Yustaga Lodge. OATC: The Experience of a Lifetime. By A.J. Cole, Lodge Chief

Transcription

1 THEYustaga OSPREY Lodge OATC: The Experience of a Lifetime By A.J. Cole, Lodge Chief accomplish anything This past summer I had the opportunity to fulfill a you set out to do. dream that I had envisioned in my head since I first joined After work every day, Scouting as a Tiger Cub. In late July of this year, I flew we shared stories and across the country to one of the most revered and great food over a celebrated High Adventure bases in the US, Philmont campfire at night Scout Ranch. Philmont is located in Cimarron, NM and before some much hosts roughly 20,000 Scouts and other various need sleep. By the organizations every year on a little over than 1 37,000 end of the week, we acres of the untamed Southern Rocky Mountains. Among built a little under a the numerous activities and programs that Philmont had mile of trail on Mt. to offer, I had the honor of serving on the Order of the Phillips and the following day we began the next half of Arrow Trail Crew (OATC for short). The OATC is an our journey through the wilderness. For the next seven amazing 1 4 day trek that consists of a week of trail days, our crew hiked across the southern half of Philmont building and repair in remote parts of the backcountry and participated in activities such as black powder rifle followed by a week of backpacking across the many staff shooting, rock climbing, rappelling, and campfire shows. camps and mountains of Northern New Mexico. OATC Among these events include some wilder adventures like offers a unique experience as opposed to other treks spar pole climbing, where I used a waist strap and boot because of the cheerful service that is given back to land spikes to climb a 40 ft. tree, and mine tours at night with and a special emphasis on conservation. For the first half no lights. Along the way, we stayed at camps that had of my trek we hiked to the slope of Mt. Phillips, the very enthusiastic staff that reenacted life in the second-highest mountain on Philmont at about 11,500 ft. backcountry over 1 00 years ago with real tools and above sea level, and spent a week building a trail to the machines from that age. Mountain climbing was certainly summit. Some jobs that I did included sledging rocks, one of the most challenging but rewarding undertakings; I pioneering, rock wall construction, and trail cutting. Even summited mountains over 1 0,000 ft. with incredible views though it was some of the most strenuous work I have of Philmont during my week of backpacking. On the last ever done, the brotherhood of my crew and the desire to day, our crew hiked to the Tooth of Time before sunrise to help those who would use the trail later kept me going; if you have the right PMA (positive mental attitude), you can watch the sun ascend over the plains and the mesas before heading back to base camp. The natural beauty Yustaga Lodge and scenery I experienced at Philmont truly does live up to its name as being God s country! When we returned Pensacola, FL to base camp, we were treated to a feast and ceremony where I received an awesome patch that is exclusive to Lodge Chief OATC. However, my trip would not have been possible Aidon J. Cole without the support of Yustaga Lodge (through a Lodge Vice Chief scholarship that is open to all OA members). Anyone OA Training member that is over 1 6 years old and has their medical Table of Contents Jacob Somers forms filled out is eligible for OATC. I hope that my story Lodge Vice Chief can inspire young Arrowmen to seek a higher summit and High Adventure... 1 Program go to Philmont or any of the other High Adventure bases From the Adviser's Tipi...2 Elijah Stepherson for service and brotherhood. If you have any concerns of Chapter Leadership... 2 Lodge Vice Chief questions about OA High Adventure, please see either Upcoming Events...2 Service myself or Bryce Segler. Chiefly Speaking... 2 Bradley Payne Chapter Reports... 3 Lodge Vice Chief Osprey address... 4 Administration Committee Reports... 4 Jerry Hand OA Links... 5 News from National... 5 Lodge Adviser What's on Your Mind?... 7 Mr. Bill Payne Whipple Improvements... 8 Staff Adviser LLD... 9 Mr. Jim Boksa Lodge Banquet Fun Page Photos by A.J. Cole

