Ordeal Candidate Information
Congratulations on your election as a Candidate for the Order of the Arrow! You should take immense pride in being elected. However, your Journey has not yet begun, and you are not yet a member in the Order. A greater thrill awaits you when you become a member, are decorated with the Order of the Arrow sash, and the history that goes with it is unveiled to you. This happens when you have completed the Ordeal of the Order of the Arrow successfully.
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How do I get elected to the Order of the Arrow?
In order to receive candidacy to complete the Ordeal and join the Order of the Arrow, you must be elected by your unit during an Order of the Arrow Election. These elections take place every year between October 1st and December 31st. Contact your local Chapter Chief or Unit Leader to find out when your unit is scheduled to complete Order of the Arrow Unit Elections.
Make sure to alert your Unit Leader of your intention to run prior to the election. Your Unit Leader is the only person with the authority to add your name to the ballot. You are only eligible to be elected into the Order of the Arrow once you meet the following requirements:
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Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.
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Have Scoutmaster approval.
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Hold the First Class rank of the Boy Scouts of America, as a minimum.
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After registration with a troop or team, have experienced 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The 15 days and nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps.
The Order of the Arrow election team will consist of at least two youth and one adult. You will be able to recognize them as they will be wearing a white sash with a red arrow. This is the symbol of membership in the Order, accompanied by the lodge membership flap worn on the right chest pocket. If elected to the Order of the Arrow, you will be asked to provide contact information for your Ordeal. This includes a phone number, email address, and home address. Please be prepared to give this information accurately.
What is the Order of the Arrow all about?
For more than 100 years, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, developing leaders, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich, support, and help to extend Scouting to America's youth.
Mission
The mission of the Order of the Arrow is to fulfill its purpose as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults.
Purpose
As Scouting’s National Honor Society, our purpose is to:
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Recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and through that recognition cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition.
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Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp.
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Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our nation.
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Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.
History
The Order of the Arrow was founded by Dr. E. Urner 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 1922 and was approved as part of the Scouting program in 1934. In 1948 the OA, recognized as the BSA's national brotherhood of honor campers, became an official part of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1998, the Order of the Arrow became recognized as Scouting's National Honor Society when it expanded its reach beyond camping to include a greater focus on leadership development, membership extension, adventurous programming, and broader service to Scouting and the community. Today, its service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults, are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich, support, and help extend Scouting to America’s youth.
The Induction Process
Levels of the Order of the Arrow
For more than 100 years, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, developing leaders, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich, support and help to extend Scouting to America's youth.
Mission
The mission of the Order of the Arrow is to fulfill its purpose as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults.
Purpose
As Scouting’s National Honor Society, our purpose is to:
-
Recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and through that recognition cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition.
-
Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp.
-
Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit, and ability to advance the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our nation.
-
Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.
History
The Order of the Arrow was founded by Dr. E. Urner 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 1922 and was approved as part of the Scouting program in 1934. In 1948 the OA, recognized as the BSA's national brotherhood of honor campers, became an official part of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1998, the Order of the Arrow became recognized as Scouting's National Honor Society when it expanded its reach beyond camping to include a greater focus on leadership development, membership extension, adventurous programming, and broader service to Scouting and the community. Today, its service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich, support and help extend Scouting to America’s youth.
Aal-Pa-Tah Lodge #237
History
Aal-Pa-Tah Lodge was founded in 1942 and the name originates from the Seminole language, meaning “Alligator”. Our lodge currently consists of 5 chapters, from the northern border of Indian River County to the southern border of Palm Beach County, and west through Okeechobee, Glades and Hendry Counties. When our lodge was founded there were only 2 or 3 chapters, which consisted of the area immediately north and within Palm Beach County but at one time included as many as 9 chapters. Aal-Pa-Tah Lodge belongs to Gulf Stream Council in Section S-4 of the Southern Region. Our council camps include Camp Oklawaha in Sebastian, Camp Tanah-Keeta in Tequesta and Camp Dark Hammock located in Okeechobee County. Our Lodge is proud to have been host to 9 Area/Section Conferences over the years, those being in 1953, 1962, 1972, 1981, 1988, 1997, 2004, 2011, and 2018. We have also hosted three Section Leadership Programs in 2000, 2008, and 2014.
Our lodge newsletter has a long history, dating back to the 1950's when it was originally titled “The Tipi”. It stayed in this format until the late 90s, at which time it was renamed “The Gator Tales”. In 2012 the Gator Tales became a full color publication for the first time.
Throughout our history, Aal-Pa-Tah has produced more than 11 outstanding youth who have gone on to serve as our Area or Section Chief, the most recent being Gregory Yentz in 2016 and 2017. In 1986, Kelly Landers became the first brother from Aal-Pa-Tah Lodge to receive the Distinguished Service Award, the highest award granted by the OA. In 2012 the Lodge had two additional recipients, Elam Patterson and Richard Fore, and a fourth recipient in 2015, Barry Ekle. Presently, we have had 44 Founders’ Award recipients, 22 recipients of the James E. West Fellowship, and over 237 members who have received the Vigil Honor.
Our lodge has won numerous awards and recognition over the years in numerous categories, including Dance, Ceremonies, Spirit, Best All Around Lodge and of course a recent 5 year undefeated run of Section Dodge Ball Champions culminating with a win as National Champions at NOAC 2012. Also in recent years we have won on the Section level, Best All Around Lodge 2012, Best Website and Kings Cup 2012, and The Best Spirit Award in 2013.
