For over 100 years, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich and help to extend Scouting to America's youth.
The Vision, Mission & Purpose of the Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow was founded in 1915 to serve a useful purpose: to forge lifelong bonds among the leaders in Scouting and recognize those who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and, through that recognition, cause others to act in the same way. To this day, the Order of the Arrow is dedicated to this high purpose.
History of the Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow has a rich history spanning 100 years, from its beginnings at a Boy Scout summer camp to its present role as a part of the Scouting program.
Organization & Structure
The Order of the Arrow has over 150,000 members nationwide. Although the Order of the Arrow is a thing of the spirit, there are several layers of organization, each with its own role.
Lodge Locator
The key leaders in the lodge are the youth lodge chief, volunteer adult lodge adviser, and staff adviser. The lodge chief presides over the Lodge Executive Committee, which is responsible for executing the annual program of the lodge. The Lodge Locator allows you to pinpoint your local lodge and find get in contact with your lodge's leadership.
Membership Requirements and the Inductions Process
Learn about the requirements to become an Arrowman, the induction process and the levels of memberships within the Order of the Arrow.
Leadership
The Order of the Arrow is led by youth leadership (national chief, national vice chief), the national Order of the Arrow chairman, the OA director and the OA associate director. In addition the national Order of the Arrow committee provides direction for the yearly program.
Order of the Arrow Endowment
The National Order of the Arrow Committee oversees the annual program budget. As the Endowment Funds grow, it is the role of the Endowment Fund to begin to offer grants to projects and programs that the national OA committee deems appropriate. Through the years the National OA Endowment has supported key OA programs with direct funding, including over $1 million in support of local councils through lodge service grants.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Order of the Arrow is committed to preparing our youth members to effectively lead in our diverse society and to fostering a community where: People with different identities, backgrounds, and beliefs are present, respected, valued, and celebrated; Empathy is practiced; Grace is offered when people inevitably make mistakes; Everyone feels responsible for helping others succeed; All are loved unconditionally.
Volunteer Board
This volunteer board is a compilation of volunteer positions within the Order of the Arrow at a national level. As a nonprofit organization that prioritizes youth leadership, the OA relies on a dedicated team of both youth and adult volunteers to ensure the successful operation of its programs. The organization is incredibly grateful to these volunteers and for your potential interest in lending some of your time and talent to the OA.