UPDATED 20080428
Order of the Arrow Ordeal candidates:

A long and very important letter regarding OA camping and
transportation.  Please take time to read, understand and
ask any questions now.

New Inductees:  Congratulations on you and/or your son's
induction into the Honor Society of Boy Scout campers;
 the Order of the Arrow!

I wanted to take a minute and update you on expectations and
allow you to prepare for a truly memorable weekend, your
Ordeal and the beginning of a lifetime of cheerful, selfless
service to others.

I will say this twice:  MARK ALL PERSONAL ITEMS CLEARLY
WITH YOUR NAME AND TROOP NUMBER.

Transportation:  UNLIKE normal Troop camping, there is no
guaranteed transportation offered for Order of the Arrow
events.  That said, we (the Adult Leaders who are OA members)
will try to do our best in providing transportation in
our own vehicles on a "as available basis".   It is therefore
expected and up to the OA Scout to make it known that he would
like to find a ride to and from OA events, and do so ASAP.

UNLIKE Troop camping, each OA event has it's own unique
start time and stop time requirements and therefore,
departure times will vary with each event.

We will be traveling to Camp Durant in Moore County.  This
is approximately 1 hr 15 minutes travel one way. 

We (the leaders) will attempt to provide transportation and
both Troop trailers will be in the Chatham street parking lot
at 4:15pm for a prompt 4:30pm departure.  If you are not there
by 4:30pm, we will leave and you will need to find your own
transportation to Camp Durant. 

(Don't be late, Ordeal candidates need to check in by 7pm)

Friday departure:   We always leave for OA trips early!
We will leave PROMPTLY at 4:30pm on Friday May 16th, 2008.
If you or your son cannot leave this early, keep in mind
that new OA inductees MUST MUST MUST arrive at Camp Durant NO
LATER THAN 7:00pm Friday evening, May 16, 2007.

The OA events for induction and ordeal BEGIN just after 7:00pm FRIDAY
and once the process has begun, you new inductees, cannot be
permitted to "start late".  You only have 2 opportunities to
accept your induction and that is completing your Ordeal on
the weekend of May 16, 2008 OR September 19, 2008
Failure to complete Ordeal either weekend will result in 
forfeiture of your selection.  I HIGHLY recommend that you consider
participating this weekend.

Unlike normal Troop camping, we normally stop for a
Friday dinner meal at McDonalds in Carthage. 

Part of the Ordeal requirements on Saturday, FOR NEW 
INDUCTEES ONLY, will be limited food for breakfast and lunch.
I recommend that you eat a large and filling meal Friday 
night.  You will not get another opportunity to eat a 
regular meal until Saturday dinner.  $7.00 to $10.00 cash 
should cover this expense.

Arrival:  We will be camping at the Occoneechee Boy Scout 
reservation, Camp Durant, near Carthage, NC.
There is a map with directions on the Troop 200 website:
http://rtpnet.org/troop200/directions/durant_reeves.html

For the purposes of the remainder of this letter, I will address
it to the Ordeal candidate.

Please consider the following information 
as hints and not a complete list of things to bring. 
There are a few things NOT to bring, so don't bring them.

Check in is at the Camp Administration building, which is 
located near the first large parking lot you will reach 
after driving into camp.  You will need $45 (cash) 
(or check made to "Occoneechee Lodge 104") to cover all 
your initial fees.

This fee covers the OA sash, patch and handbook that you will
be given over the weekend and your meals.

You must also complete the Health and History form and turn it in
at checkin.  This does NOT require a medical exam and we cannot substitute
the BSA medforms we have on file.  It does require your parents
signature and it must be with you at check in.

Download it here:
http://rtpnet.org/troop200/forms/2006_Ordeal_Candidate_Information-Med_Form.pdf
We are in "Netami" (Crosswinds) Chapter.

Once you check in, you will be led to a large field where you
will sit and wait to be processed and split into "clans".  Clans
are small groups that will work together the next day.   Friday
night you will be required to camp alone in the woods.  You will
not be allowed to use a tent Friday night, but you should
bring one for Saturday night.   Both Class A and Class B uniforms
are required for ALL OA events.  Arrive Friday in Class A shirt
and have your Class B tshirt available to work in Saturday. Your
Class A uniform for the Saturday night ceremony will be used.

Pack Class A/B uniforms in baggies or waterproof protection.

Basically you should bring everything you normally bring for
a weekend of camping EXCEPT food.  OA weekends are special
in that we have Arrowmen who cook for everyone and we eat in
the Camp dining hall.  It's rough duty, but someone has to do it!

New inductees should pack two separate bags.  One for Friday night
that is completely able to be be worn on your back or carried
in your hand. 

The second bag will be for Saturday night.  This will be put on
the trailer and not unpacked until late Saturday afternoon.
The trailer will remain locked and the items will be secure
and dry.  In addition to the previous items, include your tent,
a towel if you wish to shower and a dry set of clothes.

Be prepared.

