Order of the Arrow

The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Society. The OA was founded in 1915 at Treasure Island Scout Camp in Pennsylvania and was made an official part of the Scouting program in 1935. Each Scouting council operates a local lodge to run the OA program. The Blue Grass Council’s lodge is Kawida Lodge #480. The OA’s purpose is fourfold:

1. Recognize those Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, and through that recognition cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition.
2. Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp.
3. Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our nation.
4. Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

As the “Brotherhood of Cheerful Service,” the Order of the Arrow accomplishes these purposes through emphasizing service, leadership, and camping. As of February 1, 2019, unit elections are permitted in Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout units. The official membership requirements can be found on the Membership page of the national OA website. For more information about the Order of the Arrow’s activities in the Blue Grass Council, visit Kawida Lodge’s website, www.kawida.org. For more information about the Order of the Arrow in general, visit the OA’s official national website, www.oa-bsa.org.