ORDER OFTHE ARROW

THE ORDER of the Arrow (OA) is Scouting's national honor society. It sets out to recognize those youth and adult 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 Order of the Arrow was founded in 1915 by Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson at Treasure Island, the summer camp of the BSA's Philadelphia Area Council. The Order of the Arrow became an official part of the Boy Scouts of America in 1948.

To gain membership in the Order of the Arrow, a registered Boy Scout or Varsity Scout must hold the First Class rank or higher. He must have taken part in a minimum of 15 days and nights of Scout camping in a 2-year period, including a 6-day and 5-night camping experience at a local or national council facility operated and accredited by the BSA. Eligible Scouts must then be elected to the Order by other members of their unit, following approval by their Scoutmaster or Varsity Scout team Coach. The two membership levels of the Order of the Arrow are Ordeal and Brotherhood. During the Ordeal period, the first step toward full OA membership, a Scout is expected to strengthen his involvement in his Scout unit and encourage Scout camping. After 10 months of service and after fulfilling certain requirements, an Ordeal member may take part in the Brotherhood ceremony which places further emphasis on the ideals