The mission of the Order of the Arrow is to fulfill its purpose as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults.

As Scouting’s National Honor Society, our purpose is to:

• Recognize those 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.

• 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.

• Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit, and ability to advance the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our nation.

• Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

• Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.

• Have experienced 15 nights of Scout camping while registered with a troop within the two years immediately prior to the election. 

  • The 15 nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of at least five consecutive nights of overnight camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. 

  • Only five nights of the long-term camp may be credited toward the 15-night camping requirement

  • The balance of the camping (10 nights) must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps of, at most, three nights each. 

• At the time of their election, youth must be under the age of 21, and hold one of the following ranks corresponding to the type unit in which they are being considered for election: Scouts BSA First Class rank and following approval by the Scoutmaster be elected by the youth members of their unit.

Adults (age 21 or older) who meet the camping requirements may be selected following nomination to and approval by the lodge adult selection committee.