Nawakwa Dance & Drum Team

On January 10th, Jeff Stallings, Jim Young, and Ryan M. went down to St. John’s Episcopal Church for Pack 2819’s yearly arrow of light dinner. This was our second invitation to this event. After getting ready and outfitting our new dancer, we were introduced to the pack and performed an intertribal and sneak up for the scouts and their parents. Keeping it shorter than in the past, I know all of us dancers were sad that we were unable to be stumped by the rising scouts (though maybe for the best). We were able to point out our various mistakes that some of us made during the dances so that the younger scouts could better understand the various meanings behind what we were doing. Everyone did very well set aside the normal sliding across the floors and a misstep. I’d like to congratulate everyone for putting on another great show. These are our future members, and we are the ones who spread what we do. Good Job!

Jeff Stallings
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief

As December 18th passed, we were given the opportunity to congratulate yet another one of our fellow dancers in achieving his goal of Eagle Scout.  A number of team members came to perform an honorary intertribal and crow hop for our fellow dancer. Caleb was presented with a new roach pin by Mr. Richards at the end of our performance. Thank you everyone for coming out and showing your support for a fellow dance team member, and congratulations Caleb on getting Eagle. It’s truly an accomplishment you will treasure for the rest of your life.

Jeff Stallings
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief

It was that time of year again where we all get together and have a blast at fellowship. The dance team had a good time teaching members about various sets of regalia and how to dance the Intertribal, Sneak Up, and Crow Hop. We had a few more interested members approach us while making our famous spirit bags and get more information. Towards the afternoon, after extreme amounts of cotton candy and popcorn, we finished setting up the tomahawk stands and began the fun. Anyone who thinks it can be dangerous had their minds changed quickly as we had a constant line of people waiting to throw. When we had a break, dance team members had a blast competing against each other to see who would come out triumphant over the others in some good old fashion races. As the night cooled down, some dancers went to go watch Iron Man 2 while others called it a night. Dancers all did a fantastic job teaching and supervising our activities.  After all was done we were honored to be able to congratulate Sam Osterhaut and Mr. Steve Poe as the newest vigil honor members of the dance team.

See you all next service weekend and Conclave! Great job!

Jeff Stallings
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief

Another service weekend has come and passed with fantastic results for the dance team. After setting up the tipis with minimal trouble, dancers got to enjoy a beautiful, clear, star filled sky. After cracker barrel and the opportunity to see Jupiter clear in the sky we got ready for our day. Saturday was filled with crafting, cutting two new tipi poles and 80 new tipi stakes before getting ready for the ceremonies. We got to the first ceremony and sadly were unable to stay for the entire time due to rainfall and threat to our regalia with the enemy we call water.  We were approached on Sunday by ten new ordeal members asking about the dance team before packing up and going home. Thank you everyone for showing up, another great weekend!

Jeff Stallings
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief

On July 23rd and 24th, the dance team took our second trip to Buckingham County’s annual Cowboy Day. Friday night we got the tipis up (after much digression and conversation having) and spent the night chatting up a storm and smelling the barbeque cook over open flames. Needless to say we were drooling by the end of the night. On Saturday the big event arrived to tons of people. We set up a station and took turns showing kids and parents how to make spirit bags. We also showed pieces of regalia all day and walked the area, some in full regalia, through over 100 degree heats. One of the best parts was that we were able to see actual Monacans perform their style of dance and even got some of the girls in on a round dance. We hope to see them again next year and hopefully be able to participate more. It gives me great pleasure to say that we were approached by a man who is full blooded Sioux and he gave us the most amazing compliment by saying that at first glance, he thought some of our regalia was made on a reservation. After a long hot day we packed up the tipis and went out to Mickey Dees for some well deserved dinner. Dancers included Tommy Poe, Jeff Stallings, Baylor Dickerson, Sam O., and Adam Parker. Great Job!

Jeff Stallings
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief

On June 5th, the Dance Team traveled down to Kings Dominion for the 100 years of scouting celebration. Friday night we helped to set the stage for what was sure to be a long and exciting celebration from the history of scouting to the Green Man Group and even a dual performance including the Dance Team. Saturday continued our readying followed by the beginning of the show. Dancers accompanied singer Sarah Dudkin who portrayed Pocahontas and sang Colors of the Wind. We danced [once or twice] and then dancers Sam Beuglass and Jeff Stallings hit the drums in a duet show with the Green Man Group.  A number of Dancers were present.  We had a great performance under some heavy lights and some of us celebrated Sunday with a visit to the park to have some fun. Good job guys!

Jeff Stallings
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief

From May 21st to May 23rd, we participated in the 2010 Spring Service Weekend. Dancers included Jeff Stallings, Nick Long, Sam Beuglass, Adam Parker, Caleb Denson, and Quentin Parzych. We all learned on Friday exactly why the boys set up the tipis as the adults of the dance team took a stunning three tries to get a tipi up.

On Saturday we participated in the Brotherhood ceremony welcoming 28 Ordeal members to Brotherhood. The day was spent crafting and getting ready for the night.

That night we all attended the two Ordeal ceremonies. After the ceremonies, Jeff Stallings lead new and old members in a Round Dance. We had a small turnout this time, but the participation was still quite high. Everyone had a great time. Sunday morning we all made a record and had both tipis taken down and packed before 7:30. We also have two interested scouts looking for a place in the dance team.

Jeff Stallings
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief

On May 25th, I was joined by Adam Parker for Pack 2855’s crossover and Arrow of Light ceremony. There were two scouts receiving their Arrow of Light and Crossing over into Troop 2855. We danced an Intertribal and Sneak Up for the scouts and were asked numerous questions. After the ceremony was over, we were approached by a leader asking about Order of the Arrow. We had many scouts coming up to us with questions about our regalia all of which, some with hesitation and vagueness, we were able to answer. The Pack let us know that next time they have a ceremony, they will be in touch.

Jeff Stallings
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief

On April 17th to the 18th, Troop 806 held it’s annual OA Tapout at Pace’s Farm. Members of the Lodge Dance team had parts in the ceremony. I would like to thank the guys that were apart of the ceremony. This included Jeff Stallings, Sam Bueglass, and Quentin. Also, the couple of boys that were torchbearers. I really appreciate it. The ceremony went really well. We look forward to it next year.

Tommy Poe
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief

On April 23rd to the 25th, some members of the lodge Dance Team traveled to Camp Powhatan to compete in the Section SR7A Conclave. We had a great time. I was cool to meet people from the other lodges. On Saturday afternoon, the Dance competitions started. Some of our members competed and placed.

Old Style-

1st- Sam Osterhout
2nd- Tommy Poe
3rd- Jeff Stallings

Northern Traditional-

2nd- Adam Parker

Grass–

1st- Caleb Denson
2nd- Tyler Smith

Everybody did a great job. The new Lodge drum team also performed. We look forward to next year.

Tommy Poe
Nawakwa Lodge Dance Team Chief