On the evening of August 2, 2014, Arrowmen gathered at the Summit Bechtel Reserve for a moment that bridged past and future with remarkable clarity. As part of “The Advance,” a weekend of service and preparation, the Order of the Arrow officially dedicated the Summit Circle Ceremonial Grounds, establishing a permanent national home for its ceremonies.
Set on two acres of quiet ground, the Summit Circle was envisioned as a place of reflection for all Scouts, while also serving as the OA’s national ceremonial site. At its heart stands the relocated ceremony ring from Treasure Island Scout Reservation, the birthplace of the Order, symbolizing a powerful continuity from 1915 to a new century of Scouting.
The dedication ceremony itself was designed to be immersive and deeply symbolic. Nearly 100 participants began their experience by receiving stones taken from the original Treasure Island grounds. They then followed a winding path illuminated by fifteen flames, each representing a moment in the Order’s history, before arriving at the ceremonial space arranged in a semicircle around the fire.
The 2014 national officers conducted the ceremony, joined by region chiefs in ceremonial attire. A highlight of the evening included a reenactment of an early Ordeal test, connecting participants to the traditions that have defined the OA for generations. In a powerful collective moment, attendees placed their stones around a triangular fire ring inscribed with the Order’s core principles: Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service. This act symbolized not only the construction of the physical space, but the shared responsibility of Arrowmen to carry the Order forward.
Participants also received arrowhead-shaped necklaces containing fragments of stone from Treasure Island, a tangible reminder of the OA’s origins and its transition to its new home. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the OA song, bringing the gathering together in a final expression of unity and purpose.
The Summit Circle stands as the Order of the Arrow’s gift to Scouting for its 100th anniversary, ensuring that the spirit and traditions born at Treasure Island will continue to inspire future generations. Reflecting on the experience, 2014 Western Region Chief Michael Kintscher described the evening as “almost magical,” capturing the sense of reverence and connection felt by all who were present.