Lake Orion Boy Scout Troop 128 walked away from the 2016 Hodag bearing the beloved ‘Coup Stick,? awarded to the unit with the most Scout Spirit, or perhaps in this case, the loudest.
The 2016 Hodag hosted 138 youth, 38 adults and 25 staff at Camp Agawam in Orion Township this past Saturday at Fort Pontiac, one of the sections of the campground.
As tradition calls, the Hodag is a one-day, one night winter campout in which Scouts compete as Patrols in events variously emphasizing Scout skills, teamwork and spirit. It is 100 percent planned and run by the youth of the Pontiac Manito Chapter of the Order of the Arrow.
The theme of the Hodag changes each year. This year’s theme was ‘A Magical Gathering!? based on the card game ‘Magic: The Gathering.?
Youth-led patrols compete to win the overall prize, the coveted ‘Golden Coffee Thingy,? stolen this year by Troop 192 of Holly. Troop 128, chartered by St. Mary’s-In-The Hills Episcopal Church, won the ‘Golden Coffee Thingy,? a conglomerated trophy of mismatched parts, last year.
Many of the activities are similar to those from prior Hodag camporees, based on basic scout skills.
‘However, this year we added elements of strategy, collaboration and head-to-head competition while keeping overall competition, skills and your other favorites unchanged,? Troop 128 Director Tom Houlihan said.
During the morning, the Scouts earned points based on their individual performance to use during the ‘combat? phase in the afternoon. As in the card game, afternoon activities were staged in head-to-head scenarios where patrols competed against each other and themselves to earn the most Life points in their bid to win the coveted ‘Golden Coffee Thingy.?
Activities included stretcher races and first aid competitions, an obstacle course, winding through a web, snow snake races, search and rescue, orienteering, dodge ball, and sled racing with each activity stressing individual and teambuilding skills.
The word ‘Hodag? comes from an alleged mythical beast exhibited to the public in a large-scale prank in the 1890s in Rochester, Wisconsin. The prank ended when the Smithsonian Institution announced it would investigate the existence of the Hodag.
Troop 128’s OA brothers from Central Region sponsored a party at the 2006 National Order of the Arrow Conference entitled ‘The Hodag.?
The local chapter brought the spirit of that great gathering home in 2007, to an event that had previously been known as a Klondike.
The Great Lakes Field Service Council, BSA, serves the youth of Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties. The Pontiac-Manito District serves youth in the school districts of Brandon, Clarkston, Holly, Lake Orion, Oxford, Pontiac, Waterford, and the Grand Blanc Stake (LDS). For more information, visithttp://www.michiganscouting.org/join-scouting/ to find a unit in your area.