Written by Owen Clapp
From the flash of bright color schemes on the outfit of a fancy dancer to the flash of a shining patch at a patch trading table, the inclusion of both at the Trade-o-ree and Gentgeen will be sure to entice a patch trader and an AIA enthusiast alike. Both events will be held at Camp Durant the same weekend of August 26-27. If you are interested in developing your patch collection or a dance outfit, this upcoming weekend is for you.
The Gentgeen portion of the weekend will be an American Indian Affairs bonanza! There will be an opportunity on the Friday night of the event to gain knowledge of Native American singing at the drum with Bill Morris, the lodge drum advisor. Brothers young and old are invited to come and understand the etiquette and practice of honoring a Native American tradition. The drums beat on Saturday bringing many opportunities to learn about dancing and to develop regalia for the various styles. Attendees will gain an understanding about the AIA and learn what opportunities are available in the Pow-Wow world. Attendees can also develop their interest in the actual crafting of regalia to put their interest into action. There will be sessions on applique beadwork, moccasin making, lazy stitch beadwork, how to grass dance and finally making bustles for both traditional and fancy styles of dance. Cody Helm, current AIA chairman, said that he is “excited about meeting all of the Arrowmen interested in AIA.”
“Our third Trade-o-ree and our biggest and best yet” were the words that came from Jackson Woody, current patch committee chairman of our lodge, in describing the event. People will come from all over North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, and other surrounding areas to get their hands and/or eyes on many different patches. It’s an event where patch collectors or people simply interested in the sport come together to trade and view patches. Even our mascot, Thundy, reportedly could attend the event according to Woody. There are no registration fees but meal tickets and tables for rent are available for purchase. Our patch committee chairman is excited to meet the various people from other lodges not in our section and for adding some North Carolina lodge flaps to his own collection. “There will be over 50 tables in the Grand Lodge packed with scouting memorabilia,” so this is sure to be a big event, Woody said.
Both events will reach two very different yet highly valued interests for members of our lodge, AIA and patch trading. We hope many can make it to Camp Durant for patches of flaps or patches of a dance regalia shirt. Many opportunities will abound at the Trade-o-ree/Gentgeen weekend.