2 Yustaga Lodge Chapters Appalachee Chapter Chiefly Speaking... My name is AJ Cole and I will be the Yustaga Lodge Chief. To start, I am very honored to be selected for this position and will do my best to carry out the duties assigned to me. However, the one thing that I feel most proud about for the next year is my amazing team of Vice Chiefs. This group is stacked with talent. In leadership, read to accomplish goals for Next year is one for the history books; the Order of the Arrow is celebrating 1 00 years of cheerful service to their units and communities. As for Yustaga, I anticipate great events and fellowship for everyone. Conclave this year will be held at STSR and is sure to exceed all expectations. SR1 B will be in for a surprise when they come to town and I expect Yustaga to set the bar once again for hosting an outstanding event. On top of this, NOAC is being held next summer at Michigan State University and will be the cherry on the cake for 1 00th anniversary. Yustaga will be bringing a considerable contingent to NOAC and will have the opportunity to learn from top caliber instructors and participate in lodge activities that are unparalleled throughout the nation. I want to improve communication for Yustaga and plan an incredible year for our lodge. Thank you again for this opportunity and I hope to see Yustaga have fun and learn great things to share with their units. YIS Chapter Chief Spence Jordan Vice Chief Rainey Basinger Secretary Jacob Cornell Adviser Mr. William Van Der Tulip Associate Adviser Mr. Jon Coleman Choctaw Chapter Chapter Chief Gannon Woods Vice Chief Austin Carrico Secretary Nick Koehne-Johnson Adviser Ms. Paula Syfrett Associate Adviser Mr. Don Smith Oschambos Chapter Chapter Chief Orenthal McGee Vice Chapter Aidon J. Cole, Yustaga Lodge Chief Gage Hagan Greeting Brothers... Happy Birthday!!! Secretary Chris Guthrie Adviser Mr. Tony Gibbs What an exciting time we have ahead of us in this 1 00th Anniversary of our beloved Order of the Arrow! Associate Adviser Mr. Greg Hagan / Ms. Wanda Gibbs Woapalanne Chapter Your Lodge Officers have been very busy planning exciting events for the entire year with each of you in mind! Chapter Chief Garret Rickman Vice Chapter Martin Harden / Will Myslak Secretary Speaking of exciting events, have your heard the news? The MIGHTY Yustaga Lodge will be hosting the Section SR-1 B Conclave April , 201 5, at the Spanish Trail Scout Reservation!!! Conclave Chairman Barry Jordan needs YOU! For what you ask? Contact him at rbj8@students.uwf.edu to find out!!! Andrew Taylor Adviser Mr. Jeff Kern Associate Adviser Mr. Gary Beadle / Mr. Tim Rickman Make sure that you put EVERY event of your calendarjyou DO NOT want to miss any of the excitement! Upcoming Lodge Events Ordeal Mar 1 5 Conclave Workday...28 Mar 1 5 Conclave Apr 1 5 Spring Fellowship May 1 5 Summercamp Work Day...6 Jun 1 5 NOAC Aug 1 5 Fall Pow Wow Sep 1 5 LLD / Vigil Weekend Oct 1 5 Lodge Banquet...7 Nov 1 5 Your in Brotherhood and Cheerful Service/WWW Mr. William Payne, Yustaga Lodge Adviser Boy Scout Problem #79 Going to sleep with food in your tent and knowing there's a legitimate chance a bear will find it, eat it, and then have you for dessert. -- David from New Jersey 2

3 Oshambos report Choctaw Chapter Winter Social Orenthal Mage, Chapter Chief By: Austin Carrico My name is Orenthal Magee. I am the new Chapter Chief for the Oschambos Chapter. I will start my term in on January 1 st! I plan to be different from the past Chapter Chiefs by making things more fun and exciting. I look forward to serving my Chapter next year. Our chapter put out the candle to a great year with our winter social that took place on December 7th, at Ferry Park. Some of our arrowman even joined the social after finishing a competitive boat race with the local Sea Scout contingent hosted at the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club! It was a great day for us to meet and enjoy each others company while talking about upcoming events that would be taking place next year including getting everything situated and ready to go for Conclave. We were well prepared and hyped for the 1 00 years of brotherhood and cheerful service to roll on in so that we could put our best foot forward to best exemplify the Yustaga Lodge. As all this was discussed and shared amongst us, we cheerfully played frisbee in the park nearby and enjoyed the food and beverages as the sun began