I’VE BEEN TAPPED OUT FOR THE OA
About the Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honors Society. Founded in 1915 by E. Urner Goodman, the OA has served side-by-side with Scouting America for over 100 years as an outlet for Scouts and Scouters alike to take a step beyond the unit level in their journeys as individuals. The Order is divided into multiple levels:
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National: Oversees the entirety of the organization and coordinates directly with the national Scouting America leadership.
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Region: There are two regions in the OA. Wagion Lodge #6 falls under the Eastern Region, encompassing everything east of the Mississippi River. The Gateway Region encompasses everything west of the river.
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Section: Sections are groups of lodges with areas varying in size. Our lodge is a part of Section E12. Other lodges in our section include Kuskitanee #168, Allohak Menewi #57, and Monaken #103.
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Lodge: All lodges exist simultaneously to councils. As Wagion #6 exists to Westmoreland-Fayette Council, for example, Allohak Menewi #58 exists simultaneously to the Laurel Highlands Council.
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Chapters: In lodges covering a larger geographical area, you may see chapters. Chapters typically exist simultaneously with districts. In Wagion #6, we currently do not possess chapters.
As you know, members of the OA are voted in by their home units, no matter who are and aren’t members of the Order. This is because honor is decided by what you have done and will continue to do in your unit, not by what you will do in the OA. The only actual requirements for the OA are 15 days and nights of camping, and achievement of the First Class rank.
Completing the Ordeal
Your successful election into the OA is marked by summer camp tapouts, but this is only the beginning. Being tapped out doesn’t equal membership in the OA, it equals an invitation to complete the Ordeal.
The Ordeal is both a level of honor and the process to earn said honor. It can be completed at any service or fellowship weekend of Wagion #6. Said weekends are as follows:
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April Service Weekend
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June Service Weekend
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August Fellowship Weekend
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October Service Weekend
During the Ordeal, you will undergo a series of “tests”, culminating in the Saturday-night ceremony where you will be given your sash and recognized as an official member of the OA. These tests include a day of silent work, scant food, and personal reflection. The Ordeal is not meant to be difficult, rather it is meant to be a simple challenge of the individual chosen for his or her service and experience in their home unit.
Ordeal Isn’t the Order
In the Order of the Arrow, there are three levels of honor:
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Ordeal
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Brotherhood
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Vigil
As stated, these are honors, not ranks. There is no seniority in the Order of the Arrow like at the unit level, only degrees of service reflected by the honor an individual earns. Ordeal is the first step, signifying one’s willingness to step out of their comfort zone upon successful selection by their fellow Scouts or Scouters.
Brotherhood is the second step, following Ordeal, as one “seals their membership” in the OA. Learn more about this honor on the Path to Brotherhood page.