Order of the Arrow Basics

Founded July 16, 1915, the Order of the Arrow is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America.

Its composed of Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives as elected by their peers.

The Order of the Arrow has more than 160,000 active members located in lodges affiliated with over 270 BSA local councils.

As of August 2018,  there is now an OA lodge in every council across the United States.   Troop 185 holds OA Elections Annually. 

The Order of the Arrow membership requirements are as follows:

·      Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.

·      Have experienced 15 nights of camping while registered with a troop within the two years immediately prior to the election. The 15 nights must include

       one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of at least five consecutive nights of overnight camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the

       Boy Scouts of America. Only five nights of the long-term camp may be credited toward the 15-night camping requirement; the balance of the camping (10 nights)

       must  be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps of, at most, three nights each. 

·      At the time of their election, youth must be under the age of 21, and hold the rank of First Class to be considered.

       For election:  The scout must hold the rank of at least First Class and following the approval by the Scoutmaster, be elected by the youth members of their unit.

Membership Levels

• Ordeal Member
• Brotherhood Member
• Vigil Honor