Weekend scouting events..

I was unable to post earlier because we had a scouting event called the "Fall Ordeal" in our council.  It is all work and a ceremony on Saturday night.  We basically do projects around camp like clean up or improvements.  The order of the Arrow is basically a "service patrol" for the camp.  My son joined the Ceremony team, there was a "preordeal" ceremony Friday night where the candidates are asked to affirm their going through the ordeal ceremony.

Pre-ordeal ceremony team.

After being elected or nominated, candidates may participate in a call-out ceremony to recognize those Scouts and Scouters that were selected before they attend their Ordeal. The call-out ceremony may be performed at summer camp, a camporee, a call-out weekend or at a unit meeting. Candidates subsequently participate in an Ordeal, intended to emphasize service and selflessness. During the induction, "candidates maintain complete silence, receive small amounts of food, work on camp improvement projects, and are required to sleep alone, apart from other campers, which teaches significant values."  If they succeed in their ordeal the candidates are then welcomed as Ordeal members in a formal Ordeal Ceremony. 

 "Nutiket" before the Ordeal ceremony

Part of what makes the Order of the Arrow exciting are its special ceremonies that are repeated year after year for new and advancing members. Members are asked not to disclose what takes place during the ceremonies, to preserve the experience for new members. Part of the enjoyment and satisfaction of being in the Order of the Arrow derives from the activities and surprises that occur during the various ceremonies.
     The candidates arrive outside the ceremony ring and "Kichkinet" brings them into the ceremony ring and "Nutiket" ask him if they know the "admonition"

    The candidates are them led into the ceremony ring and more information is relayed to them.

 During the ceremony, one of my favorite part of the ceremony that has the most meaning to me is when "Mateu" relays the legend from the Delaware indians...

      

METEU: Years ago, in the dim ages,
In the valley of the Delaware,
Lived a peaceful tribe of Indians Ä
Lenni Lenape their name was.
Deer and bear, wildcat and panther
Through the forest oft they hunted.
On the bosom of the river
Peacefully they fished and paddled.
Round their busy village wigwams
Still the chase they nimbly followed.
In this state of bliss so happy
Many moons they lived contented.
Springtime blossomed into summer,
Summer into autumn ripened,
Autumn died on winter's bosom;
Thus the seasons in succession
Never ending seemed to pass on.

But, behold, a cloud arising
Changed how soon this peaceful aspect.
Neighboring tribes and distant enemies,
Suddenly disturbed their hunting.
Then Chingachgook, aged chieftain
Of the tribe, made quick inquiry:
"Who will go and carry warning
Of this dire and dreadful danger
To all Delawares, our brothers?"
But none wished to make the journey.

 Then spoke up the noble Uncas,
Worthy son of the old chieftain,
"O my father, I am ready;
Send me on this gracious errand.
If we would remain a nation,
We must stand by one another.
Let us both urge on our kindred
Firm devotion to our brethren
And our cause.  Ourselves forgetting,
Let us catch the higher vision.
Let us find the greater beauty
In the life of cheerful service."

Off upon the trail they started,
Old Chingachgook and young Uncas;
And in every tribal village
Some were found who were quite willing
To spend themselves in others' service.
When at last the fierce marauders
Were forced back to their own country
And peace was declared between them,
They who first themselves had offered
For the service of their Brethren,
To the places most respected
By the chieftain were promoted:
For, said he, who serves his fellows
Is, of all his fellows, greatest!
As a seed dropped by the sower
On good soil bears quick fulfillment:
So this saying of their chieftain
In their hearts found glad acceptance
And they asked that in some manner
He should make its memory lasting.

So together fast and firmly
Chief Chingachgook bound these warriors
In a great and honored Order,
Into which can be admitted
Only those who their own interests
Can forget in serving others.
And so firm must be their purpose
So to live, that their companions,
Taking note of their devotion,
Shall propose them to the Order.
We, therefore, to them succeeding
To the present day perpetuate
The names and token of this
Brotherhood of Cheerful Service
Called by Delawares: Wimachtendienk,
Wingolauchsik, Witahemui!

 
 I like it partly because I see the Movie "Last of the Mohicans" in this and it shows a person willing to risk their life in service to others and such a thing is an honorable thing for a person is willing to suborn their interest to help others.  part of the O.A. is "Cheerful Service" to work to help others.  This is one of the things I like about the Order of the Arrow.