What is a lodge?
An Order of the Arrow lodge is granted a charter from the National Council, BSA, upon annual application by the lodge’s local council. Only one lodge charter is granted per council. The OA lodge helps the local council provide a quality Scouting program through recognition of Scouting spirit and performance, youth leadership development, adventurous programming, financial support, and enhanced membership tenure.
The Aal-Pa-Tah Lodge is proud to serve the Gulf Stream Council.
What can I expect from my Ordeal?
The Ordeal is designed to test your core Scouting values. The challenges of the Ordeal are held in close tradition, the process is a long-standing tradition. Almost every member of the Order has completed the same challenges as will be presented to you.
In your Ordeal, you will leave the comforts of home behind and you will be tested by exerting yourself physically on a restricted diet. If you have a physical or medical problem that could limit your participation, please notify Mr. Robert (Lodge Adviser) immediately (Lodge_Adviser@aalpatah.org); we would like to make advance plans so that you can have the very best experience possible. Also, please advise us of any dietary limitations.
What happens after the Ordeal?
Once you have completed the Ordeal, all of the benefits of membership are opened up to you. The Order of the Arrow provides an exciting program on a Lodge, Section, and National level.
Lodge Program
The Aal-Pa-Tah Lodge hosts a regular annual program consisting of at least five lodge-wide events including at least two Ordeals (Spring and Summer) as well as two fellowship weekends (limited service, program-focused) and an Awards Banquet. Beyond these events, the lodge may host service days or advancement opportunities for the benefit of the Gulf Stream Council and its members.
Section Program
Section S4 encompasses most of the state of Florida and hosts two regular events to which all lodge members are welcome. The flagship event is the annual Section Conference, a weekend of competition and fellowship between the 7 lodges of the section. The other event is the Section Leadership Summit (SLS) focused towards lodge members who wish to participate in leadership positions and committees. This training equips participants with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in these roles. Section events are hosted by lodges on a rotating cycle. The Aal-Pa-Tah Lodge hosted Section Conference in 2019.
National Program
The National Order of the Arrow hosts a number of programs open to all Arrowmen. They include:
Developing Youth Leadership Conference
The Developing Youth Leadership Conference will deepen an advisor's capacity to develop youth leadership within the lodge and chapter. Conference topics will include fostering a growth mindset, promoting resilience, providing constructive feedback that leads to changes in youth behavior and creating a life-long coaching/mentoring relationship. Conference participants will gain insights necessary to successfully coach youth applying the leadership skills they gained during the National Leadership Seminar.
Journey To Excellence
When the Boy Scouts of America launched the new strategic plan, a transition was made to a new program to measure unit, district, and council performance. Following the Boy Scout's transition, the national OA committee adopted the Journey to Excellence program to replace the National Quality Lodge program. Journey to Excellence places emphasis on continuous improvement. Just as the Boy Scouts of America Journey to Excellence program recognizes each level of the organization, the OA's program creates Journey to Excellence recognition for chapters, lodges, and sections.
National Calendar
The National Program Calendar is published yearly and includes important dates for national events and programs. Each region, section, and lodge also publish calendars that are specific to the events and program in their area.
National Endowment
The National OA Endowment was formed more than 30 years ago as means for the Order to fund scholarships and special programs. The national Order of the Arrow committee oversees the annual program budget which is funded using the earnings from the national OA endowment.
National Leadership Seminar
The National Leadership Seminar (NLS) is a weekend training program
focusing on leadership development. Run by the Region Chief and his
Advisers, it provides an in-depth look at leadership skills and techniques.
An NLS discusses how these skills can be applied in your role in the OA
and in other aspects of your life.
Order of the Arrow High Adventure
Each summer, the Order of the Arrow offers a myriad of different High Adventure opportunities to meet your summer needs whether its wetting your appetite by going for a plunge in the Atlantic Ocean with the Ocean Adventure at the Florida Sea Base; maybe hiking is your passion, what better place to go than the Philmont Scout Ranch where you can hike the same trails as your Scoutmaster or Scouting ancestors as a part of your Trail Crew experience. Have you ever given thought about what the Native Americans and early explorers did to be avid traders, maybe the OA Voyage is for calling. Whatever your summer aspirations may be, these National High Adventure bases have put together a multitude of options for you. Along with your one week trek completely designed by you, each Arrowmen will be afforded the opportunity to leave their mark in history by helping to sure up portage trails, backpacking trails or coral reefs. Aside from providing a good deed to each of these high adventure bases, every participant will have the opportunity to work closely with Arrowmen from across the country, who have a similar interest in the future of both the program and the adventure base. You may be thinking that this is a daunting task but it is an experience unlike any other afforded to you in scouting in that it takes you out of your world and places with people, who want to do something different. It's not everyday that you can tell your friends that you climbed into Cypher's Mine, watched the Northern Lights from a canoe or went scuba diving in the Florida Keys. These programs help to insure that the future of scouting has a place to live, work and interact. This summer, try something new or do something you thoroughly enjoy, but do something with the Order of the Arrow High adventure opportunities. For more information about these High Adventure programs, please visit Adventure.oa-bsa.org or talk to your lodge chief. Your destiny awaits you...
