The Order of the Arrow membership requirements are:
- Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.
- After registration with a troop or team, 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.
- Youth must be under the age of 21,
- hold the BSA First Class rank or higher,
- and following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team Coach, be
elected by the youth members of their troop or team.
- Adults (age 21 or older) who are registered in the BSA and meet the
camping requirements may be selected following nomination to the lodge adult
selection committee. Adult selection is based on their ability to
perform the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose, and
is not for recognition of service, including current or prior positions.
Selected adults must be an asset to the Order because of demonstrated
abilities, and must provide a positive example for the growth and
development of the youth members of the lodge.
History
The Order of the Arrow (OA) was founded by Dr.
E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson in 1915 at the Treasure Island Camp of the
Philadelphia Council, Boy Scouts of America. 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 national
camping program of the Boy Scouts of America.
Membership
The OA has more than 176,000 members located
in lodges affiliated with approximately 327 BSA local councils.
Scouts are elected to the Order by their
fellow unit members, following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team
Coach. 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.
Adult selection is based on their 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 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.
Brotherhood
Membership
After 10 months of service
and 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 OA.
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 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.
Lodges
Each local Boy Scout council is encouraged to
have an Order of the Arrow lodge. Each lodge is granted a charter from the
National Council, BSA, upon annual application. The OA lodge helps the local
council provide a quality Scouting program through recognition of Scouting
spirit and performance, development of youth leadership and service, promotion
of Scout camping and outdoor programs, and enhancement of membership tenure. Our
local lodge is the Kawida Lodge.
CONCLAVE
2015
OA Order of the Arrow Representatives
