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Takhonek Lodge Fall Fellowship

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The Fall Fellowship (Ordeal and Brotherhood) will be held October 3-5, 2025, at Camp Arrowhead. Fellowships are always a great time meeting and inducting new Ordeal members while helping current members seal their membership in the lodge by moving on to the Brotherhood honor. And as always, don’t forget the service to the camp, great food and patch trading that takes place. If you miss the Fall Fellowship, you miss a lot.

If your troop has not had an election in 2025, please contact your chapter officers or any lodge officers so an election can be scheduled.

If you are preparing to attend the fellowship as an Ordeal or Brotherhood candidate and you have any special needs or request, please contact us at least a week before the event so we can prepare for them. If you have any food allergies or other special dietary needs, please let us know about those when you register.

Cost for Ordeal is $50 and includes meals for the weekend, OA Ordeal sash, OA Handbook, Bead Necklace and Toggle, Lodge flap and more.

Cost for Brotherhood (non-Fox Pass) is $45, with Fox Pass is $30 and includes meals for the weekend, OA Brotherhood sash, Toggle, and more. Any member that has been an Ordeal for at least 6 months can earn the Brotherhood honor.

All Ordeal Candidates should plan to arrive at the Dining Hall at Camp Arrowhead on Friday evening between 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm.

--- $1 Patch Inventory Reduction Sale ---

At the Fall Fellowship, we will begin a year-long $1 Patch Inventory Reduction Sale!!! This sale will run for 1 year and they can only be bought at Takhonek lodge events. All patch sales at the Scout office will be suspended for the duration of this sale. You heard that right!!! All event patches prior to 2025 will be just $1 during Takhonek lodge events for the next year! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to stock up on some of the older patches. There will be a 10-patch limit for any one event patch. While supplies last. When they’re gone, they’re gone!

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO)

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Registration deadline is Tuesday, October 21st.

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BALOO is intended for Cub Scout leaders or parent volunteers who want to plan and carry out entry level outdoor experiences for the pack. The format for this training is an outdoor camping adventure. This training is designed to address a wide variety of topics which need to be considered when preparing for a Cub Scout outdoor activity. Some of the topics include Aims & Purposes, Planning, Campfire, Health & Safety, Equipment, Cooking, program ideas, and more.

Prior to taking the practical component, participants must have completed the online component. Both the online and the practical, must be completed in order to fulfill the “BALOO Trained” status. In the event the online component is not completed prior to the practical, the trained status is withheld until both components are successfully completed. The online portion is available through the BSA LearnCenter. Log onto my.scouting.org and select “My Training” on the home page, then Cub Scouts. Complete the course named “BALOO Prerequisite Training V2”. Bring your completion certificate with you.

The next course will be October 24-25 at Camp Arrowhead. Check-in begins Friday at 6:30 pm. All participants are expected to arrive by 7:00 pm. The course is planned to conclude by 6:30 pm on Saturday.

The course is $25.00 per person. This covers course material, cracker barrel (snacks) on Friday night, along with breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

You should bring a sleeping bag or blanket, flashlight & batteries, personal items, a notebook and pen or pencil. You may bring your own tent or use a tent provide by the camp. Dress for the weather – the course goes on rain or shine.

If you have questions about this course, please contact Sue Williams at 217-741-0900 or buzy2buzy@gmail.com.

Takhonek Lodge Vigil Reunion

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Registration deadline is Wednesday, September 10th.

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Takhonek Lodge's Vigil Reunion is September 12-13 at The Summit Bechtel Scout Reserve, Subcamp A. This event is for OA members holding the Vigil Honor and Vigil candidates only. Make plans to attend and fellowship with the lodge's Vigil members.

Vigil Members fee is $20. Candidates attend at no fee. Registration closes Wednesday, September 10th.

Check begins at 6:00 pm. Breakfast is provided for those who spend the night.

Questions? Contact George Soltis at gm.soltis@gmail.com

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)

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Registration deadline is Friday, September 12, 2025.

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What is IOLS? The Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) course builds and expands on the concepts and themes introduced in Scoutmaster Positions-Specific Training and Varsity Coach Position-Specific Training and provides Scouters with the to take youth into the outdoors.

