Purpose
The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is fourfold:
1. To recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the
Scout Oath and Law in their
daily lives
2. To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit
3. To promote Scout camping
4. 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 336
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 fifteen days and
nights of camping during the two-year period prior to his election. The fifteen days and
nights
must include six consecutive days (including 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 unit members, following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team Coach.
Ordeal Membership
The induction process for new candidates, called the Ordeal,
is usually conducted at a Scout
Camp and is the final step toward
full membership. During the Ordeal the candidate's dedication
to accept and uphold the goals and principles of the Order are
tested. A variety of challenges
are presented which will cause
the Candidate to search their own conscience for their answer.
Brotherhood Membership
After ten 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 fifty 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, youth leadership
development, service, and enhanced 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 region 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 vice-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 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.
National Chief and Vice-Chief
These 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,
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.
They are
advised in their responsibilities by the national committee chairman and national director
of the
Order of the Arrow.
National OA Committee Chairman
This individual is appointed by the chairman of the national Boy Scout Committee. The
professional adviser is the national director of the Order of the Arrow, a member of the
national Boy Scout Division staff.