to set, and I'm glad to say that the social was an overall success. New Brotherhood Members At the September Pow Wow, seven brothers sealed their membership in the Order of the Arrow and received their Brotherhood sash. Receiving Brotherhood sashes were Nikita Babkin, Jacob Cornell, Caleb Hollingsworth, Spence Jordan, Mr. Kelly Carrico, Mr. Scott Cornell, and Mr. Joshua Kern. Due to weather conditions, the ceremoney team conducted the ceremony under the Pathfinder pavillion. Woapalanne News Garret Rickman, Chapter Chief Martin Harden, Chapter Vice Chief Brothers, As we are sure you know, this year is the Order s 1 00th, and will be bigger and better than ever! Being part of Woapalanne, I believe that its clear we are the most impressive chapter in a very strong lodge. In the next year, we would like to see an increase in meeting attendance and the overall feeling of brotherhood that we all should feel. Our past chapter chiefs, Elijah Stepherson and Christian Fish, have done terrific jobs, and we hope to build on what they have done so you can enjoy the meeting and bring knowledge back to your troops. We are elated for this coming, and look forward to seeing you!, Yours in Scouting, Garret Rickman, Chapter Chief, Martin Harden, Vice Chapter Chief, and Will Myslak, Vice Chapter Chief. Photos by Mr. Jim Wright Brotherhood Ceremony Team Section Vice-Chief Commissioner College Graduates In August, several of the GCC members attended Commissioner College to learn more about Commissioner service. Those receiving degrees included - Bachelor: Debora Cain and Janet Cortez, Master: Christopher Karp, Doctorate: Darryl Huddleston. In a special presentation, Bo Sharpless was recognized for receiving his Bachelor and Master degrees. Betsy Werre was presented an Honorary Doctorate for her work in founding the Commissioner College. Matt Hartigan I greatly do appreciate you guys for letting me come and visit you for your Lodge s LLD and Vigil Weekend. I enjoyed Spanish Trail Scout Reservation and will see you guys for Conclave! Changed your ? Don t forget, if you change your address, phone number, or address, please let Mr. Jeff Stone know. He maintains the Lodge Roster. The Lodge would appreciate having your correct contact information. GCC Attendees at Commission College 3

4 Vice Chief of Training Jacob Somers The trainings at Fall Pow Wow were excellent and a special thanks to all of the instructors for heading the trainings at this event. I have learned much from organizing this Pow Wow and look to further (better) Pow Wow next year. The participation at the training was slim this year and I hope to fix this next year with new trainings and ideas that all the youth have told me. I thank all the youth for these ideas and I have surprises coming for Pow Wow To all the youth I wish for you to know and understand that training is for your benefit and your troops benefit. I hope to see you all there at Fall Pow Wow with training and much more! Broken Arrow: Mr. Harry Read and Mr. Bill Early Yustaga Lodge recently lost two members. Mr. Harry Read, Flomaton, Alabama, died 22 November and Mr. Bill Early, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, died 4 January Mr. Read was the Scoutmaster of Troop 31, Flomaton, for 60 years. He was a supporter of the Order of the Arrow and attended all Lodge functions. Mr. Early was a supporter of Yustaga Lodge and an amateur radio enthusiast, W4EUH. Service Project Approval Have you ever seen something at Camp that needs repairing, replacing, or perhaps a new something that could be built and you thought that you would like to take it on as a service project? Well, what s stopping you? But before you make plans, obtain resources, and enlist the aid of your troop, be sure to get the Camp Ranger s approval. Ranger Larry Carter works with the Council s Property Committee to prioritize camp projects across STSR. He will be glad to work with you on what project needs working on most and might be able to help line up resources. If you need ideas for service projects, just ask Ranger Carter. He can certainly help you find the right project that needs doing and that can be accomplished with your work crew and time frame. Chaplin Corps Gannon Woods For those of you who have not heard, a new patch is to come out in 201 5! Starting in 201 5, Yustaga Lodge will be offering the