Schedule of Conclave Events & Trading Post Guide 2
Welcome Letter from Section Chief: Scooter Crutcher 3
Welcome Letter from Host Lodge Chief : Jonathan Jones 3
Welcome Letter from Conclave Chief : Matt Bell 3
Welcome Letter from Host Scout Executive: Les Baron 3
Arrowman Code of Conduct & Patch Trader's Creed 4
Order of the Arrow Obligation 5
Order of the Arrow Song 5
Menu for Conclave 5
Past Section Officers 6
Campsite Assignments for Conclave & Lodge Officer Information 7
Past Section Conferences 7
History of Cherokee #50 8
History of Alibamu #179 8
History of Aracoma #481 8
History of Yustaga #385 8 - 9
History of Achunanchi #135 9
History of Ini-To #324 9
History of Chattahoochee #204 9
History of Cowikee #224 10
History of Kaskanampoo #310 10
History of Woa Cholena #322 10
Training Sessions 11
Lodge & Individual Awards & Competitions 12 - 13
Section Election Information 13
Quest Conclave Events 14
Camp Thunder Information 15
Map of Camp Thunder Somewhere
Conclave Station Stamp Page Back Cover
Visit the Gerald. I. Lawhorn Canoe Base
Training & Conference Center
Mr. Luke Thompson, The Thunder Scout Reservation Marketing & Camp Director & Mr. Joe Wortham, Flint River Council Properties Manager invite all arrowmen for a guided tour of our new Canoe Base & Training Center which is two miles away on the other side of our mountain. A Shuttle Bus will depart for 50 minute tours from the Pavilion behind the Dining Hall at these times: 12 noon, 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm & 5:00pm. Luke will also be available to talk with Arrowmen about Summer Camp Staff Opportunities. The tour will include a description of Dripping Rock, our own natural shear rockface rape1ling cliff; and visits to Mt. Osmose, our 60 foot rappell tower; Our Country Store Mountain Bike and Canoe Center with a fleet of buses and over 70 ABS Canoes, Our high & low COPE ropes course, and the entire Lawhorn Training Conference Center! Also, at the Friday Checkin and Saturday evening at the Pow-Wow, Camp Thunder invites all Arrowmen to view our Camp Video which will be shown in the Dining Hall.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
ALL CONCLAVE TIMES ARE EASTERN
SET YOUR WATCHES BACK!
Friday, April 21, 1995:
All Weekend Patch Trader's Pavilion are the two Army Tents outside the Dining Hall.
All Weekend Trading Post is Open (Except during Training & Chapel Service)
3:00 - 6:30pm Registration & Lodge Checkin - Howard Lodge at Camp Thunder.
3:00 - 6:30pm Distribution of Welcome Bags filled with indispensable neat stuff like this book!
6:45pm Evening Assembly - Parade Field in Front of Howard Lodge
6:00 - 8:45pm Dinner at Camp Thunder Dining Hall & First Newsletter (Come anytime)
8:00pm Council of Chiefs Meeting at Howard Lodge
9:00pm Opening Campfire Show - Council Ring Amphitheater
10:00pm Native American Events Judges Meeting at Howard Lodge
10:00pm Special Events Judges Meeting at Howard Lodge
10:00pm Cracker Barrel in Dining Hall
10:30pm Patch Auction in Army Tents outside Dining Hall
11:00 Taps
Saturday, April 22, 1995:
6:00am Vigil Rededication at the Camp Thunder Moye Chapel
6:30am Reveille
7:00 - 7:45am Breakfast # 1 at Dining Hall & Second Newsletter (One hole in Wristbands)
7:45 - 8:30am Breakfast # 2 at Dining Hall & Second Newsletter (No Hole in Wristbands)
8:45am Morning Assembly & Colors at Parade Field
8:55 - 11:20am Morning Training sessions (See Newsletter for Topics & Locations, Trading Post is Closed)
11:00am Pre Ordeal Ceremony Competition at the Shotgun Range
11:30am Drumming & Singing Competitions at the Activity Field
11:30 - 1:00pm Lunch at Dining Hall & Third Newsletter (no assembly, Come & go anytime)
12:00 - 5:00pm Guided tours of the Canoe Base Open to all arrowmen. The shuttle will depart from the Pavilion behind the dining hall at the top of each hour.
11:30 - 12:35pm WBSA Camp Radio "On the Air" in Dining Hall & 3rd Newsletter
1:00pm Team Dance Competitions at the Activity Field
1:00pm Quest Competitions (See page XXX for events & locations)
1:00 - 5:00pm Lodge Demonstrations / History / Indian Culture Displays at Howard Lodge
4:00pm Individual Dance Competitions at the Activity Field
5:45pm Evening Assembly at Parade Field
6:00 - 6:45pm Supper # 1 at Dining Hall & Fourth Newsletter (One Hole in Wristband)
6:45 - 7:30pm Supper # 2 at Dining Hall & Fourth Newsletter (No Hole in Wristband)
8:00pm Candidate Forum, Section Elections & Business Meeting at Dining Hall
9:00pm Campfire at Council Ring Amphitheater
10:00pm Crackerbarrel in Dining Hall
10:30pm Pow-Wow on the Activity Field
10:30pm Council of Chiefs Meeting at Howard Lodge
12:00pm Taps
Sunday, April 23, 1995
7:30am Reveille
7:55am Colors
7:00 - 7:45am Breakfast # 1 at Dining Hall & Final Newsletter (One Hole in Wristband)
7:45 - 8:30am Breakfast # 2 at Dining Hall & Final Newsletter (No Holes in Wristband)
10:00am Multi-denominational Vesper Services at Council Ring Amphitheater
10:30am Closing Ceremonies at Council Ring Amphitheater
11:00am Checkout & Departure (Each Lodge should check out at Howard Lodge)
All DAY, ALL NIGHT! CONVENIENT TRADING POST SERVICE
(Except during Training Sessions & Chapel)
Announcing the ultimate in convenience. The Camp Thunder Country Store will be operating around the clock with not only refreshments but a complete line of books, camping equipment, Order of the Arrow, and other collector items. Many of the items we stock are not available from BSA Supply Division, this may be your only chance to get rare and unique books, hat pins, and patches. Also we invite you to compare our prices, you will find great deals on books and camping equipment. Conclave items prepurchased through your lodge will be given to your lodge chief at checkin. The Camp Thunder Country Store can be reached after camp at BSAstore@aol.com. Be sure & order our electronic catalog by E-Mail. The Fine Arts & Technology Pavilion located across from the Trading Post, has been designated as a Canteen sight, please move to their after making your purchases to keep traffic moving around the Trading Post.
