Membership In The Order Of The Arrow

Not everyone will become a member of the Order of the Arrow. There is a strictly followed induction process that is in place. This page will describe that process, as well as membership in the lodge.

To become a member of the Order of the Arrow, you have to be selected by a vote of the Scouts in your unit. Since most of those who are in the units who do the selecting are not members of the lodge, it is easy to see that the membership is controlled by the young men in units and not by those who already are in the Order. In Kittatinny Lodge V, elections are held yearly at troop meetings by the Camp Promotions and Elections committee. The CP&E committee will show a video about our Council Camp and will then hold an election. Scouts in the unit are encouraged to pick those scouts who have shown exceptional camping ability, helpfulness, and Scouting spirit. Those who are elected are then called “candidates,” as those who are elected will not automatically become members of the Order.

Ordeal Membership

Those elected as candidates have the opportunity to attend one of three Ordeal weekends offered by the Lodge. Attending an Ordeal is a requirement for lodge membership. The Ordeal is a weekend experience in which the candidate has the chance to reflect on his Scout life and character. Upon successful completion of the Ordeal, a candidate then becomes an Ordeal member of the Lodge.

All members of the lodge have equal privileges. There are three honors bestowed upon lodge members. The first honor is the Ordeal membership. These Arrowmen have shown unselfish service and cheerfulness to their units and have completed their Ordeal.

Brotherhood Membership

The second honor in the lodge is the Brotherhood membership. Brotherhood members have continued to serve cheerfully and have given service to the lodge. They have also taken it upon themselves to learn the symbols and traditions of the Order. After a review of these things, an Arrowman can become a Brotherhood member.

Vigil Membership

The third honor in the lodge is the Vigil Honor membership. Alertness to the needs of others is the mark of the Vigil Honor. It calls for an individual with an unusual awareness of the possibilities within each situation. The Vigil Honor is the highest honor that the Order can bestow upon its members for service to the lodge, council, and Scouting.