Duty to God patch. This patch can be earned by doing four simple things. First, attend all religious services at lodge events that you attend (minimum of two.) Second, help lead a religious service at an OA event. Third, plan a religious service and send it to the lodge Chaplin Chairman so it will be added to the lodge book of religious services. Finally, give a religious emblem presentation to your troop (a Scoutmaster signature is required.) Once all these requirements are completed, you will be presented the Duty to God patch at the Lodge Banquet. Want High Adventure? The opportunities that the Order of the Arrow provides are abundant but a few of the most exhilarating are known as OA High Adventure. These programs are offered at each of the four High Adventure bases: Philmont, Northern Tier, Sea Base, and the brand new Summit Bechtel Reserve. Those interested in attending any of these programs need to contact Bryce Segler (bms4oa@hotmail.com) or visit the OAHA website at adventure.oa-bsa.org Unit Service Bradley Payne Troop elections are upon us. All of the materials have been distributed to the units. We are ready for new members. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Spanish Trails Scout Reservation Camp Grace Recently GCC announced the official grace for campers at Spanish Trails. At meal time, a Scout should remember that A Scout is Reverent and offer thanks for the meal. Many youth are self conscious about offering an original grace with everyone listening. By having an official grace that everyone knows, the entire den, patrol, or crew can offer grace jointly. Previously, the Philmont grace has been used at Spanish Trail campouts. Now we have our own grace! Almighty Chieftain, Bless this camp, staff, the campers And this food and drink that sustains us. AMEN Gulf Coast History on Display Did you catch the historical display during the Council Encampment last October? Mr. Gary Beadle, Yustaga history buff, loaded Henson Hall with a plethora of neckerchefs, patches, t-shirts, Jamboree flags, and other pieces of history. Even Lodge Adviser, Mr. Bill Payne, was caught inspecting the collection. Submit Your Article to The Osprey Send your letters, articles, and photos for the Osprey and the Lodge Scrapbook to: osprey@yustaga385.com 4 Be a contibutor to the Lodge's story and history!

5 News from National Who signs the Centuries of Service Award card? Mr. Bill Payne A question has been posed as to who can sign off on the Centuries of Service Award...the patch that goes on your sash.the card says "Lodge Adviser".I do not wish to spend every minute at every event signing off on those little cards.as such, I prefer the following method to be employed throughout the award period:chapter Adviser may sign off on the requirements by initialing the appropriate blank(s). Once a member has completed ALL of the requirements, they may then present the card to me or any of the other Associate Lodge Advisers for final initialing who then will give it to Mr. Kolek for collection and ordering purposes.this should simply all of our lives. WWW, BP Yustaga attendees at the National Leadership Seminar and National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar, 7-9 November ( Left to Right) Back Row: Mr. Gary Beadle, Mr. Joel Fairbanks, Mr. Jeff Kerns,Zach Smith. Middle Row: Mr. Adrian Banegas, Mr. James McCallen, Jacob Somers, Mr. Don Smith, Ms. Paula Syfrett. Selfie Sneaking Front Row: Jerry Hand Southern Region Lodge Advisers Training Mr. Bill Payne Presidential Volunteer Service Award It has been said that a leader leads by example. Well, this summer, I, along with a contingent of various Adult Advisers attended the Southern Region Lodge Advisers Training Summit in Huntsville, Alabama where we networked with various Lodge, Section, Regional, and National Advisers and National Committee members to discuss ways to strengthen our Lodges and Programs. I want to tell you that while we can always do something better and should never rest on our past successes, it was very apparent that Section SR-1 B is one of the strongest Sections in the Southern Region and that YOUR Yustaga Lodge is doing some great things and we were publically recognized for our efforts! Pictured be are Wade Hartley SR-1 B Associate Section Adviser, Steve Kolek Senior Associate Lodge Adviser, Jeff Kern Woapalannee Chapter