Order of the Arrow

[optimist]

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Kobalt
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Location: Louisville, KY
Posted: 12 Jul 2004 07:17 pm Post subject: Order of the
Arrow

Hey all,

I am a 16-year-old (as of two days ago) Star Scout heading for
Life this August. I was in and out of Scouts my first few
years, earning tenderfoot a few years after I turned 11.
However, I've had a change of heart and have decided to get
more involved. In less than a year, I have gone up three ranks
(four as soon as mid-August, as I said), and have received
many merit badges, thanks to the help of this site.

Sorry about the life story, but I just wanted everyone who
reads this to know where I am. Anyway, back to the point. I am
in a troop where I am pretty sure no one has ever been in the
OA before. I was trying to get information about it, but no
one could tell me everything (most couldn't tell me anything)
that I needed to know. I searched the Internet for more, but
to no avail. I was hoping someone on this site could help. My
questions: What is the OA, and how does one join it? What is
the benefit(s), if any? Is it worth joining?

Thank you for your response!

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optimist
Advancement Chairman

Joined: 27 Jun 2004
Posts: 118

Posted: 14 Jul 2004 07:59 am Post subject:

Here is a page with excellent basic information about the
program:

http://www.oa-bsa.org/misc/basics/

As for how to get the OA going in your troop, that's pretty
simple. The OA is divided up into Lodges and Sections just
like the BSA is divided up into Councils and Districts. In
your Section (District), there is an adult leader (the Section
Advisor) and youth leaders (the Section Chief, Section
Vice-Chief, and Section Secretary). Just contact any of these
folks and tell them your troop would like to learn how to get
involved.

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Kobalt
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Location: Louisville, KY
Posted: 14 Jul 2004 04:19 pm Post subject:

Awesome! Thanks again for your help!

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Firefish
Life

Joined: 05 Jul 2004
Posts: 145
Location: Beaver, Pa
Posted: 16 Jul 2004 08:53 am Post subject:

can you only be tapped in at summer camp?

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BM_Crawford
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 125
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 16 Jul 2004 10:05 am Post subject:

Not sure thats the only place I've seen people tapped out.
Also Kobalt once you get kids in your troop into the OA get an
OA Representitive and make sure he tells you the dates. I
never get to any OA weekends because my OA Rep never tells me
about signing up for OA Weekends untill the day before
registration is due.
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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ScoutmasterBob
Counselor

Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 73
Location: Woods Cross, Utah
Posted: 16 Jul 2004 10:47 am Post subject:

Contact your local council office and get the name of the
current lodge chief and advisor, and arrange to have an
election in your troop.

If you are elected then you will be invitied to an ordeal camp
or weekend and you will be givien tasks to perform before you
are a full fledge member.

I joined in 1981, it is a great experience, and like you said,
not many people are members, kind of an exclusive club.
_________________
Bob Torkelson
Scoutmaster Troop 538
www.wx5troop538.homestead.com
Live The Oath!

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BM_Crawford
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 125
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 16 Jul 2004 01:39 pm Post subject:

But once your in your in for life.
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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optimist
Advancement Chairman

Joined: 27 Jun 2004
Posts: 118

Posted: 16 Jul 2004 02:53 pm Post subject:

Every council handles tap outs differently. In my council, we
do tapouts at the Spring Camporees. I know someone from
another council who says their tapouts occur at Winter
Camporees. From what I've heard, summer camp tapouts are
probably the most common but I couldn't say for sure.

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Kobalt
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Location: Louisville, KY
Posted: 16 Jul 2004 04:34 pm Post subject:

I'll ask my Scoutmaster more at the next meeting (the 20th).
The only problem with getting an OA Rep is that I'll probably
be the only Scout in my troop to be in the OA. I'll be asking
around, though, and see if anyone else in my troop is
interested. What would you say the minimum age requirement
should be? Should I get a group of people to join at the
(relatively) same time, or should it be more individual?
_________________
John Baunach
Troop 42
"If it were easy, it would have been done before." -Jeana
Yeager, co-pilot of Voyager

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BM_Crawford
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 125
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 17 Jul 2004 12:08 am Post subject:

Well your troop can vote on as many people as you want to be
in the oa as long as they have the requirements. So you may
not be the only one
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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Kobalt
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Location: Louisville, KY
Posted: 17 Jul 2004 09:57 am Post subject:

