Each year the National Order of the Arrow Committee provides matching service award grants for a limited number of Lodge projects. The evaluators consider the innovative scope and design of the project, the number of Scouts impacted by they project, and how the project enhances Cub Scouting or Boy Scouting in the Council.

This year, nine lodges were selected as service grant recipients:

Alibamu Lodge, Tukabatchee Area Council #5 received $3500 for construction of a 300 foot elevated trail through a five acre swamp. The trail will open the camp to hiking and other outdoor activities.

Achewon Nimat Lodge, San Francisco Bay Area Council #28 received $2390 build a mountain biking trail and to buy two new mountain bikes.

Kidi-Kidish Lodge, Coronado Area Council #192 received $5000 complete a 2.5 mile hiking and biking trail and improve an area of camp for fishing access in order to offer ecology hikes, biking, fishing and other activities to Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Chippewa Lodge, Clinton Valley Council #276 received $4110 to do a total waterfront restoration at Camp Agawam.

Wah-Sha-She Lodge, Ozark Trails Council #306 received $5000 to build a conservation trail, fishing pond and outdoor education area.

Yah-Tay-Hey-Si-Kess Lodge, Great Southwest Council #412 received $5000 to construct four campsite pavilions. The funding will be matched 1:3 bringing the total to $20,000.

Colonneh Lodge, Sam Houston Area Council #576 received $5000 for post Hurricane Ike projects including replacing a bridge, replacing chapel seating, and repairing pavilions.

Awaxaawe Awachia Lodge, Trapper Trails Council #589 received $5000 to build 112 foot long bridge at Camp Fife to facilitate additional camping sites.

Es-Kaielgu Lodge, Inland Northwest Council #611 received $5000 to construct a new BB Gun Range at Cub Country at Cowles Scout Reservation.

You can view past Service Grant Recipients on the National Order of the Arrow Website Service Grant Page.

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The Coronado Area Council is pleased to announce the two significant personnel changes. Gary Shoemaker has been promoted to the position of Program and Outreach Director and Rex Lowe has agreed to serve as the 2009 Camp Hansen Director for Boy Scout Resident Camp.

Effective January 1, 2009, Gary will be responsible for managing year-round camp operations and council-level program support as well as coordinating council outreach programs and retaining direct management of outreach programs in Salina.

Gary has served as District Director of the Three Rivers District for our council since his arrival here in 1999. He began his career with the Boy Scouts of America as a District Executive for the Heart of America Council, Kansas City, Missouri in 1989. Gary later went on to serve as a Senior District Executive in the Samoset Council in Wausau, Wisconsin and the Kanza Council in Hutchinson, Kansas. Following the 1997 merger of the Kanza and Quivira Council in Wichita, Kansas, Gary continued to serve as a Senior District Executive until his arrival in Salina, Kansas. He was responsible for camp operations during his tenure with the Kanza Council and developed innovative outreach programs to reach under-served youth in the Samoset Council and most recently in the Three Rivers District.

Rex has served Camp Hansen admirably as Camp Ranger for 18 years . He will continue to serve as the year-round Camp Ranger at Camp Hansen.

Summer camp is a family activity for the Lowe’s. Rex, Patty, Donald, Trevor, and Emily (who was branded the “camp mascot” last summer) have all pitched in to make summer camp the best it can be for our Scouts and leaders. Rex will provide outstanding leadership and organization for the 2009 Hansen summer camp staff.

Please join the Coronado Area Council in congratulating both of these fine individuals on their new responsibilities

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