2028 National Program of Emphasis Determined

On September 29, the National Council of Chiefs (NCOC), consisting of every lodge chief from across the nation, met virtually to discuss the 2028 National Program of Emphasis. The National Program of Emphasis is the Order of the Arrow’s primary national level event held each year. Every two to three years, that event is the National Order of the Arrow Conference, held at a prominent university such as the University of Colorado, Boulder or the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

How Hackathon Participants Are Impacting the OA

This past summer at the National Order of the Arrow Conference, over 100 Arrowmen gathered together for the NOAC Hackathon. During this experience, Arrowmen got to attend training, work together with other Arrowmen, and ultimately got to participate in the 24 hour Hackathon experience, where Arrowmen were given the problem statement “How do we leverage technology to support member engagement?” Arrowmen were then divided into teams with the goal of finding new innovative ways to engage members through technology.

From the Classroom to the Campsite: How OA Leaders Balance School and Service

In a world that is only growing more competitive and complex, some Scouts find it increasingly difficult to effectively manage their commitments to Scouting America and the Order of the Arrow with school, family, and other extracurricular obligations. From caring for younger siblings, to studying for tests, to spending time with friends, these responsibilities can stack up quickly. That is why it is important to prioritize and develop a smart strategy for balancing these tasks.

Transformative Training: The NLS Course Experience in Puerto Rico

National Leadership Seminar (NLS), the premier training course of the Order of the Arrow, aims to develop youth leaders across the country into effective, servant-oriented leaders who can guide their lodges with excellence. While NLS courses are held multiple times a year across the United States to ensure widespread participation, Puerto Rico is one location that has rarely hosted this essential training.

Policy Update: Changes Regarding American Indian Programming

Fellow Members,

Appreciation of American Indian culture has been a part of the Order of the Arrow for most of its history. The National Order of the Arrow Committee created a task force in 2021 to review policies and programs that incorporate American Indian traditions and iconography, and to recommend how to best continue the appreciation of American Indian culture in OA programs.