The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s honor society. Founded in 1915 by Dr. E. Urner Goodman to recognize honor campers, the Order has grown to become a major force in Scouting, promoting camping and providing service to the council and the community.
Each council’s OA members are organized into a lodge. Circle Ten Council’s lodge is Mikanakawa. Each lodge is divided into chapters, which correspond to the council’s districts. White Buffalo’s OA chapter is named Wacondi Hatachi. Each troop with boys in the OA should designate a Troop Representative to serve as a liaison between the chapter and the troop. (This position counts for rank advancement.)
The Wacondi Hatachi Chapter meets the fourth Thursday of the month at the Troop 709 Scout Hut at Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church on Lovers Ln. (See the calendar for more info.) All OA members are encouraged to attend these meetings. Membership in the Order of the Arrow begins with a unit election. Elections are held in the spring, from January until mid-April. Elections must be held by trained OA members to be valid. Elections are usually scheduled as part of a troop meeting. All boy members in attendance may vote in the election.
To be eligible for election, a boy must meet four criteria:
First Class or above
Have at least 15 days and nights of camping, including one long term camp
Currently registered in Scouting
Approved, before the election, by unit leader.
Adults are nominated separately by the unit leader or committee chairman, and must meet the same camping requirement.
Once elected, candidates must participate in a weekend of service and symbolism called an Ordeal to become members of the Order. After completing the Ordeal, members are entitled to wear the pocket flap or ribbon pin and the sash of the Order of the Arrow.
