Photo: T.M. Schultze
So, did you make it to the Section W6W Conclave?
If you didn’t, you missed a spectacular event held at Camp R-C, 20 minutes outside of Payson, Arizona where fun and fellowship was had by all in attendance.
The weekend kicked off with the Opening Show on Friday night where there was fun mixed with the introduction to the Monopoly theme.
On Saturday after breakfast and the flag ceremony at the parade grounds, Arrowmen headed off to a variety of training classes that helped members learn in areas from leadership skills, to fun how to subjects. Most of the training classes were held on the porches of the cabins which gave the classes the feeling that they really were not classes.
Just before lunch, the conclave had just under 50 scouts from Scotland arrive from Camp Geronimo. The Scottish scouts had been visiting multiple areas around Arizona and this was a chance for them to come and experience the scouting program here in the United States with scouts from the BSA’s Honor Society, and take part in the afternoon Pow Wow.
After a short break for lunch, it was time for lots of activities and recreation to keep everyone busy. There were workshops in things like blacksmithing and beading, activities like an escape room and Lodgeball, and silent auctions and competitions like ceremony evaluations. During the afternoon, several Arrowmen found themselves in a quandary of what to attend and what to skip.
Once the American Indian Affairs Pow Wow got under way, there was drumming, singing and dancing with both Arrowmen and Scottish scouts. There was a dance competition with those in regalia and then dances that included anyone present that wanted to dance. The Scottish scouts joined in and became part of the Pow Wow.
After a quick goodbye to the Scottish scouts, most Arrowmen gathered at the campfire ring and witnessed an epic Lodge Chief Olympics that had everyone in attendance cheering and laughing at the same time. After multiple stages of contest, the points were tallied and a winner was declared.
After dinner, there was the live action for everyone, where there was spirited bidding for desired scouting memorabilia as well as newly minted items. Everyone then went to the Saturday night show where after a little bit of show, the emcee turned into a DJ and the fire bowl turned into a mosh pit. The evening was then capped off by Club Goodman where root beer floats were served.
Sunday morning, there was an Interfaith service, and then the annual business meeting was held where the new section officers were elected. The new Section W6W Chief is Ajay Kumar from Tiwahe Lodge, the Section Vice Chief is Ryan Gentry from Wipala Wiki Lodge, and the Section Secretary is Derek Smith also from Wipala Wiki Lodge.
At the closing show, the Top Lodge was awarded and once again, Papago walked away with the honor. The site for next years Conclave was announced as Imperial Valley College in El Centro, California on October 18-20, 2019.
You won’t want to miss it so start making plans now to attend.
Danny served as a Section Associate Adviser from 2010 – 2016 and is the current Section W6W Adviser.
