For more than 90 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, 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 and help to extend Scouting to America's youth.
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.
As Scouting’s National Honor Society, our purpose is to:
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 broader service to Scouting and the community.
