THE
"ORDER OF THE ARROW" - SCOUTING'S HONOR SOCIETY
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by Jim Howes
The
Order of the Arrow is a recognized official program activity of the Boy Scouts
of America, having its origin in the mind of young E. Urner Goodman in 1915.
Then age 25, he had been a Scoutmaster for only a few years and had reluctantly
agreed to serve that summer as camp director at Philadelphia's scout camp on
idyllic Treasure Island in the Delaware River. While newspaper headlines
reported a war in Europe and the loss of the Cunard liner "Lusitania"
to a German U-boat's torpedoes within sight of the Irish coast, the new
scouting movement was enjoying halcyon days in America, as membership grew
rapidly across the nation.
Although
he would eventually attain a doctorate in education and become National Program
Director of the BSA, Urner's thoughts in 1915 were focused on development of
methods to teach boys that skill proficiency in Scoutcraft was not enough,
rather the principles embodied in the Scout Oath and Law should become
realities in the lives of Scouts. As a means of accomplishing this without
preaching and within a boy's interest and understanding, peer recognition and
the appeal of Indian lore would be utilized. Hence, he devised a program where
troops would choose, at the conclusion of camp, those boys from among their
number best exemplifying these traits, who would be honored as members of an
Indian "lodge". Those elected would be acknowledged as having
displayed, in the eyes of their fellow scouts, a spirit of unselfish service
and brotherhood.
Combining
ideas from "The Last of the Mohicans" with the Delaware Indians who
had inhabited Treasure Island, he developed dramatic induction ceremonies for
the "Order of the Arrow", as the fledgling honor society was dubbed.
Even today, these rites make a lasting impression on scouts who have been
elected to the "Order of the Arrow".
By
1921, the idea had spread to a score of scout councils in the north east and
the first national meeting of the Order of the Arrow was held. Initially viewed
with suspicion by many scouters as a secret society if not an affront to the
egalitarian ideals of scouting, support was slow in coming from national
headquarters. For many years, the "OA" was considered to be an
"experimental" program only. Not until 1948 was E. Urner Goodman's innovation
fully integrated into the Scouting program.
Having
observed its Diamond Anniversary in 1990, it is evident that the Order of the
Arrow has made a significant contribution to Scouting, as we know it today in
the United States. The OA's motto, "Brotherhood of Cheerful Service",
is more than just an empty slogan for many Arrowmen, who constitute a valuable
council resource for camp promotion, improvement projects, and summer camp
staffing. The OA, at its best, continues to be a teaching tool for Scouting
ideals.
Many
believe that the OA helps in retaining older boys in Scouting who otherwise
tend to lose interest upon reaching high school age. Notably, OA guidelines
place great importance on preserving Lodge leadership in the hands of its boy
members, headed by a Chief, Vice Chief(s), and an Executive Committee, all of
whom must be under age 21. These youth plan and implement Lodge activities,
service projects, publications, annual budgets, and conduct troop elections
upon the Scoutmaster's request. Adults are crucial to the OA program's success
as advisors.
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To be eligible for election to the
Order of the Arrow, a Scout must: Be at least First Class rank Have at least 15 nights of camping,
including a 6-day long-term camp Participate in the "Ordeal" and induction
ceremony (Modified requirements apply to Venture
Scouts and adults.) |
To
alleviate lingering concerns in some quarters regarding the ceremonial aspects
of the Order of the Arrow, the BSA has officially stated:
The
induction is not a hazing or an initiation ceremony. The Order is not a secret
Scout organization, and its ceremonies are open to any parent, Scout leader, or
religious leader. There is an element of mystery in the ceremonies for the sake
of its effect on the candidates. For this reason, ceremonies are not put on in
public. The ceremonies...are not objectionable to any religious group."
Following
10 months as an "Ordeal" member, the Arrowman may participate in the
"Brotherhood" ceremony, which signifies the sealing of his membership
and an additional emphasis on OA ideals and purposes.
After
an additional 2 years have elapsed, exceptional OA leaders may be recognized by
conferring of the "Vigil Honor". Generally speaking, only 2% of the
Lodge's membership may be selected each year for this highest of Lodge honors.
A special ceremony, devised by Dr. Goodman in 1915 and closely based on ancient
Indian traditions, culminates this experience.
All
Order of the Arrow members are reminded that their primary duty always remains
to their own troop, which elected them in the first place as a result of their
cheerful service to their fellow unit members. OA Lodge activities are intended
to supplement, and not replace, troop activities. Probably the
single most often-heard complaint directed towards the OA program is that of
Arrowmen who have forgotten this cardinal principle.
OA
Lodges meet with other lodges in their sections each year and attend national
conventions held at a major university every two years. Dr. E. Urner Goodman
attended his last National Order of the Arrow Conference at Colorado State
Univ. in 1979 where he was hailed by the 4,000 Arrowmen present with a
thunderous standing ovation. As he spoke movingly of his vision in developing
the Order of the Arrow as a "Thing of the Spirit" that day 64 distant
years ago on the misty shores of the Delaware, those of us gathered in the
shadows of the snow-capped Rockies realized that though a frail, elderly man
stood before us, yet the spirit borne within was truly one of eternal youth,
for as long as men value brotherhood and strive to love one another.
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