IOLS is an outdoor classroom training required for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters to be classified as position trained. (If attending Wood Badge, IOLS is required for Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters)
Gives adult leaders a practical introduction to the patrol method of a boy-led troop by teaching many of the practical outdoor skills they need to lead scouts in the out-of-doors. In addition, the teaching methods, activities, and games model the variety of teaching used in effective and engaging Scouting programs.
Hands-on participation is the best learning tool, and this course models the techniques used by effective Scoutmasters, and other leaders in the Scouting program. Attendees will see and experience different aspects of how Scouting works while playing the role of Scouts in a troop.
Participants will leave the training experience with a full understanding of how the patrol method operates, a feeling of comfort in working with the instructing their Scouts, and an increased level of confidence taking Scouts outdoors safely.

What is covered in IOLS? .The course is designed to address a wide variety of topics such as Outdoor Ethics, Cooking, Fire Site Preparation & Building, Campfire Program, Interfaith Worship, Flag Ceremony and more.

What is the cost to attend? The course is $30.00 per person. This covers course material, cracker barrel on Friday night, along with breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

When is IOLS training? The next course will be September 19 & 20, 2025 at Camp Arrowhead. Check-in begins Friday at 6:00 pm. All participants are expected to arrive by 7:00pm. The course is planned to conclude by 5:00 pm on Saturday.

What should I bring? You should bring a Boy Scout Handbook, a tent, a sleeping bag or blankets, flashlight & batteries, personal items, a notebook and pen or pencil. Dress for the weather – the course goes on rain or shine.

QUESTIONS? Contact Rosann Brooks 304-881-1042 or rosann1030@aol.com

Registration Deadline – Friday, September 12, 2025

Fall Product Sale

Product sales are more than just a fundraiser; they are a vital part of helping your unit succeed. Each dollar raised supports exciting opportunities like camping trips, leadership training, service projects, and essential program costs. More importantly, product sales teach Scouts valuable life skills: goal setting, communication, responsibility, and perseverance.

In addition to Camp Masters Popcorn, we have added Country Meats Meat Sticks to the fall product sale. Both are available for pre-order to Show & Sell. Show & Sell orders should be turned in by August 8th. Commitment Forms are due August 1st.

For more information about the sale and all the resources, go to our Fall Product Sale page.

Circuit Rider 35

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Registration deadline is August 18, 2025.

United Methodist Men Conference Registration

Scout Troop/Crew Registration

Circuit Rider 35

September 5-7, 2025

WVU Jackson's Mill, Weston, WV

The Circuit Rider is returning for 2025 and is open to all Scouts BSA troops (Boy troops and Girl troops), Venturing crews and Webelos. Webelos may only participate in Saturday activities. If Webelos plan to stay for the Saturday dinner, there will be a $4 fee. Units do not need to be sponsored by a United Methodist Church to attend this camporee.

Scout Leaders: Pre-registration is required! Register for Circuit Rider 35 by clicking the blue button above. Registration deadline August 18, 2025.

Scouts BSA Informational Leader Guide United Methodist Men's Annual Retreat brochure

In addition to the numerous free activities provided similar to past events like the frozen T-shirt contest and cast iron cookoff, the United Methodist Men and WVU Jackson's Mill are pleased to offer the following special programs. Each will last approximately one hour and be led by a program coordinator from Jackson's Mill. Scouts and their Scout-age guests can sign up for one, two, three or all four of the special programs offered for a fee of $10 for each Scout or Scout-age guest. Class spots will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each class will be offered five times throughout the day with a limited capacity for each offering.

Historic Area Program: tour historic area featuring a demonstration of an operational gristmill
Outdoor Recreation Program: a mountain bike course and group ride around the grounds
STEAM Program: practice problem-solving skills as you use the engineering design process to create, build, test, and improve a drone
Wall Climb: try your strength and agility at climbing a rock wall

Cost: $ 4 per person to attend. Scouts and Scout-age guests may participate in one, two, three, or four special programs for an additional fee of $ 10 per youth. Webelos are free but if they are staying for Saturday's dinner must pay $4.

