Patches

Greetings, Fellow Wearers of the Arrow!

We hope this finds you all well and staying safe this summer during daily record heat.

Some of our patches for events, activities, and collection have been delayed in being available for our members this year. We are evaluating and revising our internal processes to be able to address the issues that have delayed these patches arriving in a timely manner. Among these patches include the 80th Anniversary Lodge patch sets, additional Lodge 2023 Lodge Conclave patch sets, and the 2023 Jamboree Lodge patch sets. While there have been external reasons for this delay, we take responsibility for the processes that could have been done better internally.

Unfortunately, the quantity of 2023 Jamboree Lodge patch sets ordered prior to the event was inadequate and some of our members were not able to purchase some to have them for the event to trade and gift. We apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment this has caused for Lodge members representing Mowogo Lodge and the Northeast Georgia Council as both participants and members of the service team working the Jamboree.

In keeping with Order of the Arrow policy, a pre-order opportunity for all of our Lodge members to be able to purchase 2023 Jamboree Lodge patch sets has been set up on our Lodge website Trading Post (mowogo.org). This registration to pre-order these 2023 Jamboree patch sets will be up and available on our website through Tuesday, August 1st. The pre-order will be removed after midnight, Wednesday, August 2nd, and the number pre-ordered will be submitted to the company that makes our patches so that they will hopefully be available for pick up at Pow Wow, September 15-17. The 80th Anniversary Lodge patch sets and additionally ordered 2023 Lodge Conclave patches that have already been pre-ordered (additional patch sets of these sets are no longer available for order) are also planned to be available at Pow Wow.

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience and disappointment the delay and inadequate quantity of these patch sets have caused. We appreciate your understanding and hope that this will not dimish too much the opportunity for enjoying your summer scouting activities.

For our Lodge members participating and working at the 2023 National Jamboree, we hope you have blast and meet as many of our fellow Scouts and OA members as you possibly can!

Yours in Brotherhood,

Rusty Royston
Lodge Adviser, Mowogo Lodge
Northeast Georgia Council, BSA

The Importance of the Ordeal...and Scouting

Greetings, fellow wearers of the Arrow!

We hope this finds you gearing up for a great Pre-Camp Fellowship experience!

We also wanted to share an important story with you. It is a story of the Ordeal, teamwork, commitment, opportunity, and…well…the importance of Scouting and its values.

The attached article was written by our very own Brotherhood member and Vice Chief for Communication, Elizabeth Brown. It is about a young man who despite any challenges was determined to complete the Ordeal after his fellow troop members recognized in him and in his efforts the qualities and traits of determination, diligence, and self-sacrifice we value in the Order and Scouting. It is about our youth leaders looking beyond themselves, beyond routine, and beyond obstacles to find a way to make possible the experience of the Ordeal. It is a story about the best of Scouting in action and in deed.

If you needed something to boost your spirit and remind you of the value of this program, this might just do the trick. The young man who is the subject of this article will be at our Pre-Camp Fellowship. Major shout out to Ms. Brown! She has an enthusiasm for working with youth like the one she writes so passionately about. Good work, Ms. Brown, and to all of our youth leadership that made this possible working as a team with a vision based in our shared values. Good work.

Yours in Cheerfulness,

Rusty Royston
Lodge Adviser, Mowogo Lodge
Northeast Georgia Council, BSA

Pre-Camp Fellowship 2023

Clan of the Black Bear, Greetings!

We hope this finds all of you well and gearing up for a great summer!

One week from today, we will gather for our annual Pre-Camp Fellowship at Rainey Mountain. This event is one of our most important as we prepare Rainey Mountain to receive and welcome our fellow Scouts and Scouters from around the nation as they choose our home to enjoy their summer camp experience.

Thousands of participants are planning to come to our home to grow and live the life of Scouting for a week in the setting of the beautiful southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Why? For most, the reputation of the summer camp program at Rainey Mountain continues to spread as an amazing Scouting experience. That reputation has been hard earned and is well deserved. The Camp administration and staff continue to be some of the best representatives and examples of servant leadership as they focus on customer service to all of our in-council Scouts and Scouters as well as many that visit here from around the region and country.

(This troop was from the state of Louisana)

The reputation of our summer camp is due in large part to the programming and customer focus of those working there. It is also due in large part to the service and leadership you provide as we prepare Rainey Mountain for our guests’ arrival. Our events and programming have traditionally occurred outside of the summer camp program. That service is recognized well beyond our council borders by other Order of the Arrow Lodges and camp leaders as Mowogo Lodge continues to set a very high standard in cheerful service to our council properties. This is a central theme of the Order and part of how we promote Scout camping.