LETTERS OF WELCOME
SECTION CHIEF LETTER
Dear Brother Arrowmen,
As the Section Chief of SR-VIII, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the 1995 Conclave. This weekend I challenge you to do three things to meet other Arrowmen & join in the search for Mr. Axe. I hope you will find this conclave a memorable and rewarding experience. The Council of Chiefs and the Conclave Planning Staff have worked long and hard to bring to you the finest training topics and competitive events. I personally hope you will be able to take what you have learned at this Conclave and apply it to your lodge. The Arrowmen of Ini-to Lodge #324 have put in toilsome hours to prepare Thunder Scout Reservation for your arrival. In the spirit of fellowship when you meet a Service lodge member, please show your gratitude. To everyone I would like to extend a personal thanks and welcome to the Southern Region Section VIII Conclave
Yours in Brotherhood,
Scooter Crutcher Section Chief SR-VIII
LODGE CHIEF LETTER
Welcome Brothers,
Although we may live many miles apart, as OA Brothers we all share a love of Scouting and a commitment to serve. It is great to have all of you here for this magnificent event. We have been preparing long and hard for you arrival at our 2300 acre Thunder Scout Reservation. The SR-8 Conclave gives us the opportunity, through fellowship with our OA brothers from across our section, to improve our skills in leadership and to rededicate ourselves to the cheerful service that is the foundation of the OA. The Ini-to Lodge extends a warm welcome to our brothers from across the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, and West Central Georgia. This conclave promises to be a fun filled and enjoyable weekend. The theme of Conclave æ95 is ôSeek to Serve.ö While you are here, make it a point to meet your brothers from other lodges and to participate in the events. We ask your help in making this a memorable experience for all. I personally hope each of you enjoy WBSA our noon time radio show. Should you have any problems or need assistance please let me know. I hope to have the opportunity to meet each of you this weekend.
Yours in Brotherhood,
Jonathan Jones
Ini-to Lodge Chief
CONCLAVE CHIEF LETTER
Welcome to the 1995 SR Section Eight Conclave at Camp Thunder! We are excited and honored to be your Service Corps on our lodge's 50th anniversary. We have worked long and hard to prepare Camp Thunder for you. If you need anything this weekend, please feel free to ask any service corps member for help.
The Conclave is the product of many people's work. I would like to thank al who helped, both within our lodge and the entire section Have FUN!!! The Conclave is your to enjoy!
We ask only one thing of you this weekend, to follow the Scout Oath & Law. Please leave our camp as you found it or better. We would do the same for you. Within the coming year, you have the opportunity to improve next year's Conclave. You, the attendees of this Conclave, are the leaders of your lodges. Seek to Serve.
Yours in Service,
Matt Bell
Conclave Committee Chairman Ini-to Lodge
THE FLINT RIVER COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Fellow Arrowmen of SR Section VIII,
The Flint River Council Ini-to Lodge is pleased to serve as host for the 1995 Conclave. Volunteer Scouters led by Arrowmen of the Ini-to Lodge have worked hard to provide you with effective facilities, quality food, and loads of enthusiastic good fun during this 1995 Conclave. As Scout Executive of the Flint River Council I can say emphatically that the Order of the Arrow and our Ini-to Lodge are integral parts of our Council program for scouts and a major proponent of outdoor program and a major proponent for all council members. I am sure your training and the knowledge you gain from this Conclave will be of significant value to your lodge as you aid your council to achieve high standards for all scouts in your council. Best wishes for an enjoyable and safe weekend.
Sincerely,
Les Baron
CREED OF THE PATCH TRADER
Every year, patch and memorabilia trading ranks as one of the most memorable aspects of the Conclave. To guarantee that trading is fun for everyone, this Conclave will endorse the Patch TraderÆs Creed as detailed below:
Patch Trader's Creed
As a patch trader, I will:
Faithfully observe the 12 points of the Scout Law as my benchmark for any trading;
Trade memorabilia only for other memorabilia while I am attending the 1995 Southern Region Section 8 Conclave
Conclude every trade with the Scout handclasp.
If you do intend to trade memorabilia or patches at the Conclave, you must subscribe to the Patch TraderÆs Creed. Please be courteous and observe the rights of other Scouts and Scouters who wish to trade memorabilia. Please refrain from Patch Trading during Training Events or Competitions. The only selling of patches should be in the trading post. All Patch Trading Sessions will take place at ???????????????????.
CONCLAVE DELEGATE CODE OF CONDUCT
The success of the 1995 Southern Region 8 Conclave depends highly on the behavior of its participants. Thus, there are responsibilities of which we must all be aware of in order for the Conclave to be safe, rewarding, and fun. Accepting and standing behind the following guidelines will ensure a great 1995 Conclave for all!
I, _________________________, as a member of the Order of the Arrow, and a delegate to the 1995 Southern Region Section 8 Conclave, do hereby promise to uphold and follow the below outlined Code of Conduct:
ò Observe the Scout Oath, Motto. Slogan, the Scout Law, the Explorer Code, The Outdoor Code and the Order of the Arrow Obligation;
ò Wear my official Scout uniform throughout the 1995 Conclave (Class A unless announced. Class B (Other Scouting Shirts) or Indian Regalia are acceptable for morning & afternoon events during the day on Saturday)
ò Wear my meal ticket and identification conclave hospital wrist band tag issued at Friday check-in. You can not eat your meals without this tag
ò Attend all planned training and general sessions & help to insure that my lodge is represented all Conclave functions;
ò Be personally responsible for breakage, damage or loss of any camp, delegate, or lodge property;
ò Observe quiet hours and Taps (see Conclave Schedule, inside front cover) For those desiring to converse, the Trading Post is the only part of Camp open around the clock.;
ò Keep my campsite & gear clean, and dispose of waste in the appropriate place(s) (Trash bags and toilet paper are available upon request at the Camp Thunder Country Store);
ò Not leave camp without approval from my lodge chief, lodge adviser, and the Section Headquarters at Howard Lodge;
ò Respect all rules regarding vehicles in camp. I will park where directed by the host lodge and will refrain from operating my vehicle until departure on Sunday.
I also understand further that:
ò The Trading Posts are the only sites for commercial transactions. I will not attempt to sell any items, and I will purchase only from the Trading Posts;
ò I must respect all state and federal laws, including, but not limited to the use of fireworks, firearms, and gambling;
ò Understand that purchase, possession, or consumption of alcoholic beverages or illicit drugs is strictly prohibited;
ò I will be courteous towards other delegates, staff, and the Thunder Scout Reservation.
ò I understand that the Conference is not over until the conclusion of Ceremonies on Sunday morning.
