As we start the New Year, it's time to start making final preparations for your summer's Scouting adventures. Over the past few months, you have learned about two exciting opportunities that the Order of the Arrow is making available to the Arrowmen in your lodge: SummitCorps - The New River Experience and Indian Summer. This email contains a few updates and reminders about both of these exciting programs, so please take a minute to read this information and share it with your lodge members.

Click Here for the SummitCorps Youtube Video

If members of your lodge are looking for a new outdoor adventure this summer then look no further than the mountains of West Virginia near the site of Scouting's newest high adventure base.

SummitCorps will take place in four, one-week sessions starting July 3rd. Participants will be building trail along the New River Gorge National River, helping to lay the foundation for future Boy Scout use at this beautiful national property. Crews will spend several days providing service and will have a day to enjoy recreational activities along the New River.

Registration is open to any youth or adult Arrowman who meets Philmont height and weight requirements. The deadline for lodges to reserve space for their contingent was December 1, 2010. Even though that deadline has passed, there's still time to sign up your lodge contingent! Lodges were each given 8 slots at the start of the registration process; the quota will be lifted on January 21 and lodges will be able to register as many participants as they'd like. Visit the SummitCorps Website and register today!

Click here for the Indian Summer Youtube Video

In addition to taking part in the fun and excitement of SummitCorps, your lodge also has the opportunity to jumpstart its American Indian activities program at Indian Summer. Indian Summer is a one-stop shop for all things American Indian related: whether it's singing, dancing or OA ceremonies and inductions. Arrowmen will have the opportunity to study all areas of American Indian activities or OA ceremonies and inductions - they do not have to focus on just one area. As part of the Indian Summer activities participants will be divided into nations, with each nation having its own tribes and clans to share experiences

What makes Indian Summer a standout program is the specific attention given to participants by meeting them at their ability level. Whether a seasoned ceremonialist or a novice dancer, each Indian Summer participant will walk away better prepared for the next pow-wow or ceremony.

This is another great opportunity to get your lodge members involved in a great national program. Make sure your contingent registers on the Indian Summer website today! The deadline to register your lodge contingent is March 1, 2010.

We look forward to seeing you at Indian Summer and SummitCorps - The New River Experience. Yours in Service,

P.S. There are still staff positions open for SummitCorps. Checkout the staff registration website for more information!

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