Order of the Arrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Order of the Arrow |
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| Previous name | Wimachtendienk Wingolauchsik Witahemui (WWW) | ||
| Owner | Scouting America | ||
| Age range | 11–20 (youth) 21 and over (adults) |
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| Headquarters | Irving, Texas | ||
| Location | United States, Puerto Rico, Japan, Germany, Philippines | ||
| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | July 16, 1915 | ||
| Founders |
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| Membership |
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| National Chief | Samuel Crowder | ||
| National Vice Chief | Ben Jones | ||
| National Chairman | Chris A. Grove | ||
| National Director | Cortland Bolles | ||
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The Order of the Arrow (OA) is an honor society within Scouting America. It is made up of Scouts and adult leaders who truly live by the Scout Oath and Law. Their fellow Scouts choose them for this honor.
The OA was started in 1915 by E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson. It began as a special group at a summer camp. Even though it wasn't officially part of Scouting America at first, it later became an "Official Experiment." By 1948, it was fully integrated as a program of Scouting America.
Members of the OA are called Arrowmen or Brothers. They are organized into local groups called lodges. These lodges are led by youth members. They focus on friendship, encouraging camping, and helping their local Scout councils and communities. Each lodge works with a specific Scout council. Lodges are also divided into smaller chapters, which match the districts within a council.
Arrowmen wear special patches on their uniforms. The most common is a pocket flap showing their lodge. They also wear a sash with an arrow design during official OA events. The national OA organization holds many events, gives awards, and offers training.
Scouting America says the Order of the Arrow is not a secret group. However, it uses a sense of mystery in its ceremonies. This makes non-members curious. There are three levels of membership, each with its own ceremony: Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil Honor. These ceremonies recognize a Scout's leadership, camping skills, and other Scouting ideals. They are chosen by their peers.
The OA also uses special symbols and handshakes. These help members feel like they belong to a community. Since the 1980s, parents, Scout leaders, and religious leaders can learn about the ceremonies. Parents can also choose if their child participates, as joining is voluntary.
Historically, the Order of the Arrow was influenced by Freemasonry. It also used symbols and ceremonies inspired by American Indian cultures. Some people have criticized the OA's use of these symbols and rituals. They see it as cultural appropriation and based on stereotypes. The OA changed some of its terms in the 1930s to avoid offending religious groups.
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How the Order of the Arrow Started
The Order of the Arrow began as a special camp group. It was created by E. Urner Goodman, who was the director of Treasure Island Scout Reservation. His assistant, Carroll A. Edson, helped him. They called it Wimachtendienk Wingolauchsik Witahemui. The goal was to make summer camp better and encourage older Scouts to keep coming back. At this time, it was not part of Scouting America. The name came from the Lënape language.
In 1921, the different OA lodges formed a larger group called the Grand Lodge. This was inspired by the Freemasons. They wrote a new set of rules and updated their ceremonies. In 1922, some people worried that these camp groups might exclude some youth. Goodman defended the groups. After discussions, the Order of the Arrow became an "Official Experiment" of Scouting America.
Throughout the 1930s, the OA was reviewed. They slowly changed their terms to sound less like Freemasonry and more like Native American traditions. This was important because Scouting America wanted to avoid upsetting religious groups. These groups made up almost half of their partner organizations. This change was needed before the OA could become a full part of Scouting America.
By 1948, most Scouting America councils had an OA lodge. That same year, the OA announced it was officially part of Scouting America's program.
Becoming a Member
As of 2023, nearly 100,000 young people and adults are members of the Order of the Arrow. Famous people like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower were once honorary members. However, this practice stopped in 1953.
How Members Are Chosen
To be considered for the OA, Scouts must meet certain requirements. They need to have camped for fifteen nights. Their unit leader must recommend them. Youth members also need to be at least First Class rank.
Once these requirements are met, youth Scouts are put on a ballot. All youth members of their troop then vote secretly for those they believe deserve to join the OA. Adult leaders who meet the requirements are nominated by their unit committee. Then, a special lodge committee approves them.
Sometimes, people compare OA elections to popularity contests. In 2011, the OA chairman admitted that elections could be a challenge. Steps were taken to help adult leaders explain the serious meaning of OA membership. OA representatives are asked to tell units:
An Order of the Arrow election is not a popularity contest. We ask you not to vote for a Scout just because they are your friend, or because they are a good athlete, or because they are older. We ask you to vote for those you believe are best at following the Scout Oath and Law.
