Our Order's Vision is to be the reason why Scouts want to Stay in Scouting. But today, only less than 1 in 8 OA members attend a second event following their induction, and membership in Scouting America has steadily dropped for the last four decades. It became clear our induction was not well suited for new members to discover brotherhood from their first OA experience. The intent of this change is to strengthen lodges and Scouting by keeping Scouts engaged long after the weekend ends. That said, the core is not changing; reflecting on cheerfulness and providing service are central, and much of the new induction will be familiar to long-time members.

While it may seem sudden, this has been under consideration for nearly a decade. The 2012–2019 Lodge JTE and then PMP results annually showed the OA had significant issues with new member activation and retention. In 2019, an Ordeal Task Force was formed to address this. Following Covid, work continued. With the OA's 2024 adoption of a new mission, vision, and purpose, as well as thematic narrative, prototypes began to form based on all the learnings and ideas that had been collected. The second prototype was shared at the 2025 National Council of Chiefs (Philmont) and then it was developed through pilots involving 13 lodges and 450+ OA members as participants. After five full revisions, the OA Committee approved the new induction in January 2026.

Close to 1,000 people in some direct form, plus countless others. Over the last four years, the Order of the Arrow conducted surveys, listening sessions, focus groups, and gathered generational data to understand the need and why for the induction changes. The work was led by a task force of the National OA Committee, as well as its Inductions & Ceremonies Experience subcommittee, and involved input from chapter, lodge, and section officers and advisers from across the OA.

In late February and early March 2026, the OA's National Chief – Joshua Nero – and his fellow officers hosted a set of webinars for Lodge Key 3 members. Please feel free to watch the recording of one of these webinars where many of the reasons for the change are covered, some of the history of how the OA got to this point are reviewed, and many burning questions from OA members around the country are answered. The link is here: oa-scouting.org.

Those who love the OA cite the deep brotherhood, friendships, and connection to service and leadership it fosters. Yet, for every 100 candidates who do their Ordeal, just 33 return for one event and only 12 return for two or more. The new induction leaves participants with new friendships and a real understanding of what it means to exemplify the best of Scouting. Of the 435+ OA members in the initial pilot, 14 of 15 reported feeling more connected to their small group, better understanding the meaning behind the tests, and feeling part of something meaningful and lasting.

What stays the same:

• Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service remain core values.
• Two ceremonies (though they are not the same ceremonies as before)
• The (typical) Friday evening through Saturday evening weekend structure (note: many lodges extend activities into Sunday morning, an approach which remains relevant)
• The Admonition
• Service remains one of the vehicles for experiencing the intent of the induction experience.
• The four challenges remain in familiar but new forms intended for discovering brotherhood, reflecting on cheerfulness, and providing service.
• Crews of new members will have a guide called a Luminary, whose role is similar to yet expanded beyond the typical role of an Elangomat.
• There is still a legend in the Ceremony of Fire (Saturday evening), though it is now a story about the Order of the Arrow's foundation. The message and arc will be familiar, but it tells a different story.
• Ceremony sites don't need to change (the only addition is hanging a backdrop).

What is different:

• There are new activities, including Flight of the Arrow, Step Forward, The Promises, and Crew Affirmations.
• Five ceremonialists instead of four, with one role designed to be "on book" (reading from the script).
• The Luminary role expands on the Elangomat's responsibilities. Luminaries help new members process the experience to better internalize the values of Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service and know how to put these values into practice.
• Removal of scant food. Participants will be provided food and drink on par with a normal day at camp. A lunchtime activity entitled "Silent Lunch" will challenge participants to make personal judgements about what they keep for themselves and what they choose to share.
• Total silence for the duration of the event is replaced with times for individual reflection, meditation, and small group conversation. Guided crew conversations provide opportunities for people to learn with others as they consider questions and ideas central to Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service, while at the same time building connections with fellow participants.
• New ceremonial attire (robes/capes) replaces previous costuming.

Most certainly, yes. The beta tests were conducted with existing members, although several lodges opted to use members who were recently inducted. More than 600 people have experienced the new induction as of the start of Spring 2026.

Approval of the new approach occurred in January 2026. A cascade rollout of the new induction experience ceremonies begins in March 2026 and will continue through NOAC 2027. The approach being used is called "See One, Do One, Offer One" (similar to the EDGE model). A core team from each lodge must "see one" (experience it as participants) then they will "do one" (host the event – hopefully multiple times – for existing OA members). Eventually, lodges will begin using the new induction to induct new members (likely by NOAC 2027). During the transition, lodges will continue using the current induction until they are certified with the new one.

