Purpose
The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is fourfold:
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To recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives
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To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit
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To promote Scout camping
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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 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.
Eligibility
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 fifteen days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The fifteen 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.
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. A section is lead by three youth officers, the Section Chief, Section Vice-Chief, and Section Secretary, who are advised by an adult Section Adviser and professional Section Staff Adviser. All of the elected section chiefs are invited 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.
Region Leadership
The region chief is the youth leader of the region elected 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 a 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 by the section chiefs during the annual national planning meeting. They serve as members of the national Order of the Arrow Committee, providing the opinion of 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, and is currently one year. 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.
Arrowman Service Award
The timeline of the award will begin on January 1, 2001, and will end on December 31, 2003. The award may be earned in the year 2001, 2002, and 2003. All first time recipients may purchase the original award (the white ribbon with the gold compass). Arrowmen who earn the award more than once during the outlined three year period (2001-2003) may purchase the silver attachment for having completed this award a second time (2002 or 2003 only) and the bronze attachment for having completed this award a third time (2003 only). The attachment will be worn on the award's white ribbon. Signatures of approval will be required for each requirement.
Membership Issues
Click on the Question.
Policies and Guidelines
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What is the cutoff age for youths and adults in OA Activities?
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Can I wear a lodge flap on my Cub Scout Den Leader uniform?
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I became a member of the OA in another council as a youth, what lodge flap should I wear now?
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Can a lodge be dissolved?
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What is the policy for Health and Medical checks and forms for OA events?
OA Troop/Team Representative
Ordeal and Brotherhood Honors
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Are there different handclasps for each honor in the OA?
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Can I order the Ordeal ceremony guide for my chapter?
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I need to know the admonition for the Brotherhood requirements. Can you tell me what it is?
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Can you e-mail me a copy of the Ordeal ceremonies booklet?
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Where are online copies of the ceremonies booklets located?
Vigil Honor
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How can I get my Vigil certificate which was never given to me?
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Can you e-mail me the rules for the Vigil selection process?
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Is there a national list of all Vigil honorees?
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Is it possible to verify member's Vigil Honor from the 1950's?
Awards and Recognition
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Were can I get application forms for the OA Founders Award?
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How can an adult meet the requirements for the Arrowman Service Award?
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Is there a list of people who have been recognized with the Founders Award?
Venturing
Contacting OA Leaders
The National OA Web Site
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How can safe guarded materials on this site be accessed?
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Is it possible to reprint material from the OA web site?
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Can you add our organization's link to your site?
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Why does the OA logo appear in my favorites list?
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Can we link our web site to yours?
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Does the national OA web site offer web hosting?
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Why does the menu bar font look small and hard for me to read?
Events and Activities
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When and where will future NOACs be held?
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Is there a 2001 Jamboree OA Rendezvous Show?
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Is there any exception to the Philmont Trail Crew age limits?
Miscellaneous
NOAC 2002
Questions about the 2002 National OA Conference are answered on the NOAC 2002 F.A.Q.. See that page for answers to NOAC related questions.
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