United Methodist Men only: Everyone attending the West Virginia United Methodist Men Annual gathering must register and pay registration fee. UMM participants have several lodging options (Various price levels, meals included) plus the option to attend Saturday only for $75 (lunch and dinner included). (These fees do not apply to Scout troops.)

Rules of conduct:

No ground fires permitted. Bring a portable fire pit if you want a site campfire.
All Scouts & leaders must wear registration wristbands.
All Scouts need to be in their camping area from 10 p.m. until morning flags.
Remember the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace principles while camping.
No pets allowed.

GOOD CONDUCT IS EXPECTED

Needs:

Flag details for 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
Chaplain aides for 9 a.m. Sunday

Proposed free events include, but are not limited to:

- Radio controlled model airplanes
- Frozen T-shirt contest
- Air cannon
- Leaders & Scouts Dutch Oven Cooking Contest
- Rescue line toss
- Tomahawk throw
- Saturday dinner
- Patch trading post
- Sheriff Demonstration
- US Forestry Service
- Tree I.D. and Fire Prevention
- Torch Award ceremony

Circuit Rider 35 will honor Ernest Thompson Seton, the first Chief Scout, because of his participation in Jackson’s Mill first camping staff.

Youth at the CR35 will have an opportunity to learn more about Seton and earn a special patch by participating in the “Seton Hunt.”

Leaders & Scouts

Dutch Oven Cooking Contest (Dessert Only) 4 pm. Saturday in front of the Assembly Hall ***Must Supply Recipe***

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS: The Saturday evening meal will be provided by your hosts, the W.Va. United Methodist Men. Special dietary needs must be addressed when you check in on the porch of the Marion Cabin next to the Assembly Hall.

More information: Wayne Custer (304) 238-6807 wcuster855@aol.com

IMPORTANT:

- Pre-registration for Circuit Rider 35 and for the W. Va. United Methodist Men's Annual Gathering is required. Registration closes on August 17, 2025.
- All Scout leaders must have a current certification in Youth Protection Training, which can be found at my.scouting.org.
- All United Methodist Men must be trained in Safe Sanctuaries Policies and acknowledge the BSA's Barriers to Abuse and Youth Protection policies during online registration.

West Virginia United Methodist Men's National Jamboree Scholarship

The United Methodist Men are sponsoring National Jamboree scholarships for five scouts from the Buckskin Council and 5 scouts from the Mountaineer Council. These scholarships are worth $300.00 each.
To apply for this scholarship:

You must first have attended the West Virginia Circuit Rider Camp in 2024 or 2025.
The second thing is you must write an essay on “What you plan to learn” at the National Jamboree. The essay must be at least 200 words.

The deadline for the entry for the scholarship is January 1, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be chosen by January 10, 2026.

Please mail your entry to: Wayne Custer, 22 Cherry Lane, Wheeling, WV 26003-4904
Or email to Wayne Custer at wcuster855@aol.com

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

United Methodist Men Schedule

Friday

1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Check In

4:00 p.m. Executive Session

5:00 p.m. Dinner

6:00 p.m. Gathering at the Chapel

7:00 p.m. Prayer Advocate Class Meeting

8:30 p.m. Accountability Time

Saturday

7:00 a.m. Witness Time

8:00 a.m. Breakfast Time

9:15 a.m. Gathering With Music

9:45 a.m. Prayer Advocate Class Meeting

10:30 a.m. Break

12:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Prayer Advocate Class Meeting

3:30 p.m. Time with Scouts

5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Dinner with Scouts

6:30 p.m. U.M.M. Business Session

7:30 p.m. Rootin Tootin Time at Amphitheater

9:00 p.m. Witness Time

Sunday

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:00 a.m. Vespers with Bishop Wallace-Padgett

Boy Scout Schedule

Friday

4:00 – 9:00 p.m. Check In

10:00 p.m. Scoutmaster Meeting

Saturday

7:00 a.m. Reveille

9:00 a.m. Flag Raising

9:20 a.m. Events Start

12:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Activities

4:00 p.m. Dutch Oven Dessert Tasting Competition

5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Dinner at the Dining Hall with the U.M.M.

7:30 p.m. Rootin Tootin Time at Amphitheater

Sunday

9:00 a.m. Vespers with Bishop Wallace-Padgett