Deviation from any of the above guidelines will result in the immediate removal of the delegate from the activities, or camp and possibly from the Conclave. The Conclave Planning Committee reserves the right to add or revise guidelines, decide any dispute, and any other action necessary to safely complete Conclave Operations.
Please remember to, at all times, protect your valuables as they may be readily lost, misplaced, or otherwise missing. Los & Found will be at Conclave Headquarters in Howard Lodge. On Sunday Campsites Must be Checked Out by the Service Lodge Corps before you leave the conference.
Please report any accidents or illness to the Camp Thunder Wellness Center (Known as the Health Lodge at other Scout Camps). Any individual taking prescription medicine MUST check in with the Camp Health Officer. The Camp Wellness Center is manned 24 hours by certified medical personnel.
Parking: Vehicles are absolutely not allowed beyond the parking lot. Transportation of gear from the parking lot to campsites will be provided.
O.A. OBLIGATION & SONG
I do hereby promise, on my honor as a Scout, that I will always and faithfully observe and preserve the traditions of the Order of the Arrow, Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui. I will always regard the ties of brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow as lasting, and will seek to preserve a cheerful spirit, even in the midst of irksome tasks and weighty responsibilities, and will endeavor, so far as in my power lies, to be unselfish in service and devotion to the welfare of others.
SONG
Firm bound in Brotherhood, Gather the clan
That cheerful service brings to fellow man;
Circle our council fire, weld tightly every link
That binds us in Brotherhood, Wimachtendienk.
CONCLAVE MENU
Be sure and have your Meal Ticket Wristband on your wrist for each meal, you can't eat without it. Enjoy the fine Cooking of Annie Maud Moreland & Mamie Lee Spears, Camp Thunder's two fine cooks who have been serving up great southern cuisine for more than 15 years at our camp. All meals will be cafeteria style. Since Dining Hall space is limited we ask that fellowship be taken outside into the two tent areas outside the building. Remember to be considerate as someone will be waiting to sit at your table. Please don't wait until the last minute to eat as the line will close promptly at the posted times in the schedule.
Friday Dinner
Spaghetti (With optional Nutriburger meat sauce)
Garlic bread
Tossed Flint River salad w/ dressing
Thundering Bug Juice & Coffee
Saturday & Sunday Breakfasts
Piggly Wiggly Sausage Patty
Assorted Cereal Suprise
2 Scrambled eggs
Mamie Lee's Homestyle USDA Southern Grits
2 Breakfast Biscuits
Coffee and/or Assorted Breakfast Drinks
2 milks
Lunch
Grilled 5.3oz Thunderburger Patty on a Bun (Oh, such Fun!)
SATURDAY: Ice cream, Assorted Nick Nacks, Bug Juice, Coffee
Door Prizes: These great prizes will be given away at each meal & the cracker barrel on Saturday. Since we are feeding in shifts, there will be a drawing at each meal shift. Please make sure you put your ticket number in the hat so you can win. Prizes will be posted in each issue of the Thunderhead Conclave Gazette. You must be present to win.
LODGE CAMPSITE LOCATIONS &
MEAL TIME ASSIGNMENTS
Please see the Map on Page XXXX for the location of your lodge's Campsite. Some Sites share Pavilions so please remember to be neighborly. For both Breakfasts on Saturday & Sunday as well as Saturday Dinner we ask that lodges observe the meal shift feeding schedule listed below. On Friday, we ask that arrowmen go to the dining hall and eat after they checkin. Due to the distance some have to travel, we will have extended Friday meal hours from 6:00pm - 8:45pm. Saturday Lunch is come and go between 11:30 - 1:00pm with no specific assigned shifts. We just ask that you be mindful of others waiting to eat and do your fellowshipping outside at the two fellowship tents.
Lodge Campsite Lodge Name Meal Time Wristband Has...
50 Tent Site # 5 Cherokee First Shift One Hole
135 Winter Cabins #7 Achunanchi Second Shift No Hole
179 Tent Site # 4 Alibamu First Shift One Hole
204 Cabin Site # 2 Chattahoochee First Shift One Hole
224 Tent Site # 6 Cowikee First Shift One Hole
322 Tent Site # 3 Woa Cholena First Shift One Hole
310 Tent Site # 11 Kaskanampoo Second Shift No Hole
324 Adorandacks 8 & 9 Ini-To Second Shift No Hole
385 Tent Site # 10 Yustaga Second Shift No Hole
481 Cabin Site # 1 Aracoma First Shift One Hole
HERE & THERE ITEMS FYI
Telephones: The Camp Pay Phone is outside the door to the Camp Trading Post. Please limit calls to three minutes.
Speed Limit: Camp Thunder observes a 14 kilometer per hour speed limit which is really like saying 9 miles per hour but of course since we can't have 550 arrowmen driving vehicles in camp your understand when we say that the Conclave Speed Limit is 0 kilometers per hour once you reach the parking lot for the entire weekend. We have cargo trams which will carry your lodge's personal gear to your site. These trams will be dispatched from Howard Lodge and will be picking up gear in the parking lots.
Camp Facilities: The Camp Office (near the Trading Post) is under renovation and is not open. Please do not enter this building. Some other buildings like the Junior Staff Quarters & Wellness Center Health Lodge are in use for the Conclave. Their bathroom facilities are limited, and thus we would ask you to use the public facilities listed below. The Media Center, Rocket Launch Range and Observatory are also closed this weekend.
Keeping America (and Camp Thunder) Beautiful: At checkin, each lodge will get 5 large trash bags for your site. Please use these for trash, and make at least one of them designated only for Aluminum Cans. When a bag fills up tie it up and take it to the Trash Dumpster by the main gate. Each site has a large fire barrel filled with water, it is exactly that, a Fire Barrel, PLEASE do not empty it and covert it into a trash can. Additional trash bags can be picked up from Howard Lodge. At the end of the weekend bring your Aluminium Can Bags to the road for host lodge pickup.
Restrooms: Each Campsite is equipped with a hot water on demand shower. Please do not attempt to adjust the controls at the campsites for these units. In addition there will be several portapotties at the Activity Field and other major event areas in camp. In observance of BSA Youth Protection Guidelines and the need to accommodate Arrowmen of both genders, Camp Thunder has the following facilities. Females will find a special lockable hot water shower facility behind the Trading Post. Please check out the key with the Trading Post staff if you need to use it. Additionally there is a restroom & shower facility for females in Howard Lodge as well as a restroom in the Dining Hall. Lodges are asked to set up their own shower use policy for their sites. The Dining Hall, Howard Lodge and Trading Post also have male toilet facilities. The Dining Hall also has a hand washing area in the serving line hallway. If you find any of the facilities out of order please inform the nearest host lodge member.
