OA Bash

March 28-30, 2025 | Camp Strake

For 2025, OA Bash will be held in conjunction with the Lone Star Fellowship (Section Conclave), an annual event where nine lodges from Gateway Region Section 2 (G2) get together for fellowship, competitions, and lots of fun while celebrating the traditions of the Order of the Arrow.



Arrowmen from south Texas have a blast participating in the numerous special events, games, over-the-top activities, fun, ceremony and dance competitions, awesome shows, LOTS of patch trading and so much more. Learn more about Section Conclave.

Learn More & Register

About the Section

Gateway Region Section G2, led by its three elected youth officers, an adviser, and staff adviser, supports the nine lodges in its care. These officers answer to the Council of Chiefs, a body comprised of lodge chiefs, representing the nine lodges in the section: Aina Topa Hutsi, Colonneh, Hasinai, Karankawa, Tatanka, Tonkawa, and Wahinkto, Wewanoma, and Wihinipa Hinsa Lodges.

Section G2, strives to provide leadership, guidance, and tools to help lodges in their day-to-day programs. It is responsible for bridging the gap between the National Committee and the lodges it represents and planning an annual conclave. The conference is attended by over 500 Arrowmen who learn, compete, and create friendships. The Section G2 leadership also provides assistance to lodges in the form of training and advice, planning training seminars, and promoting the national program of emphasis.

March 28-30, 2024

Camp Strake
2020 Camp Strake Rd.
Coldspring, TX 77331

OA-Bash-flap

OA Bash (formerly known as Spring Fellowship) is a weekend event for Order of the Arrow (OA) members held each spring that allows Arrowmen to recommit themselves to the principles of our order: brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service. The event starts Friday night with exciting activities, an opening assembly, and plenty of snacks. The main program is held on Saturday with service opportunities and morning training.  In the afternoon, Arrowmen dive into all the amazing activities Camp Strake offers, lasting late into the night. There will be an epic feast cooked on the Colonneh Lodge BBQ trailer, and the evening ends with a huge closing campfire—it will be legendary!

This year's theme is Around the World in 80 Days, so prepare for an adventure like no other. There will be activities for everyone, from the young to the young at heart. Join us at Camp Strake for an unforgettable weekend of fun and fellowship. #OABash137  

Printable View    Schedule    Program    Arrival and Departure     What to Bring

Registration

Register

 

Before 4/15/2024

Beginning 4/15/2024

Event fee (includes meals)
$35
$50
$0
$15

Brisket & Pork Butt Sale

BBQColonneh Lodge is selling brisket and pork butt to help pay off the lodge's BBQ trailer.

The lodge cook team will smoke BBQ all weekend and orders will be ready to take home Sunday morning

Order BBQ Brisket 

 

 


Activities and Program

Communications

Follow the lodge on social media to keep up with the lastest information! Make sure to use #OABash137.

Instagram icon @oashac                  Facebook icon @Colonneh              Twitter icon @oashac  

Saturday Afternoon Activities

Throughout the weekend, there will be a wide variety of activities for everyone to enjoy, from shooting sports to inflatables. Take on your friends in a game of kickball or human foosball. For the creative folks, join in the fun at the Training Room. For those who want to take a break and sit down, try out the games at the Stem Building. Check Instagram and Facebook for more program updates. 

Shows

OA Bash will kick off with a Friday evening show.  It will be the perfect chance to get a sneak peek at all the weekend’s activities! The main show on Saturday will be a time for fun and laughs and present awards at our evening campfire.

OA Bash will kick off with opening announcements and an international potluck on Friday night at the Grand Pavilion. Find out who’s who, where’s where, and get a preview of the weekend’s activities! On Saturday evening, the main show will be a time for fun and laughs as we share the weekend events and present awards and competition winners. If you want to be in the show, let us know by sending a message to program@colonneh.org.

Trading Post

Colonneh Lodge’s Trading Post is top-of-the-line, offering Order of the Arrow merchandise at affordable prices. Stop by to pick up patches, belt buckles, shirts, OA gear, bucket hat, and so much more. The Trading Post has recently stocked up on some new items, so be sure to pay a visit while at the event. The Trading Post will be open Friday evening, all day Saturday, and briefly on Sunday morning. High-quality gear and merchandise are a must-have for any Arrowmen. Be sure to visit!

Service

Service is a key aspect of the Order of the Arrow and is a key aspect of OA Bash as well. There will be a three-hour project from 8:30 am to 11:30 am providing service to camp involving setting up the tents used for national camp school and summer camp.  There is also a dining service opportunity for those interested. Dining service is an opportunity to work in the kitchen for an hour-and-a-half to two-hour
shift to assist in preparing food for the event attendees in an amazing industrial kitchen while still being able to enjoy the rest of the event. Those interested in taking a shift should dining service when registering or email service@colonneh.org if already registered. For any questions about service at the event please email service@colonneh.org.

