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Boy Scout Troop 501
(DOVER, Tennessee)
 
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The Order Of The Arrow



Order of the Arrow Animated Indian
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.

Order of the Arrow Animated Indian

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.

Anawaha Chapter of The Order Of The Arrow


Attention Arrowmen, the Anawaha Chapter of the Order of the Arrow meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Troop 514 Scout Hut. 

Troops should encourage the OA members in their units to attend chapter meetings whenever possible.  OA Troop Representatives should definitely attend the monthly meetings.  More information about the Anawaha Chapter can be obtained from their website
http://www.orgsites.com/tn/anawaha/


                                  The OA Song

Firm bound in bro-ther-hood,

Ga-ther the clan

That cheer-ful serv-ice

brings to fel-low man.

Cir-cle our coun-cil fire,

Weld tightly ev-’ry link

That binds us in bro-ther-hood,

Wi-mach-ten-dienk.