Newsletter: The Thunderhead Conclave Gazette will publish at each meal during the Conclave. Press deadlines are one and a half hours before the start of each meal. Since the newsletter staff's Computer Operations Center is on the other side of camp, you can best reach us by filling out your request at our "front desk" box located in Howard Lodge. All Lodge Secretaries as well as event coordinators, and other with important Conclave news are asked to place their stories in here. Our Camp Radio Station, WBSA will air during lunch in the Dining Hall. If you have a news flash or would like to be a guest on our call in show, please inform us through our Howard Lodge front desk.
PAST SECTION OFFICERS
Year Chief Lodge Vice-Chief Lodge
1952 Grady Looney Alibamu No Vice Chief
1953 James Kelly Cowikee Jack Haskins Yustaga
1954 Paul Brannon Cherokee Tom Adams Aracoma
1955 Louie Williams Cherokee Joe Barton Alibamu
1956 David Ivey Cherokee Chuck Christopher Aracoma
1957 David Arnold Achunanchi Tom Maynor Alibamu
1958 Tom Maynor Alibamu George Doss Cherokee
1959 Andy Davis Aracoma Bill Kennedy Yustaga
1960 Alan Oaks Cherokee Freddy Nowak Yustaga
1961 Freddy Nowak Yustaga Douglas Rogers Alibamu
1962 Morgan Weed Cowikee Larry Oaks Cherokee
1963 David Glassgow Cherokee Frank Gaines III Cowikee
1964 David Willis Cowikee Larry Cravy Yustaga
1965 Lee Suydan Alibamu Harry Merrill/Tom Holmes Cherokee/Woa Cholena
1966 Charles T. Haug Woa Cholena Dub Mason/Gary Tomlinson Alibamu/Cherokee
1967 Gary Tomlinson Cherokee Dale Ott Woa Cholena
1968 Gerold Smith Yustaga Sam Jones Cowikee
1969 Kenny Harris Alibamu Mike Gurganus Achunanchi
1970 Mike Gurganus Achunanchi Jack Leahy Yustaga
1971 Sam Jackson, Jr Cowikee Rick Williams Cowikee
1972 Charles Harbin Alibamu David Lanier Woa Cholena
1973 Steve Mullins Cherokee Doug Gibson Cowikee
1974 Bruce Armistead Aracoma Bert Martin Alibamu
1975 Raymond Monroe Achunanchi Bert Martin Alibamu
1976 Richard Konrad Woa Cholena Jim Andrew Aracoma
1977 Tim Kimbrell Kaskanampoo None Listed
1978 Leckie Maddox Cowikee None Listed
1979 Tim Hall Kaskanampoo Bob Matthews Aracoma
1980 Bob Matthews Aracoma Danny Smith Cherokee
1981 Allan Cooper/Buddy Weaver Alibamu/Woa Cholena Ken Rees Achunanchi
1982 Ken Rees Achunanchi Hubert Crouch Cherokee
1983 Neal Burton Aracoma None Listed
1984 Randy Ford Alibamu Bart Winkler Woa Cholena
1985 Steve Sellers Alibamu Drew Baird Cherokee
1986 Bart Winkler/Frank Crouch Woa Cholena/Cherokee Frank Crouch/Joey Maxwell Cherokee/Cowikee
1987 Frank Crouch Cherokee Cory Wilkinson Yustaga
1988 Jim Alexander/Frank Crouch Woa Cholena/Cherokee Brennon Smith Kaskanampoo
1989 Scott Broughton Yustaga Chris Holloway Aracoma
1990 Michael Sutton Kaskanampoo Haney Jones Woa Cholena
1991 Haney Jones Woa Cholena Chris Holloway Aracoma
1992 David Lewis Alibamu Sean Ingram Alibamu
1993 Sean Ingram Alibamu Allan Camp Cherokee
1994 L. Ray Morris, Jr Achunanchi Scooter Crutcher Woa Cholena
1992 SE-3 Comer Tuscaloosa AL Achunanchi Apr 24-26
1993 SR-8 Alaflo Enterprise AL Cowikee Apr 23-25
1994 SR-8 Tukabatchee Montgomery AL Alibamu Apr 22-24
1995 SR-8 Thunder Scout Res. Griffin GA Ini-to Apr 21-23
* Ini-to & Chattahoochee Lodges participated in old Southeast Region Area 4 Conclaves, both lodges have hosted Conclaves in the past. Ini-to Hosted a Conclave at Calvin Center in 1987 and a Final Section Four event in 1993. Chattahoochee Lodge has held Conclaves at several council camps including Calloway & McKenzie. In 1984 Chattahoochee Council took in the George H. Lanier Council's Wehadkee Lodge. That Lodge has also hosted Conclaves at Camp Pine Mountain.
CHEROKEE LODGE #50 HISTORY
Headquarters City: Birmingham AL Birmingham Area Council
Cherokee Lodge of the Birmingham Area Council was formally chartered June 17, 1930. Cherokee Lodge was the first lodge chartered in Alabama and the first formed south of the Mason Dixon Line. CherokeeÆs first ordeal was held at Camp Andrews near Hoover Alabama in 1931. Founding members of the Lodge were: Dr J. A. Anderson, John Tillia, Billy Carruthers, Brad Wood, Carson Hood, Frank W. Braden, and Stanley Mate. The name Cherokee was chosen for the Cherokee Indians who once inhabited this area, one of the most powerful and advanced tribes in the Southeastern United States. The lodge emblem, adopted in 1946, is a Thunderbird with the hand of the Ivory Billed Woodpecker. The Ivory Billed Woodpecker, which is now extinct, was once native to Alabama. In September 1939 Cherokee Lodge hosted the first Regional Order of the Arrow Conference at Camp Andrews. In the early years Cherokee assisted many lodges in the southeast with their organization and ceremonies. In Alabama, Cherokee helped start Achunanchi, Alibamu, and Aracoma lodges. Cherokee has been present at Area Conferences since the beginning in 1952. The lodge has hosted conferences in 1954, 60 and 67 at Camp Indian Valley; 1974 and 81 at Camp Sequoyah; and 1988 at Camp Winnataska. The Cherokee Indian Dance Team is one of the most active in the Section. The team makes many public appearances annually and always provides stiff competition at both Section and National Conferences. Cherokee Lodge has the largest membership of any lodge in Alabama, but the smallest area. The Birmingham Area Council serves Jefferson and Shelby Counties.