Adviser, Mr. Clyde Mayer National Director of the Order of the Arrow, Paula Syfrett Choctaw Chapter Adviser, Tony Gibb Oschambos Chapter Adviser, and Bill Payne Lodge Adviser. Mr. Kelly Carico, Troop 773, Choctaw Chapter Troop 773 has become a certifying organization for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for youth and adults. Scouts / Scouters (and any other youth groups in our area) can visit the site and create an account to log in their service hours. Service from 01 Jan to present can be entered. Once the required service hours are logged, I will ceritfy the hours and we'll order the presidential pin, certificate and letter. For more details see the website: Boy Scout Problem #1 32 When your throat is sore the morning after a campfire from singing and screaming the whole time. -- David from New Jersey Social Media? Yes, OA Does! Do you like to hang out on MyFacePage? Do you want the latest information from the National OA, Section SR-1 B, Yustaga Lodge, and your Chapter? Well, OA does social media. There are a number of OA social media accounts actually. There is a twitter a Facebook account Order of the Arrow Boy Scouts of America, an Instagram account oabsa, a snapchat account oa-bsa, and a tumblr (oabsa.tumblr.com). If you are confused and want to know more, contact Bryce Segler, bms4oa@hotmail.com Want to Know More? 5 Yustaga Website: SR-1 B: b.org Southern Region: National OA website: OA High Adventure: adventure.oa-bsa.org :

6 Bo Sharpless Recognized Scouting then his legacy would have been considerable with all that he had given back to Scouting. But, with a grandson in Scouting in the Orlando area Bo got reenergized with Troop 628, the district, and the council, and took on the new council position of Religious Awards Adviser and is working towards his doctorate from Commissioner College. Back to the Court of Honor. With a lifetime devotion to Scouting there was still the matter of never having received the Ranger award he had earned 65 years ago. Since Mr. Beadle had been a history teacher and was now doing historical research for the Council and Yustaga Lodge and realized the significance of the absent award, he and Mr. Mike Beck hatched a plan to find the silver medal with ivory white ribbon and green side stripes that is the Ranger Award. After a couple of years one was finally located in Texas and purchased with the donations of many people with Troop 628 just in time for the Court of Honor. Less than 2,800 were ever awarded which makes the medal rare and very costly and a special card was made up and signed by the many donors and troop members for the presentation. To further mislead Bo, the medal was pinned on a long green ribbon and placed around his neck and only at the last moment was the actual medal released from Mr. Beadle's hand. For a man who isn't at a loss for words in front of a crowd there really was a moment of silence when Bo realized what he had actually received. He was then invited to the microphone to "briefly" tell the story you have just read. The surprise was total and a wrong righted. Afterwards, there were refreshments and a cake in the shape of the Ranger award made by Anna Beck. And Bo Sharpless was able to wear both his Eagle and Ranger medals at his grandson's Eagle Scout Court of Honor in early September in Orlando. Now, the story is complete. And Bo continues on as a part of Troop 628, Pensacola Bay District, the and Yustaga Lodge. By Mr. Gary Beadle At Troop 628's last Court of Honor in August nearly 1 00 awards were presented for the advancements earned in the past 6 months, a considerable number of awards. The final presentation, however, was uniquely different from any other ever made and is due an historical note. After all the awards were presented to the Scouts the Advancement Chairman Mr. Gary Beadle came to the podium and simply said "finally", and, after a long pause and looking around, he asked Mr. Bo Sharpless and his wife Lois to come up front for a special recognition the troop wanted to make for his long-time service to the troop and Scouting. What was actually about to happen was 65 years in the making and was kept secret from Mr. Bo so that it would be a total surprise. Bo Sharpless started as a Boy Scout in the early 1 940's during World War Two, becoming a member of the newly formed Troop 20 in