Order
of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is Scouting's National Honor
Society. As Scouting's National Honor Society, the Order of the Arrow is an
integral part of the council's program. Our service, activities, adventures, and
training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and
programming that enrich and help to extend Scouting to America's youth.
For more than 90 years, their peers have honored those
Scouts who "best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives" with
membership in the Order of the Arrow. This recognition provides encouragement
for others to live these ideals as well. The Lodge will provide ways and means
for OA members to do more to assist their units and the council, and help them
succeed in doing so.
The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is:
To recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath
and Law in their daily lives and by such recognition cause other campers to
conduct themselves in such a manner as to warrant recognition
To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit
To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness
as a part of the unit's camping program, both year-round and in the summer camp,
as directed by the local council's camping committee
To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose
of leadership in cheerful service to others
The Order of the Arrow was founded by Dr. E. Urner Goodman
and Carroll A. Edson in 1915 at the Treasure Island Camp of the BSA's
Philadelphia Council. It became an official program experiment in 1922 and was
approved as part of the Scouting program in 1934. In 1948, the OA, recognized as
the BSA's national brotherhood of honor campers, became an official part of the
Boy Scouts of America.
In 1998, the Order of the Arrow was recognized as
Scouting's National Honor Society when it expanded its reach beyond camping to
include a greater focus on leadership development, membership extension,
adventurous programming, and broader service to Scouting and the community.
Today, its service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults
are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich,
support, and help extend Scouting to America's youth.
Membership
The OA has more than 180,000 members located in lodges
affiliated with more than 300 BSA local councils.
Eligibility
To become a member, a youth must be a registered member of
a Boy Scout troop or Varsity Scout team and hold First Class rank. The youth
must have experienced 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the
two-year period prior to the election. The 15 days and nights must include one,
but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five
nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the
Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or
other short-term camps. Following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team
Coach, Scouts are elected to seek membership in the Order by their fellow unit
members. Then, after completing an Ordeal experience, they become members of the
Order of the Arrow.
Adult selection is based on the ability to perform the
necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose, and is not for
recognition. Selected adult Scouters must be an asset to the Order because of
demonstrated abilities and provide a positive role model for the youth members
of the lodge.
Induction
The induction process, called the Ordeal, is the first step
toward full membership in the Order. During the experience, candidates maintain
silence, work on camp improvement projects, and sleep apart from other campers.
The candidate is expected to use this time to strengthen his involvement in the
unit and encourage Scout camping.
Brotherhood Membership
After 10 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.
Vigil Honor
After two years of service as a Brotherhood member, and
with the approval of the National Order of the Arrow Committee, a Scout or
Scouter may be recognized with the Vigil Honor for outstanding service to
Scouting, his lodge, and the community. This honor is bestowed by special
selection and is limited to one person for every 50 members registered with the
lodge each year.
The WahShaShe Lodge Spring Encampment at Camp Arrowhead is
the first opportunity to undergo Ordeal and Brotherhood for the year.
