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What is the Order of the Arrow?
The Order of the Arrow, simply, is Scouting's National Honor Society, led by
elected youth members at every level. Before discussing the purpose of the
Order, here is some historical information.
The Order was founded in 1915 at Camp Treasure Island in Pennsylvania by Camp
Director E. Urner Goodman and Camp Commissioner Carroll A. Edson as an honor
camping society for those Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath
and Law in their daily lives. Seeing as the camp had been a long-time American
Indian camp, it seemed only fitting to include the Indian as a symbolic image in
the Order of the Arrow. Though it started out small, the Order has grown to
include Lodges in virtually every Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and even
includes overseas Lodges for the overseas Councils. Almost every Lodge has its
own official insignia, but even without it, the red arrow on the white sash that
all members wear is legendary throughout all of Scouting.
Recently, the Order shifted its focus slightly. At the National Leadership
Summit in Fort Collins, Colorado in the summer of 1999, the leadership, both
youth and adult, of the Order unveiled the new Strategic Plan for the 21st
Century. This included de-emphasizing the image of the Indian, for the focus of
the Order was now on leadership and service. Specifically, the new Order of the
Arrow vision is:
"To be recognized as Scouting's National Honor Society and an integral
part of every Council. Our service, activities, and training for youth and
adults, are models of quality leadership development and programming that
enrich, support, and help extend Scouting to America's youth."
The Order of the Arrow provides, among other things, tangible and intangible
service to Council camps, service to National BSA property (i.e. Philmont,
Florida Sea Base, and Northern Tier), the best leadership training the Boy
Scouts of America offers, service at events of all levels, from district
Camporees to National Jamborees, and, of course, fun.
For more information on what OA does, what it stands for, and who the youth
and adult leaders are, visit the National Order of the Arrow web site, at http://www.oabsa.org.
If you would like to view the list of vigil recipients in our Lodge, you can
download it below.
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