Troop 891 and the Order of the Arrow

First, a little about the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s National Honor Society, and how it fits into Troop 891.

Troop 891 has long had a close association with the local Order of the Arrow lodge, Nawakwa Lodge #3. From active Scouts serving on various committees and positions of leadership within the lodge, to Scouters acting as advisers to these young Arrowmen at the lodge, section and national level, this troop and its OA members have worked hard to fulfill the purposes of the Order of the Arrow in the unit.

The purposes of the Order of the Arrow are fourfold:

To recognize those campers--Scouts and Scouters--who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and by such recognition cause other campers to conduct themselves in a manner as to warrant recognition.
To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit.
To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit's camping program, both year-round and in the summer camp, as directed by the camping committee of the council.
To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

The Order is unique in that candidates for membership are elected from outside the organization by members of a youth’s unit, most of whom are not OA members themselves. The OA is designed to complement the troop program, not take its place. It also offers youth leadership opportunities to members until they turn 21 years old, three years beyond the “age out” for Boy Scouting.

We in Troop 891 rely on our OA members for leadership, and leading the way in cheerful service to others. They should be at the forefront of promoting camping within the unit, and in planning and leading service projects of all types.

In the OA, the troop should always come first, and therefore we try to plan our calendar to allow OA members to attend lodge functions without conflicting with troop camping trips and service projects. The local lodge holds four functions a year, three Ordeals to induct new members and provide service to the council at the R.E. Lee Scout Reservation, and a Fellowship – a time of fun, training, and yes, fellowship with Arrowmen from throughout the council. The lodge also attends the annual Section Conclave, a Virginia-wide gathering of lodges, and the biennial National Conference. Of course, we encourage our Scouts to take advantage of these opportunities to expand their leadership training and abilities.

History of OA

Troop 891 and the Order of the Arrow

Summer Camp Pack Party Saturday

Depart for Camp 7:30am Sunday