Congratulations to the 2017 Service Grant recipients

One of the four fold purposes of the Order of the Arrow is "to crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others." It is with this spirit of cheerful service to others that the OA proudly offers the matching service grant program.

Since 1999, the National OA Committee has annually selected lodges from each region to receive matching service grants. Matching grant money is given to lodges for camp or service center projects in their local council. The OA will provide up to one-half of the money for a service project, with a $5,000 maximum amount granted for any lodge project.

For 2017, 31 lodges in councils across the nation were chosen to receive a combined total of $50,000 in matching grants via the OA Service Grant program.

The following grants were awarded within the Central Region:

• The Blackhawk Area Council, headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, will receive $1,600 to reopen the council fire ring at Canyon Camp, including the clearing of trees, improving handicap accessibility, and adding outdoor lighting.
• The Glacier’s Edge Council, headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, will receive $3,800 for a new Cub Scout aquatics area at Camp Indian Trails, which will include a new lifeguard tower, storage area, and split rail fence around its new pond.
• The Heart of America Council, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, will receive $3,500 for their Cub World Archery Range Improvement Project at Theodore Naish Scout Reservation.
• The Heart of Ohio Council, headquartered in Mansfield, Ohio, will receive $1,000 to assist in building a human foosball court at Firelands Scout Reservation.
• The Illowa Council, headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, is being awarded $3,400 to build a log cabin bath house and restroom in the lower camp at Camp Loud Thunder.
• The Mississippi Valley Council, headquartered in Quincy, Illinois, will receive $2,800 for the renovation of Pete’s Pond at Camp Eastman to create a new waterfront area for Cub Scouts and to provide enhanced wildlife habitat.
• The Muskingum Valley Council, headquartered in Zanesville, Ohio, will receive $1,300 for the construction of a Low COPE course and bouldering wall at the Muskingum Valley Scout Reservation.
• The Northeast Iowa Council, headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa, will receive $1,600 to aid in the renovation of the trading post at Camp C.S. Klaus.
• The President Ford Field Service Council, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will receive $1,000 for the construction of a new latrine and three (3) new handwashing stations at the Gerber Scout Reservation.
• The Samoset Council, headquartered in Weston, Wisconsin, is being awarded $1,400 to construct a fishing pier and lakeside trail work at the Crystal Lake Scout Reservation.
• The Santa Fe Trail Council, headquartered in Garden City, Kansas, will receive $1,000 to assist in the rebuilding of the OA ceremonial ring at Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch.
• The Tecumseh Council, headquartered in Springfield, Ohio, will receive $1,000 to assist in the renovation of a bridge to Camp Birch.
• The Twin Valley Council, headquartered in Mankato, Minnesota, will receive $1,000 to assist in the creation of an arcade games activity area at Camp Cuyuna.
• The Water and Woods Field Service Council, headquartered in Flint, Michigan, will receive $1,000 to help build a handicap accessible small boat launch on the Black River of the Silver Trails Scout Reservation and to construct two Cub Scout pavilions in the Max Heavenrich, Jr., Nature Center at Camp Rotary.

The following grants were awarded within the Northeast Region:​

• The Baltimore Area Council, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, will receive $1,300 to relocate its archery field and to construct a new climbing tower at Broad Creek Scout Reservation.
• The Hudson Valley Council, headquartered in Newburgh, New York, will receive $1,350 to assist in the construction of a new trading post at Camp Nooteeming.
• The Longhouse Council, headquartered in Syracuse, New York, will receive $1,150 to aid in the construction of a bouldering/climbing wall and the expansion of swimming docks at Camp Woodland.
• The Narragansett Council, headquartered in East Providence, Rhode Island, will receive $1,000 for the construction of a covered pavilion and multipurpose program area at the Cachalot Scout Reservation.
• The National Capital Area Council, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is being awarded $1,900 to assist in the renovation of the amphitheater at Camp William B. Snyder.
• The Pine Tree Council, headquartered in Raymond, Maine, will receive $1,000 for 60 new tent platforms and the construction of outriggers on existing tent platforms at Camp William Hinds.

The following grants were awarded within the Southern Region:

• The Quapaw Area Council, headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, will receive $1,000 to assist in the construction and placement of privacy doors at latrine facilities and shower houses at Camp Rockefeller.
• The Rio Grande Council, headquartered in Harlingen, Texas, is being awarded $1,000 to help in the replacement of the analog phone system at Camp Perry, Laguna Station, and the council service center.
• The South Georgia Council, headquartered in Valdosta, Georgia, will receive $1,000 for the open-air pavilion construction adjacent to the Copeland Center at Camp Patten.

The following grants were awarded within the Western Region:

• The Black Hills Area Council, headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, will receive $1,900 for the amphitheater renovation at Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch, including new seats, walkways, the installation of a fire ball, and the construction of a stage and dock.
• The California Inland Empire Council, headquartered in Redlands, California, will receive $1,300 to repair and upgrade the Low COPE course, including the installation of a horizontal climbing wall, at Camp Emerson.
• The Catalina Council, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, will receive $1,600 to assist with facility improvements at Camp Lawton, including the construction of a Commissioner’s cabin, ceiling fans for the dining hall, portable awnings, and a portable cooler for the trading post.
• The Conquistador Council, headquartered in Roswell, New Mexico, is being awarded $4,500 for the construction of a pavilion/technology center for STEM-related programs at the Wehinahpay Mountain Camp.
• The Midnight Sun Council, headquartered in Fairbanks, Alaska, will receive $1,000 to assist with a cabin for housing at the Lost Lake Scout Camp.
• The San Diego-Imperial Council, headquartered in San Diego, California, will receive $1,100 for the replacement of the stage and the Baden Powell fire ring at the Mataguay Scout Ranch.
• The Trapper Trails Council, headquartered in Ogden, Utah, will receive $1,500 for a permanent pavilion to be constructed at the Camp Kiesel archery range.
• The Ventura County Council, headquartered in Camarillo, California, will receive $1,000 to help provide fabricated benches for the campfire amphitheater at Camp Three Falls.

A full list of past recipients can be found here.