* To recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives

*To promote Scout camping

*To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit

*To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

"Let it be remembered that the Order of the Arrow was created to help the unit - to help it present its membership a better ideal of the inner qualities of the good scout camper. Qualities of character, like cheerfulness and service, are hard for a boy or a man to understand in the abstract. They come easier when seen in human life. Let us realize the significance of the Order in the unit - for the unit is our best hope in Scouting."

- Dr. E. Urner Goodman
    Founder, Order of the Arrow

Brief History

The Order of the Arrow (OA) was founded by Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson in 1915 at the Treasure Island Camp of the Philadelphia Council, Boy Scouts of America. Now called the Cradle of Liberty Council this is where Troop 30 spent Summer Camp 2000, on the 85^th anniversary of the Order.

The OA became an official program experiment in 1922 and was approved as part of the Scouting program in 1934.

In 1948 the OA was recognized as the BSA's national brotherhood of Honor Campers and became an official part of the national camping program of the Boy Scouts of America.

The OA has more than 176,000 members located in lodges affiliated with approximately 327 BSA local councils. Our Lodge is Wipla Wiki #432.

Scouts are elected to the Order by their fellow troop members, following approval by the Scoutmaster. To become a member, a Scout must:

* Be a registered member of a Boy Scout troop

* Hold First Class rank.

* The youth must have experienced fifteen days and nights of Boy Scout camping during   the two-year period prior to the election.

* The fifteen days and nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the BSA. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps.

The induction ceremony, called the Ordeal, is the first step toward full membership. During the experience, candidates maintain silence, receive small amounts of food, work on camp improvement projects, and are required to sleep alone, apart from other campers. The entire experience is designed to teach significant values.

Brotherhood Membership

After 10 months of service and fulfilling certain requirements, a member may take part in the Brotherhood ceremony, which places further emphasis on the ideals of Scouting and the Order. Completion of this ceremony signifies full life long membership in the OA.

After two years of service as a Brotherhood member, and with the approval of the national Order of the Arrow Committee, a Scout may be recognized with the Vigil Honor for outstanding service to Scouting, his lodge, and the community. This honor is bestowed by special selection and is limited to one person for every 50 members registered with the lodge each year.

Our Lodge Wipla Wiki 432 Just celebrated its 50^th Anniversary

Each local Boy Scout council is encouraged to have an Order of the Arrow lodge. Each lodge is granted a charter from the National Council, BSA, upon annual application. The OA lodge helps the local council provide a quality Scouting program through recognition of Scouting spirit and performance, development of youth leadership and service, promotion of Scout camping and outdoor programs, and enhancement of membership tenure.

An Order of the Arrow section consists of lodges within a geographic area of the region. Once every year, representatives of lodges in the section come together for a conclave to share in fellowship, skills, and training. A section is lead by three youth officers, the Section Chief, Section Vice-Chief, and Section Secretary, who are advised by an adult Section Adviser and professional Section Staff Adviser. All of the elected section chiefs are invited form the conference committee for a national Order of the Arrow event, which is held under the guidance of the national Order of the Arrow Committee.