ALIBAMU LODGE # 179 HISTORY
Headquarters City: Montgomery AL Tukabatcee Council
Alibamu Lodge of the Tukabatchee Area Council was formally chartered June 8, 1940. The lodge held its first Ordeal in September of 1940 at Camp Rotary on Lake Jordan. Inducted were Robert V. Mullen, Bobby Lundquist, the Scout Executive for the Montgomery Area Council. The ceremony was conducted by Cherokee Lodge. Robert Mullen served as AlibamuÆs first lodge chief. The Lodge name came from a local tribe of Creek Indians, Alibamu, meaning ôThose who clear land for Farming.ö A Creek Warrior with one feather was chosen as the lodge symbol. Members received their first emblem in 1948. Alibamu conducted its ceremonies at Camp Rotary until 1950 when the camp was closed. On May 16 - 18 1952 Alibamu Lodge hosted the first Area V-A Conference. The conference was held at AlibamuÆs new camp, Camp Tukabatchee, near Montgomery Alabama. Ordeal candidates from Aracoma lodge were inducted during the conference. Alibamu has hosted the Area Conference seven times since 1952 at Camp Tukabatchee during the years of: 1957, 59, 64, 72, 79, and 86. Alibamu is especially proud of their ceremony team, for it has won the ceremony competition at conclave numerous times. At the 1988 National Order of the Arrow Conference in Ft. Collins Colorado, the ceremony placed second in National competition. The Tukabatchee Area Council, which Alibamu resides in, is made up of 14 counties in Alabama: Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Chilton, Coosa, Crenshaw, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Perry, Tallapoosa and Wilcox.
ARACOMA LODGE #481 HISTORY
Headquarters City: Tuscaloosa AL Black Warrior Council
Aracoma Lodge was formally chartered August 4, 1952. The lodge is named for Aracoma, daughter of Chief Cornstalk. Sometime between 1775 - 1825 the white man murdered Aracoma and eighty members of her tribe at the headwaters of the Guyandotte River, near Point Pleasant, Virginia. The 15 escaping members of the tribe joined Chief Cornstalk. Cornstalk organized the neighboring tribes into a great uprising against the whites. The charter members of Aracoma received their ordeal May 16, 1952 at the first area V-A Conference held at Camp Tukabatchee in Montgomery, Alabama. The charter members were: Mack Sims, Gene Moore, Joe Sandlin, John Paepcke, Al Henderson, Charles Christopher and Parker Hannah. Aracoma received its charter on August 4, 1952 and held its first Ordeal at its council camp, Camp Horne, August 9, 1952. Members of the Choctaw Lodge of Meridian Mississippi conducted the Ordeal ceremony. In 1964 the lodge decided to break away from the cornstalk design on their patch and issue a patch with an emblem found in Moundville. Moundville is a prehistoric Indian Village site (Mississippi era) south of Tuscaloosa in which the famous ôRattlesnake Diskö was found. It was decided by the lodge that the symbol used by these Indians should be used on lodge patches. In the summer of 1976 Aracoma hosted the first National Leadership Seminar in the Section at the University of Alabama. In August of 1987 Aracoma celebrated its 35th Anniversary with a special event at Mound State Park in Moundville, Alabama. The Black Warrior Council, where Aracoma resides is made up of the following counties: Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marengo, Marion, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston.
YUSTAGA LODGE #385 HISTORY
Headquarters City: Pensacola FL Gulf Coast Council
Yustaga lodge of the Gulf Coast Council held its first Ordeal May 21 - 22 1948 at Camp Big Heart in Pensacola Florida. Twenty four scouts and scouters received their Ordeal membership. Eleven members from the Alibamu lodge conducted the Ordeal. The name Yustaga meaning ôDrinkers of the Fire Water,ö comes from a small tribe of Creek Indians living in the area. The lodge totem, the Osprey was selected because of the large number of these birds which inhabit the area. The colors Green and White were chosen as lodge colors, but were later changed to Gold and White. Yustaga has attended every Area Conference since the beginning in 1952. Twenty-four members of Yustaga lodge attended the 1952 conference where Richard Plass became YustagaÆs first Vigil member. Yustaga has hosted the Area Conference five times: in 1953 at Pensacola Naval Air Station, and 1962, 68, 83, and 91 at Camp Euchee. At the 1959 V-A Conference, Yustaga lodge donated a chrome plated axe, establishing the ôMr Axeö Award. The ôMr Axeö Award would be given to the ôMost Friendly Lodgeö each year at the Area Conference. From 1973 to 1982 Yustaga was shifted out of the Alabama V-E Section to the new Section VI. In 1982 Yustaga returned to the Alabama SE-3 where they remain today. The Gulf Coast Council includes Conecuh, Escambia, and Monroe Counties in Alabama and Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington Counties in Florida.
ACHUNANCHI LODGE #135 HISTORY
Headquarters City: Anniston AL Choccolocco Council
Achunanchi Lodge is the second oldest lodge in Alabama. Records indicate that Achunanchi lodge was founded by Arrowmen from Cherokee lodge in 1938. The lodge name ôAchunanchiö is translated to mean ôYoung Wise Menö. The first totem was that of an owl, but was later changed to a Thunderbird; their current totem. Achunanchi lodge members have attended all Area Conferences except the first in 1952. Achunanchi first hosted an Area Conference in 1958 at Camp Zinn in Anniston. This was the largest conference up to 1975. In 1966, our new Council Camp was opened at Mentone and named Hugh M. Comer Scout Reservation. That spring, they again hosted a Conference with 258 Arrowmen in attendance. Dr. Carl Marchetti of the National Committee and Martin Mockford were speakers. Achunanchi lodge celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 1988 with a Pow-Wow. Achunanchi has one of the finest Dance Teams in the Section including some members from the Talladega School for the Deaf. The Choccolocco Council, where Achunanchi lodge resides, makes up 11 counties: Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, DeKalb, Etowah, Marshall, Randolph, St. Clair, and Talladega.
INI-TO LODGE # 324 HISTORY
Headquarters City: Griffin, GA Flint River Council
Ini-To Lodge #324, originally chartered as Thundering Springs Lodge, came into existence with a calling-out ceremony of eleven Flint River Council Scouts on October 17, 1945. The induction team came from the Bob White Lodge #87 of the Georgia Carolina Council. In 1949, the lodge was renamed Ini-To, a Navajo word which roughly translates ôthundering springs,ö a reference to the large spring at the council camp, Camp Thunder that now fills Lake Ini-to. Ini-To was to be pronounced ôe-na-toeö.The LodgeÆs professional advisor, Mr. B. W. OÆCain became the first Vigil Honor to be inducted from Ini-To Lodge on March 27, 1954. The thunderbird was first used by the lodge in 1955 and was adopted as the lodge totem. The lodge hosted Area Conferences in 1959, 1971, and 1986 and now marks its 50th anniversary in 1995 as host of the Southern Region Area VIII Conclave here at Camp Thunder in Upson County, Georgia. Six Ini-To arrowman have served as Area Chiefs. The lodge, since its inception, has been a member of Area Z, Area 6C, Area 6-D, Area SE-5, Section SE-4, and now, SR-8. The Flint River Council, where Ini-to Lodge resides, makes up 8 Georgia counties: Spalding, Fayette, Henry, Coweta, Upson, Pike, Lamar, & Butts. Despite being the geographically smallest council in the state, Flint River Council runs an eight week camp and has been recognized for the past two years as the top council in the nation for adult leader training.
