About OA
The Order of the Arrow is Scouting's National Honor Society. For more
information about the Order, see the OA Fact Sheet .
Our Vision for the Order of the Arrow
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. We will provide ways and means for OA members to do more
to assist their units and councils, and help them succeed in doing so.
In support of our vision as Scouting's National Honor Society and an
integral part of every council, the Order of the Arrow will further increase
its service to Scouting.
Purpose
The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is fourfold:
- 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
Order of the Arrow founders E. Urner Goodman, left, and Carroll A. Edson
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History
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.
Lodges
Each local Boy Scout council is encouraged to have an Order of the Arrow
lodge. 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.
Sections
An Order of the Arrow section consists of lodges within a geographic area
of the region. Once every year, representatives of lodges in the section come
together for a conclave to share in fellowship, program ideas, skills, and
training. In addition, the section creates a monitoring/mentoring relationship
with its lodges, provides leadership development opportunities, fosters
understanding and adherence to national OA policies and procedures, and
coordinates OA administrative and program functions. The section key three
leadership consists of the section chief, section adviser, and section staff
adviser.
Region Leadership
The region chief is a youth leader elected annually by the section chiefs
in his region. This election is held in conjunction with called meetings of
the section chiefs to elect the national chief and vice chief, as well as to
plan a national Order of the Arrow event.
The region Order of the Arrow chairman is an adult appointed by the region
director. The professional adviser for the region is an adult staff member
assigned to the position by the region director. All three of the OA region
leaders serve as members of the National Order of the Arrow Committee.
National Leadership
The national chief and vice chief are Arrowmen elected to one-year terms
by the section chiefs during the annual national planning meeting. They
serve as members of the National Order of the Arrow Committee to provide
the voice of the youth Arrowmen on national OA policy. They also serve as
the presiding officers for the national OA event. They are advised in their
responsibilities by the national committee chairman and national director
of the Order of the Arrow.
The National OA Committee chairman is appointed by the chairman of the
National Boy Scout Committee. The professional adviser is the director of
the Order of the Arrow, a member of the national Boy Scout Division
staff.