Trail Crew and Wilderness Voyage Reunion

After spending 14 days in the wilderness with a crew of eight people, working together, eating together, and traveling together over mountains trails or across lake portages, you develop a special bond. Those who shared the experience with you know more about you than even your closest friends back home. They have seen you at your worst -as you slip while trying to portage a canoe, or struggle with a heavy pack. The members of your crew have shared the hardships of uprooting trees and smashing rocks. However, the victories are multiplied and hardships divided because of the people experiencing the program with you. Participants in the OA high adventure programs truely discover the true meaning of brotherhood.

Once the trip is over, and the crews scatter back across the country, they keep in contact with each other through email and by telephone. At every NOAC, these Arrowmen get the opportunity to gather and share old stories, compare pictures, and see their old friends again. Every participant, from the very first Trail Crew 10 years ago to the Wilderness Voyage Crew that returned four days before NOAC began, was invited.

Besides meeting up with old friends, the gathered alumni got the opportunity to speak to those who had gone before them on the trail and learn a little history of the programs. Older participants spoke to the newest graduates, discovering the latest work that has been done. Awards were presented to National officers, National OA Committee members and the directors of both programs.

This year's reunion was extraordinary because the newest high adventure program was unveiled. Representatives from Florida Sea Base were present to answer questions and distribute information about OA Ocean Adventure. They had a captive audience, as the alumni of the Trail Crew and Wilderness Voyage all know the value of the OA high adventure programs and were eager for details on the new program.

The best way to get information about Trail Crew and Wilderness Voyage is to speak with past participants. They'll tell you, it won't be an easy vacation, but it is a life changing activity. You can also go to the National OA web site for pictures, journals, and application information.

Revised 8/4/2004