
We support the Anawaha Chapter of the Wa-Hi-Nasa 111 Lodge,
Order Of The Arrow.
The Order Of The Arrow - Scouting’s National Honor Society
For more than 90
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.
Mission
The mission of
the Order of the Arrow is to fulfill its purpose as an integral part of
the Boy Scouts of America through positive youth leadership under the
guidance of selected capable adults.
Purpose
As Scouting’s National Honor Society, our purpose is to:
- Recognize
those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives
and through that recognition cause others to conduct themselves in a way
that warrants similar recognition.
- Promote
camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as
essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit,
year-round, and in summer camp.
- Develop
leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance
the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately
our nation.
- Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.
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 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 Boy Scouts of America. In 1998, the Order of the
Arrow became recognized as Scouting's National Honor Society when it
expanded its reach beyond camping to include broader service to Scouting
and the community.
Membership
The OA has more than 170,000 active members located in lodges affiliated with over 295 BSA local councils.
Eligibility
The Order of the Arrow membership requirements are:
- Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.
- After registration with a troop or team, 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.
- Youth must be under the age of 21, hold the BSA First Class rank or higher, and following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team Coach, be elected by the youth members of their troop or team.
- Adults
(age 21 or older) who are registered in the BSA and meet the camping
requirements may be selected following nomination to the lodge adult
selection committee. Adult selection is based on their ability to
perform the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose,
and is not for recognition of service, including current or prior
positions. Selected adults must be an asset to the Order because of
demonstrated abilities, and must provide a positive example for the
growth and development of the youth members of the lodge.