Parents, congratulations on your son's election to be a candidate for membership in the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's National Honor Society. We appreciate your support. While many organizations have specific commitments for every member, the Order of the Arrow is unique because it offers each Scout a multitude of opportunities to serve, and your son can tailor his involvement accordingly. An active member is a registered member that is committed to serving his home unit.
Due to its “secretive” nature, the Order of the Arrow runs into many questions by members and non-members alike. Below are some common questions asked by both members and non-members.
But first To alleviate any concerns you might have regarding the ceremonial aspects of the Order of the Arrow, the BSA has officially stated:
"The induction is not a hazing or an initiation ceremony. The Order is not a secret Scout organization, and its ceremonies are open to any parent, Scout leader, or religious leader. There is an element of mystery in the ceremonies for the sake of its effect on the candidates. For this reason, ceremonies are not put on in public. The ceremonies...are not objectionable to any religious group."
Question: What is the Order of the Arrow(OA)?
Answer: We hope the following will help answer that for you.
Purpose:
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.
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 national camping program of the Boy Scouts of America.
Membership:
The OA has more than 176,000 members located in lodges affiliated with approximately 320 BSA local councils.
Eligibility:
Youth: must be a registered member of a Boy Scout troop or Varsity Scout team and hold First Class rank. The youth must have experienced 15 days and nights of camping during the two years before his election. The 15 days and nights must include six consecutive days (including 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. Scouts are elected to the Order by their fellow unit members, following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team Coach. This is one aspect that makes the OA unique, the Scout is elected by his Troop or Varsity Team, not the membership of the Lodge.
Adults: must also have current registration with a Troop, Varsity Team or at the District or Council level. They must also meet the camping requirement. If they serve at the unit level, they are nominated by their unit committee and require approval of the Council Scout Executive. When considering an adult for nomination, bear in mind that the nomination for induction into the OA should not be used just as a recognition for the adult's service but can he or she help the Lodge meet the purpose and goals of the Order.
Induction:
The induction ceremony, called the Ordeal, is conducted at a Scout camp and is the first step toward full membership. During the experience, candidates will reflect upon their role in scouting and contemplate on Scouting's values. Question: Why does the OA keep most of it's activities secret?
Answer: First of all, as stated previously, the Order of the Arrow is not a secret organization. Rather, we recognize that an aura of mystery not only stimulates interest in the Lodge, but also helps new members feel proud of an accomplishment that is not achieved by every Scout.
Most candidates receive less benefits from the induction if they know about the induction in advance. Knowledge lowers expectancy, dulls the edge of experience. In other words, you hurt candidates by telling them about the "Ordeal." Parents should feel free to discuss the experiences their children had at the Ordeal, after it's completion.
The Order of the Arrow is happy to share any pertinent information about our activities with legitimately interested individuals. For more information, one should contact the Witauchsoman Adviser
Question: When can my son go through his Ordeal?
Answer: Our lodge offers two ordeal opportunities a year. The first is the weekend following Memorial Day and is usually held at Trexler Scout Reservation. The second Ordeal opportunity is held the weekend following Labor Day and is usually held at Camp Minsi. He has to take his Ordeal by the third opportunity after his nomination by his unit, that is, he has a Spring weekend, a Fall weekend and another Spring weekend to go through the Induction before his nomination expires.
Question: What should he bring to the Ordeal?
Answer: Ten Essentials: A Positive Scout Attitude, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad, Tarp, Tent with ground cloth(for Saturday night), Work clothes, Work gloves, Personal Grooming Gear, Full “Class A” Scout Uniform (for Saturday afternoon), and a current and completed Scout Medical form. And if needed, any prescriptions or O.T.C. medications. HE SHOULD NOT BRING ANY ELECTRONICS OR FOOD. ALL FOOD WILL BE PROVIDED.
Question: When does the Ordeal weekend end?
Answer: The weekend officially ends after the Lodge Meeting, Sunday morning. If you are concerned about him attending worship services, Both a Scouts’ Own Service and a Catholic Mass are offered Saturday evening. So, you can schedule to have him picked up at 11:00 AM on Sunday.
Question: My son has been through his Ordeal, How does he become involved?
Answer: Getting involved is easy. There are many positions or committees in which he can serve, events in which he can attend, and ways to have fun. He should contact the Lodge chief after his Induction..
Question: I was an OA member a long time ago and I want to participate again. What do I do?
Answer: With a little time for verification of your past membership, you can become an active member. All registering members are required to fill out a Witauchsoman Lodge Membership Transfer Form along with your registration payment to the Membership Secretary. All members must have current registration with a unit or at the district/council level within the Minsi Trails Council.
Question: What exactly is a Witauchsoman?
Answer: This is the name of our lodge which, in 1969, was formed from the merger of the three lodges that use to serve the three councils that then, were in the Lehigh Valley. Our Lodge name is from the Lenape language and means “To Be in Fellowship”.
