Congratulations! Your child has recently been elected to the Order of the Arrow (OA), Scouting's National Honor Society. This honor carries great respect and responsibility.
To become a full member of the OA, your child must complete one final step: attending a weekend-long event called the Ordeal. The Ordeal is a meaningful, transformative experience—a journey of self-reflection, resolve, and brotherhood. It provides a chance for your child to not only grow personally but also fulfill their obligation to bring the spirit of the Order back to their troop.
The benefits of this experience are many. Through the Ordeal, your child will become a stronger, more effective leader. They'll learn how to face the challenges of leadership and develop a greater sense of personal achievement and purpose. Additionally, if your child chooses to continue their OA journey, they can take on leadership roles at various levels, from their troop to national leadership. The OA is a youth-run organization, and your child can serve in positions at the troop, district, council, area, region, and even national levels.
Beyond leadership opportunities, your child will have access to incredible high adventure programs. These include OA Ocean Adventure at Florida Sea Base, OA Trail Crew at Philmont Scout Ranch, OA Wilderness Voyage at Northern Tier, and Summit Corps—each offering unique outdoor experiences at a fraction of the cost of regular Scouting programs. To learn more about these high adventure opportunities, visit adventure.oa-bsa.org.
In addition to these experiences, the Order of the Arrow hosts NOAC (National Order of the Arrow Conference), the second-largest Boy Scout event after the National Jamboree. At NOAC, thousands of Arrowmen from across the country gather for a week of activities, incredible shows, new friendships, and training seminars. Past participants describe it as an unforgettable experience.
Semialachee Lodge holds two Ordeal weekends each year: one in February and one in August. You can register your child for an Ordeal by visiting the Event Registration page.
This doesn't cover every opportunity and benefit the Order has to offer, but if you'd like more information, please visit the national website at www.oa-bsa.org. We'll also be sending you additional details about upcoming events after your child's Ordeal.
Once again, congratulations to your child on this significant achievement!
In order to be a member of Semialachee Lodge your child must pay their dues each year. Just like his Scout Troop the Lodge needs to recharter with the Boys Scouts of America. For the low price of $15 per year your child gets a the following benefits;
- Opportunities to attend National Leadership Training
- Newsletters
- Fellowship weekends
- and they must be an active member in order to obtain Brotherhood or Vigil status in the Lodge
Pay your child's Lodge Dues TODAY by visiting the Event Registration page and clicking the link for OA Dues Enrollment.
Becoming a Brotherhood Member
Ever since the inception of the Order of the Arrow in 1915, it was intended that all members should be equal in rank. Brotherhood membership does not provide a specific degree of rank, status, or special honor. Instead, the Brotherhood is an opportunity for members to reaffirm their belief in the high purposes of the Order. The ceremony is intended to be a source of inspiration that motivates brothers to give even greater service to Scouting.
An Ordeal member may become a Brotherhood member after 6 months of active service to the lodge.