Santa Fe Trail Council, Garden City, KS
Mandan Lodge #194 - Providing Cheerful Service since 1948
National OA has changed Lodge Numbering policy. Lodge is now the same as Council Number.

 Message to All Unit Leaders     This web page was last updated on May 12, 2008.

The Mandan Lodge Executive Committee asks you to help us continue to be active and effective in our effort to support the program of the Santa Fe Trail Council.  As “Scouting’s National Honor Society”, we are determined to expand our reach beyond camping, to include greater focus on leadership development, membership extension, adventurous programming, and broader service to Scouting and the community.

As a unit leader, you can help us in this mission when you:

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 OA UNIT ELECTIONS DUE BY THE END OF FEBRUARY EVERY YEAR

 First Class in First Year Recognition Program

Mandan Lodge and Santa Fe Trail Council began a “1st Class in 1st Year” recognition program in March 2003. Having a boy get First Class rank in his first year of Boy Scouts is an important goal for the Scout, his unit, the council, and OA. He is twice as likely to remain in Boy Scouts a second year. An impressive statistic!

Scouts can participate in our First Class Trail program at SPSR, and all Arrowmen cheerfully serve as mentors for new Scouts. OA recently set up a permanent 1 mile orienteering course at Mandan Center for any Troop’s use to help their boys do this First Class requirement.

One of the eligibility requirements for becoming an Arrowman is to be a 1st Class Scout. Earning this rank means a boy has learned the camping skills to enjoy unit outings, and 3/4s of “Scouting” is “outing.” [Click this link] and enter your Unit Number along with the names of Scouts who have earned this award. There is no charge for this award.

To see what the award looks like, [click here].

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 Permanent Orienteering Course at Mandan Training Center, Dodge City

 Order of the Arrow Scoutreach Mentoring Program

The Order of Arrow Scoutreach Mentoring Program is a joint effort of the national Scoutreach Division of the Boy Scouts of America and the Order of the Arrow.  Its purpose is to assist urban and rural Scout troops with their camping and advancement programs, especially when the Troop is new or made up of younger Scouts.  It is also designed to assist Troops when the area is experiencing demographic changes.  [Click here for more information]

 Online Learning Tool for New Arrowmen - Jumpstart OA Orientation

The National Order of the Arrow Committee developed an interactive web-based tool to help new (and not-so-new) Arrowmen learn more about their roles in the OA.  New Ordeal members may access this as soon as they get home from their Ordeal by clicking on the "Jumpstart for New Arrowmen" area of [www.oa-bsa.org].  The password is the 5th word of the title on page 10 of the OA Handbook.  Members who are considering sealing their membership by becoming Brotherhood should also take a look, as it contains helpful information.  This is the only place you will find the Admonition printed.

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 Mandan Lodge flaps

Are you curious about past and present Mandan Lodge pocket flaps?  If so, click on www.oaimages.com/372.shtml and take a look.

What is the OA Fall Fellowship all about?

Fall Fellowship is the annual meeting of Mandan Lodge and should only be attended by members of OA and OA candidates who still haven’t completed their Ordeal.  We perform a service project for the Council, do training, have a lot of fun, hold our officer elections, and select the Founder’s Award winners who are to be honored a few months later at the Awards Banquet.  Please encourage all the Arrowmen in your Unit, both youth and adults, to attend this annual event.

 

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What is the SFTC Rendezvous at Mandan Center all about?

All Troops should invite all Webelos in their communities to go camping with Boy Scouts at Mandan Center during SFTC Rendezvous.  This event is designed to let the young Webelos have fun!  Activities may seem a little “tame” sometimes for the older Scouts, but this is intentional.  The older boys should be there to show leadership and to help see that the Webelos have a good camping experience.  Each Troop serves as host for their Webelos by providing meals, tents, fun, and fellowship.  When these little guys see how much fun it is to be a Boy Scout, more of them will want to cross over into your Troop later.  It is a great recruiting opportunity to help you grow your Troop and to keep older boys involved in Scouting.

 

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