All about the Order of the Arrow, scoutings camping honor society.
Show Notes:
- OA Official Site
- The Order of the Arrow: What’s it all about? (Bobwhite Blather)
- OA and cultural appropriation
- Native American Adventures and Etiquette for Scouts
- COSTUME GUIDLINES For OA Ceremony Teams (Amazon)
- Order of the Arrow: BSA Council, Lodge and Area/Section Merger Histories (Amazon)
Transcript:
The Order of the Arrow is The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s national honor society. The Order of the Arrow or “OA” members are dedicated to the ideal of “cheerful service”, and a large component of OA membership is giving back through cheerful service mostly at scout camps and other similar places.
To be eligible, Scouts must be First Class rank or higher and have 15 days and nights of camping in the past two years. That must include one long term camp (summer camp).
The OA was founded in 1915, over 100 years ago and many of the traditions and ceremonies of the OA are based in Native American, specifically the Lenni Lenape tribe of the Delaware Native Americans.
I myself am a proud member of the OA, and regularly attend OA work weekends to give back to my home camp, Schiff Scout Reservations, but also have given time at Goose Pond Scout Reservation when attending summer camp.
Years ago the OA had a very large presence at summer camp with activities, events and work projects for the boys in attendance. As the years went on, the pressure to earn more merit badges won out, and as a result the OA has a much smaller presence at summer camp.
This really has hurt the OA, as instead of seeing older boys engaging as OA members, their only interaction with the OA is when they are elected.
In my troop, I try and encourage boys to attend OA work weekends, as the weekends are the heart of being in the OA. Attending the ceremonies, contributing to cheerful service, the fellowship of other boys. All these add to a belonging in a special society in scouting, but only if you participate.
The OA has a hard road ahead, sash-and-dash is common, as boys want to be part of the club but rarely rise past an ordeal member, the first step in the OA journey. This coupled with the specter of cultural appropriation of Native American culture looks to strip the OA of its long heritage.
From my vantage point the OA has always treated its Native American elements with the utmost respect, portraying the Native American as a proud, strong people to be emulated, but those that appose the use of this heritage in the OA unfortunately don’t see it this way.
In fact, very recently the OA has moved to not allow OA crossing over ceremonies in Native American regalia, which is a shame.
Take what you like and leave the rest, and as we say in Woodbadge, feedback is a gift, leave yours below in the comments, with the hope we can all learn together.
I’m Scoutmaster Dave, and this was a bit on the Order of the Arrow.
