Order of the Arrow

Order of the Arrow
source
Name	Order of the Arrow
Formation	July 16, 1915
Founder	E. Urner Goodman, Carroll A. Edson
Location	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Type	Scouting honor society

Order of the Arrow is a Scouting honor society in the United States, founded by E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson on July 16, 1915, at Camping grounds in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The organization is part of the Boy Scouts of America and aims to recognize and honor Scouting's most dedicated members, such as Robert Baden-Powell, Daniel Carter Beard, and Ernest Thompson Seton. The Order of the Arrow has over 180,000 members, including notable figures like Neil Armstrong, John F. Kennedy, and Spike Lee, who have all been involved with the Boy Scouts of America and its affiliated organizations, including the National Eagle Scout Association and the Scouting Heritage Society.

● History

The Order of the Arrow was established during a Camping trip at Treasure Island Scout Reservation in Pennsylvania, where E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson created the organization to recognize Scouting's most dedicated members, such as those involved with the Sioux Nation, Cheyenne Nation, and other Native American tribes, which have a rich history of Camping and outdoor skills, similar to those promoted by the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Sierra Club. The first ceremony was held on July 16, 1915, and was attended by Scouting leaders, including Robert Baden-Powell, who was a key figure in the development of the Scouting movement, along with Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, Olave Baden-Powell, and other notable Scouting pioneers, such as James E. West and William D. Boyce. The organization has since grown to include over 180,000 members, including notable figures like Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, who have all been involved with the Boy Scouts of America and its affiliated organizations, including the National Order of the Arrow Conference and the Scouting Heritage Society.

● Organization

The Order of the Arrow is a part of the Boy Scouts of America and is organized into local lodges, each of which is affiliated with a Boy Scouts of America council, such as the Greater New York Councils, Los Angeles Area Council, and Circle Ten Council. The organization is led by a national chief, who is elected by the national committee, comprising representatives from each region, including the Northeast Region, Southern Region, and Western Region. The national chief is responsible for overseeing the organization and implementing its programs, which include the National Order of the Arrow Conference, Section Conclave, and Lodge Leadership Development, in collaboration with other Scouting organizations, such as the Girl Scouts of the USA, American Scouting overseas, and the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

● Membership

Membership in the Order of the Arrow is open to Scouting's most dedicated members, who are elected by their peers, including Eagle Scouts, Venturing Silver Award recipients, and other Scouting leaders, such as those involved with the National Eagle Scout Association and the Scouting Heritage Society. To be eligible for membership, individuals must meet certain requirements, including completing a Camping trip and demonstrating a commitment to the principles of Scouting, as outlined by Robert Baden-Powell and other Scouting pioneers, such as Daniel Carter Beard and Ernest Thompson Seton. Members of the Order of the Arrow are expected to uphold the principles of the organization, including brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service, as embodied by notable Scouting figures, such as Neil Armstrong, John F. Kennedy, and Spike Lee.

● Ceremonies_and_Rituals

The Order of the Arrow has a number of ceremonies and rituals, including the Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil Honor ceremonies, which are designed to recognize and honor members' commitment to the organization and its principles, as outlined by E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson. These ceremonies are typically held at Camping grounds and involve traditional Native American rituals and symbolism, such as those used by the Sioux Nation and Cheyenne Nation, and are often attended by notable Scouting figures, including James E. West and William D. Boyce. The ceremonies are an important part of the Order of the Arrow's program and are designed to promote unity and brotherhood among members, as well as to recognize their achievements and contributions to the organization, such as those made by Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

● Lodge_Operations

Each lodge of the Order of the Arrow is responsible for its own operations, including planning and executing ceremonies, Camping trips, and other events, such as the National Order of the Arrow Conference and the Section Conclave. Lodges are also responsible for promoting the principles of the organization and for providing service to their local communities, in collaboration with other Scouting organizations, such as the Girl Scouts of the USA and the American Scouting overseas. Lodge operations are overseen by a lodge chief, who is elected by the lodge members, and a lodge adviser, who is appointed by the Boy Scouts of America council, such as the Greater New York Councils or the Los Angeles Area Council. The lodge chief and lodge adviser work together to ensure that the lodge is operating in accordance with the principles and policies of the Order of the Arrow, as outlined by E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson.

● High_Adventure_Programs

The Order of the Arrow offers a number of high adventure programs, including the National Order of the Arrow Conference, Section Conclave, and Lodge Leadership Development, which are designed to provide members with opportunities for outdoor adventure and leadership development, in collaboration with other Scouting organizations, such as the Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases, and the Florida Sea Base. These programs are typically held at Camping grounds and involve activities such as Hiking, Climbing, and Canoeing, as well as leadership training and team-building exercises, similar to those offered by the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Sierra Club. The high adventure programs are an important part of the Order of the Arrow's program and are designed to promote unity and brotherhood among members, as well as to recognize their achievements and contributions to the organization, such as those made by Neil Armstrong, John F. Kennedy, and Spike Lee.