By Brendan Switts
Each summer, the Order of the Arrow hosts its very own high adventure programs at Philmont Scout Ranch, Florida Sea Base, Northern Tier and the Summit Bechtel Reserve. Each program offers unique service opportunities, along with exciting and challenging outdoor experiences. These programs go above and beyond the normal offerings at the high adventure bases, being longer in duration and coming at a substantially lower cost. However, with the current requirement to be at least 14 or 16 years old, depending on the program, and the physical demands of the programs, this opportunity is not available to many of our members.
The opportunity for high adventure and service still exists outside of the Order of the Arrow High Adventure (OAHA) program. Many lodges and sections across the country organize their own high adventure and service programs that extend the experience to those who are unable to attend OAHA. These programs offer the chance to conduct service in participants’ local area, and often include high adventure activities at their local camp. Many of these programs incorporate elements of the OAHA program, while increasing accessibility to high adventure opportunities at the local level.
There are dozens of examples of these programs across the country, one of those being the Goshen Order of the Arrow Trail Crew (GOAT) led by Amangamek-Wipit Lodge, based in Washington D.C. This two-week program offers the opportunity to learn many valuable outdoor skills such as Leave No Trace ethics, search and rescue (SAR) and backcountry risk management. Additionally, Arrowmen get the opportunity to use their new skills backpacking on the Lenhok’sin Trail at Goshen Scout Reservation.
Much like GOAT’s inspiration, the Philmont OA Trail Crew, the program is not just about work. During the first week, the Arrowmen get to experience Goshen Scout Reservation’s Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience (COPE) course, and they also have the opportunity to create their own unique high adventure experience in and around the reservation.
Since this program first started in 2002, it has provided outstanding experiences for members of the National Capital Area Council, and has served as a perfect example of what Order of the Arrow High Adventure is about. Ask your lodge officers if your council has its own high adventure trek or other such programs. To learn more about OAHA, make sure to visit https://adventure.oa-bsa.org