The typical induction begins Friday evening with arrival, the first crew meeting, and the Ceremony of the Arrow. Saturday includes six crew conversations, service projects, reflections on Cheerfulness, Service, and Brotherhood, and several meaningful activities throughout the day. The weekend concludes Saturday evening with the Ceremony of the Fire and a celebration where new members are welcomed.

The Find the Arrow Guidebook is a personal journal provided to each new member during the induction. It contains reflection prompts, space for notes during crew conversations, and helps participants process their experience of Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service throughout the weekend.

In some sense, it will be quite similar: a 24-hour experience beginning with gathering, a first night ceremony, meals and different activities during the day, and concluding with a ceremony the second evening. Yet, the experience will be different in many ways. Crew members will be interacting, sharing, and growing together as they participate in service, reflections, and a variety of activities.

Far from it. The new induction experience makes such a difference in inspiring people by what happens between the ceremonies. In fact, the ceremonies themselves draw a good deal on our past and students of both will see clear connections and through lines. The crew experience led by the Luminary is transformational. In today's Ordeal, candidates are on strict silence and spend most of their time toiling. In the new induction, service, brotherhood, and cheerfulness all become challenges and experiences that bring to life the OA's spirit in new members.

The ceremony on the first night of the Induction Experience is called the Ceremony of the Arrow (held Friday evening). The ceremony on the second night is called the Ceremony of the Fire (held Saturday evening). These new names better reflect the symbolism and purpose of each ceremony while maintaining the meaningful traditions of the OA.

No. Unlike previous inductions, there are no food restrictions. Participants can eat as they normally would, receiving the same or similar meals as other lodge members throughout the weekend. However, we encourage a disciplined attitude of gratitude by taking what you need without being wasteful. There is an activity on Saturday for lunch that involves food, but it is not a scant meal.

New members should bring standard camping gear appropriate for the location and weather, including sleeping bag, personal hygiene items, work clothes for service projects, and any required medications. Leave cell phones and electronic devices in cars or turned off, as the induction asks Scouts to disconnect to encourage reflection and connection.

No. Participants refrain from using personal electronic devices to stay focused on the experience and building connections with fellow members. If a participant needs to contact someone outside the experience for an emergency, they should speak with their Luminary, who can help address the need following Youth Protection guidelines.

What was shown at NCOC was an early prototype concept. Since then, it went through many revisions. While much of the NCOC version is in the final version, some notable elements were cut and many of the ceremonial lines were rewritten. Two rounds of further testing in fall 2025 produced valuable feedback. The final product (approved by the OA National Committee in January 2026) combines the best elements from all drafts along with input from hundreds of OA members from across the organization.

Yes. The new induction includes activities that help adults (and youth) connect with those around them and leave the experience with friends, not just people they worked next to. That sense of community is designed to create the motivation to come back and engage. The recent election update also allows more adult mentors into the Ordeal alongside youth, further supporting adult engagement.

A Luminary is someone who lights the way for others. Their role in the induction is central to the candidate's experience. The Luminary serves as a guide and mentor for a small crew, leading the crew in six scheduled conversations, facilitating reflections on Cheerfulness, Service, and Brotherhood, working alongside participants during service projects, and helping new members process their experience.

Whereas Elangomats primarily served as silent companions, Luminaries are active guides throughout the induction. They attentively facilitate conversations and lead reflections. Luminaries guide crew conversations using the Luminary Guidebook, encourage new members to talk with each other, and help build connections within the crew. This shift supports the new induction's emphasis on fellowship and understanding.

Think of choosing a Luminary the way you might think about choosing an Order of the Arrow Trail Crew Foreman or summer camp counselor. The person will be leading the crew through a series of conversations, questions, activities, and experiences. While any committed OA member can do it, the stronger the Luminary, the likelier a quality experience for the new members.

A lodge should do its best to match Luminaries with the needs and shape of the crew. Youth should serve youth crews, and adults should serve adult crews. As a rule of thumb, it's good (though not required) for youth Luminaries to be the same age or a bit older than the median age of the crew.

The induction is designed to build transformational relationships between Luminaries and their crew members. Because of the knowledge they gain, the sharing they do, and the connections they make during the induction, it's a natural outcome that a Luminary would follow someone through their membership journey to Brotherhood. While this isn't specifically named as a requirement yet, it's considered a best practice and may be formalized in future guidance.

