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ORDER OF THE ARROW
SHAWNEE LODGE
4568 West Pine Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
www.shawneelodge.org
The Order of the Arrow
Scouting’s National Honor Society
For more than
95 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, developing
leaders, 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, support, 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:
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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.
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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.
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Develop
leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance
the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately
our nation.
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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 a greater focus on
leadership development, membership extension, adventurous programming,
and broader service to Scouting and the community. Today, its service,
activities, adventures, 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.
Membership
The OA has over 171,000 members in lodges affiliated with more than 290 local BSA councils.
Eligibility
The Order of the Arrow membership requirements are:
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Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.
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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.
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Youth
must be under the age of 21, hold the BSA First Class rank or higher,
and following approval by the Scoutmaster, 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.
Ordeal Membership
The induction
process, called the Ordeal, is the first step toward full membership in
the Order. Upon completion of the Ordeal and its ceremony, the member
is expected to strengthen his involvement in the unit and encourage
Scout camping.
Brotherhood Membership
After 10
months of service as an Ordeal member and after fulfilling certain
requirements, a member may take part in the Brotherhood ceremony, which
places further emphasis on the ideals of Scouting and the Order.
Completion of this ceremony signifies full membership in the Order of
the Arrow.
Vigil Honor
After two
years of exceptional service as a Brotherhood member, and with the
approval of the national Order of the Arrow committee, a youth or adult
Arrowman may be recognized with the Vigil Honor for their distinguished
contributions to their lodge, the Order of the Arrow, Scouting, or their
Scout camp. This honor is bestowed by special selection and is limited
to one Arrowman for every 50 members registered with the lodge each
year.
Lodges
An Order of
the Arrow lodge is granted a charter from the National Council, BSA,
upon annual application by the lodge’s local council. Only one lodge
charter is granted per council. The OA lodge helps the local council
provide a quality Scouting program through recognition of Scouting
spirit and performance, youth leadership development, adventurous
programming, financial support, and enhanced membership tenure.
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