Frequently Asked Question's
How Can I Join the Order of the Arrow?
Membership in the Order of the
Arrow is for those Scouts who have demonstrated the true measure of Scouting
spirit and are experienced campers. Members are elected into the Order
of the Arrow by the other Scouts in their Troop. Minimum requirements
are as follows:
Attain the rank of First
Class Scout
Have your Unit Leader's
approval
Have at least 15 days and
nights of camping experience (must include at least one long-term camp)
**Adult membership requirements are
the same as those for youth members with the exception of the First Class
requirement. One adult selection per year is allowed if youth members are also
eligible and elected by fellow troop members. More than one adult is
allowed if the troop or team has more than fifty registered, active youth.
More information can be found in the January 2001 Operations Update, found on
the
National OA Website. Adult leaders are recommended to the lodge
adult selection committee by the unit committee.
I am an Ordeal member and would
like to attain Brotherhood membership. How may I do this?
After ten months of active service
as an Ordeal member, you become eligible to seal your membership in the
Brotherhood ceremony. You must meet five challenges before you can enter
the Circle of the Brotherhood.
-
Memorize the signs of Arrow
membership
-
Advance in your understanding of
the Ordeal
-
Serve your unit
-
Plan for service in your lodge
-
Review your progress
Be alert for newsletters letting you know of upcoming lodge events. Aracoma offers
many opportunities throughout the year to advance toward Brotherhood.
Consult your Order of the Arrow Handbook and don't hesitate to ask the
Lodge Officers any questions you might have.
I Have Moved into the Black
Warrior Council and was in another Lodge; how do I join the Aracoma Lodge?
By presenting your OA membership
card (or presenting a letter from your previous Council verifying your
membership), a person may transfer into the Aracoma Lodge by:
I am a leader of a new
Venturing Crew. When do we hold elections for the Order of the Arrow?
The National Committee of the Order
of the Arrow currently has no plans of conducting Order of the Arrow elections
in Venturing Crews. The Order of the Arrow is an element of the Boy Scout
program only, as it has been for more than 85 years.
How many days and nights of Camping are Required
for OA Membership?
In response to concerns about the possible
misinterpretation of the current camping requirement for OA membership, the
National Order of the Arrow Committee approved a clarification to the existing
camping requirement at their December 27, 1998 meeting. The requirement appears
on page 20 of the 1995 printing of the Guide for Officers and Advisers (GOA).
The clarification is as follows (changes are shown in bold):
After registration with a troop or team,
have experienced fifteen days and nights of Boy Scout camping during
the two-year period prior to the election. The fifteen 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.
This revised wording will appear in the new
edition of the GOA which is scheduled to be available in April 1999.
How much are the current Aracoma Lodge 481
Dues?
Dues are only $10.00 and they
maintain your membership in the Lodge. Please make all checks payable to: BSA
Black Warrior Council. Dues need to be paid each year during the Ordeal Weekend.
If your dues are not current, an $10.00 late fee will be charged making the
total $20.00.