Cantonment. Advancing through the ranks, he earned Eagle Scout in July of and added bronze, gold and silver palms by mid In 1 949, he became a Lone Explorer and in his senior year of high school helped form Post 20, advancing through the ranks which were then a part of the Explorer Scout program. That year, he also served as the second Lodge Chief of Yustaga Lodge Order of the Arrow which had been established in the summer of with Bo as a charter member. During this time period there were also the clouds of war gathering over the Korean Peninsula and Bo Sharpless signed up for early entry into the U.S. Army. Following graduation in 1 949, Bo entered the Army and after training was sent to Germany where he was stationed until The highest rank in Explorer Scouts was Ranger (the Explorer equivalent of Eagle Scout) and when he shipped out he had not yet received the award, but the Council was able to send the certificate for it to him in Germany in late The medal was never presented and by the time Bo returned from Germany in the award had been discontinued (1 951 ). Bo was back in Scouting in and served as the Waterfront Director at Camp Big Heart as well as at Camp Robbins during the 1 950's. He also became Scoutmaster with Troop 628 several times in the next decades and saw his son attain Eagle rank in the troop. If he had retired from As Mrs. Sharpless watches, Mr. Gary Beadle pins the Ranger Award on Mr. Bo Sharples's uniform, 55 years late! Mr. Sharpless cuts the Ranger Award cake 6

7 Coming Back HEY YUSTAGA! What's on YOUR Mind?? Ms. Debora Maloney Cain After years of my absence, my old friend Bret Moore rekindled my involvement with the OA. I am so glad I followed his advice. The past year and a half I have had the great accomplishment of getting my Brotherhood. The ceremony was an unforgettable experience which had lots of meaning and provided a feeling of belonging. I can t wait to be accepted for my Vigil, someday. I was so blown away by the Brotherhood ceremony that I have become very interested in our Native history and the making of regalia. Our family has always attended and been involved in local Pow Wows, but being introduced to this whole new level of Indian Heritage has been amazing. I enjoy helping James and Bret get prepared for the ceremonies. Bret also asked me to be part of the Yustaga Native American Weekend (YNAW) this past year and it was so amazing. We enjoyed it so much that I had to make regalia for a few kids after they participated with Bret in the dance arbor using his regalia. I have even made my own regalia, although, I m not sure that I will wear it, since I am a behind the scenes person! But, I enjoyed making the regalia. YNAW was a great event and so educational. Bret and I have even gone a step farther and set up an opportunity to gets lots of deer hides. I have learned to de-flesh hides to prepare them to become leather so that we can make moccasins and regalia. This will be yearly activity, if we can get enough of the OA members interested. They will be able to learn and make their own. We have 46 hides waiting to be fleshed and 20 ready to be tanned for leather. Oh, and can t forget Conclave. It was so wonderful driving the Brotherhood Team all the way to Mississippi, practicing all the way for the competition. Brandon, Tyler, Gannon, and Terry did an awesome job and earned First Place! They looked awesome, thanks to Bret Moore. The boys teamed up and did an amazing ceremony. Watching all the competition between the lodges at Conclave was great! You could for sure see who the athletes were and the leaders. The smiles and the teamwork was great! Sitting and talking to people you have never seen in your life and making new friends was touching. Still talked to every body I met there. To see our Lodge pull together as a team and work together on all those events was great! Most of all I have learned this is truly a Brotherhood. I have rekindled many friendships that I had lost touch with during the years when I wasn t involved as much in Scouting. I have met many new friends and love seeing them and catching up every time I m involved in an OA event. I look forward to the next event! Thank you for letting me be part of this Order of the Arrow Brotherhood. Tyler Rickman, Woapalanne Chapter On Oct 1 6th, our chapter had a Halloween party at our chapter meeting. People