What is the Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Founded in 1915, and fully incorporated as part of the Scouting program in 1948, it honors those Scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily lives.
Our inducted members are known as Arrowmen or brothers and are organized into local youth-led Chapters, one for each District, and the Lodge which is part of the Hudson Valley Council. We gather for many events in fellowship and the rendering of service to our Districts, Council and the local communities.
Benifits of OA Membership
The Order of the Arrow gives a young man an unique opportunity to expand, intensify, and practice the prinicples of Scouting, to gain training in leadership and scouting skills, to meet Scouts from all parts of the Hudson Valley Council, the local Scout Section, and National officers.
The Order provides service to the Council, to the Scout Camps, and to the local districts. He will have an opportunity to be a leader in district Camporee's, to be an instructor in the Lodge's annual Lodge Leadership Development training, and become a Lodge officer.
Many Arrowmen make friendships in the OA with other Scouts that they would have never met otherwise, and these friendships often endure into their adult lives.
All Lodge and Chapter events and activities are planned, led, and staffed by the youth members. The adult advisers are simply that, advisers. The youth are in complete charge, and the success of our Lodge over the years is a refection of the character and quality of those who have been chosen to serve, and have committed themselves to fulfilling this task.
In addition, since the member of the Order are those chosen by their peers for their spirit and character, it is not surprising that a high percentage of members who are active in their Chapter and the Lodge achieve the Eagle Rank and serve in leadership positions in their Scouting unit.
