Order of the Arrow
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
- To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit
- To promote Scout camping
- To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose
of leadership in cheerful service to others
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 unofficial
part of the national camping program of the Boy Scouts of America.
Membership
The OA has more than 181,000 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 camping during the two years before his 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. Scouts
are elected to the Order by their fellow troop or Varsity team members, following
approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity Scout Coach.
Induction
The induction ceremony, called the Ordeal, is conducted at Scout camp and
is the first step toward full membership. During the experience, candidates
maintain complete silence, receive small amounts of food, work on camp improvement
projects, and are required to sleep alone, apart from other campers, which
teaches 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 Order of the Arrow lodge is granted a charter from the National Council,
BSA, upon annual application by the local council. 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, skills, and training.
All of the elected section chiefs form the conference committee for a national
Order of the Arrow event, which is held under the guidance of the national
Order of the Arrow Committee.
The regional chief is the youth leader of the region elected by the section
chiefs for a term of office specified by the national Order of the Arrow
Committee, which coincides with the term of national chief and advice chief.
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 regional Order of the Arrow chairman is an adult appointed by the
regional director. The professional adviser for the region is a staff member
assigned to the position by the region director.
National Chief and Vice Chief
The national chief and vice chief are Arrowmen selected by the section chiefs,
who form the national Order of the Arrow conference committee. They serve
as members of the national Order of the Arrow Committee, representing
the youth on national OA policy. They also serve as the presiding officers
for the national OA event. Their term of office is specified by the national
committee. They are advised in their responsibilities by the national committee
chairman and director of the Order of the Arrow.
National OA Committee Chairman
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.
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