ORDER OF THE ARROW
BRUCE C JOHNSON (JOHNSON@MAIL.LOC.GOV)
Thu, 17 Mar 1994 15:37:15 GMT
Let's see if we can't clear up some of the confusion ... Eagle
rank is the highest earned Boy Scout rank for Scouts and
Explorers in the Boy Scouts of America. Scouts and Explorers
have until the day before their 18th birthdays to complete
requirements for the rank. If there's an over-arching goal in
completing the requirements, it is to develop and demonstrate
leadership. Sea Exploring's Quartermaster Award has much the
same goal, though the time limit runs to the young man's or young
woman's 21st birthday. The methods are similar, though with a
decidedly nautical flavor.
The Order of the Arrow was founded by Dr. E. Urner Goodman
and Col. Carroll A. Edson at Treasure Island Camp in the middle
of the Delaware River North of Philadelphia in the summer of
1915. It operated for many years outside of the "official"
structure of BSA, being fully integrated into BSA's Camping
Service in 1948. Most (but not all) councils have an Order of
the Arrow (OA) lodge. In most (but not all) cases, the number
associated with the lodge name (mine is Nentico Lodge #12)
represents the serial order in which the lodge was originally
founded. (Some of the more recently formed lodges have taken
the number of a long-ago merged or disbanded lodge.)
While the OA is principally thought of as an honor campers
society, its Indian name means "the Brotherhood of Cheerful
Service". Everything that the OA does is intended to ingrane the
notion that service to others is both important and fun!
Both youths and adults may be members, but the OA is run by
the youth. There are three stages of membership: Ordeal
membership is conferred when the Scout or adult initially joins.
It is represented by a white sash worn over the right shoulder on
which a red arrow has been embroidered. Brotherhood membership
may be earned as early as 10 months after joining. It's purpose
is to "seal" the membership in the OA and basically ensures that
the "arrowman" knows what it means to be in the OA. The Vigil
honor may be confired as early as two years after attainment of
Brotherhood members for those individuals who, in the estimation
of the lodge Vigil Committee, have rendered exceptional service
to the OA and Scouting, represent the best in the OA, and are
likely to continue in that capacity. The number of Vigils
confired each year is limited to 1 per 50 active members of the
lodge; of those, no fewer than 50 percent must be confired on
youth members. (Note that the Vigil Committee, like all other
committees of the lodge, consists entirely of youth members.)
It's pretty fair to say that, for many, the Order of the
Arrow represents the best of what Scouting has to offer. The
Indian lore serves to heighten the seriousness of the experience.
The notion of a "Brotherhood of Cheerful Service" is one that
possibly is much to lacking in today's society.
Bruce Johnson
Skattek Achowalogen ("Zealous Hard Worker")
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. . Bruce Chr. Johnson Telephone: 202-707-1652
. . Library of Congress
202-707-3959 (FAX) . . Cataloging Distribution Service
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