Winter Banquet Recap
January 7, 2023
We had an excellent Winter Banquet this year; numerous Arrowmen came for food and fellowship. As usual, officer inductions were a large part of the ceremony. We have a very experienced LEC this year, and it was great to see them enter their roles in service to the lodge. Additionally, we had the pleasure of giving out two Founders’ Awards to Donnie Paynter and Ben Peters. Loralei B. was honored with the First Year Arrowman Award, and our NOAC contingent leaders won the committee of the year award. Our special guest was Section Chief Carter Stoner, who came all the way down from Valparaiso to address the lodge. It was a wonderful event that furthered our dedication to fun and fellowship. We look forward to more events like it in the future!
Your 2023 Officers
Lodge Chief – Sam Freeman
Vice Chief of Activities – Simon C.
Vice Chief of Finance – Jack J.
Vice Chief of Inductions – Ayden R.
Vice Chief of Publications – Jacob S.
Secretary of Recording – Joshua R.
Lodge Chief Address
As we work our way through the new year of 2023, I’m very excited to see what’s in store for Kiondaga Lodge. We’ve already held our Winter Banquet and as successful as it was, the Lodge leadership is already working towards more future fellowship and service opportunities. Our advisors and officers are busy organizing events and getting in touch; our history and tradition depend on the selfless service in these weighty tasks. We seek to preserve these obligations and traditions, as well as continue the great trends set by our LEC last year. The last year was incredible for our Lodge and I – along with the rest of the LEC – seek to take that momentum and lead Kiondaga onward!
We would love to see even more elections, even more successful events, and even more bonds of brotherhood. The best quality of the Order of the Arrow is found in the Arrowmen: they are the ones who volunteer to run committees and take time to make our program the best it can be. I encourage all of our Arrowmen to take the initiative. Our strength lies in self sacrifice and leadership. I’ll leave you with a quote from our founder, E. Urner Goodman: “He who serves his fellows, is of all his fellows, greatest.” Every one of us needs to seek the ability to be that fellow.
Rank Up
March 25, 2023
Rank Up, hosted by our lodge, has been a wonderful event to share knowledge and serve the council’s troops. We’ll be helping Scouts through their ranks at Old Ben on March 25th. This time, it will be a single-day event with plenty of training for the Scouts at tools and fire, nature, orienteering, and first-aid. We’re really looking forward to serving the troops in our council! Please contact us at [email protected] to let us know which station you are able to help with and register online today!
Spring Fellowship
May 19-21, 2023
Keep an eye out for Spring Fellowship! One of the flagship events for the year, and it’s coming up in May. Make sure to get registered early so you can get to the service, fellowship, and fun! As an arrowmen, you’ll be able to earn your Brotherhood honor, help the incoming candidates earn their Ordeal honor AS AN ELANGOMAT, and engage in service.
We will also be having the vigil call-out ceremony this spring instead of the fall. Bring the other members from your troop, make sure the candidates have a ride, and be prepared to buy a squishee at the trading post. There’ll be plenty of games and good times to be had, so keep a lookout for this Fellowship!
MBU Leaders’ Lounge
March 11, 2023
At the Lincoln Heritage Merit Badge University, Kiondaga will once again have a lounge area for leaders, parents, and volunteers to relax. There will be some refreshments, snacks, and tons of information about the Order of the Arrow. If you are a member, stop by the lounge, say hi to Acorn Boy, and learn about our upcoming events. If you are a Scoutmaster or Crew Advisor, come grab some coffee and schedule your units OA election so that your scouts are eligible to become Arrowmen! We will see you there.
OA High Adventure Opportunities
There are High Adventure opportunities for all OA members at every one of the National High Adventure Bases over the whole summer. These opportunities include Canadian Odyssey, Ocean Adventure, Summit Experience, Philmont Trail Crew, and Wilderness Voyage. These programs are at a highly reduced price since service is given in return for the amazing experience at these High Adventure Bases. You go to these bases as an individual and are grouped with other arrowmen from across the country to come back with plenty of stories, a new high adventure experience, and lots of friends! To learn more about OA High Adventure Programs, please visit oa-bsa.org/adventure.
OA High Adventure is one of the best programs our organization offers nationally for every sing2le member to take advantage of. There are limited spots left for this summer, so sign up soon!
Section Conclave
April 14-16, 2023
Section Conclave is coming up soon! With the theme of flannel and flapjacks, we’ll be exploring as lumberjacks doing leatherworking, woodcarving, and of course patch trading. We also need to make sure we have strong teams for the annual cornhole and lodge ball tournaments. Watching the ceremony competitions is also always a great place to learn about American Indian Activities (AIA). Finally, we always elect our section officers for the rest of the year at conclave, so make sure you are there to cast your vote!
Conclave will be taking place April 14-16 at Camp Kikthawenund. Section events are always a big deal, and you don’t want to miss out on this one. There are also scholarships to attend for free if you were inducted in 2022. Email our Lodge Adviser, Wayne Carter, if you are interested in this opportunity.
Register online through Section E1 to be part of our lodge contingent!
Get Involved in the OA!
There are many ways to get involved in the Order of the Arrow, but perhaps the most influential way you can help locally is within our many lodge committees. Our lodge committees consist of the Rank Up Committee, Communications Team, Ceremonies Team, Elangomat & Brotherhood Conversion Committee, Unit Visitation and Election Teams, Activities Committee, Service Committee, Vigil and Awards Selection, Trading Post Staff, and Special Events Committee.
Express your interest in joining a team online at kiondaga.org/volunteer or by emailing the Lodge Secretary.
Unit Visitation and Elections
Has your troop or crew had their OA unit visitation and election for 2022 yet? If not, contact the Vice Chief of Inductions, Ayden R., or the Lodge Chief, Sam Freeman, to schedule one, or get information about completing an election. We are prepared to conduct visits online or in person. To join the OA, a scout must be elected by his or her peers. Check out the revised OA Induction Requirements from the Order of the Arrow at oa-bsa.org/about/membership. Some requirements have changed such as long-term camping and the allowed use of digital camping nights. Schedule your election by emailing us at [email protected].
2023 Calendar & Contacts
You can always view the most up-to-date calendar and contact information at Kiondaga Lodge on the lodge website.
If you have not already, be sure to add kiondaga.org to your bookmarks!
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