Order of the Arrow Elections on Thursday

Each year the Troop has the opportunity to elect scouts to become members of the “Order of the Arrow.” To be eligible a scout must be first class or above, and have participated in 15 or more nights of camping within the past two years, including six days of which must have been at a long-term camp (for example, summer camp at Camp Mach).

The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is fourfold:

To recognize those Scout 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
To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others

Scouts who have asked to be considered for the Order of the Arrow won’t find out if they were elected until at Camp Mach. If elected, the scout will be inducted through a ceremony in which candidates maintain silence, receive small amounts of food, work on camp improvement projects, and are required to sleep alone, apart from other campers. The entire experience is designed to teach significant values.

The Order of the Arrow is usually attained by older scouts. Any scout elected to Order of the Arrow will not be able to attend the rafting trip at Camp Mach, as they will be involved in other activities. For more information, visit http://www.oa-bsa.org/misc/basics/