CHATTAHOOCHEE LODGE # 204 HISTORY
Headquarters City: Columbus GA Chattahoochee Council
Chattahoochee Lodge # 204 is the result of three earlier lodge mergers to form the present day lodge. Chattahoochee Lodge was organized on July 25th 1941 by the old Georgia - Alabama Council . The first totem of the lodge was a flowering rock which Chattahoochee translates to in Creek. The totem was later changed in 1964 to a Thunderbird. Meanwhile in the old West Georgia Council headquartered in LaGrange Georgia, the Hiawassee Lodge # 333 was organized on February 11th 1946. The totem was the Bobcat and the name Hiawassee translates in Creek to mean Savannah or Meadow. The third lodge to become a part of the present day Chattahoochee Lodge was from the old George H. Lanier Council headquartered in West Point Georgia. This lodge, Wehadkee # 273, was the smallest lodge in Georgia, making up one rural Alabama county and part of a Georgia County. Its totem was a Teepee and the name Wehadkee translates to Whitewater. In 1964 the councils in Columbus and LaGrange Georgia merged to form the Chattahoochee Council. They new merged lodge kept the name and numbers of the old Chattahoochee Lodge of the Georgia - Alabama Council while adopting the Bobcat as the totem from the old West Georgia Council. To this day the Bobcat remains the totem of the Chattahoochee Lodge. In 1989 the George H. Lanier Lodge was closed and Wehadkee became a part of the Chattahoochee Lodge. In its final year of existence Wehadkee Lodge hosted its only Conclave at Camp Pine Mountain, which, at the time, was the largest Conclave ever held in Georgia. Over the years Chattahoochee Lodge has hosted a number of Conclaves at its two scout camps, Calloway & McKenzie. Today the Chattahoochee Council & Lodge are made up of 15 counties including Lee, Russell and Chambers Counties in Alabama as well as Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Stewart, Troup, Randolph, Meriweather, Heard, Quitman, Webster, Talbot, and Marion Counties in Georgia.
COWIKEE LODGE # 234 HISTORY
Headquarters City: Dothan AL Ala - Flo Council
Cowikee lodge of the Alabama-Florida Council was formed on August 8, 1942. The first Ordeal was held at Camp Rotary near Montgomery, Alabama. Members inducted were: Jack Banks, Tom Brooks, Arthur Brown, James Capell, Billy Dyes, Bobby Hall, Bernard Jordan, Stanley Liebert, Rance Osborne (Scout Executive), Alfred Parish, Charles Pelham, Gene Ramage, Robert Taylor, Albert Wendling, Guy Wilkes, and Harvey Yarbrough. Cowikee lodge got its name from a tribe of the Creek Indians. Cowikee means, ôCreek that runs upon Itself.ö The name was chosen because Cowikee Creek runs through the former Council Camp. The first lodge totem was three thunderclouds with a lightning bolt, which was an Indian symbol for good luck. This emblem was later changed to crossed Calumets, also a symbol of good luck. Cowikee lodge has been present at every Area Conference since the beginning in 1952. Cowikee has hosted Area Conferences in 1963, 71, 78, 85, and the first Southern Region Section VIII Area Conference. Morgan Weed, Section Chief in 1962 was killed in Vietnam. Cowikee lodge established the Morgan Weed Award to commemorate his service and dedication to the Order of the Arrow. This award is given annually at the Section Conclave. Cowikee celebrated its 50th Anniversary during 1992 and 93 through a series of events beginning at Camp Rotary and culminating at the first Section VIII Conclave at Camp Alaflo. The Alabama-Florida Council is made up of Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike counties in Alabama as well as Jackson and Calhoun counties in Florida.
KASKANAMPOO LODGE #310 HISTORY
Headquarters City: Huntsvlle AL Tennessee Valley Council
On July 11, 1945 the Tennessee Valley Council received a letter from the National Chief informing the council that their new lodge ôKaskanampooö had been assigned the number 310. At that time 18 scouts and scouters were inducted into the new lodge of the Tennessee Valley Council. Throughout the intervening years, Kaskanampoo lodge has more than fulfilled its purpose of ôCheerful Serviceö. The Brothers of the lodge have contributed both ôheart and handsö to the aid of their councilÆs two scout camps in clearing and building trails and campsites. The lodge is also responsible for the construction of the chapel and picnic area at Westmoreland, in addition to the waterfront. KaskanampooÆs most significant gift to Camp Westmoreland has been the construction of an OA Lodge/Adult Training center dedicated in July of 1967. The completion of this project and several others in the 1965-1967 era helped earn the National Award of Excellence in the Onward Arrowman Plan in Region V for the lodge. In addition to Camp Westmoreland the Tennessee Valley Council operates Camp Jackson at Scottsboro. The lodge has made many contributions to this camp also. In addition to the rifle range, campsites, water lines and other improvements the lodge constructed a new Trading Post. This has been the most significant donation of service and money the lodge has provided the Camps to date. Dedicated in June of 1988, the new trading post was built with lodge funds and service.Kaskanampoo lodge is an active and efficient vehicle for ôCheerful Serviceö through eight chapters, - Micco, Caddo, Yuchi, Menawa, Chiata, Kosati, and Arapaho. The lodge program is carried out the function of three committees in three divisions: Administration, Service, and Activities. Each Arrowman is encouraged to serve on one of the three committees. COUNTIES??? PRIOR CONCLAVE HOSTS????
