NOAC 2009 Live!
Welcome to NOAC Live! 2009

Registration at NOAC

Arrowman with binders of patchesBeginning early this morning, nearly 7,000 Arrowmen from across the country arrived at Indiana University in Bloomington to begin the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC). Buses, vans, trucks and cars of all shapes and sizes unloaded their passengers at Assembly Hall at the north end of campus for registration and check-in.

Arrowmen waiting to register

All guests were excited to finally be here and start the conference. Henry E, from Topa Topa Lodge in Ventura County Council, looked forward to playing the trumpet in the Brotherhood Band, saying "I heard it was going to be awesome, so come on! I mean, it's NOAC!" Brandon P, from Nendawen Lodge in the Allohak Council, was a little nervous - he is competing for the first time in the grass dance.

Others, including East S, from Amangi Nacha Lodge in the Golden Empire Council, could not wait for some of the more social elements of the conference. His goal: build a pizza castle in his dorm room with leftover pizza boxes.

Lodges were guided through the registration process by staff members in the Chiefs Corps. While the lodge chief and adviser registered the contingent, the rest of the lodge registered for special activities such as ceremonies and recreation competitions and the Brotherhood Band and Chorus. Region Chiefs gave each lodge a quick orientation to the campus, the conference theme "The Power of One" and the conference before sending them off to their dorms to move in.

Lodge contingent on bus

For over 3,000 Arrowmen, this year is their first time attending the conference. Jacob G, from Mischigonong Lodge in the Lake Huron Area Council, came because he "heard people talking about all the patch trading and training. I know I'm going to have fun!" He, along with all the other first-time attendees, will receive a special First Time NOAC pin.

Mike G, from Cahuilla Lodge in the California Inland Empire Council, another first-time NOAC guest, will use the leadership training he'll receive here when he enters the Air Force later this year. He also plans to make full use of the conference activities, saying "We'll participate in everything. We'll be up at six in the morning every day!"

Kevin. A, from Achewon Nimat Lodge in the San Francisco Bay Area Council, had a different motivation for attending: "My parents made me come so they could go to Sweden." But he's looking forward to having a good time at his first conference, too.

Revised 8/1/2009