How Does a Scout Join Order of the Arrow?

Unlike many organizations where new members are selected by those who are already members of the organization, eligible Scouts are elected as candidates for membership by the other Scouts in their own Scouts BSA Troop, Venturing Crew, or Sea Scout Ship.  To be eligible for election, youth members of a unit (and in the OA, a youth is anyone who is between 11 and 21 years of age) must

• Be a registered member of Scouting of America.
• Have experienced 15 nights of Scout camping while registered with a troop, crew, or ship within the two years immediately prior to the election. The 15 nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of at least five consecutive nights of overnight camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of Scouting of America. Only five nights of the long-term camp may be credited toward the 15-night camping requirement; the balance of the camping (10 nights) must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps of, at most, three nights each. Ship nights may be counted as camping for Sea Scouts.
• At the time of their election, hold one of the following ranks corresponding to the type unit in which they are being considered for election: Scouts BSA First Class rank, the Venturing Discovery Award, or the Sea Scout Ordinary rank or higher, and
• Be approved by the Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor or Sea Scout Skipper, be elected by the youth members of their unit.

The unit committee of a unit that holds an OA election and elects at least one youth candidate may nominate qualified adults as candidates.  A qualified adult is one who meets the same camping requirements as youth candidates.  Unit nominations are submitted to the Lodge where they are reviewed by the Adult Selection Committee.  Adult selection is based on their ability to perform the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose and is not for recognition.  Selected adult Scout Leaders must be an asset to the Order because of demonstrated abilities and provide a positive role model for the youth members of the OA Lodge.  The recommendations of the Adult Selection Committee are submitted to the Council Executive, who must approve all adult candidates.

Scouts who are elected as candidates, and adults who are selected as candidates, must complete the induction ceremony, known as the Ordeal, to become members of the Order of the Arrow.  During the experience, candidates maintain silence, receive small amounts of food, work on camp improvement projects, and sleep apart from other campers. The entire experience is designed to teach significant values.

How Do I Rejoin the Lodge?

Membership in the Order of the Arrow continues for life after completing the Ordeal, provided you remain registered with Scouting America. If you joined the OA in another council and are now registered with the Atlanta Area Council, you can become active with Egwa Tawa Dee by contacting the Lodge Secretary at secretary@aacegwa.org and paying annual Lodge dues today.

Fill out the form below, and a local Scouting representative will be in touch soon with more information about Order of the Arrow.