| Scouts Nathan Woods, Allan Anderson, Jerid Clark, and Darryl Berry. Leaders included Ken Thayn, Mike Keller, Joe Patterson, and Doug Hall. |
Four Price Boy Scouts, along with their leaders, joined other scouts from Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming at the annual convention for scouting’s national honor society.
Hundreds of teenage boys who are members of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society, attended their annual Conclave last Friday at Ogden High School. Participants come from all over Utah, southern Idaho, and south western Wyoming.
The event features instruction, spiritual uplift, and “plenty of fun,” according to Michael Kirby, 20, W5D Section Chief and organizer of the event. The entire event is organized and run by Kirby and a committee of youth members, known as Arrowmen.
The Arrowmen literally took over the high school in Ogden from Friday through Sunday. Classrooms were used for instruction in various popular scouting activities, leadership training, and other programs helped the youth and adult leaders improve their skills with over 85 classes.
Other events included games, competitions, patch trading, and a show. Some of the most popular activities included a climbing wall, a super soaker battle on the football field, and a Native American pow wow or dance competition.
Order of the Arrow members learned cheerful service and brotherhood from the teachings and traditions of Native Americans. Church services for many denominations will be provided on Sunday, followed by closing ceremonies.
Many Arrowmen actually spend the entire weekend in the school without leaving. There were video movies, chess tournaments, and other activities throughout the night. Others camped outside in tents and travel trailers, or just on a sleeping bag on the floor of the school gym.
“Fewer boys are elected to the Order of the Arrow than qualify for Eagle Scout. Membership truly is an honor, and our members represent the best of the best in scouting,” explained Kirby, who is serving his second term as section chief after being re-elected by the youth members.
The Boy Scouts of America sponsor Order of the Arrow lodges in each council throughout the United States. The country is broken up into Sections of several lodges. Section W5D is made up of the Order of Arrow members from the Great Salt Lake Council (Salt Lake area), Utah National Parks Council (southern Utah), Trapper Trails Council (northern Utah and part of Wyoming), and Grand Teton Council (southern Idaho).