Order of the Arrow
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Candidate Guide
Congratulations! You have been elected as a candidate for the Order of the Arrow. The OA, as it’s called, is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America. It was organized in 1915 to recognize and honor Scouts who stand out. The purposes of the OA are to recognize those 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, and to crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.
- The Candidate spends a night alone as a sign of courage and self-reliance. It is also a time for self-reflection and to consider the events taking place.
- The Candidate keeps complete silence. This gives him the opportunity to pay stricter attention to unspoken thoughts, searching out past deficiencies, and resolving on a life of fuller service in the future.
- The Candidate spends the daylight hours of the Ordeal in meaningful labor. This proves the candidate's willingness to serve others cheerfully.
- The Candidate also eats sparingly, thus proving the ability to subordinate the appetites of the body to the high purpose of the spirit.
Required Items
- Class A uniform
- Class B uniform that can get dirty
- Medical forms A and B
- Tent for Saturday night (Your own or to share with a buddy from your unit, YPT-compliant)
- Sleeping bag
- Ground cloth/plastic tarp
- Cold weather gear
- Shower kit
- Work boots/gloves
- Water bottle
- Flashlight
- Prescription medicine (in original container)
Recommended Items
- Thin Air or Foam pad
- Day pack or regular backpack (may be easier to carry your sleeping bag and ground cloth on Friday night)
- Sun protection
- Notebook, pencil/pen
- Money for trading post
Banned Items
- Food or snacks
- Matches or lighters
- Hatchets, axes, tools
About Us
For over 100 years, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others. OA 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.
The Mission and Purpose of the Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow was founded in 1915 to serve a useful purpose: to cause the Scout Oath and Law to spring into action in all parts of the nation. To this day, the Order is dedicated to this high purpose.
History of the Order
The Order of the Arrow has a rich history spanning 100 years, from its beginnings at a Boy Scout summer camp to its present role as a part of the Scouting program.
Organization & Structure
The Order of the Arrow has over 150,000 members nationwide. Although the Order of the Arrow is a thing of the spirit, there are several layers of organization, each with its own role.
Membership Requirements and the Inductions Process
Learn about the requirements to become an Arrowman, the induction process, and the levels of memberships within the Order.
Leadership
The Order of the Arrow is led by youth leadership (national chief, national vice chief), the national Order of the Arrow chairman, the OA director and the OA specialist. In addition the national Order of the Arrow committee provides direction for the yearly program.
National Endowment
The national OA endowment was formed more than 30 years ago as a means for the Order to fund scholarships and special programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 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.
Scheduling Your Election/Visitation
Unit elections and visitations have recently been revamped to run through our database known as Lodgemaster. The unit leader of each unit should receive an email at the beginning of the election sesaon. If you have not received this email or your unit leader has not mentioned such an email, but still want to hold unit elections, please email the Vice Chief of Administration at vca@japeechen341.org.
Lodge Officers
Position | Name | |
---|---|---|
Lodge Chief | chief@japeechen341.org | |
Vice Chief of Admin | vca@japeechen341.org | |
Vice Chief of Program | Kieran L. | vcp@japeechen341.org |
Treasurer | Michael V. | treasurer@japeechen341.org |
Secretary | Aidan M. | secretary@japeechen341.org |
Northern Chapter Chief | Caitlyn D. | north@japeechen341.org |
Southern Chapter Chief | Aidan M. | south@japeechen341.org |
Lodge Adviser | Anna DeLanoy | adviser@japeechen341.org |
Associate Lodge Adviser | associate@japeechen341.org | |
Webmaster | webmaster@japeechen341.org | |
Lodge Staff Adviser | Frank Bopp | Frank.Bopp@scouting.org |
Supreme Chief of the Fire | Jim Gillick | James.Gillick@scouting.org |
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Fall Ordeal 2023 September 15, 2023 to September 17
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Fall Fellowship 2023 October 21, 2023
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