At the 1968 National Planning Meeting, a proposal was made to create a camping award to encourage camp promotion. The plan was approved and it was introduced at the 1969 National Conference as the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award.

The E. Urner Goodman Camping Award is designed to be both a tribute and testimonial to E. Urner Goodman’s commitment to Scout camping and summer camp. The Award’s purpose is to encourage and challenge Order of the Arrow members and lodges to increase their effectiveness in promoting and increasing Scout camping in their council. Awards are presented to two outstanding lodges in each region annually.  For a lodge to be eligible for consideration, it must have achieved at least the bronze level of Journey to Excellence performance.