The Experience – Gear Tent
By Cy Roth
NOAC 2018 brings in over 7,000 Arrowmen to one location for one week. All of these Scouts have similar interests, making it a haven for recruiting and marketing. The best place for companies and organizations to meet eager new customers and potential members is at The Experience. The Experience is the large white tent on the north end of Adventure Central. It is home to several booths which are aimed to spread the word of groundbreaking technology, amazing opportunities, and lifelong career potentials. Whether you are interested in free Jack Links Beef Jerky samples or pursuing a career at NASA, there is something for you at The Experience.
With a conference full of already high achieving Arrowmen, you may think there is no room in life to start new adventures. That does not deter National, Regional, and Area Venturing Officers Associations from promoting the program in The Experience. National Venturing President Dominic Wolters was manning the Venturing booth. “Our goal for this booth is to enable Arrowmen to decide their destiny by encouraging them to join Venturing,” Wolters said. “I’m very excited about the Order’s decision to include other Scouting programs in their membership.”
Another organization being represented at The Experience is the National Eagle Scout Association at NOAC. NESA is an organization open to any and all Eagle Scouts. NESA offers scholarships and awards to its member and also gives them a chance to network and meet new people. Eagle Scouts can sign up for as low as $25 or they can purchase a lifetime membership. You are encouraged to stop by, ask questions, and participate in their giveaway.
The Hornaday Award is a very prestigious award that is also represented at The Experience. The Hornaday program has actually several awards for both youth, adults, and units. In order to get an award, a Scout or Scouter must organize and lead one or multiple conservation projects that rival the scale of an Eagle Project. The Hornaday Award was named after William T. Hornaday, who started the New York Zoological Association and is credited with leading the effort to save the American Bison. “It is truly a life changing and potentially career building award that I encourage everyone to pursue,” said booth representative Michael Brand.
There are also several companies marketing their products at The Experience. These companies include Duncan Toys, Tentsile, Jack Links, Spikeball, and many more. Go there, test out some products, eat some snacks and have some fun!