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.  

A review of camping in 2016

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!

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.

Orbital Ordeal - Kawida Lodge - Pulaski County Park, Nancy KY April 1 & 2, 2016

Location - Pulaski County Park, Nancy Kentucky

Mileage - I drove the church van.  Didn't keep up with the mileage.  The boys and I left Frankfort at 3:30.  We picked up a Scout from his house at 4.  We picked up additional Scouts and the church van at the church in Georgetown at 4:15.  We stopped in Lexington to pick up two additional Scouts and ritual gear at 5:30.  We arrived in Nancy Kentucky at 7:10.

Weather - NO Rain.  Decent weather Friday night.  Chilly on Saturday during the day.  Windy on Saturday evening.

Clothing - Shorts during the event. I wore my flannel shirt on top of my tshirt.  In the evening on Saturday, I wore my down filled REI coat.

Shoes - Hiking Boots the entire time.

Camping Style - Since I was Elangomat, I was asked to sleep in a tarp on the ground just like the Ordeal Candidates.  I laid my tarp on the ground.  Put my Slumberjack Sleeping Bag on top, and then wrapped the side of the tarp on top of the bag.  By the middle of the night, it was windy enough to blow the tarp off my sleeping bag, so I slept under the stars.  This would not have been possible if it had been raining.  I slept between two trees, and tied a rope (550 paracord) from one tree to the next.  I used a carabiner to keep my water bottle on the rope.  I attached my flashlight on the same carabiner.  This was right above my head as I laid down.  If I heard noise, I shined the light in the water bottle.  It increased the amount of light.  I also had my boots on a carabiner on the rope.  It kept them off the ground during the night.

Sleeping bag & Sleeping - I slept under the stars.  Slumberjack 0 bag.  Camping pad under my bag.  It was quite comfortable.  I've gotten in the habit of sleeping in a cot during campouts, and realized during this campout that it isn't always necessary to use a cot while camping.

It was in the 50s when I went crawled in my bag.  I was a little too warm.

Saturday morning before the sun came up.  These are the Ordeal Candidates along the lake waiting for breakfast.

Main Activities - This was OA Ordeal that my youngest son was going through as an Ordeal Candidate.  I was Elangomat when my oldest son went through Ordeal, and I talked my oldest to joining me as an Elangomat during my youngest son's Ordeal.  This meant that as Elangomat (Lenni Lenape for "Friend"), we went through the same activities as the Ordeal candidates.  They eat sparsely; Elangomats do too.  They work arduously; Elangomats do too.  They aren't allowed to talk; Elangomats have the same requirements.  Elangomats got away with a little more leniency about food during this event, but that is not the normal with our OA Lodge.

This is the group I worked with on the trail. There was another adult with me in the group, so I was covered for YPT guidelines.

I took my group to the Eagle Scout hiking trail in the park which was a mile or so away from the camping area to do trail maintenance.  We picked up a lot of trash along the trail, and we cut drainage ditches on the trail where rain water was eroding the trail.  We did a good job and picked up a lot of trash!

On the way down to the place where Ordeal was held, we picked up the Lodge Chief and another Lodge officer.  We had plenty of room in the van for 2 additional riders.  I think it was good for the OA candidates of my troop to get to know the higher level officers of the Lodge.  On the way there I mentioned how I would love to see a patch for an award that Kawida Lodge had received from last year.  Kawida Lodge had recently received the E Urner Goodman Camping Award, and I told the chief that I would love to see a patch that looked like the award that we received with the year 2015 being the year that Kawida Lodge received it.  The patch was designed while we were in the van on the way to the event.  Hopefully it will come to fruition.

On the way home the Lodge Chief was able to hear the excitement about the Ordeal from our new Ordeal members.  Stories were shared the entire way home.

There were 14 total Ordeal Candidates at the event, and 5 of the candidates were from Troop 215.  We also had 3 additional members of our troop at the event.  It was a very strong showing from Troop 215.  Our troop has not been very active in the OA in years past, and I wanted that to change because OA events are more fun if a Scout has other members of his troop at the event with him.  Thomas and I have been active in the OA for most of the last 2 1/2 years, mostly it was the two of us from our troop alone at the events.

Extra Gear - No extra gear needed.

Nights Camping - 1

Total nights camping so far this year - This was my third campout of 2016.  It was my 5th night camping this year.

Next Campout - New Scout Campout for our troops new crossovers.  The Scouts will be teaching Scout Skills, and we are also starting the Bicycle Merit Badge for the older Scouts.  This will take place April 15 through 17 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Finally, all three of us are in the OA.  This means a few things.  It will be a lot more fun with all of the Baker Boys (dad and two sons), and it also means I have to pay more for OA events.  It will totally be worth it!

 This is along the creek at the hiking trail.  I want my troop to go camping soon at Pulaski County Park.

With the exception of Thomas and me, these are the new OA members from our troop.

I sewed the new OA Patch on Tyler's uniform on Sunday night.  His uniform looks really good!  I'm proud of both my boys!

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.