WOA CHOLENA 322
Headquarters City: Mobile AL Mobile Area Council
Woa Cholena of the Mobile Area Council was originally founded as White Fang lodge on October 4, 1945. On April 20, 1946 White Fang lodge held its first Ordeal, inducting 23 members into the lodge. A group from Choctaw Lodge #193 of Meridian, Mississippi conducted the Ordeal. The name White Fang comes from the Choctaw Indian word Woa Cholena, which also means, ôGreat White Birdö. In November of 1957, the lodge changed its name to Woa Cholena. The Canadian Goose is the lodge totem while Canary Yellow, Cardinal Red, Kelly Green and White are the lodge colors. In 1985, ten members of the lodge participated in the first National Order of the Arrow Trek, at Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimmaron, New Mexico. In 1989 the lodge sent a delegation of 11 members to the second National Order of the Arrow Philmont Trek and this was the third largest contingent in the Nation. The delegation was awarded the 50 - miler and was recognize as the group that hiked farther than any other OA group ever had in the past. In 1980, ôBig Woaö won the ôBest All - Around Lodgeö at the Section Conclave and again in 1988 as well as receiving the ôMorgan Weed Award.". The lodge has had many members serve as officers in our Section and has had two elected as Southern Region Chiefs. The counties of Southwest Alabama which make up the Mobile Area Council are: Baldwin, Clarke, Mobile, and Washington.
TRAINING SESSIONS
On the back cover of this guide are places for the instructors of Saturday Morning Training Stations to either sign or stamp your book. You must attend at least five training sessions as one of the requirements to earn the Conclave's Participation Silver Feather Award. As this guide went to press plans were still being made regarding Training topic events and facilitators. A complete list of these events will be placed in the Saturday Morning newsletter. Each time you go to a training event, fill out the name of the event on your Training Card (see back cover) in one of the numbered blanks on the left-hand side of the card. Then, when you complete that event, have the instructor stamp his Training Seal in the corresponding block on the right-hand side of the card. For instance, if you were to fill out Adviser Relations as item one, then the instructor would stamp his seal in the upper left-hand box.
While we can't give you exact training topics for this Conclave, below are some of the kinds of topics you might expect Saturday Morning starting at 8:55am - 11:20am. Below are examples of possible topics
The Night My Mother Became My Brother - Talk about the changes in gender in the OA and how to use it to your advantage.
Scouting the Information Super Highway - A look into Cyberspace and how Lodges across the country are networking on the Internet. We will also look at programs like OA Tracker and the O.A. sections on major on line services.
Membership Retention - Keeping people active in your lodges is important, and the only way to do this is to keep the OA fun and enjoyable. Come and learn how to do that
Ordeal Administration - The place to come for fun and knowledge of running the most important lodge event. Come and join the ultimate experience.
How to Prepare a Where to Go Camping Book - We display a where to go camping guide and discusses how to set out developing a useful book for your council's troops.
How to Prepare a Proper Newsletter - Communications is the key and it canÆt happen if it is not done right. Learn the right way
Camp Promotions - Come, learn how to get your fellow scouts interested in your interests. You can go new places, meet new people, and gather a plethora of useful information. So be all you can be on the Camp Promotion Team.
SPIRIT & MORALE AWARD PLAQUE
Each year at the Conclave Council of Chiefs, an anonymous roll-call of all lodges is taken. This roll-call is carried out by the section chief who calls each Lodge Chief & Section Officer up to the front and in a soft voice, each whispers to the section chief the name of the lodge whom he thinks has had the most Conclave spirit. A tally is taken of all votes, and the winner is given the Conclave Spirit & Morale Award for the 1995 Southern Region Section 8 Conclave. The criteria for eligibility are:
1. A demonstration of enthusiastic support for the lodge by its members through songs, cheers, uniforming, and support of competitive events.
2. Participation in a variety of Conclave activities.
3. A demonstration of exceptional Scout spirit through positive support. There is no room for ônegative cheers."
INDIAN HERITAGE COMPETITIONS
Dance scoring and competition will be handled in the same manner as it has been in the past. Copies of the competition guidelines as stated in the Lodge Planbook will be available in Howard Lodge. Copies may be picked up before noon on Saturday, April 22. Award Plaques will be presented for first, second & third place in each of the following categories:
A. Team Druming & Singing Competition Saturday at 11:30am Activity Field
B. Individual Dance Competition Saturday at 4:00pm Activity Field
- Grass
- Old Style
- Traditional
- Fancy Feather Dancing (Northern)
- Fancy Feather Dancing (Southern)
C. Team Dance Competition Saturday at 1:00pm Activity Field
O.A. CEREMONY COMPETITION
At the Conclave the Pre-Ordeal Ceremony will be performed by each lodge. The Ceremonies are an important Conclave Event which you must attend as one of the requirements to earn the Individual Participation Silver Feather Award. The Ceremony Competition will take place at the Shotgun Range. On Friday Night the Judges will meet to formally decide on the rules and scoring procedure for the event. Details will be announced in the Saturday Thunderhead Gazette.
PUBLICATIONS COMPETITION
Judging of lodge newsletters, the Where to Go Camping Book, and the Lodge Plan Book will be conducted in the same manner as in previous years. Four copies each of at least four editions of your newsletter dated later than January 1, 1994, must be submitted Howard Lodge no later than noon on Saturday, April 22 along with 4 copies of your lodge's Where to go Camping Guide and 4 copies of your Lodge Plan Book. Details will be announced at the Council of Chiefs meeting.
MR. AXE AWARD
Mr. Axe will be present at the Conclave. He is a regular arrowman type person . Throughout the Conclave all arrowmen are encouraged to meet new people by asking them, " Are you Mr. Axe?" If Mr. Axe is found, then that Lodge gets the Axe Award (and puts their name on it) The axe is a rotating award.
BEST OVERALL LODGE AWARD
The Best Overall Lodge Award (this is the big one) will be awarded to the lodge with the highest sum in the following categories:
A.) Section Activities:
- Program outlines for Section Planbook submitted on time. 25 points
- ôApensuwiö articles submitted on time. 15
- Copy of lodge charter renewal in on time. 15
- Council of Chiefs participation. 10
- Lodge calendar of events given to section secretary on time. 10
B.) Conclave Activities:
- Completion of assigned activity. 25 points
- Lodge placement in individual dance competition. 20
- Lodge participation in Quest events. 20
- Lodge participation in ceremonies competition. 15
- Lodge participation in team dance competition. 15
- Judges provided for all the above (if requested).
SECTION OFFICER ELECTIONS
Section elections including a meet the candidates forum will take place at the Business Meeting Saturday at the Dining Hall on Saturday April 21 at 8:00pm. This is a required event; arrive in Class-A uniform! The candidate forum will precede the actual elections. Candidates will be allowed to make a 3 minute speech. The forum will acquaint you with the candidates and let them give their election speeches and yearly proposals. A special insert will be placed in the Saturday noon edition of the Conclave Thunderhead Gazette with more information and election results will be in the Sunday morning edition.
GUIDE TO QUEST EVENTS
Besides the Overall Quest Awards, each event will also have a First, Second, & Third Place.
