell you what it is you go through during Ordeal, so I'm not going to say anything, but to those who have been through it, that is not all that there is to OA.

The following pictures are from a hike I did on Friday morning...the same day as the Spring Fellowship.  Weather had been much better.  I hiked to the top of Cove Spring in Frankfort to test my gear and to have breakfast.  This was also part of why I forgot my sleeping bag.

Scoutmaster Minute - Physically Fit and Being Prepared.

I wrote this Scoutmaster Minute yesterday.  I was going to use it until I received word that one of the Scouts of my Troop was in a car accident with his dad that same morning.  He and his dad were going toward town when their car slid off the road after coming in contact with a patch of black ice.  The car slid into a pond.  As was told by the local television station, the young man cited his experience in Scouting that helped him stay calm during something that was potentially bad.  He explained on camera that he had been through scenarios where he trained for accidents.  That night at the Scout meeting, we did some work on the Emergency Preparation Merit Badge, and ran through a scenario where an assistant scoutmaster touched a broken wire that caused electrocution.  While he was being tended to (in the scenario) a fire was discovered in the wall above where the wire had shorted (still scenario).  It was a good experience for our troop to practice.

The Scoutmaster Minute I presented was the news release for the Scout who had escaped from the nearly frozen pond with his dad.  The following is a Scoutmaster Minute I will use in the future.

I remember going to Scout Camp for the first time as an 11 year old in 1980-whatever.  It had to have just finished my 5^th grade year in school.  I showed up at Camp McKee with the rest of my troop, and I’m sure you’ve heard me talking about it before, we stayed at Skunk Knob – Campsite 9.  I don’t remember too much about camp that summer other than the fact that the first few days of camp I was miserably out of shape, and it made it very uncomfortable to get around.  I remember that by the end of the week, my 11 year old legs were in shape enough to get around the camp without being miserably worn out.

I’m not sure at 11 years old I thought very much about the meaning of Physically Strong, but I think a lot about it today.  From those of you who are going skiing this weekend, how many have been training?  You don’t have to show your hands.

I have been training for the ski trip.  I try to walk in the mornings or evenings.  When I can walk, I get in 3 to 5 miles, and I can do that 4 or 5 times a week.  I walked to the top of a Civil War battle site on Saturday, and walked again on Sunday with Tyler in the snow.  I feel like I could ski on Sunday without having problems on Monday.

But there is another reason why being physically fit can help.  I slipped on the ice yesterday morning.  I really hurt myself, although I didn't break any bones.  If I hadn’t been in “training” for the ski trip, I probably would still be in some serious pain right now.  Other than a few bruises, I’m fine.  No soreness.  That is a great reason to be physically fit.  It helps with recovery from an accident as much as it does to get ready for a ski trip or in preparation for camp.