OA - Frequently Asked Questions

The Order of the Arrow is Scouting honor society.  It is a youth run society that promotes camping and scouting's values of cheerful and service.  To join the OA a youth must be a registered Boy Scout or Varsity Scout and must have at least earned the rank of First Class and have had at least 15 days and nights of camping in the last 2 years including a week long camp.  Then he needs to be elected by members of his troop by majority vote.  Ideal candidates are scouts who are examples of the Scout Oath and Law and who are cheerful even when given difficult tasks or in difficult circumstances.  Once elected the candidate must attend an overnight campout called an Ordeal.  There will be 3 Ordeals this spring: March, April, and May.  We would like to come to your unit starting in February to do elections so that your youth can participate in the OA.  As you plan your activities for 2015, plan a time for the OA to come to your activity night.  It takes about half an hour to do an election.  

Some Frequently Asked Questions...

Will it take my scout away from my troop/team/crew?  A scouts first duty is to his Troop or Team or Crew.  If there is a conflict between an OA activity and a troop activity, the Arrowman should attend the troop activity.

If one of my scout joins the OA how much time will it take?  Depends how much you want to get out of it.  The chapter meets once a  month-the second Thursday of the month.  The lodge also meets once a month on the 4th Thursday.  In addition there are several camps throughout the year you can attend.  A youth can just attend the chapter activities or both chapter and lodge activities.  If an Arrowman wants to be more involved he can be part of the leadership that runs the chapter or lodge activities.

How much will it cost?  Dues are $10 per year.  The Ordeal costs $35, of which $15 pays for the sash, $10 is for the first years dues and the rest covers the cost of the camp(food and other expenses).  However don't let a youth miss out on being a member of the OA because of the cost.  If this is a burden for a young man there are opportunities to work to earn the money and there is some donated funds available to help cover the cost. 

More information at www.elkutalodge.com.

Contact me at m-skirkham@msn.com

Yours in Brotherhood,

Mark Kirkham