By Donnie Stephens and Aaron Shepherd
The Order of the Arrow has a long track record of providing millions of hours of service for each of the BSA’s four high adventure bases. On top of that, the amount of historical documents and items collected continues to rise. To recognize these accomplishments and remembrance of the organization’s past the national committee plans to build OA exhibitions in the National Scouting Museum in Irving, Texas and at the high adventure bases.
To help fund these historical projects the national committee created the Centennial Campaign, which is currently halfway towards raising 1.2 million dollars.
The first aspect of this project is the expansion of the Order of the Arrow's archives to be housed in the museum located in Irving, Texas. The plans also include the creation of four new exhibitions within the museum that showcase the Order's history of youth leadership, the birthplace at Treasure Island Scout Reservation, the work of the Order's founders and pieces of art produced over the years to reflect the themes of our Order's founding principles.
The second project of this undertaking is the continuing preservation of the original ceremonial grounds. With the help of Unami Lodge and the Cradle of Liberty Council the original grounds were relocated from Treasure Island to the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. Funds raised by the Centennial Campaign will ensure proper preservation of the lands that is appropriate for their historical significance. Leading the way to the new Summit Circle will be a new constructed national reflection trail. This trail will have 15 "columns of fire" housing the lodge rocks being donated for the 100th anniversary.
The third project is to expand the Order's presence beyond the National Scouting Museum and the Summit Bechtel Reserve to also include the three remaining national high adventure bases: Minnesota's Northern Tier, Florida Sea Base and Philmont Scout Ranch located in New Mexico. Since the inception of the Order's High Adventure program at Philmont Scout Ranch in 1995, there has been a desire to create a display in the ranch's Philmont Museum and Seton Memorial Library that spotlights the Order's connection and service to the outdoors. Similarly, displays will be created at Florida Sea Base and Northern Tier which affirm the Order's commitment to service and the outdoors in these unique destinations.
Along with individual donations that can be contributed, sections and lodges also have the opportunity to donate. These donations would be in addition to typical year round support that is given to the local council. Providing support for this campaign will help ensure that the OA is properly represented when Scouters go to these high adventure bases, or visit the museum. Contributions from sections and lodges are just another opportunity for Arrowmen to take part in preserving history for the next 100 years.
The National Endowment website is currently being updated to provide more information about the campaign. For those sections or lodges that are interested in donating to the Centennial Campaign they should call the Order of the Arrow office at 972-580-2455 or sending an e-mail to @email.