Well, that's a good thing. Speaking of requirements, I see
that "The youth must have experienced fifteen days and nights
of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the
election. The fifteen 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." I
was recently at a week-long summer camp, starting at noon
Sunday and ending noon Saturday of that same week. Would that
qualify for the long-term camp?
_________________
John Baunach
Troop 42
"If it were easy, it would have been done before." -Jeana
Yeager, co-pilot of Voyager

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BM_Crawford
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 125
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 17 Jul 2004 11:26 am Post subject:

Yes that most definately couts. Thats how most troops get
their days in for the long term camping trip
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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Kobalt
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Location: Louisville, KY
Posted: 17 Jul 2004 12:07 pm Post subject:

That's good. Now I just need to figure out where to get all
of the other requirements. We're going on a camping trip next
weekend to an Observatory (where I have been "selected" to
teach the Astronomy Merit Badge), and a few more after that. I
should be able to fulfill that requirement pretty soon.
Thanks!
_________________
John Baunach
Troop 42
"If it were easy, it would have been done before." -Jeana
Yeager, co-pilot of Voyager

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BM_Crawford
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 125
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 17 Jul 2004 12:19 pm Post subject:

Sure glad I could help!
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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Kobalt
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Location: Louisville, KY
Posted: 17 Jul 2004 11:48 pm Post subject:

Just out of curiosity, how many OA members are in your troops?
This is an open question, by the way.
_________________
John Baunach
Troop 42
"If it were easy, it would have been done before." -Jeana
Yeager, co-pilot of Voyager

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[optimist]

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BM_Crawford
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 125
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 18 Jul 2004 10:24 am Post subject:

Um almost all of them I think. Only some of the newer ones
arnt because they cant get it in gear.
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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Firefish
Life

Joined: 05 Jul 2004
Posts: 145
Location: Beaver, Pa
Posted: 18 Jul 2004 01:16 pm Post subject:

oic

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Kobalt
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Location: Louisville, KY
Posted: 18 Jul 2004 04:34 pm Post subject:

Heh, I understand 'oic' now. My brain doesn't function as
quickly as it should sometimes...
_________________
John Baunach
Troop 42
"If it were easy, it would have been done before." -Jeana
Yeager, co-pilot of Voyager

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wagionvigil
Counselor

Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 187
Location: PA
Posted: 21 Jul 2004 03:37 pm Post subject: OA

John The Order of the Arrow is a Service oriented
organization. Please don't think of it as a award but as a
reward for being a good scout. I belong to Wagion #6 and we
have a web site which might help you.
www.wagion.org
www.oa6.org
there are links to other sites that will Help you.
Our Lodge Meets at 4 prescheduled weekends a year and a
banquet in February. Our weekends are August,October,April and
June They are on our Council Calendar and we also send out a
Newsletter before each one although that will be going away
with the internet and our two web sites.
Jerry Clark
Ahpahmadeh Dowapne Wechostah
(downhill music man)
Wagion 6 Westmoreland-Fayette Council
_________________
Action Center D Rappel Tower Director 2001 and 2005 National
Jamborees
Northeast REgion Area 4 Venturing Chairman
Wagion 6 Lodge Advisor 96-99
"If you ain't A bear you're a Meal"

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BM_Crawford
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 125
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 21 Jul 2004 05:04 pm Post subject:

O MY GOSH! I also belong to Wagion Lodge #6!!!!!!! How cool!
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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Kobalt
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Location: Louisville, KY
Posted: 23 Jul 2004 01:57 pm Post subject:

Awesome. Thanks, waigon.
_________________
John Baunach
Troop 42
"If it were easy, it would have been done before." -Jeana
Yeager, co-pilot of Voyager

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wagionvigil
Counselor

Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 187
Location: PA
Posted: 25 Jul 2004 05:06 pm Post subject: OA Members

As of now there are 20 OA Members including Adults 5 Vigil 1
Past Chief of the Lodge, 1 Past Lodge Advisor,15 Brotherhood.
Wagion 6 is one of the strongest Lodges in the Country. We
supply all the maintenance at our council camp. Including
building new building,tent platforms, laying 1000 ft. of omni
stone for handicap accessability. Our council Never hires a
contractor, Wagion is the Contractor.
_________________
Action Center D Rappel Tower Director 2001 and 2005 National
Jamborees
Northeast REgion Area 4 Venturing Chairman
Wagion 6 Lodge Advisor 96-99
"If you ain't A bear you're a Meal"

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Firefish
Life

Joined: 05 Jul 2004
Posts: 145
Location: Beaver, Pa
Posted: 26 Jul 2004 12:31 pm Post subject:

we have none in our troop at the moment and whats with the
indian thing. it confuses me. I dont know why we dont have any
but I can ask my scoutmaster about that
_________________
Peter Cahill
Troop 469
A Fighting Irish