Pack everything in your Friday bedroll so that you can hike a 
short distance from the Administration building, to the field 
where you break up into clans.   This distance is about 1/8
mile at the very most.  You will need to have the items that 
you will be allowed to keep Friday, easily accessible.  
Here is what I recommend:

Bring a ground cloth and/or tarp and your sleeping bag.
You will want something that you can put on the ground between
you and your sleeping bag.  You want to be able to also pull
the tarp/plastic sheet over you, in case of rain.   You will not be
allowed to tie the tarp or plastic to a tree to make a tent or
lean-to type shelter.   In case of severe and sudden dangerous
storms, you will be collected and brought to a shelter for safety.
You may want to bring a canteen/bottle with water, and personal
toiletries such as a roll of toilet paper in a ziplock bag.
A small bottle of insect repellent you can carry in your pocket
would be a good idea.

I suggest you get a smaller separate (day) pack and stuff
your sleeping bag, ground cloth (tarp), toiletries and water into one
smaller bag.   Take all money with you at all times.
(The night should be mild, a fleece sleeping bag liner or lightweight
sleeping bag would be good)  Plan for rain, hopefully you
will not need your raingear.

Items you CANNOT take with you Friday night:
No electronics of any kind.  New inductees,
DO NOT BRING any electronic games, radios, CD/DVD/TV players, cell phone,
at all.  You will be separated from your personal items Friday night
and there is no reason to risk these items to turn up missing
or damaged due to inclement weather.  Do not bring candy, snacks
or food that you cannot consume by 7pm Friday.
(Adults: You may carry your cell phones, but they should hidden
away, turned off and not used during your vow of silence unless
there is some personal/family emergency)

You will be required to leave your pack and the remainder of
your belongings in the field.  They will be kept under 24 hours
watch until you are allowed to pick them up Saturday afternoon.
Usually they cover them under a shelter or large cover.  If you
only carry what you need Friday night, you can leave the remaining
items in the Troop trailer.

Second and last warning: MARK ALL PERSONAL ITEMS CLEARLY
WITH YOUR NAME AND TROOP 200 NUMBER.

Saturday:  You will awaken Saturday morning and gather for
a brief breakfast.   I recommend that you obtain and bring
leather or canvas work gloves.   You should dress in clothing
appropriate for the weather, but temperature permitting, it is
suggested that you wear your Class B uniform, long or short
pants, comfortable socks and work boots.  You will being doing
a lot of walking and you should prepare to care appropriately
for the needs of your feet.  A cap to keep sun off your face
and sunscreen may be appropriate as well.  Bug spray might be
well-advised too.

Typical chores for the Saturday ordeal includes setting up
summer camp tents, painting shelters and buildings, clearing
brush and fallen vegetation, etc.

Saturday evening:  Having completed your Ordeal, you will
participate in a ceremony that REQUIRES your Class A uniform.
Class A shirt and official scout pants if you own them.  You do not
need to purchase pants if you don't already own them, but most
OA members wear the complete uniform for formal ceremonies.
Neckerchiefs are optional and I do NOT recommend the Troop 200
neckerchief for this specific weekend.  Leave it at home.

Other items to bring:

A small towel and/or washcloth to freshen up after a day working
in camp.   Toiletries as previously described.   Tent for Saturday
night.   There is a camp "trading post". They will have OA
oriented memorabilia and clothing.   Most boys look forward
to purchasing the prized Occoneechee OA cap and perhaps
a T-shirt that sets them off as members of the OA.  These items 
are very reasonably priced, so make sure you send at least 
$20.00 to cover these incidental purchases.
OA items are not sold outside of OA sponsored events.
(Actually, their flap is provided in your event fee and are
also now sold at the Scout shop on Atlantic Ave)

Finally, bring a good attitude and a personal willingness
to learn about serving others in a cheerful and eager manner.

Items NOT to bring:
Electronics of any kind are NEVER welcome on OA camping events.
Leave them at home.  

Special medical needs:  If you require special medical 
considerations, or have medication that cannot be self
administered, please see me at the departure point so that
I can note any special needs.  Mark these also on your information
sheet that you turn in at registration.

The Scouts of the Order of the Arrow are special individuals.
We expect more of them than we do a normal Troop of
Scouts.   That means that they can enjoy a less supervised 
camping experience and are expected to behave in a
manner appropriate an honor camper.

That being said, we will have Adults in the camps and in
close proximity, but the youth will not be under constant
supervision or watch.   This may seem strange, but it's
worked well for many years and we have no doubt that
it will continue for many more years.

Sunday return:  OA events typically end early and this allows
us to return earlier.  Since we have such a large group going this
weekend, we will return no later than 11:00am Sunday morning.

We will most likely return everyone to the Chatham street
parking lot.  It is urgent that if your sons is traveling 
with a leader, that you be there to pick them up no later 
than 11am or when that driver suggests.

If you have any questions, please contact me and I'll do
what I can to help.

Looking forward to another great OA weekend!
Please be prompt on arrival Friday so that we can
get a good start on a fun weekend.

Gantt Edmiston
BSA Troop 200 Communications
<mailto:troop200@rtpnet.org>
919-740-9191

Tommy Grubbs
Scoutmaster
919-387-6319