Membership Levels
The Order of the Arrow has three levels of membership:
- Ordeal
- Brotherhood
- Vigil Honor
After a Scout is elected, they go through the Ordeal ceremony. Six months later, they can complete the Brotherhood ceremony. After two years as a Brotherhood member, an Arrowman can be nominated for the Vigil Honor.
How the Order of the Arrow Is Organized
The Order of the Arrow strongly believes in being led by youth. Only youth members under 21 can vote and hold elected positions. Adult volunteers and staff serve as advisors. They do not vote.
Chapters and Lodges
The smallest group in the OA is the chapter. A chapter usually matches a district in a local Scout council. A youth chapter chief leads the chapter. Other youth officers include vice chiefs and a secretary. An adult volunteer is the chapter adviser. The district executive is the professional staff adviser. Chapters often have meetings every month or week.
The next largest group is the lodge. A local Scouting America council officially supports each lodge. The lodge chief is the elected youth leader. The lodge adviser is an adult volunteer chosen by the Scout Executive. The lodge staff adviser is the council Scout executive or another professional Scouter. Youth officers, like the lodge chief, vice chiefs, secretary, and treasurer, plan and lead lodge activities. Many lodges have committees for ceremonies, service projects, publications, elections, and dance teams.
Sections and Regions
Lodges are grouped into sections. Sections are then grouped into regions. A youth section chief leads each section. An adult volunteer is the section adviser. The area director is the professional staff adviser. The section also has an elected vice chief and secretary. All sections meet yearly at a section conclave. Section officers lead the planning of this weekend event.
The OA used to have four regions, like Scouting America's areas. As of 2021, Scouting America changed its areas. So, the OA now has two regions. Each region has an elected region chief. An adult volunteer is the region chairman. A professional staff adviser also helps. These three form a "Key Three" leadership team. Region chiefs are elected by section chiefs at a national meeting. Each region holds an annual gathering for all section officers and advisers. They receive training on their roles. Regions also offer National Leadership Seminars, which are weekend training courses.
National Leadership
The national chief and national vice chief are chosen by section chiefs at the OA's national planning meeting. At the national level, the OA is led by the National Order of the Arrow committee. The national chief and vice chief are voting members of this committee. The national adult leaders include a volunteer chairman and a professional Scouter who serves as director.
Ceremonies and Symbols
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Members of the Order of the Arrow use various symbols. After completing their Ordeal, members receive a white sash with a red arrow. Arrowmen who reach Brotherhood and Vigil Honor receive slightly different sashes. Each lodge also creates a pocket flap patch for its members. This patch is sewn onto the right shirt pocket. The sash is only worn for formal events.
There are four ceremonies after a Scout is elected to the Order of the Arrow:
- Call-Out (public)
- Induction (Ordeal) (details shared only with members and approved adults)
- Brotherhood (details shared only with members and approved adults)
- Vigil Honor (details shared only with members and approved adults)
The requirements for these ceremonies are public. However, the exact content of the ceremonies is shared only with members and adults who have a legitimate reason to know.
The ceremonies also include the OA's song, often called "Firm Bound in Brotherhood." It was written in 1921 by OA founder E. Urner Goodman. The song uses the tune of the Russian hymn "God Save the Tsar!"
Awards
The Order of the Arrow offers several awards. These are different from the membership levels (Ordeal and Brotherhood). Awards include:
- Founder's Award
- Distinguished Service Award
- Red Arrow Award
- Triple Crown Award
Events
The national OA committee also organizes national service opportunities. The oldest is the National OA Service Corps at the national Scout jamborees. Arrowmen help with many tasks there, like shows and exhibits.
High Adventure Service
The Order of the Arrow supports service groups at the four National High Adventure Bases. These groups focus on conservation work. The OA High Adventure program started in 1979. It began with the Order of the Arrow Trail Crew at Philmont Scout Ranch. They built and repaired trails there.
The program expanded to the Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases with the OA Wilderness Voyage. This group repairs portage trails in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. In 2005, Ocean Adventure started at Florida National High Adventure Sea Base. This program removes invasive species and helps with marine conservation. After a third High Adventure Base was added, the OA created the OA Triple Crown Award in 2009. The OA Canadian Odyssey program also began, offering service in Quetico Provincial Park. In 2014, The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve started hosting the Order of the Arrow Summit Experience. This program provides service to the New River Gorge National River.
