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Information for Parents

The National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) will be held July 30th through August 4th, 2012, at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.  NOAC is an event that your son will never forget!
Scouts from around the nation will gather for a week of training, inter-lodge competitions, leadership seminars and most of all having fun!   While it may sound similar to a jamboree, the experience is much different.
Your son will travel with his local lodge to the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing, Michigan, where he will enjoy a college style experience, living in the resident halls, eating in the dining halls, and experiencing the campus.  It’s a safe way for him to see what the college lifestyle is like with other Scouts just like him.
Every day brings a new adventure, and every night brings new and different types of entertainment at a custom designed show.  If your son likes to trade patches, he’ll be in good company!  There’s something to do for everybody.

What to Pack

Scout Uniform

  • Field Uniform
  • Scout shorts or pants
  • Scout shirt, short-sleeve casual
  • Scout khaki web, or leather belt
  • Scout socks
  • Scout hat or conference cap
  • Order of the Arrow sash


Activities Uniform

  • NOAC T-Shirt, Contingent T-shirt, or Scout Shirt
  • Scout shorts or Pants
  • Scout khaki web leather belt
  • Scout socks
  • Scout or conference hat

Guests when attending shows, training seminars, and meals should be in their full Scout uniform. The activity uniform may be worn during recreational events such as extreme sports, games, or afternoon activities.
It’s suggested to pack at least six days (conference length) of activity clothes not including travel days. Follow up with your contingent leader regarding travel days and what to wear.

Travel Uniform

While traveling to and from NOAC aboard planes, trains, buses, or automobiles, youth and adult leaders need to wear the official Scout Uniform per their BSA tour permit. Your contingent leader will adviser that Arrowmen need to bring for pre and post conference travel.

Recommended Personal Equipment

  • Beach towel (towels are not to be taken from residence halls)
  • Personal water bottle
  • Medications
  • Emergency phone numbers (including work numbers)
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Underwear
  • Soap/Shampoo for shower
  • Towels/wash clothes for showers (prepare for at least six days)
  • Sleep clothes
  • Sun glasses
  • Shaving kit
  • Alarm clock
  • Small portable fan
  • Notebook and pen or pencil, for note taking during training
  • Camera
  • Phone/Phone charger
  • Spending money (NOAC merchandise, snacks, food during travel days)

Founder's Day T-shirt Screens

Don’t forget to bring a t-shirt or use a Scout shirt to get your official Founder’s Day silk screen. It’s suggested to bring one or more blank T-shirts for this purpose.

Food

NOAC guests will eat in the University dining halls beginning with dinner on the first day of NOAC and concluding with breakfast on the last day of the NOAC. Each meal will include a main dishes, sides, beverages and desserts. Meals at NOAC are a great way to connect with Arrowmen from around the country or to meet up with Arrowmen you have not seen in a long time.

Housing

Guests will be staying in the University’s resident halls. Guests are encouraged to bring a fan with them for the evenings. Each floor in the resident hall has their own male/female bathroom facilities with showers, sinks, and toilets. Each resident hall will also have a NOAC Housing staff member assigned to each resident hall. Each room will include linens, a pillow and towels.    

Information Booths

When you first get to NOAC you may get lost trying to find your training session or a University building. Throughout the University campus, NOAC Information Booths will be stationed to help Arrowmen determine where they need to go. The NOAC Information Booths will have up to date program information, maps, and water stations.

Security

NOAC Security will be present around the University 24 hours a day to provide for a safe environment for guests and staff. Security personnel will be present at arena shows and other major NOAC events. While at NOAC, if you need help, check in with a NOAC security staff member or an information booth. For immediate concerns where NOAC security is not available, guests are advised to dial 911 or go to a university staff member.

Sample Daily Schedule

Most events are repeated each day.
6:30am – 8:30am         Breakfast
8:00am – 11:30am       Training Sessions
8:30am – 11:30am       Dance Competitions
8:30am – 5:00pm        Trading Post Open
10:00am – 11:30am     Brotherhood Chorus Rehearsal
11:30am – 1:30pm      Lunch
11:30am – 5:00pm      The Experience
12:30pm – 5:00pm      Operation Service
1:00pm – 5:00pm        Museum Open
1:00pm – 5:00pm        TOAP, Badminton, Wiffle Ball, Frisbee Golf, Mountain Biking
1:00pm – 5:00pm        Golf Tournament (only one day)
1:00pm – 5:00pm        TryMe Scuba or Kayak
1:00pm – 5:00pm        Wii Tourney, Volleyball, Basketball
1:00pm – 5:00pm        Ultimate Frisbee, Lodgeball, Amazing Race, Iron Man, Tug-O-War
1:30pm – 2:30pm        Meet the Man
1:30pm – 5:00pm        Singing Competition
5:00pm – 7:00pm        Dinner
7:30pm – 8:00pm        Doors Open/Pre-show
8:00pm – 9:30pm        Evening Arena Show
9:30pm – 11:30pm      Bowling and Billiards and Movie
9:30pm – 11:30pm      Patch Trading
12:00am                      Lights out

Transportation

At NOAC, there will be plenty of walking so it is best to be physically fit. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes and remember to drink lots of water.

OA Trading Post

Patches, neckerchiefs, hats, t-shirts, mugs, luggage tags, magnets, bolos, and more! By March 1, 2012, the official NOAC 2012 Trading Post will open and Arrowmen will be able to complete their NOAC pre-order online at www.tradingpost.oa-bsa.org. Once online, Arrowmen will be able to view all of the official memorabilia and gear commemorating NOAC 2012. The conference logo will not be released until the first day of the conference, but each item description will give an overview of each item sold.
Onsite at NOAC 2012, the official trading post will be complete with NOAC memorabilia, Order of the Arrow items, patches, prints, and figurines from the National Endowment, and ScoutStuff supplies.
Arrowmen are encouraged to pre-order their NOAC memorabilia and gear as some items will sell out before the conference.

Required Forms

Each guest will need to submit an official BSA Annual Health and Medical Record. Any necessary waivers for activities such as waivers will be posted this webpage.

Emergency Contact Number at NOAC

The emergency contact number for the 2012 NOAC will be posted to this area once available. When calling this number, callers need to be ready to give the name, council, and council headquarters location. This number is for emergency purposes only.

Revised 8/6/2011

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