What is the OA

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the honor society of Scouting America,[3] composed of Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives as elected by their peers. It was founded as a camp fraternity by E. Urner Goodman, with the assistance of Carroll A. Edson, in 1915. Although it began without national approval, it was eventually admitted as an "Official Experiment" of Scouting America. In 1948, following an extensive review, it became a program of the organization. Inducted members, known as Arrowmen or Brothers (regardless of gender; as Scouting America and its programs are open to all genders), are organized into local youth-led lodges that harbor fellowship, promote camping, and render service to scout councils and their communities. Each lodge corresponds to a council in the area. Lodges are further broken down into chapters, which correspond to districts within a council. Members wear identifying insignia on their uniforms, most notably the pocket flap that represents their individual lodge and the sash worn at official OA functions. The national organization sponsors several events, awards, and training functions in addition to lodge programming.