wore costumes and we had food and games. The games we had there were mummy races where we wrapped people in toilet paper and they had to race to a certain point while keeping their toilet paper intact. Another thing we did was have a donut eating competition where they had to eat three donuts, without hands, faster than the other. Then we had a race with two people running between tow buckets getting apples out of one and putting it in the other. And finally, we all hit a thing full of candy. And that s just one of our super fun meetings that we have. Martin Harder, Woapalanne Chapter I am excited that this is the 1 00 year anniversary of the OA. We are proud to be hosting Conclave and are going to make it the best. Garret, Will, and I are going to do our best to make Woapalanne the best chapter. We have BIG plans for our meetings, so invite everyone that does not already come to the meeting to come back! Hunter Van Der Tulip, Appalachee Chapter We had a person from FWC come to our chapter meeting and talked about invasive plant and animal species. He told us about his job and he showed us his airboat. Andrew Taylor, Woapallane Chapter Woapallane is new, improved, and ready to rock! This year's Woapallane Chief is Garret Rickman and assisting him this year will be Martin Harden and Will Myslak as Vice Chapter Chiefs and Andrew Taylor as Chapter Secretary. We are extremely excited for this new year. As you may know, this year is the 1 00th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow and we will be doing all we can to make this an exciting year for this Lodge and Chapter. Also this year, Woapallane will be hosting the Lodge Banquet, so get ready to party! Twisted Logic Winner! Congratulations to Dalton Dennis for completing last issue s Twisted Logic. His solution was to make two cuts in the pizza (forming quarters) and then make a continuous circular cut through the middle of the quarters. Outstanding Dalton! Boy Scout Problem #1 25 Ms. Cain and Mr. Moore fleshing a buffalo hide Ms. Cain before Brotherhood Ceremony Packing up a tent: 1,000,000,000,000,000 times harder than unpacking a tent -- David from New Jersey 7

8 Whipple Circle Improvements by Mr. Don Smith Have you been down to Whipple Circle lately? Members of Choctaw Chapter have been hard at work getting the circle ready to show-off our best for Conclave. Work includes overall maintenance and a complete cleanup of the overgrown brush around the periphery of the circle, opening up a full view of Lake Alaqua. Peering across the lake, you ll notice the arrow is again bright red having been painted and re-lighted, complements of a new power line that was floated across and then lowered to the bottom of the lake. The lighting control booth at the back of the circle has been completely re-built and painted to provide many more years of service. Eric Straight and his Troop, 1 06 of Navarre, replaced the rotten or damaged seating. Troop 490, installed the asphalt walkways from the Trading Post down to the Central Lodge and Whipple Circle early last Fall. All of this has been accomplished since Labor Day. What started as a quick project by B.J. Tingle and myself to get the arrow lighted has turned in to so much more. And, with so much more help from others eager to lend a hand. In the next six weeks, additional dirt will be brought in and Whipple Circle will be leveled, prior to the installation of a sprinkler system and grass. Willie E. Deer Chapel has been cleaned up as well to show off one of the most beautiful and tranquil locations at camp. The signage to both Whipple and Deer are being replaced as well. Finally, over the last three weekends of March, Bobby Braun and his Troop, 490 will be installing a retaining wall along the edge of the assembly area in front of Central Lodge to allow for a more level area. The Jerry Pate Company will be providing a sprinkler system and sod to complete the project. That is a lot of work in a short period of time and the difference is showing. The new gate to Camp looks great and the re-roofing of the Marion C. Leach Memorial A-Frame has been done to make our Camp better. We are blessed with a beautiful piece of property in Spanish Trail Scout Reservation, the hub of Scouting along the Gulf Coast. Many of us grew up in Scouting at this camp and the experiences there helped define the adults that