Parents

What is the Order of the Arrow

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Founded in 1915, and fully incorporated as part of the Scouting program in 1948, it honors thoseScouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily lives.

Our inducted members are known as Arrowmen or brothers and are organized into local youth-led Villages, one for each District, and the Lodge which is part of the San Francisco Bay Area council. We gather for many events in fellowship and the rendering of service to our Districts, Council and the local communities.

Benifits of OA Membership

The Order of the Arrow gives a young man an unique opportunity to expand, intensify, and practice the prinicples of Scouting, to gain training in leadership and scouting skills, to meet Scouts from all parts of the San Francisco Bay Area Council, the local Scout Section, and National officers.

The Order provides service to the Council, to the Scout Camps, and to the local districts. He will have an opportunity to be a leader in district Camporee's, to be an instructor in the Lodge's annual Winter Camp Awareness training, and to serve on the staff of the Klondike Derby.

Many Arrowmen make friendships in the OA with other Scouts that they would have never met otherwise, and these friendships often endure into their adult lives.

All Lodge and Village events and activities are planned, led, and staffed by the youth members. The adult advisers are simply that, advisers. The youth are in complete charge, and the success of our Lodge over the years is a refection of the character and quality of those who have been chosen to serve, and have committed themselves to fulfilling this task.

In addition, since the member of the Order are those chosen by their peers for their spirit and character, it is not surprising that a high percentage of members who are active in their Village and the Lodge achieve the Eagle Rank and serve in leadership positions in their Scouting unit.

What happens at OA Events

All OA events are conducted according to the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and will always follow the Youth Protection and Scout Safety guidelines. Just like an event in the Scout's home unit, registered and fully trained adults will be present to ensure safety, and provide guidance where needed.

Our lodge is a very active lodge, and most of the villages have a full year round calendar of activities. Some of these are:

• Ordeals. Our lodge holds five ordeals over the course of the year to support the three council camps. These are service and fellowship weekends where new members are inducted and the principles of Scouting are lived.
• Fellowship. This is a weekend event of fellowship and friendly competition between the Villages of our Lodge. We also hold lodge elections, and have various training sessions. The adults provide service to the host camp.
• Conclave. A gathering of the eight lodges in our regional section for a weekend of training, competition, fellowship and fun. All youth are encouraged to attend this yearly gathering of dedicated Scouts.
• Village Meetings: A monthly gathering of the members within the local district. In addition to fellowship, and supporting lodge activities, the villages also develop and carry out service to the Scouting program in the local district and communities.
• Lodge Leadership Develpment: This is a national program that continues the Scouting tradition of training leaders. The youth are trained by experienced youth in the skills needed to plan and lead OA activities. The skills learned are often directly useful in their local unit as well. Advance training for youth and adults is also available and active youth are encouraged to participate.
• Banquet. A yearly gathering and celebration of the accomplishments of the Lodge and Villages. Guests are welcome
• National Order of the Arrow Conference. (NOAC) Normally held every other year, this is a gathering of Arrowmen from all over the United States for fellowship, compitition, training, and fun on a massive scale. Our lodge sends a large contingent to each gathering and never fails to have an enjoyable and memory filled experience.

Contacts

Golden Gate District

Royaneh Village
Adviser: Elizabeth Boileau

Peralta District

Achewon Tulpe Village
Adviser: Jack Wynton

Tres Ranchos District

Amangi Nechochwen Village
Adviser: Mike Connelly

Mission Peak District

Ohlone Village
Adviser: Kari Costa

Twin Valley District

Suenen Paschengink Village
Advisers: Liz & Scott Brandon