Dive into a world of limitless possibilities with our open program sessions, where you can explore diverse topics, engage in interactive workshops, and discover new passions alongside fellow Arrowmen. Activities will include the Goodman Edison Observatory (GEO), Boulder Bash, the Elevate Festival, Trading Post, and more! Registration is not required for these events, but be sure to check them out at NOAC!
OA Endowment Patch Auction and Trading Post
- Basic Level
- Youth & Adult
The OA Endowment Fund helps ensure OA programs like National Leadership Seminar, OA High Adventure, and the National Council of Chiefs can exist for years to come. The fund, which also supports the national officers, was started in the 1970s through the sale of Vigil Honor cards. Recently restructured in 2023, the OA Endowment hopes to continue to provide future opportunities to the OA.
Delegates and staff who are on-site at CU Boulder can view the patch auction collection at Ketchum Arts and Sciences Building rooms 1B87 and 1B71, but anyone in the country can place their bids through the website.
Find out more by reading the news post about the auction or visiting the auction site now.
Adventure Central
- Basic Level
- Youth & Adult
Adventure Central is one of the premiere program events of the conference, designed for the adventurous individual who likes to seek out new experiences. Program offerings include a variety of activities ranging from rock climbing, STEM activities, outside exhibitors, and more! Be sure to check the NOAC app for hours and special events happening throughout the week.
Interested in helping staff? Adults will be able to register as a volunteer staff member through NOAERS.
ACES (Arrowman Conservation, Education, and Sustainability) Village
- Basic Level
- Youth & Adult
Come join us at the ACES Village to engage with some of the country’s leading conservation experts. Experience the brotherhood of OA High Adventure as Trail Crew, Summit Experience, Canadian Odyssey, and Wilderness Voyage come together to deliver the pride of the OA’s premier outdoor programs. The village will feature conservation exhibitors from the local area and nationally such as Leave No Trace, Open Space and Mountain Parks, US Fish and Wildlife, US Forest Service and many more. The village hosts a variety of activities, come play in the dirty in our trail building sandbox, shoot some disc golf while learning the importance of low impact sports and test your scouting skills in the OA High Adventure area. Last but not least support OA High Adventure scholarships while enjoying as much free popcorn as you can eat.
Boulder Bash
- Basic Level
- Youth & Adult
Welcome to the Boulder Bash, the ultimate celebration of camaraderie and community at the National Order of the Arrow Conference! Get ready to kick back, relax, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere as we come together for an evening of unforgettable festivities. Our lineup of events promises something for everyone, from live musical entertainment to friendly yard games that will put your skills to the test. Quench your thirst with ice-cold refreshments as you mingle with fellow Arrowmen and share in the bonds of brotherhood. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Join us as we pay tribute to our nation’s first responders and military with a heartfelt salute, honoring their service and sacrifice. Get ready for a dose of patriotic fun that will leave you feeling proud and inspired. So grab your friends, bring your enthusiasm, and prepare for an evening of laughter, friendship, and memories to last a lifetime at the Boulder Bash. Let’s make this a night to remember at the National Order of the Arrow Conference!
Goodman Edson Observatory
- Basic Level
- Youth & Adult
The Goodman Edson Observatory (GEO) is an museum style exhibition featuring artifacts from all throughout our Order’s history, since its inception in 1915.
Notable artifacts include the first Distinguished Service Award (DSA), sashes spanning 100 years of history, uniforms worn by the OA’s founding members, and many more!
Additionally, participants will learn about exhibit planning, design, and construction to equip them with best practices for developing a temporary museum to use at lodge and council events.
Patch Trading
- Basic Level
- Youth & Adult
Have an itch to trade patches? Patch trading will be open during activity time and at night following the evening shows. Look out for the official patch trading location to be released on your conference map. Remember to be respectful and have fun trading.
Elevate Festival
- Basic Level
- Youth & Adult
During the Friday of NOAC, delegates will be become fully immersed at the Elevate Festival. The three features of the Elevate Festival include:
Experience: Delegates are invited to truly experience the Elevate Festival. Whether it’s chowing down on some food from a food truck, jamming out at the silent disco, taking on a giant obstacle course, or just vibing in a chill tent, the options for fully immersing yourself in the final hours of NOAC will leave delegates with new experience and memories to take home.
Entertainment: Elevate festival will feature loads of entertainment include live music, special stage presentations, a mascot conga line, and special drops of Elevate-exclusive giveaways. A main stage and side stage will keep you entertained throughout the festival.
Exchange: Lodges will compete in multiple categories to see which Lodge brings the best booth. You are encouraged to feature your best practices, exciting activities, regional culture, lodge history, and unique experiences from their home area. It is not uncommon to experience the sights, sounds, and flavors from all across the country in a single row of lodge booths. Elevate Festival provides a final opportunity to exchange contacts and ideas with Arrowman from near and far. This year, Lodges are encouraged to incorporate the single color Elevate Festival logo into their giveaways or festival gear.
Shows
- Basic Level
- Youth & Adult
Come on out for our shows, taking place Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday night! Shows will be held in CU events center, and will be attended by thousands of your fellow Arrowmen. Don’t miss out on one of the biggest highlights of NOAC!
Section Gatherings
- Basic Level
- Youth & Adult
Immediately following the Boulder Bash, you will have the opportunity to engage in fellowship with Arrowmen from across your section!
Trading Post
- Basic Level
- Youth & Adult
Stop by the trading post for all your OA merchandise needs! Featuring the usual offerings as well as conference-exclusive items, there’s something for everyone here. Check the NOAC app for location and hours.
Admonition Team Community Spaces
- Basic Level
- Youth & Adult
The 2024 National Order of the Arrow Conference will include four community spaces to support Women, Scouts of Color, Scouts with Disabilities & Special Needs, and LGBTQ+ & Allied Scouts. Each of these spaces are open to every NOAC delegate and will feature programming to celebrate Scouts who share these identities and best practices to help leaders best meet the needs of everyone in their Scouting community. Stop by the Eaton Humanities Building every afternoon of NOAC to visit the Community Spaces and enjoy all of the excitement they have to offer.
Additional open program offerings can be located in the Program Registration Guide. These do not require pre-registration.
If you are looking for more information on how to register for an event, we recommend viewing the Program Registration Guide.