The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
Founded in 1915, it uses American Indian traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on
Scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily
lives. Inducted members are known as Arrowmen or brothers and are organized into local youth-led
lodges for fellowship and the rendering of service to Boy Scout councils and their communities.
As a program of the Boy Scout division, candidates for the Order of the Arrow are selected by
elections held annually in Boy Scout troops. Youth are elected by majority vote of the youth members
of their unit. To be eligible for election, a Scout must be at least First Class rank, have
fulfilled specified camping requirements (15 days in the preceding 2 years, with at least one extended
camp in excess of 5 days) have the approval of his Scoutmaster and must be elected by the members
of the troop. Most lodges or chapters support an election team to help hold the OA elections; it
is charged to inform the unit of the service and duty required of an Arrowman, that only the most
dedicated Scouts should be considered.
Learn more about the Order of the Arrow at www.oa-bsa.org
They meet at 7PM at the VFW hall in Silverdale on the fourth Wednesday of every month. The
chapter adviser is Mr. Nick Horowitz. Arrowmen are considered youth until their 21st birthday, Troop 1539 currently has 4 scouts elected who have not yet completed ordeal, and 13 scouts eligible for the next election.