we became. There have been many great memories by the thousands of Scouts who have passed through the camp over the last half century. Unfortunately, Council finances are stretched thin just keeping the Scouting program active in the area, leaving very little to spend on camp. Even with the progress, there is much work to be done at camp; buildings need repair, tents need to be replaced, latrines need replacing, Summer Camp Staff need much better accommodations and Camp Jambo needs to be made fully usable. I am convinced that over the next few years, with the dedication of Council Scouts and Scouters and the support of the local community, we can restore the camp so that the generations of Scouts to come can experience the camp as it should be. Look what has been accomplished in the past year! The burden is then on all of us to contribute to the cause with our time and our resources. Working with Jim Boksa, a prioritized list will be developed of projects to be undertaken at camp. If you would like to support the cause, please reach out to Don Smith and he ll be happy provide ideas as to how you can help. 8

9 201 5 Lodge leaders learning leadership 9

10 1 5 November Hosted by Oschambos Chapter Vigil Honor Receipients (Left to right) Mr. Tony Gibbs, Mr. Jeff Kern, Brandon Moore, Ian Parker, Ms. Shandi Payne, Thomas Gary, Mr. Michael Cole, and Jacob Somers Lodge Chief Alford presenting Mr. Ted Spangenberg, Jr. the Adult Arrowman of the Year Award Swearing in of new lodge officers Lodge Adviser Mr. Payne presenting JAcob Somers the Youth Arrowman of the Year Award Founder's Award Receipients Mr. Frank Weaver and Barry Jordan Lodge Chief Alford presenting A.J. Cole the Lodge Chief Headdress and Necklace Lodge Chief Alford presenting Jacob Somers the Lodge Committe Chairman of the Year Award Photos by Mr. Jim Wright 10 Lodge Chief Alford presenting A.J. Cole the Lodge Officer of the Year Award

11 Yustaga Crossword Puzzle How well do you know flags? For more information, see Title 4, US Code, Chapter 1 Across Down 1. the only flag allowed to fly higher than the US flag 2. the flag should be lowered 4. the flag should never be sown onto athletic 7. quarter of a flag (where the USA stars are) 11. when slaluting the flag in civilian dress, you should remove your non-religous headdress and place it on your 1 2. the number of stars on Old Glory 1 5. to fly a flag during darkness, you must properly it 1 8. background of the flag 20. when displayed above a street, the should be to the nort or east, depending on the street direction 26. at parades, stand at attention and the flag as it passes 28. has sole authority to define rules and customs pertaining to the display of the flag 29. the decorative top of the flagpole 30. the study of flags 32. on Memorial Day, fly the flag at half-staff only until 33. side of the flag, farthest from the pole 34. you can carry a flag horizontally in a parade 3. can you fly an all weather flag in the rain? 5. when you no longer fly a flag that is a fitting emblem, you it 6. the number of days the flag is flown at half-staff at the death of the current or former President 8. for some flag, 2/3 staff can be used during mourning conditions 9. when new states are added, the new flag flies in which month 1 0. narrow edgin separating two colors 11. to show mourning, the flag is flown at half the number of stars on the Star Spangled Banner 1 4. number of stars of current US flag 1 6. you a flag that is no longer a fitting emblem for display 1 7. side of the flag, along the pole 1 9. the flag should be hoisted 21. the device on the flagpole that houses the pulley 22. tying the flag into a knot (in the center) to indicate distress 23. the rope used to raise a flag 24. when destroying a flag (preferably by burning) that is not suitable for display, you should destroy it 25. the heavy fabric used to secure the flag to the halyard 27. the flag represents a living country and is considered a thing 31. a flag lapel pin should be worn on the lapel Twisted Logic If your logic is twisted enough and you can solve this, your answer to osprey@yustaga385.com. The first youth with the correct answer will be rewarded by having his name appear in the next Osprey showing all that you are truly a twisted logic master. Fill in the blank: Pedro is the son of Juan. Juan is the of Pedro s father. 11