Order of the Arrow (OA)
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What is the Order of the Arrow?
The OA is Scouting’s National Honor Society. Founded in 1915 at the Treasure Island Camp of the
Philadelphia Council, the OA has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout
Oath and Law in their daily lives for over 100 years. Today, the service, activities, adventures, and
training for youth and adults provided by the OA are models of quality leadership development and
programming that enrich, support, and help extend Scouting to America’s youth. The OA has over
160,000 members in lodges affiliated with more than 270 local BSA councils. Cascade Pacific has
one of the strongest OA lodges in the country titled Wauna La-Mon’tay with over 2000 active members.
open it for the summer camp season, close
it after the season is over, or to provide
simple repairs.
Who is eligible to be inducted into
the OA. Any Scout under the age 21 who
is a registered Boy Scout or Varsity Scout,
holds the First Class rank, and meets
certain camping requirements. After being
approved by the Scoutmaster or Varsity
Team Coach, youth are elected by the
youth troop or team members. Adults (age
21 or older) may be selected following
nomination to the lodge adult selection
committee.
Brotherhood
One of the most unique aspects of
membership in the OA is the sense of
brotherhood that comes from being a part
of an organization with so many members.
The shared experiences of all OA members
creates a bond that cannot be replicated,
and is shared by brothers across the nation
and around the world. OA members form
friendships that last a lifetime.
Fellowship
One of the common events held by local
OA lodges are fellowship weekends,
gatherings of brothers of the local lodge
for activities and competitions. These
weekends are often held in the fall, in
celebration of a year’s dedicated service
provided by the brothers of to the lodge,
the Order, Scouting, and the Scout camp
2018 Rendezvous of the Order
Rendezvous is all about having fun in the
Order of the Arrow. From Friday night
games to Saturday afternoon
competitions, this event features non-stop
adventure. The week-end also includes
leadership and outdoor adventure training,
con-ducting our annual Lodge Officer
elections, and celebrating the year with a
grand Awards Ban-quiet Saturday
evening.
WHEN: March 9-11, 2018
WHERE: Camp Meriwether
INFO: www.cpcbsa.org/oa
NAACS (Native American Arts &
Ceremonies Seminar) the premiere
lodge event for everything ceremonies
related. OA members learn how to make
costumes for their ceremonies. They will
have hands on workshops staffed by
experts so that Scouts can come away
from the weekend with craft projects
already complete. . The seminar will be
held again at the great Camp Rilea (near
Astoria, Oregon) with lots of indoor
classrooms for training sessions and
workshops, and we sleep indoors!
WHEN: January 19-22, 2018
WHERE: Camp Rilea, Astoria
INFO: www.cpcbsa.org/oa
Service
Another type of weekend event held by
lodges around the nation are service
weekends. Generally held at the camp of
the local council, Arrowmen come together
to provide service to the camp, helping to
Induction Weekends (Formerly called
Ordeals).
Before newly elected OA candidates can
become an official member of the OA, they
need to complete an Induction Weekend
where they will have an opportunity to
rededicate themselves to the ideals of
Scouting. If one were elected as a candidate
in 2017 they need to complete an Induction
Weekend in 2017, or be re-elected by your
troop or team the next year. (Same as 2018)
Current members eagerly attend and
support the Induction
Weekends. Induction Weekends are held
at a council camp where in addition to the
induction activities Scouts provide the
necessary service to maintain our Camps.
Induction Weekends:
2017
Meriwether (May 19-21, 2017)
Baldwin (June 2-4, 2017)
Cooper (June 9-11, 2017)
Pioneer (June 16-18, 2017)
Camp Lewis (Sept 29-Oct 1, 2017)
2018
Meriwether (May 18-20, 2018)
Baldwin (June 1-3, 2018)
Cooper (June 8-10, 2018)
Pioneer (June 15-17, 2018)
INFO: www.cpcbsa.org/oa