Service is the heart of the Order of the Arrow, and in 2028 that legacy of commitment to others is going nationwide. ArrowCorps28 is the Order of the Arrow’s next national service project, uniting Arrowmen from across the country in an effort to serve communities, strengthen fellowship, and showcase the meaning of the Order of the Arrow. Through individual service, projects on the lodge and section level, and a major capstone event in the Chicago area, ArrowCorps28 offers meaningful and accessible opportunities for Scouts at every level to make a lasting impact.
ArrowCorps28 grew out of a youth-led vision for the Order of the Arrow. In late 2024, the National Council of Chiefs voted to make a national service project the OA’s program of emphasis for 2028, following strong support from lodges across the country. That support reflects a shared conviction that service must remain at the heart of the OA’s identity and purpose.
From that mandate, a planning team was formed to explore what this national effort could become. The result was ArrowCorps28, a flexible, nationwide service initiative designed to engage and empower Arrowmen at every level to contribute in meaningful ways, wherever and however they are able.
ArrowCorps28 will operate on three levels. This structure is designed to allow Arrowmen of every level to participate and help support the national movement.
- Pioneer is the individual-level ArrowCorps28 experience, where Scouts can complete individual service, leadership, and learning requirements reminiscent of the legacy Arrowman Service Award.
- The middle tier is Surge, which will encompass a voluntary campaign of lodge and section-led service projects across the nation. It is designed around meeting the needs of local communities, empowering lodges and sections to serve at a sustainable scale and inviting Scouts who aren’t Arrowmen to access service opportunities.
- Finally, the culminating event of ArrowCorps28 is Heartland. This event will be hosted in Cook County, Illinois, with service projects taking place throughout the greater Chicagoland area. At all levels of the framework, ArrowCorps28 will emphasize service themes that include conservation, food security, and community development. The Order of the Arrow will partner with leading service organizations to maximize this impact.
An important aspect of the Heartland piece of the event is the location choice. Chicago is geographically central to all Arrowmen in the nation, providing easy access through public transportation and many exciting recreation opportunities. There are many service opportunities available through local partners, and the location is close to the 2027 NOAC campus.
ArrowCorps28 is more than a single service project—it is an opportunity for every Arrowman to be part of something bigger. Whether it is through individual service, local lodge and section projects, or the national Heartland experience in 2028, ArrowCorps28 offers meaningful ways for Scouts to serve, lead, and connect.
As planning continues, Arrowmen are encouraged to stay engaged, watch for opportunities to participate, and begin thinking about how they and their lodge or section can contribute to this national effort. Together, ArrowCorps28 has the potential to strengthen communities, build lasting fellowship, and reaffirm the Order of the Arrow’s role as Scouting America’s premier service organization. Additional details will be released later this summer.
The legacy of cheerful service continues in 2028. The question now is simple: how will you be part of ArrowCorps28?