Order of the Arrow

Scouting's National Honor Society

More than 180,000 members strong, the Order of the Arrow recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. The OA can help strengthen troops by providing leadership training and opportunities for OA members and by assisting in summer camp promotion, camporees, Scout shows, and other activities. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others.

Our Vision for the Order of the Arrow

As Scouting's National Honor Society, the Order of the Arrow is an integral part of the council's program. Our service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich and help to extend Scouting to America's youth.

For more than 90 years, their peers have honored those Scouts who "best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives" with membership in the Order of the Arrow. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. We will provide ways and means for OA members to do more to assist their units and councils, and help them succeed in doing so.

In support of our vision as Scouting's National Honor Society and an integral part of every council, the Order of the Arrow will further increase its service to Scouting.

Purpose - The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is fourfold:

1. To recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and by such recognition cause other campers to conduct themselves in such a manner as to warrant recognition.
2. To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit.
3. To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit's camping program, both year-round and in the summer camp, as directed by the local council's camping committee.
4. To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.