Purpose

The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is fourfold:
1. To recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives.
2. To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit.
3. To promote Scout camping.
4. To crystallize the Scouting habit of helpfulness into a purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

History
The Order of the Arrow (OA) was founded by Dr. E. Umer Goodman and Carroll A. Edson in 1915 at the Treasure Island Camp of the Philadelphia Council, Boy Scouts of America. It became an official program experiment in 19?? and was approved as part of the Boy Scout program in 1934. In 1948 the OA, recognized as the BSXs national brotherhood of honor campers, became an official part of the national camping program of the Boy Scouts of America.

Membership
The Order has more than 160,000 members located in lodges affiliated with 411 local BSA councils.

Eligibility
To become a member, a young man must be a registered Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Explorer and hold the First Class rank. He also must have experienced a minimum of 15 days and nights of Scout camping (including a long-term camp). Scouts are elected to the Order by their fellow unit members, following approval by the Scoutmaster, Varsity Team Coach, or Explorer Advisor.

Induction
The induction ceremony, called the Ordeal is conducted at Scout camp, and is the first step toward full membership. During the Ordeal, candidates maintain complete silence, receive small amounts of food, work on camp improvement projects, and are required to sleep alone, apart from other campers.

Brotherhood Member
After 10 months of service, a member may take part in the Brotherhood ceremony, which places further emphasis on the ideals of Scouting and the Order. Completion of this ceremmv, signifies full membership in the Order.

Vigil Honor
After 2 years as a Brotherhood member, and with the approval of the national Order of the Arrow Committee, a Scout may be recognized with the Vigfl Honor for outstanding service to Scouting, his lodge, and the conununity.

Lodges
The Order of the Arrow lodge is granted a charter from the National Councfl, BSA, which is applied for by the local council. By fuffiuing its purpose, the OA lodge helps the local council provide quality Boy Scout programming.

Sections
An Order of the Arrow section consists of 6 to 12 local lodges. Once every year, representative of lodges in the section come together for a conclave. Every 2 years all of the 58 elected section chiefs form the conference committee for the national Order of the Arrow conference.