Volleyball Challenge - Each lodge will field one team with up to 8 players on the court at any one time (substitutions are accepted). The challenge rules will be announced at the Council of Chiefs Meeting. The Volleyball event will take place on the Activity Field.
Wischixin Contest - This game is a Conclave Tradition and is similar to Soccer. Event is on the Activity Field. Competition times will be announced at the Council of Chiefs meeting and rules will be announced at the event site.
Tug - O - War - Get ready to pull for your lodge in this fun and possibly wet Tug - O -War Competition. It is at the Upper Lake (The Fishing Lake by the Council Ring).
Culinary Delight - This is a relay with Calories! Rules and a complete description will be passed out at the Council of Chiefs Meeting. This event will take place in the Scoutcraft Area by Howard Lodge.
O.A. Jeopardy - QUESTION: "What is great fun and a test of O.A. Knowledge?" Come find out at the Kiwannis Center for Environmental & Ecological Studies (Nature Lodge) to find out. Exact rules and number of participants will be announced in the newsletter.
Radical Outdoor Challenge - Ini-to Lodge proudly offers our own world famous signature event. Millions have watched Radical Outdoor Challenge on ESPN which is filmed right here at Thunder Scout Reservation. Now you too can play the exciting game that has captured the minds of viewers the world over (in seven languages) who could only wish they were here at Camp Thunder this weekend. Radical Outdoor Challenge (otherwise known as R.O.C) is at our upper lake. This relay event will need three members per lodge.
Kick around a little Indian Hackey Sack - Consecutive teams, each consisting of five members, will stand in a loose circle and will attempt to keep a small bean bag in the air for as long as possible. Any body part may be used, however catching the sack and then tossing it is not allowed. Each member may not make more than one consecutive hit. Every team will be given the opportunity of three rounds. The longest number of consecutive hits in the three rounds will be recorded as the final score.
Camp Thunder Atlatl Spear Throw - We discovered this game out at Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch in Colorado. Use the ancient Indian weapon of choice to catch animals with this spear toss. Each participant will receive an arrow which he must toss for the longest attainable distance. A practice arrow and throw will be given & demonstration done. <<< I have this "game" ordering form. Luke said we could use it for camp but I MUST ORDER ASAP to get it in time,
Experience the action of the Cherokee Blowgun - Open ôfireö at a target 25 feet away for your best score. Only one person from each lodge is allowed, and he is only given ten shots for a maximum score. Equipment is provided.
YouÆll love the Cross Country Run - Nothing can stop each runner from gallivanting through a winding course of one-half mile. Upon completion, the runner will pass the baton to one of his other team members, who must then run the course. All members must run the course, and each team will consist of four members from the same lodge. Total time for each team will be the qualifying measurement. Teams will not compete directly.
Understanding how to Chunk a Tomahawk - Let one person from each lodge hurl a tomahawk ten times toward a wooden target seven paces away for a high score. Two practice throws are granted.
Watch out for the Spam Toss! - A team of two players will stand facing each other with a ten foot pole centered between them. At the signal to go, one member will toss the spam over the pole to his partner who must catch it and return it again over the pole. The objective is to toss the spam over the pole as many times as possible in a one minute period. If the spam disintegrates or hits the ground then time is stopped and that number of tosses is recorded. Each pair is given two attempts at achieving as many points as possible.
Excel in the Breechcloth Relay - Vivacious? Full of energy? Then this is a cross country relay youÆll love! The courseÆs distance will range from one to one-half mile. Each team will consist of five runners. The first runner for each team will be given a breechcloth. At the ôGo!ö signal, the runner will put on his clout and run the course. When he returns to the start, he will remove his clout and hand it to the next runner who must put on the clout and also run the course. The cycle continues for all players on each team. The team who completes the course first wins. A penalty will result from inaccurate wearing of the breechcloth during the relay.
THUNDER SCOUT RESERVATION INFO
Welcome to Flint River Council's Thunder Scout Reservation. First established in 1938, our 2300 acre camp has experienced a tremendous growth in recent years with the opening of the Gerald I. Lawhorn Canoe Base, Training & Conference Center on the Flint River and the many improvements which have been made at Camp Thunder. Thunder Scout Reservation is located in Central Georgia in the Pine Mountain Range along the wild & scenic Flint River in the Northwest Corner of Upson County. Besides two picturesque lakes fully stocked with fish, the camp attracts a wide variety of wildlife and is the home to many plant and animal species indigenous only to Georgia.
Like last year, Camp Thunder's summer camp program is running an eight week camp which was totally booked as of this past January. This summer more than 2,000 scouts from nine states will enjoy a week at our summer camp. Besides enjoying great facilities like our new Dining Hall and Environmental Education Center, they will experience some of the most innovative programming anywhere. One example is our Fine Arts & Technology Center, which was the site of explosive popularity in camp last summer. The program not only included traditional badges but also Pottery, Sculpture, and Art including guest visits by one of America's leading Artists. The most popular badge in camp last year was also at the Technology Center as more than 400 rockets were launched as a part of the Space Exploration Merit Badge Program.
Thunder Scout Reservation approaches camp from a unique point of view. We have a Trading Post designed to not only meet the needs of the camper, but one that seeks to offer a wide selection of items at great prices. We have a computerized method of class registration that allows a troop to register for classes on disk, without ever filling out a single form. Our weekly camp program has dozens of special activities from the Check it out Mate Chess Tournament and Scout Mania, the Ultimate Trivia Game of Scouting to weekly guest experts and interactive demonstrations on such diverse topics as Scouting Philately and Alpha Phi Omega. For fun we have done everything from throwing parties like last year's Jupiter Crash Bash Comet Party with all telescopes turned skyward to classes in Conversational Klingon.
We attract a staff of older scouts and college students, many of whom are Eagle Scouts, which come from several states and councils. The camp offers more than 50 Merit Badges, a Complete First Year Camper Program, and several innovative High Adventure activities on both sides of camp. Troops can choose from tent sites, to our summer cabins, adorandacks, or even year round camping in our Winter Cabin at the top of the mountain.
Over at the Gerald I. Lawhorn Canoe Base, Training & Conference Center we have over 70 ABS Canoes, a fleet of shuttle buses, Mt. Osmose, our 60 foot rappell tower, an awesome C.O.P.E. ropes course, and Dripping Rock, our own natural rock face shear drop off rapelling cliff. At the Canoe Base we have dozens of Mountain Bikes, a top notch Soccer Camp, and events year round for both scouting and other groups. Out Outback Program is a custom designed package which allows troops to select from the wide number of opportunities we have to meet their own needs. This year we are again offering, and expanding to two weeks our special Co-Ed High Adventure Week for teens with the Pine Valley Girl Scout Council.