Lodge Executive Committee (LEC)

An LEC will be held on Sunday morning. The Lodge Executive Committee (LEC) is comprised of the lodge chief, lodge vice chiefs, area chiefs, chapter chiefs, and lodge advisers. This LEC meets several times during the year to facilitate Colonneh Lodge's business matters. The LEC is a time for the lodge's youth leaders to come together to make decisions, vote, and have committee meetings. Those interested in future leadership in the lodge are encouraged to attend. The LEC will meet on Sunday. All lodge officers, chapter chiefs (or designees), and their advisers are to attend the LEC; however, all Arrowmen are welcome and encouraged to attend this important planning and business meeting. 

Interfaith Service

An interfaith service will be conducted for all participants on Sunday morning. An interfaith service is a brief worship or meditation specifically designed for Scouting events where there may be more than one faith present. It is intended to provide a spiritual focus during a camping experience that does not reflect the views of a particular denomination or faith and can be defined as a gathering of Scouts held to contribute to the development of their spirituality and promote a fuller understanding of the Scout Oath and Law, emphasizing one’s Duty to God.

Brotherhood

After six months of service as an Ordeal member and after fulfilling certain requirements, a member may take part in the Brotherhood ceremony, which places further emphasis on the ideals of Scouting and the Order. Completion of this ceremony signifies full membership in the Order of the Arrow.  Brotherhood is an opportunity for members to evaluate their past service to Scouting (camping and unit involvement) and to their lodge, and to reaffirm their belief in the high purposes of the Order.

Attendees will be notified of their Brotherhood eligibility at check-in. Brotherhood-eligible Arrowmen are highly encouraged to complete their Brotherhood at this event. The first step is to attend the Brotherhood Talk during lunch at the Stem Building. Further instructions about the Brotherhood Ceremony will be given there. There is no charge for this event—it's a great opportunity for growth and reflection within the Order of the Arrow.

Learn More about Brotherhood  


Arrival and Departure

Travel

Travel to and from the event is the participant's responsibility. Chapters may arrange travel with other members of your chapter. See oa.shacbsa.org/chapters for chapter contact information. Personal vehicles are welcome at the event. However, please understand Camp Strake is a walking camp which means on-site transportation is limited to walking; notify staff if onsite transportation will be needed in camp.

Check-in

Check-in will be open from 7:00 - 10:00 pm on Friday and from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday. Please do not arrive earlier or later than the times listed, as the staff will not be prepared.

Documents and Fees

Every participant onsite must bring a copy of the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record, Parts A and B to check-in. They will not be returned. If your lodge dues are not current, Arrowmen will be required to pay them in order to participate in the event. Remember – Wear the flap, pay your dues!

Check-out

When leaving camp, every participant must check out with the registration team at the front gate.  The front gate will be staffed on Friday from 6 – 11 pm, Saturday from 7 am - 11 pm and Sunday from 7 - 12 pm.

What to Bring

  • Copy of a current BSA Annual Health and Medical Record 
    (Part A & B for all Scouting events) 
  • Copy of Pre-event screening form
  • Field uniform (for Saturday dinner and show)
  • Activity uniform(s)
  • OA sash
  • Water bottle
  • Clothing appropriate for weather
  • Swimsuit & towel
  • Rain gear
  • Flashlight
  • Personal medications (must be listed on medical record)
  • Download the Camp App (search "Sam Houston Area Council" on Apple or Android platforms)

         If camping, bring

  • Tent
  • Sleeping bag, pad, pillow
  • Toiletries, towel 
Optional
  • Spending money for trading post
  • Smartphone or other web-enabled devices
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat

Camp App

OA BashThe council camping committee is thrilled to introduce the camp app, which will serve as a vital communication tool for all camp attendees. It offers convenient access to essential resources such as the camp map, schedule, program updates, emergency announcements, and much more. You can find it by searching "Sam Houston Area Council" on both Apple and Android platforms. 

Tentative Schedule

Friday

Start End Event Location
6:30 pm 10:30 pm    Check-in Check-In Building
7:00 pm 10:30 pm Evening Activities Activity Field
    International Potluck Parade Field
    Board Games STEM Building
    Cornhole Grand Pavilion
    Spikeball Parade Field
    Giant Jenga Grand Pavilion
    Trikes Grand Pavilion
11:00 pm   Lights-out  

