THE OSPREY Yustaga Lodge Gulf Coast Council January 201 5 OATC: the Experience of a Lifetime by A.J
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THE OSPREY Yustaga Lodge Gulf Coast Council www.yustaga385.org January 201 5 OATC: The Experience of a Lifetime By A.J. Cole, Lodge Chief This past summer I had the opportunity to fulfill a accomplish anything dream that I had envisioned in my head since I first joined you set out to do. Scouting as a Tiger Cub. In late July of this year, I flew After work every day, across the country to one of the most revered and we shared stories and celebrated High Adventure bases in the US, Philmont great food over a Scout Ranch. Philmont is located in Cimarron, NM and campfire at night hosts roughly 20,000 Scouts and other various before some much organizations every year on a little over than 1 37,000 need sleep. By the acres of the untamed Southern Rocky Mountains. Among end of the week, we the numerous activities and programs that Philmont had built a little under a to offer, I had the honor of serving on the Order of the mile of trail on Mt. Arrow Trail Crew (OATC for short). The OATC is an Phillips and the following day we began the next half of amazing 1 4 day trek that consists of a week of trail our journey through the wilderness. For the next seven building and repair in remote parts of the backcountry days, our crew hiked across the southern half of Philmont followed by a week of backpacking across the many staff and participated in activities such as black powder rifle camps and mountains of Northern New Mexico. OATC shooting, rock climbing, rappelling, and campfire shows. offers a unique experience as opposed to other treks Among these events include some wilder adventures like because of the cheerful service that is given back to land spar pole climbing, where I used a waist strap and boot and a special emphasis on conservation. For the first half spikes to climb a 40 ft. tree, and mine tours at night with of my trek we hiked to the slope of Mt. Phillips, the no lights. Along the way, we stayed at camps that had second-highest mountain on Philmont at about 11 ,500 ft. very enthusiastic staff that reenacted life in the above sea level, and spent a week building a trail to the backcountry over 1 00 years ago with real tools and summit. Some jobs that I did included sledging rocks, machines from that age. Mountain climbing was certainly pioneering, rock wall construction, and trail cutting. Even one of the most challenging but rewarding undertakings; I though it was some of the most strenuous work I have summited mountains over 1 0,000 ft. with incredible views ever done, the brotherhood of my crew and the desire to of Philmont during my week of backpacking. On the last help those who would use the trail later kept me going; if day, our crew hiked to the Tooth of Time before sunrise to you have the right PMA (positive mental attitude), you can watch the sun ascend over the plains and the mesas before heading back to base camp. The natural beauty Yustaga Lodge and scenery I experienced at Philmont truly does live up Gulf Coast Council to its name as being “God’s country”! When we returned Pensacola, FL to base camp, we were treated to a feast and ceremony where I received an awesome patch that is exclusive to Lodge Chief OATC. However, my trip would not have been possible Aidon J. Cole without the support of Yustaga Lodge (through a Lodge Vice Chief scholarship that is open to all OA members). Anyone OA Training member that is over 1 6 years old and has their medical Jacob Somers Table of Contents forms filled out is eligible for OATC. I hope that my story Lodge Vice Chief High Adventure............... 1 can inspire young Arrowmen to seek a higher summit and Program From the Adviser's Tipi....2 go to Philmont or any of the other High Adventure bases Elijah Stepherson Chapter Leadership........ 2 for service and brotherhood. If you have any concerns of Lodge Vice Chief Upcoming Events............2 questions about OA High Adventure, please see either Service Chiefly Speaking............. 2 myself or Bryce Segler. Bradley Payne Chapter Reports............. 3 Lodge Vice Chief Osprey email address..... 4 Administration Committee Reports......... 4 Jerry Hand OA Links......................... 5 News from National........ 5 Lodge Adviser What's on Your Mind?..... 7 Mr. Bill Payne Whipple Improvements... 8 Staff Adviser LLD................................. 9 Mr. Jim Boksa Lodge Banquet............... 