Jaccos Towne Lodge            Order of the Arrow - "the brotherhood of cheerful service"                                     Crossroads of America Council - Boy Scouts of America
HISTORY Founded in 1915 at Treasure Island Scout Camp   The Order of the Arrow was created in 1915 by E. Urner Goodman, a young Camp Director at Treasure Island Scout Camp in the Philadelphia Council. Together with his Assistant Director, Carroll A. Edson, Urner felt that some sort of recognition was needed to honor those Scouts who were committed to the service of others above and beyond the call of duty.   Officially integrated into the Boy Scout program in 1948   Although it took over 30 years to become fully integrated into the Scouting program, the OA flourished through the 1920’s and 30’s, and finally, in 1948, became the Honor Camper Society of the Boy Scouts of America. Soon after the integration, a greater focus was put on youth leadership within the organization.   The lodge becomes an integral part of the Council   In 1998 the Order of the Arrow created its first strategic plan. This document outlined ways that the OA could help the Boy Scouts of America accomplish their goals and strengthen the local program. One of the plan’s initiatives called for every lodge to become an integral part of its council’s operations. For many lodges, this was the first time a communication link had been established between the lodge leadership and the council Scout executive. It was also at this point that the Order of the Arrow officially became “Scouting’s National Honor Society.”   “A Legacy of Servant Leadership”   As the Order moves forward in the 21st century, it is strengthening its ties to the values that the organization was founded upon: brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service. The OA’s second strategic plan, unveiled in 2002, calls for the fortification of the lodge’s ties to each council, and to provide expanded leadership development and service opportunities to the youth of Scouting.   Today, with over 300 lodges nationwide and 180,000+ members, the Order has helped produce many of Scouting’s most outstanding leaders.	PURPOSE Purpose of the Order of the Arrow   To recognize those campers – Scouts and Scouters – who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and by such recognition cause other campers to conduct themselves in such manner as to warrant recognition. To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit.  To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit’s camping program, both year-round and in the summer camp, as directed by the camping committee of the council.   To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.   Our Vision for the Order of the Arrow    To be recognized as Scouting’s National Honor Society and an integral part of every council.  Our service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults, are model of quality leadership development and programming that enrich, support, and help extend Scouting to America’s youth.    Membership   Nationally more than 183,000 members in lodges affiliated with more than 300 BSA local councils. The Jaccos Towne lodge has over 1500 members in the Crossroads of America Council.   Eligibility   To become a member,  a youth must be a registered member of a Boy Scout troop or Varsity Scout team and hold the First Class rank. The youth must have experienced 15 days and nights of camping during the two years before his election. The 15 days and nights of camping must include one, but not more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps. Their fellow troop or varsity team members, following approval by the Scoutmaster or varsity Scout Coach, elect scouts to the Order.
BROTHERHOOD CHEERFULNESS SERVICE
©2007 Jaccos Towne Lodge, Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America