Orca Lodge Awards in 2016
Orca Lodge has been recognized in 2016 with two honors: the OA Innovation Award & an OA Service Grant.
OA Innovation award
The Order of the Arrow Innovation Award
was established in 2012 to recognize chapters and lodges for developing creative and innovative solutions to challenges faced during the implementation of their annual program plans. Two awards in each Region are presented annually. Orca Lodge was recognized in early 2016 for our service in 2015 (and earlier) for our work with the Leave No Trace program in the Redwood Empire Council.
Orca Lodge has taken on the leadership in the Leave No Trace (LNT) program in the Council. Units and Districts can reach out to the Lodge to have OA members come and do training in your unit on LNT /Outdoor Ethics. Remember, this year there is new emphasis on the Tread Lightly program in the advancement program for Boy Scouts.
We have held two LNT Trainer courses, and have an upcoming course on Tread Lightly. We have done presentations at several units and at several Council and Area-wide events.
For information or to request a presentation at your unit, please contact the Lodge.
This award also includes a $1000 contribution to the Council endowment fund.
OA Service Grant
One of the four fold purposes of the Order of the Arrow is "to crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others." It is with this spirit of cheerful service to others that the Order proudly offers the matching service grant program.
For several years, the National Order of the Arrow Committee has provided matching service award grants for a limited number of projects submitted by application to the national office. Orca Lodge has been selected to receive a service grant in 2016 to help the Redwood Empire Council develop a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) MakerLab program.
Specifically we are working to help fund the purchase of a 3D printer for use in the MakerLab that the Council is in the process of setting up. This will be used to enhance STEM education both in Scouting, and in the general youth community in Sonoma County.
We will be working on a fundraiser patch to help support the matching funds required for this grant.