1 0 Fun Page........................ 11 www.yusataga385.com Photos by A.J. Cole Gulf Coast Council THE OSPREY January 201 5 Yustaga Lodge Chapters Chiefly Speaking . Appalachee Chapter My name is AJ Cole and I will be the 201 5 Yustaga Chapter Chief Lodge Chief. To start, I am very honored to be selected Spence Jordan for this position and will do my best to carry out the duties Vice Chief assigned to me. However, the one thing that I feel most Rainey Basinger proud about for the next year is my amazing team of Vice Secretary Chiefs. This group is stacked with talent. In leadership, Jacob Cornell read to accomplish goals for 201 5. Next year is one for Adviser the history books; the Order of the Arrow is celebrating Mr. William Van Der Tulip 1 00 years of cheerful service to their units and Associate Adviser communities. As for Yustaga, I anticipate great events Mr. Jon Coleman and fellowship for everyone. Conclave this year will be Choctaw Chapter held at STSR and is sure to exceed all expectations. SR- 1 B will be in for a surprise when they come to town and I Chapter Chief expect Yustaga to set the bar once again for hosting an Gannon Woods outstanding event. On top of this, NOAC is being held Vice Chief next summer at Michigan State University and will be the Austin Carrico “cherry on the cake” for 1 00th anniversary. Yustaga will be Secretary bringing a considerable contingent to NOAC and will have Nick Koehne-Johnson the opportunity to learn from top caliber instructors and Adviser participate in lodge activities that are unparalleled Ms. Paula Syfrett throughout the nation. I want to improve communication Associate Adviser for Yustaga and plan an incredible year for our lodge. Mr. Don Smith Thank you again for this opportunity and I hope to see Yustaga have fun and learn great things to share with Oschambos Chapter their units. Chapter Chief YIS Orenthal McGee Vice Chapter Aidon J. Cole, Yustaga Lodge Chief Gage Hagan Secretary Greeting Brothers . Chris Guthrie Happy Birthday!!! Adviser Mr. Tony Gibbs Associate Adviser What an exciting time we have Mr. Greg Hagan / Ms. Wanda Gibbs ahead of us in this 1 00th Anniversary of our beloved Order of the Arrow! Woapalanne Chapter Chapter Chief Your Lodge Officers have been Garret Rickman very busy planning exciting events for Vice Chapter the entire year with each of you in Martin Harden / Will Myslak mind! Secretary Andrew Taylor Speaking of exciting events, have your heard the Adviser news? The MIGHTY Yustaga Lodge will be hosting the Mr. Jeff Kern Section SR-1 B Conclave April 1 0-1 2, 201 5, at the Spanish Associate Adviser Trail Scout Reservation!!! Conclave Chairman Barry Mr. Gary Beadle / Mr. Tim Rickman Jordan needs YOU! For what you ask? Contact him at [email protected] to find out!!! Make sure that you put EVERY event of your Upcoming Lodge Events calendarJYou DO NOT want to miss any of the excitement! Ordeal ........................................1 3 - 1 5 Mar 1 5 Conclave Workday ............................28 Mar 1 5 Your in Brotherhood and Cheerful Service/WWW Conclave .....................................1 0 - 1 2 Apr 1 5 Mr. William Payne, Yustaga Lodge Adviser Spring Fellowship ..........................1 - 3 May 1 5 Summercamp Work Day ......................6 Jun 1 5 Boy Scout Problem #79 NOAC ...........................................1 - 1 0 Aug 1 5 Going to sleep with food in your tent and Fall Pow Wow .............................11 - 1 3 Sep 1 5 knowing there's a legitimate chance a bear will LLD / Vigil Weekend ..................1 7 - 1 8 Oct 1 5 find it, eat it, and then have you for dessert. Lodge Banquet ....................................7 Nov 1 5 -- David from New Jersey 2 Gulf Coast Council THE OSPREY January 201 5 Choctaw Chapter Winter Social Oshambos report By: Austin Carrico Orenthal Mage, Chapter Chief Our chapter put out the candle to a great My name is Orenthal Magee. I am the year with our winter social that took place on new Chapter Chief for the Oschambos Chapter. I will December 7th, 201 4 at Ferry Park. Some of our start my term in 201 5 on January 1 st! I plan to be arrowman even joined the social after finishing different from the past Chapter Chiefs by making things a competitive boat race with the local Sea more fun and exciting. I look forward to serving my Scout contingent hosted at the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Chapter next year. Club! It was a great day for us to meet and enjoy each others company while talking about upcoming events that would be taking place next year including getting everything situated and ready to go for Conclave. We were well prepared and hyped for the 1 00 years of brotherhood and cheerful service to roll on in so that we could put our best foot forward to best exemplify the Yustaga Lodge. As all this was discussed and shared amongst us, we cheerfully played frisbee in the park nearby and enjoyed the food and beverages as the sun began to set, and I'm glad to say that the social was an overall success.