By Tyler Allen
Since 1995, Order of the Arrow members have been providing invaluable service to the Boy Scouts of America's national high adventure bases. Service provided by Arrowmen over the years has left an indelible mark on the bases and Scouts/Scouters alike. This rich 19-year history of service and experience will broaden in 2014, with the Order of the Arrow Summit Experience Program, the inaugural launch of the OA high adventure program at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. Summit Experience means more OA high adventure opportunities for more Arrowmen to experience than ever before.
Arrowmen at the SBR will experience over 10,000 acres of adventure, while having the opportunity to explore the Summit like no one else has ever done before. Arrowmen will literally be blazing new trail while participating in the OA program.
OASE will be an eight-day program that allows Scouts to develop skills in conservation and outdoor ethics, while enjoying the unique programs that only the Summit has to offer. Four days of the program will be focused on building and maintaining trail around the Summit and the New River Gorge National River area. The other half will involve whitewater kayaking and rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and participation in other Summit activities that were unveiled during the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. Participants will not only build trail, but will also build bonds of brotherhood that will last a lifetime as they embark on a high adventure journey next summer.
The Order of the Arrow Summit Experience program is designed to attract youth Arrowmen to participate in high adventure opportunities. Lodges and chapters are encouraged to participate as a crew. Arrowmen ages 14 but not yet 18 by next summer are encouraged to sign up today by filling out an application.
Each year, OA high adventure opportunities fill up fast. If you know an Arrowmen that thrives on providing cheerful service and knows how to have a good time, encourage them to sign up today and make the summer of 2014 an unforgettable time in their life.
After completing the Summit Experience program, Arrowmen are encouraged to further their high adventure journey and put the skills they have learned to work at the other OA high adventure programs by participating at Philmont, Northern Tier and Florida Sea Base.