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wagionvigil
Counselor

Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 187
Location: PA
Posted: 26 Jul 2004 04:13 pm Post subject: OA

A lot of what goes on in the OA is based upon Native American
Legends. Your troop needs to Contact your lodge and hold an
election. I feel sorry that your troop has no members. Is it a
New Troop? If not then for some reason the troop ledership is
anti OA. That can be addressed by contacting someone at your
council service center and asking questions. If a Lodge Member
is elected Vigil then they are given a Lenni Lenape Name.
_________________
Action Center D Rappel Tower Director 2001 and 2005 National
Jamborees
Northeast REgion Area 4 Venturing Chairman
Wagion 6 Lodge Advisor 96-99
"If you ain't A bear you're a Meal"

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Firefish
Life

Joined: 05 Jul 2004
Posts: 145
Location: Beaver, Pa
Posted: 26 Jul 2004 04:54 pm Post subject:

no it was the oddest thing we used to be the biggest troop in
i think all of pennsylvania (before I came in) and then no one
joined for ever and all that were left were just becoming
eagle and then we came in and our oldest kid is fifteen of
course he joined at thirteen so we are now a relitivly young
troop and there are requirements? I know that it would be
either my brother or I to be nominated
_________________
Peter Cahill
Troop 469
A Fighting Irish

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deltaforce
Scout

Joined: 28 Jul 2004
Posts: 2

Posted: 28 Jul 2004 12:17 pm Post subject:

To become an ordeal member, you have to hold a troop election.
All first class scouts who have been aproved by the
scoutmaster are eligible. At least half the troop must be
present for the election to be held. Everyone under the age of
21 (yes 21, not 18. For some reason, OA considers its members
youths until they are 21, unlike boy scouts which considers
its members youths until they are 1) can vote. No campaigning
or speeches are allowed prior to the vote. Scouts may vote for
as many people as they wish or no one at all. They may also
refuse to hand the ballot in. To become an OA member, you must
recieve at least half of the votes collected (ballots not
turned in do not count).

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RWSmith
Counselor

Joined: 13 Jul 2004
Posts: 55
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posted: 28 Jul 2004 02:58 pm Post subject:

Kobalt wrote:
Just out of curiosity, how many OA members are in your
troops? This is an open question, by the way.

The OA here in Charlotte, is VERY active... Go to
http://www.catawbalodge.org for a looksee. I took my Ordeal
back in the late 70s, served as Brotherhood Chairman (Youth),
and attended several Dixie Fellowships, which is what we call
our conclaves. And, I assure you, it's one if the most
exciting things you will experience in your lifetime.

To answer your question though, my son's Troop has approx. 30
eligible youth and 6 eligible adults, of which 10 are OA youth
and 5 are OA adults. In fact, my son took his Ordeal this past
spring... He loves it.

You must take your Ordeal w/i 1 year of being tapped.
Otherwise, it's back to square one. Although selection to take
the Ordeal is not supposed to be based on politics or
popularity, such is frequently the case. (In spite of our
human frailties, it usually works out, anyhow... sooner or
later.)

A word of advise though... If you are ever tapped as a youth,
don't think you can get in (so easily) after you turn 21. I
know many a good, active Adult Scouters who are on a very long
waiting list now, who missed the opportunity presented to them
as youths.
_________________
Bob Smith, OA, NESA, DAV
ADC, Apache District

If you can read this, thank a teacher... If you can read it in
English, thank a Veteran.

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wagionvigil
Counselor

Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 187
Location: PA
Posted: 29 Jul 2004 05:20 pm Post subject:

1 adult per troop per year. They must meet the same camping
requirements as the boys.
_________________
Action Center D Rappel Tower Director 2001 and 2005 National
Jamborees
Northeast REgion Area 4 Venturing Chairman
Wagion 6 Lodge Advisor 96-99
"If you ain't A bear you're a Meal"

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wagionvigil
Counselor

Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 187
Location: PA
Posted: 03 Aug 2004 06:59 am Post subject:

www.oa-bsa.org
This is the National OA Site also at this time NOAC( National
Order of the Arrow Conference) is taking place at Ames Iowa
and you can read and see the great activities. Many of our
Brothers are there having a great time.NOAC tAke place every
two years at a college /university.
_________________
Action Center D Rappel Tower Director 2001 and 2005 National
Jamborees
Northeast REgion Area 4 Venturing Chairman
Wagion 6 Lodge Advisor 96-99
"If you ain't A bear you're a Meal"