National Order of the Arrow Conference
The National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) is a large event held every two years. It usually takes place on a university campus. Thousands of OA members from across the nation attend for training and activities. Youth officers plan and lead these conferences.
Events at NOAC include training programs and competitions in sports, ceremonies, and cooking. There are also exhibits about OA history, outdoor activities, and camping. Members can meet national leaders, do service work, and trade patches. Evening shows feature award presentations and entertainment.
Training Programs
Besides NOAC and section conclaves, the OA offers special leadership training weekends. These include Lodge Leadership Development (LLD), National Leadership Seminars (NLS), and National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar (NLATS).
LLD is a one or two-day event run by a lodge to train its officers and advisers. NLS events are held by regions for lodge officers and advisers. Many lodges send key officers to these trainings. Each region usually holds three or four NLS weekends each year. NLATS is a training event for adults. It focuses on the role of advisers in the OA. NLATS and NLS often happen at the same time. Since 2017, the Developing Youth Leadership Conference curriculum has been replacing NLATS.
Use of Native American Cultures
Early Practices
The founders of the Order of the Arrow, Goodman and Edson, chose to use what they saw as Native American characteristics. They wanted to show "scouting excellence." They used imagery, costumes, titles, and rituals that they believed reflected Native American cultures. These practices were inspired by Hiawatha and The Last of the Mohicans. Early OA inductions involved members meeting around bonfires in "ritual Indian costume."
Concerns and Changes
In recent decades, the Order of the Arrow has faced concerns about its use of Native American cultures. Some people believe it involves cultural appropriation and spreads stereotypes. Concerns include the imitation of Native American ceremonies, clothing, and artwork.
Some Native American activists have stated that using sacred objects by non-Native groups like the Boy Scouts is wrong. They point out that while Native children were forced to abandon their culture, the Boy Scouts were using their version of "Indian culture." They find the use of headdresses, face paint, eagle feathers, and dancing with a pipe by non-Natives offensive. They believe it shows a lack of understanding of Native peoples.
A journalist from the Oglala Lakota Nation explained the concern about Native American headdresses. He said that headdresses are for respected elders who have earned them through selflessness and leadership. He stressed that it is a spiritual item, not just a costume. Wearing one, even an imitation, disrespects what elders have worked a lifetime to achieve.
In response to these concerns, the National Order of the Arrow Committee made changes. On July 23, 2018, they noted many complaints from various American Indian tribes. In 2019, rules were changed. Scouts are no longer allowed to dress up as "Indians" or use Native American designs in two important ceremonies.
On December 23, 2023, the national OA leadership announced further changes. "American Indian Activities" (like dancing, drumming, and crafts) would not be part of the 2024 National OA Conference. They explained that it's impossible to get agreement from all 574 federally recognized tribes. Therefore, national-level American Indian programming is not appropriate.
In 2024, the organization announced that giving American Indian Vigil Honor names would stop. Native American-based competitions, training, and other programs will be discontinued at the section and national levels in 2025. This practice can continue at the local level until January 1, 2026. After that, only lodges with a formal relationship with a state or federally recognized tribe in their area can engage in American Indian programming.
Influence of Freemasonry
The Order of the Arrow was initially influenced by Freemasonry. In the 1930s, the OA changed its Masonic-sounding terms. This was done to avoid offending religious groups, including the Catholic Church and some Protestant churches. Since then, the OA has become a very important part of Scouting America. However, discussions about its connection to Freemasonry still happen.
Some people believe the Order of the Arrow still has Masonic ties. They point to the OA's history and similarities in its organization and ceremonies. The OA's official website acknowledges its past. It mentions that in 1921, the OA's national structure was "Patterned similar to the Freemasons." It also notes that the term "Grand Lodge" likely came from the Masonic system.
The OA website also confirms that it had to change its terms in the 1930s. For example, "lodge" became "tribe," "Grand Lodge" became "National Tribe," and "Degree" became "Honor." The term "Manitou" (referring to a deity) was removed from ceremonies to address religious concerns.
Addressing Adult Concerns
The OA understands that parents, Scout leaders, and religious leaders may have questions about the OA and its ceremonies. It offers a way for them to get answers from a lodge adviser. If questions remain, adults can read the current ceremony text for the Ordeal. This helps them make an informed decision. Since Scouts are minors, parents have the final say on whether their child joins the organization. In some cases, parents may even be allowed to attend the ceremony itself.