Yes! Not only can they experience it, the OA aspires that every current member should.

During 2026 and 2027, existing members can attend either Section Induction Experiences (SIEs) or Lodge Induction Experiences (LIEs). These are OA members-only inductions produced by a lodge to help current OA members experience the new format. You can attend one in your lodge or section, or (with the permission of the host) one in another lodge. Lodges are encouraged to allow space for a "member crew" during future inductions so members can continue to experience the new induction. Check the event map on oa-scouting.org to find an experience that works for you.

Yes and it would really be good to do so. The model for a lodge to become certified is to "See One, Do One." After that happens, lodges will then be able to offer the new induction to new members. A lodge cadre (approximately 12–20 people who would typically host an Ordeal) must experience the new induction. It is the OA's aspiration that all existing members experience the new induction, but it is not required. Note: if you plan to serve on an induction staff as a Luminary, ceremonialist, or leader, you must experience the new induction as a participant first. This "teach through experience" approach ensures everyone who staffs an induction understands it firsthand.

The rollout will happen as a cascade. We must light a few candles so that each of those candles can light several more. This repeats until all 235 OA lodges have experienced and then hosted the induction experience for existing members. It is predicted this cascade will happen over 14–16 months, with the intent that all are complete by NOAC 2027.

The rollout follows a three-step cascade model called "See One, Do One, Offer One":

1. See One: Your lodge sends a contingent to experience the new induction as participants. This will happen at either a National Induction Experience (NIE), a Section Induction Experience (SIE), or a Lodge Induction Experience (LIE). Lodges may attend a neighboring lodge's induction experience if needed (and with the host lodge's permission).
2. Do One: Your lodge runs the experience for its own existing members, with coaching support from the OA. Completing the LIE certifies the lodge. To help as many people experience the new induction, we encourage lodges to host several LIEs.
3. Offer One: Once your lodge has seen an induction experience and conducted at least one of your own for existing members, lodges will be told when they can begin inducting newly elected members using the new process (date to be announced).

National Induction Events (NIE) are being held between March and June 2026. The forty exemplar lodges (one per section) will attend these. Subsequently, these 40 exemplar lodges will each host a Section Induction Event (SIE) for the lodges of their section (plus any other lodges able to attend). The lodges that attend one of the SIEs will then host their own Lodge Induction Event (LIE) for the members of their lodge and/or members of other lodges.

Each section was asked to pick one lodge in their geographic area that they thought would be the best exemplar. The section chief, section advisors, and section officers made the selection.

SIE registration is handled by your section. Please contact your lodge and section leadership for details on date, time, and location. The event map on oa-scouting.org is regularly updated to show where SIE or LIE events are scheduled.

Yes. There is a live-updating Google Map on the national inductions portal showing all NIEs (red dots), SIEs (blue dots), and LIEs as they are scheduled. Lodges can use it to find events near them, including neighboring sections if their own timing doesn't work.

Yes, with permission. You can go see an induction anywhere with agreement from the host lodge. Priority will be granted to member lodges of the host section, and capacity limits will determine how many people can participate in any given weekend.

Yes. Continue using the current induction process until your lodge is certified through completing a Lodge Induction Experience. It will be announced when lodges can begin inducting new members with the new induction approach.

Do not rush it. It is recommended that lodges build at least a four-to-six week gap between the two events. The number one priority is all the preparation required to deliver a completely new experience. Ceremony teams will take time to learn and rehearse the new ceremonies. Training Luminaries will take between 8–12 hours per person. Planning for the logistics and flow of the new event will take time. Prepare carefully to provide a fantastic experience for existing members, and consider offering the LIE multiple times.

These events should be cost neutral for attendees. There are expenses such as food, materials, and insurance, of course. Host lodges should do their best to minimize cost to any participant.

Each Luminary guides a crew of new members throughout the weekend. Crew sizes should be no fewer than 6 and no more than 12, with an optimal size of about 8. For a 48-person induction, you would need about 4–8 Luminaries depending on how you divide the crews. Plan based on your current induction numbers.

Your induction core team. This includes Luminaries (about one per 6–12 people you would induct), five ceremonialists (one for each role in the ceremony), and your key planning staff (the youth responsible for the induction weekend, their adviser, and other key lodge leaders). This is typically between 12–20 people per lodge, though mileage may vary.

The most effective approach is to host multiple Lodge Induction Experiences. Each time you run one, you build more Luminaries. Once you're certified after your first LIE, you can include existing-member crews alongside new member crews at your regular induction weekends, building capacity without adding extra weekends to your calendar. Remember, to "do one" you first must "see one" (i.e., fully experience the induction as a participant).