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wagionvigil
Counselor

Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 187
Location: PA
Posted: 06 Aug 2004 10:06 am Post subject:

I spent my day yesterday at Cedar Point in Ohio with my
family. It is a 5 hour drive from here and we do it in one
day. Anyway I talked to a good many scouts and scouters
returning from NOAC all said they had a great time. Check out
the reports on the OA website which is posted some where in
this forum.
_________________
Action Center D Rappel Tower Director 2001 and 2005 National
Jamborees
Northeast REgion Area 4 Venturing Chairman
Wagion 6 Lodge Advisor 96-99
"If you ain't A bear you're a Meal"

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[optimist]

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Buffalo Bill
First Class

Joined: 15 Jul 2004
Posts: 47
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 08:05 am Post subject:

About adults being nominated into the OA:

One adult per year per unit.
Two adults per year for Troops with over 50 registered boys.
An adult may also be nominated by District/Council Committees
and need not meet camping requirements.

B2
_________________
Bill Britt
Scoutmaster
Troop 509
Hurlburt Field, FL

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[wagionvigil]

www.oa-bsa.org
This is the National OA web site and there is a lot of information there.

Adults MUST meet the same camping requirements as the youth do to be considered for membership and that membership should never be given as a reward.
The Council and each district in a council may nominate 1 adult for membership
1 ADult for each troop and an additional adult for each 50 REgistered Youth
So if you have up to 50 you get one 51 -100 you get 2.

[Guneukitschik]

There are a ton of great OA websites out there, but don't forget the Admonition, The answer to the question, and the vigil stuff or you won't be able to gain access to most of them.

[Buffalo Bill]

Some Adult candidates do NOT have to meet the camping requirements as I stated earlier.

Please refer to the Order of the Arrow Troop/.Team Representative Support Pak National Policy on Unit Elections

Membership Requirements

2. Adult leaders in council and district positions: The lodge adviser, district
chairman, council president, or members of the professional staff may recommend adults to the lodge adult selection committee.

Recommendations of the adult selection committee, with the approval of the Scout executive, serving as Supreme Chief of the Fire, will become candidates for induction. All requirements set forth for adult leaders in
units must be fulfilled, with the exception of the camping requirements, which may be waived at the discretion of the lodge adviser and Scout executive.

I try to check my facts before I make a statement of such.

B2
Former Lodge Adviser Achpateuny 498

[wagionvigil]

Yes those are exceptions But most units is that necessary that. On a unit level the camping requirement in there on the unit election form. I was Lodge Advisor for Wagion for three years and never exempted anyone from the Camping requirement. The Supreme chief also never exempted anyone.

[Buffalo Bill]

A Troop in our Lodge here with 60+ Scouts nominated two adults, then a unit registered adult was nominated via the District. Granted this person also holds a District position, it seemed a little overkill.

I was always taught the an Advisor works with Venturers, and an Adviser is an adult OA member.

B2

[wagionvigil]

Yep Bill you got me on that. With my present position in Venturing the OR is automatic. I must watch that.

[wagionvigil]

I would like to remind all of you that are Lodge Members somewhere that just being elected and taking your Ordeal Does Not make you an active lodge member. You must attend and take part in your Lodges Service Weekends. Those of you that are not attending these are patch wearers. Your unit thought you worthy but remember you must continue your service to your Unit and your Lodge. Take your Brotherhood interview and continue to serve.

[Guneukitschik]

Well one of the biggest problems that I've seen in our lodge is that when you pay your dues....they seem to misplace the fact that you've done so or even forget to remind you that it's time to pay again. I'm sure the active member rate (or at least those that pay their dues) would drastically increase if they had a more efficient system in place to track dues and even what activities a member attends.

[wagionvigil]

We send out a list of everyone that is a member in each troop with their Charters. When the troop renews their charter they balso send a check for the OA Dues in. It has really helped.

[Guneukitschik]

That sounds like a great idea, I'll pass it along to our troop's OA rep. to bring up at the next lodge meeting. Thanks.

[wagionvigil]

The Membership committee prepares the list and make s sure they go in the correct charter packet

[schneizenator]

Here are the 2005 requirements for the Order of the Arrow

Scout:
1. 15 days and nights of camping including one, but no more than one 6 day trip, within two years
2. Approved by scoutmaster
3. At least first class rank

Adults
1. Same camping requirements as Scouts, no rank requirement

Individual OA chapters (the equivilent of districts) send election teams to various troops to conduct the elections of scouts. There is a longer process for adults