Over the past few years Mowogo Lodge has been working with the camp administration to develop the “Summer Chief” program as a part of the overall summer camp programming. Included in this has been the traditional service of opening our museum and trading post for all summer camp participants to enjoy and be inspired by. Last summer, members of the Camp Staff also began to perform Ordeal elections and Call-out ceremonies for both in and out of council units that wish to participate on the day the Order of the Arrow is celebrated during each week of camp. Our own Vice Chief of Administration, Caroline D., has taken on the task of preparing and refurbishing a display for summer camp that will be found in the dining hall that will highlight programming, achievements, and service Mowogo is so well known for.

These are reasons why our Pre-Camp Fellowship is so important. The service and work we will perform next weekend set the stage for a great summer camp. No task is too menial. Each service project and task have a purpose for making Rainey Mountain, our home, the best it can possibly be so that all of our guests will be able to see by the shape of our camp how we love our camp and maintain this amazing place that continues to inspire all who enjoy camping there.

As a personal request from your Lodge Adviser, I would ask you to help us complete one major task. It is something that all of us can do and it does not require any organization or specialized tools. The 11th point of the Scout Law is a “A Scout is Clean.” There are many ways a Scout should try to achieve this point. But at Pre-Camp, I would like to ask that all of us focus throughout the weekend on keeping our camp clean. I have been able to visit Rainey Mountain over the past few weeks. There seems to be an accumulation of litter and trash around camp and in some of our creeks. There will be a crew assignment that will be focused on this guided by our Service Chair, Patrick M., and Dr. Ed Brown, our Lodge Service Adviser and Council Vice President for Properties. However, it doesn’t take much effort to pick up a piece of trash and dispose of it properly rather than walking by and thinking someone else will get that.

Mowogo Lodge has always been known for our service to our camps. It is an expression of love to care and maintain our properties. It is in part how we express the Scout Law of being clean and our concern for others. Thank you for doing your part to help us communicate our love for our camps. The many guests and visitors to Rainey Mountain may not see you performing your service, but, if you think about it, isn’t that a simple yet pure form of servant leadership? To give of yourself without seeking recognition is a keystone of our Order and of Scouting. And we demonstrate that as a part of how live daily based in the principles and values we share.

Thank you for all you have done, continue to do, and what you will do to serve others! Rest assured; it is noticed and appreciated!

We look forward to seeing you next weekend at Rainey Mountain!


Yours in Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service,

Rusty Royston
Lodge Adviser, Mowogo Lodge
Northeast Georgia Council, BSA

Conclave Information

To Those attending Conclave,

Unfortunately, our Lodge Adviser Rusty Royston is unable to attend Conclave next weekend and he has asked me to fill in for him.

Therefore, I would like to share the following information.

• Conclave will be held at Camp Tukabatchee in Prattville, AL.
• If you did not attend Spring Fellowship last month and/or have not submitted a current BSA Medical Form to the Lodge this year, please bring a copy of your current Medical Form with you to submit at Conclave. If you have a current Medical Form on file with the Lodge, there is no need to bring an additional form with you. I will turn in the Medical Forms I have when I check the Lodge contingent in.
• Once at Conclave, please do not leave camp unless absolutely necessary.
• On Friday night, the host Lodge will have a loaded hot dog bar for supper. However, if you plan to arrive late, you may want to eat before you arrive.
• Please carpool if possible.
• Adult Cooking Competition:

Special Events has planned a Cook-Off for our adults for them to prove their lodge has the best cooking skills. This event has been held in the past so I want to make sure we are all on the same page for what the rules will be this year:

Rules:

• • Each Lodge my present 1 team to compete at Conclave
  • Each team my present one dessert and/or one entrée(meat)
  • Each team must provide 5 samples of each dessert and/or entrée to be judged
  • Each team must provide their own materials for serving, preparing, and cooking their entries
  • All entries will be due @4:30 on Saturday
  • Location for submissions will be at Handicrafts
    
    
• Campsite information:

Our Lodge will be in Ponil and Watoola campsites. There are limited cabins with beds available, so plan to bring your own tent to guarantee a place to sleep.

I look forward to seeing you at Conclave!

Britt Bramblett
Associate Lodge Adviser, Mowogo Lodge, Northeast Georgia Council BSA