Once your lodge cadre has "seen one" and scheduled its SIE/LIE, your lodge will be provided with two things. First, you will be shipped an induction kit with all the materials for the weekend. Second, you will gain access to a lodge-specific portal with event guidebooks, ceremonial scripts, video and development aids, and much more.

Each lodge will receive one complimentary kit containing ceremonial costumes (which lodges customize), a sample of the Find the Arrow Guidebooks, and other ceremonial materials, plus a list of some other elements the lodge needs to source. The kit ships after the lodge both completes its "see one" experience and confirms its LIE date via the OALM reporting portal.

The National OA Committee is funding one kit for every lodge at no cost. Additional kits can be purchased at cost and will be made available for purchase at a later date. Note that the kits are not for one-time use; like your current costuming, lodges will customize these materials and continue to use them over time. A lodge only needs the number of kits equal to the number of costume sets it currently has.

Some, but not all. The National OA Committee is providing each lodge with the required costumes (e.g., capes and sashes) for the new induction. Lodges will be informed as to the other materials they will need to gather. Some will be available via the OA Trading Post while other items will need to be sourced by other means. Detailed specifications will be provided to lodges when they receive their kit from the Order of the Arrow.

Yes and no. The documents are easily downloaded in most situations. While the videos are relatively short, it is recommended they be downloaded in advance for at-home preparation, as well as being available when wi-fi connectivity may be weak (e.g., at camp).

No (but it's helpful). Some lodges may not be able to have their core team attend the same induction experience. The key is to get everyone through an experience, not necessarily as a group. Lodges will do their best and find a path that works for their individual situation.

Yes. All induction staff — including ceremonialists, Luminaries, youth leaders, and relevant advisers — must experience the new induction as participants before staffing one. Exemplar lodges will attend a National Induction Experience (NIE). All others will attend a Section Induction Experience (SIE) or a neighboring lodge's Lodge Induction Experience (LIE) to complete this requirement.

Yes. The Luminary role is the most critical role for the induction weekend. During the rollout period, Luminaries must first experience the new induction as a participant. Beyond the transition, ongoing preparation includes the Luminary Guidebook, 12 video guides for each activity, and a preparation meeting (Pre-Arrival Luminary Mini-Retreat) with the Induction Coordinator before each induction weekend. Time for preparation will be comparable to the amount of time a ceremonialist might prepare for a role.

Certification is completing the Lodge Induction Experience for your current members with coaching support. The certification process will be managed in OA LodgeMaster. Lodges will be required to report information on both the "see" step of the experience and the "do" when they conduct their own LIE. A step-by-step guide will be released showing the details of information to be reported. Reporting in OALM is a critical component to continuing through the certification process.

No. The revised ceremonies have many similarities to the current ones in terms of structure and site design. The only change is hanging a backdrop — a rope tied between two trees would suffice. The new ceremonial elements are designed to be compatible with portable battery-powered LEDs and mobile audio devices for sites without power.

Plan ahead. The rollout takes place over 16 months. The duty is to "see one" — have your lodge cadre attend an SIE or LIE — and then "do one," hosting the induction experience in your lodge for existing members. It is highly discouraged to plan the LIE for the same weekend and location as any other lodge event. This is a much different experience and hosting it calls on the full attention of those involved.

Yes. Materials intended to help lodges promote their Lodge Induction Experience to existing members are being developed, with a target release of May 2026.

Five, compared to four today. The additional role is a youth member who is "on book," meaning they have the script in front of them and read directly from it during the ceremonies.

"On book" means that person reads from the script rather than memorizing their lines. They deliver their role from a lectern, and the ceremony is designed so this feels intentional and natural. That said, having the script in front of the person does not eliminate the need for the full ceremony team to be well rehearsed, well prepared, and fully in sync. The "on book" individual provides a critical role of clarity and voice in the two ceremonies.

Yes. All five ceremonialists have speaking parts. That said, each ceremonialist will have less to memorize than with the current ceremonies. The goal is to make the ceremonies more accessible for all involved. The ceremonies have been written for today's Scout, both in being more understandable and for the ceremonialist to deliver powerfully and with impact.

The scripts will be released to a lodge once they complete their "see one" step and schedule their "do one" step. Once all Section Induction Experiences have been completed, the induction guidebooks, ceremonial scripts, and other induction materials will be published on the Inductions Portal with safeguards. Scripts should be safeguarded from those who have not experienced an induction, as they are today with candidates who have not completed their Ordeal.

