Here is Some brief Information about the Order of the Arrow and its pourpose:

About Order of the Arrow During the summer of 1915, Dr. E. Urner Goodman, Camp Director of the Philadelphia Council's Treasure Island Camp, desired to find some means of definite recognition for those scouts who had best lived up to the spirit of the Scout Oath and Law. From this desire, and from the rich Native American traditions of the area, Dr. Goodman and his assistant, Carroll A. Edson, developed that we know now as the Order of the Arrow. The organization grew slowly during the next few years, but as the 1920's began, the small camp honor society of 1915 had taken hold in several nearby councils. In 1924, Charles M. Heistand, then Scout Executive of the Chester County Council, B.S.A., wrote to the National Chief for information on the new organization then known as the Brotherhood. He had become interested in the program through Mr. Horace Kern, Scout Executive of the Philadelphia Council at that time. "Chief" Heistand's interest in the organization became an integral part of his planning for the 1926 summer camping season at Rothrock, the council's camp in the South Mountains of Cumberland County. The Order of the Arrow is a collection of some of the best scouts who live up to the "Scout Oath" and "Scout Law." To become a member, a youth must be a registered Boy Scout or Varsity Scout and hold the First Class rank. the youth must have experienced a minimum of 15 days and nights of Scout camping in a two year period (including a 6 day-night camping experience at an approved BSA long-term camp). Scouts are elected to the Order by their fellow unit members(members of your own Troop), following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity Team Coach. The induction process, the Ordeal, is the first step toward full membership. During this period the member is expected to strengthen his involvement to the Unit and encourage Scout camping. 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

We hope this may awnswer any questions that you may have about Order of the Arrow if this does'nt please e-mail your questions about Order of the Arrow to oaquestions@troop196.8m.com

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