Elangomat: One who gives of himself to bring others to a true realization

This story is a confession, a catharsis, a resolution, and perhaps a parable.

The Boy Scouts of America has a National Honor Society called the Order of the Arrow. Scouts are elected to the Order by their fellow unit members, following approval by the adult leader.

"The induction ceremony, called the Ordeal, is the first step toward full membership. During the experience, candidates maintain silence, receive small amounts of food, work on camp improvement projects, and are required to sleep alone, apart from other campers. The entire experience is designed to teach significant values." (OA Basics from OA web site)

I was elected to the Order of the Arrow. I must admit that in my immaturity this gratified my pride. I experienced the Ordeal after a fashion (my adult leader at the Ordeal said that our camp improvement project required us to talk, so we didn't maintain silence so much). I slept alone, suffering through a chilly night outdoors after wetting my sleeping bag and attempting to wash up in the closest water I could find in the dark. I suffered at the scant food. After a year or more of activity in my local Order of the Arrow chapter, I accepted the assignment to act as an Elangomat for another Ordeal.

Elangomat means "Friend". Elangomat "shares in the hardships of the candidates, and their silence." I arrived at Camp Geronimo, received a Elangomat information leaflet, and was sent to suffer with a group of initiates. I recall being silent like them perhaps; I'm not sure. But I also recall excusing myself at mealtimes, running through the woods to the mess hall, and loading up on food. Somewhere in the mix of my own immaturity, my never having seen an example of an Elangomat, my having received no personal training, and my incomplete understanding or reading of my little instruction leaflet, my Elangomat service became a sham. I was not a repeat initiate, willingly condescending to suffering with new candidates. Rather I was cardboard figure, having a form of Friendship, but denying the power thereof. I was pretending to suffer and serve while claiming the privilege of status and station.

Perhaps now that I am forty I am old enough to be a true Elangomat.