The different principles in the ceremony have different attire and regalia. There is a place for a historical Scout uniform (which need not be vintage) and another principle wears ordinary street clothes. One principle wears robes reminiscent of those our founders wore at the first Order of the Arrow ceremonies. The regalia of the core principles will be capes provided in the induction kit, intended to be customized by each lodge with Scouting and OA patches that reflect local lodge history and traditions while maintaining a consistent national standard. There will be no American Indian costuming.

The new induction creates a member arc. The Brotherhood ceremony will follow that arc as a natural continuation. A prototype will be offered at the National Jamboree in summer 2026, followed by several iterations and revisions. The new Brotherhood ceremony is being written so that members who started under the current Ordeal will still feel a natural progression. Once available, lodges can begin using it six months after completing their first new induction with members. Expect a release date to be announced in early fall 2026.

Yes, during the transition. Those inducted under the current Ordeal should receive Brotherhood under the current Brotherhood ceremony. Once a lodge is using the new induction, the new Brotherhood ceremony will be available in time for those members.

Few, if any, changes are anticipated to the Vigil ceremony. It will be reviewed to ensure it is consistent with the OA's mission, vision, and purpose, as well as with the new ceremony thematic.

A suggested callout ceremony is in development and will be available towards the end of 2026. There will be some small changes to the election script to better align with the induction — look to early 2027 for updated scripts. The current Unit Elections Handbook remains in effect until then.

The Obligation now uses "Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service." The original name for the Order of the Arrow, "Wimachtendienk," remains in the song.

Once your lodge begins using the new induction.

The medallions will be a legacy item that does not have a part in the new induction experience.

No. National OA inductions has shifted to a unique thematic identity based on our history. Once the new induction and new ceremonies are fully adopted and legacy versions are retired, it will no longer be appropriate to wear American Indian costumes. Lodges may only conduct American Indian-related programming (e.g., dancing, drumming, crafts, and similar activities) if they have a formal, written agreement with the state or federally recognized tribe(s) with which the council shares a footprint.

Absolutely. See the Guide to Safe Scouting for full requirements.

Lodges only need to travel to a section or nearby lodge event, not a national one — you'll receive the same experience at any level. NIE registration for exemplar lodges is fully covered by the national OA committee. Travel expenses are the responsibility of the lodge.

A module is coming in LodgeMaster. Lodges will be required to use OALM to report dates, get assigned coaching support, and get their materials kit sent. It should be available in early April 2026.

A multitude of written, video, and live resources will be available. The OA National Committee wants lodges to be fully prepared to deliver an extraordinary experience to members and new members alike.

Updated Inductions webpages will include induction guidebooks, exemplar videos of the ceremonies performed by the national inductions team, material ordering, ceremony text, and the Luminary training videos (12 separate guides for each activity). Live coaching and seminars will be offered in small and large group formats, and it is anticipated that lodges will offer guidance, coaching, and experience to help all lodges "see one" and then "do one" in the most prepared manner possible.

The National OA Committee is assigning two people from the national inductions team to each SIE at no cost. For lodges, a qualified coach for each lodge's first induction will also be assigned.

The lodge key three will be provided access to the training portal to support their lodge members in preparation and ongoing delivery of the new induction. During the initial rollout, prior to the completion of the section induction experiences, the materials will be shared with induction experience leads from each lodge. As the rollout progresses, the portal will be accessible to everyone, the same way materials are on the website today. Some items will be password protected, but generally all members can access these materials as long as they are safeguarded appropriately.

The best thing to do is encourage people to experience the new induction as a participant. Do not force anyone to do anything, yet be positive and Scout-like in all your interactions. It is important to remember that no new member will ever have the complaint, "it wasn't like the old Ordeal."

Stay engaged and share what you've learned. This is the largest change the organization has ever made, and it is historic. Being a part of it will become a part of the history of one's lodge. Every national committee member, every national and regional key volunteer, and all of the national and regional officers will be attending an NIE, SIE, or LIE as full participants. Channel your energy into preparing your core team.

The National Order of the Arrow Committee has set NOAC 2027 as the deadline for lodges to use the new induction. All lodges must be using the new induction by that time. Experiencing the new induction is the best way to build enthusiasm in your lodge for change. Feedback on the new induction has been overwhelmingly positive, and it is expected most lodges will want to make the change once they experience it themselves.