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Edited by Mark Ray
Illustration by Bill Basso
Encouraging Order of the Arrow Participation
Scouter A.M. notices that many of his Scouts who join the Order of the Arrow rarely participate in OA functions. He's looking for ideas to increase their participation.
Get the word out about all the great things your lodge is doing. If your lodge puts out a newsletter, share it with your Scouts. Let them know they’re invited and welcome. Tell them about events like section conclaves and the National Order of the Arrow Conference. Be enthusiastic. If you’re excited, they will be as well.
OA Adviser J.F.G. Jr.
Columbia, Md.
Lead by example. Be excited about OA events, and participate in them yourself; let your Scouts see your excitement. Make attending an OA function a group event for all your Arrowmen.
Assistant Scoutmaster L.B.
Sebastian, Fla.
Bring the OA to the troop. Have the dance team come to a meeting or activity. Have the lodge chief or your OA troop representative speak to the troop about upcoming activities. Have boys who went on an Ordeal talk about it during a meeting.
Scoutmaster W.G.
Hampton, Va.
Get the OA troop representative involved. If you do not have one, ask your OA chapter adviser if some members could visit your troop and explain OA in detail. Even if boys are not involved in OA, you are planting a seed for the future.
Assistant Scoutmaster R.S.
Lenoir City, Tenn.
Encourage your troop members to volunteer for various roles at OA functions. Service as an Elangomat, Ordeal Master, or ceremony team member is a great way to involve even the newest members of the lodge.
Lodge Co-Adviser W.D.
Enterprise, Ala.
The adults in our troop always make sure OA members have all the information they need to attend events: registration forms, dates, times, and locations. We also offer rides for everyone.
Committee Chair K.V.D.
South English, Iowa.
It may help to get Arrowmen involved with a ceremony team, in particular a Webelos crossover team. Cub Scouts look up to those older Scouts with great excitement. I can’t imagine an Arrowman not recognizing that and drawing some enthusiasm from it.
Assistant Scoutmaster K.S.
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Older Scouts should encourage younger and newly inducted Scouts to start attending OA functions. To get that ball rolling, adult leaders should explain the significance of the OA and build up the opportunities. At a troop court of honor, offer special recognition for Scouts who have recently been inducted. This lets younger Scouts and parents see what a big deal being elected into the Order is.
Scouter C.J.M.
Charlottesville, Va.
Web Exclusive ResponsesThe following responses do not appear in the print edition ... An assistant Scoutmaster should serve as an adviser to keep track of OA events, help the troop OA representative publicize them, and take the lead to get kids to OA events. Once a troop has a history of doing OA stuff, each group of new inductees to the Order is likely to have one or two who get interested in the OA.
National OA Committee Member K.D. Let boys who are eligible for OA know that it is more than the callout and Ordeal. They will be expected to be involved, go to meetings, do cheerful service, and promote camping within the troop.
Scouter L.R.
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