Saturday

6:15 am   5K Running of the Lodge STEM Building
7:00 am 8:00 am Breakfast Dining Hall
8:15 am 11:45 am Service Projects Around Camp
    Training  
    8:15 am 11:45 am COPE & Climbing Volunteers Climbing Tower
        French Interpreter Pavilion B
        Spanish interpreter Pavilion H
    8:20 am 9:10 am Intro to the OA Grand Pavilion
        Finnish STEM Building
        Portuguese Training Room
        Discord 101 Dining Hall
    9:20 am 10:00 am Elangomat Training Grand Pavilion
        Vietnamese STEM Building
        Spanish Training Room
    10:10 am 10:50 am OA Representative Training Grand Pavilion
        Camp Promotions STEM Building
        American Sign Language (ASL) Training Room
        Discord 101 Dining Hall
    11:00 am 11:40 am Ceremony Training Grand Pavilion
        Russian Training Room
        Italian STEM Center
11:45 am 12:45 pm Lunch Dining Hall
11:45 am 12:45 pm Brotherhood Talk STEM Building
12:45 pm 1:00 pm Splash Pad Opening Splash Pad
12:00 pm 4:00 pm A Activities Around Camp
    Shooting Sports Ranges
    Climbing / High COPE Climbing Tower
    International Committee Grand Pavilion
    Relays Sports Field
    Splash Pad Splash Pad
1:00 pm 10:45 pm Afternoon / Evening Activities  
    Video games STEM Building
    Board games STEM Building
    Trading post Trading post
    Arts & Crafts Training room
1:15 pm 3:00 pm Brotherhood Walk  
12:45 pm 1:30 pm Cardboard Regatta Aquatics
4:00 pm 4:30 pm Jello Fight Parade Field
4:30 pm 6:30 pm B Activities  
    Patch Trading / Display Grand Pavilion
    Game Shows Grand Pavilion
    Splash Pad Splash Pad
    Inflatables Parade Field
6:30 pm 7:30 pm Dinner Dining Hall
8:00 pm 9:00 pm Closing Campfire Arena
9:15 pm 10:45 pm C Activities Arena
    Cast Iron Chef Grand Pavilion
    Dance Party Parade Field
    Area Activities Sports Field
    Inflatables Parade Field
11:00 pm   Lights-out  

Sunday

7:00 am 8:15 am Breakfast Dining Hall
8:30 am 8:45 am Interfaith service TBA
9:00 am   Lodge Executive Committee Meeting Grand Pavilion
12:00 pm   Participant departure Around Camp
1:00 pm   Staff departure  
*Times and Locations are subject to change

About Camp Strake

Camp Strake is a first-class, state-of-the-art camp at a rural site near the Sam Houston National Forest, close to the community of Evergreen.

Camp Strake is surrounded on three sides by the Sam Houston National Forest and has the Lone Star Hiking Trail close to one corner of the property. 

                    Google Map    Map     Camp Policies

Camp Strake has 20 campsites with pavilions; modern restrooms and shower houses; climbing and repelling tower; zipline;  an aquatics center with a swimming pool, lake, canoes, and kayaks; a shooting sports complex with rifle, shotgun, and archery range, including a sporting arrows course; and more.

About Camp Strake

Camp Strake is located on 2,816 acres between New Waverly and Coldspring near the community of Evergreen, Tx. Lake Livingston is 10 miles east of the property. The camp is a 1.5-hour drive from downtown Houston and close to I-45 and the Grand Parkway. Camp Strake is located at 2020 Camp Strake Rd., Coldspring, TX 77331(latitude and longitude: 30.608901, -95.230270)

 

Directions from Houston:

  • Take I-45N to exit 94 (FM 1097) toward Willis
  • Turn right onto Montgomery St. (.7 mi)
  • Turn left onto Danville St. (360 ft)
  • Turn right onto FM 1097 / Stewart St (9.6 mi.)
  • Turn right onto TX-150E (8.8 mi)
  • Turn left onto FM 945N (3.6 mi)
  • Turn left into Camp Strake at the sign. 

Photographs

Notice! Please be advised that promotional videotaping/photography may be in progress at any time at an event. Your entrance constitutes your agreement that Colonneh Lodge has the right to reproduce your likeness in videography/photography for promotion (e.g., publications, internet, newspaper).

Scouting Safely

Safety is Your Responsibility posterThe BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. The Boy Scouts of America puts the utmost importance on the safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth as well as the adult volunteer leadership that interacts with them. 

BSA Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed. All participants must follow Youth Protection Guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:

  • Two-deep leadership on all outings required.
  • One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited.
  • The buddy system should be used at all times.
  • Discipline must be constructive.

Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid. As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.

Youth Protection Guidelines Guide to Safe Scouting Sweet Sixteen Enterprise Risk Management

Safety Information 

If you hear two air horn blasts, go to the dining hall immediately. In a life-or-death situation, Call 911 first, then the camp medic. If you need to leave camp: Check out the registration team at the gate. Remember to drink plenty of water. 

Emergency Contacts

Jonathan Davis (832) 250-0179
John Fortier- Adviser- (832) 541-0617

*As these contacts are over 21, please note youth protection guidelines and ensure at least two adults are copied on any communications.

Event Contacts

Event Chair
 oabash@colonneh.org

 

Event Registration
registration@colonneh.org

Lodge Program Vice Chief and Adviser
program@colonneh.org