Order of the Arrow facts for kids

Arrowmen dress in American Indian-style regalia to perform a public Call Out ceremony

The Order of the Arrow is an honor society in the Boy Scouts of America. It was started by E. Urner Goodman in 1915. Members of the Order of the Arrow are called Arrowmen or Brothers. The Order of the Arrow uses American Indian symbols and lore. There are some "secret" ceremonies and words.

To be chosen to join the Order, youth members need to be voted in by their Scout troop, and have to have the First Class rank or higher. Adult leaders can also be chosen.

People who are entering the Order have to go through what is called an Ordeal. They have to go through a 24 hour period where they sleep outside, do not get much food, cannot talk, and do work, such as to help the camp where the Ordeal is happening.

Types of membership

Two Arrowmen working on a trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Once someone goes through the Ordeal and becomes a member of the Order, they are called an Ordeal member. They can later become what is called a "Brotherhood member" after giving more service and going through another ceremony. Some Brotherhood members can later become "Vigil Members", but usually, no more than one out of every fifty people in a Lodge (local groups of the Order of the Arrow) can become Vigil Members.

Images for kids

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  E. Urner Goodman (c. 1917), founder of the Order of the Arrow

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  National Chief Brad Lichota presenting the Report to the Nation to Robert Gates in 2010

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  Original emblem of Unami Lodge, the first OA lodge

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  The Guide leads others into the Ordeal Ceremony

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  The Guide greets the Guard at the entrance