The Order of the Arrow is Scouting's National Honor Society.

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OA Events

OA Events
Chapter Meetings
Every chapter holds fun and informative meetings every month in each district. Visit www.colonneh.org and click on “Chapter Meeting Locations” to find out your Chapters meeting time and location.

Fall PowWow
October 16 – 18, 2009

Fall PowWow is Colonneh’s premier Lodge event. It is a combination of Native American activities such as ceremony and dance classes, regalia building activities, competitions and PowWows; sports; exciting games; shows; expos; and more. The 2007 Fall PowWow will be held at Camp Strake for three days of non-stop fun, food, fellowship and celebration.

American Indian Weekend
December 4-6, 2009 at Bovay

American Indian Weekend is a weekend event is open to all Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Venturers and their leaders consisting of Native American workshops on dancing, drumming, ceremonies, etiquette, outfitting, crafts & Indian Lore Merit Badge. In addition, there are dance contests; nationally recognized Indian speakers and craft presenters; and a large PowWow.

David Hinds Memorial Training
December 12-13, 2009

All Arrowman are invited to attend the David Hinds Training, a dynamic annual training event, to learn more about the OA and Colonneh Lodge and how to become a better leader. Youth and Adult training classes include leadership development, event planning, tools needed to improve chapters, and communication skills to name a few. This important training will be held at the Cockrell Service Center and is open to all Arrowman, but is required for all Lodge and Chapter Officers and Advisers.

OA Banquet
January 9, 2010

Arrowman gather for a night of celebration at the annual Colonneh Lodge OA Banquet. Together we share our appreciation for the outgoing officers and welcome the new incoming lodge officers. The Lodge Banquet will be held at the Cockrell Service Center and is an opportunity to recognize the Chapter of the Year, new Vigil Honor Members, Colonneh Lodge Numbered Certificate recipients, Founders Award recipients and to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments. It’s also a time to look back at all of fun that was had over the past year and to spend time with your fellow Arrowman.

Spring Fellowship
February 26-28, 2010

Spring Fellowship a two day event that allows Arrowman to recommit ourselves to the principles of our order, brotherhood, cheerfulness and service. As such the event will focus on brotherhood Friday night with an outstanding evening event to promote fellowship among brothers. Saturday, focuses around service to camp, election of officers, and an evening filled with food, fun, and fellowship (e.g., games, activities, shows). For more information, visit www.colonneh.org.

Scout Fair
April 24, 2009

As a service based organization, Colonneh Lodge’s Arrowman provide service to Scout Fair. Contact your Chapter Chief to learn more about how you can contribute your time and service to this event. Arrowman hand out programs, staff information booths, and assist visitors. Native American Dancing demonstrations, OA candidate callouts, and Brotherhood Walk/Ceremonies are also conducted at Scout Fair.

Lodge Executive Committee (LEC) Meeting

The LEC meets several times a years to facilitate the business matters of Colonneh Lodge. All Lodge Officers and Chapter Chiefs (or designee) and their advisers are required to attend the LEC from 2:00 – 4:00 a.m. at the Cockrell Service Center; however, all other Arrowmen are welcome to attend this important planning and business meeting.

Section Conclave
July 9-11, 2010
Baylor University

Section Conclave is an annual event where 9 Lodges from Southern Region – Section 2-3S get together for fellowship, competitions, and lot of fun while celebrating the traditions of the Order of the Arrow. Scouts from all over Texas and SE Louisiana will have a blast participating in the numerous special events, games, food, fun, ceremony and dance competitions, awesome shows, LOTS of patch trading and so much more. Call your Chapter Adviser or Chapter Chief today, for more information and to discuss transportation options to the event. www.sr2-3s.org

OA Dues
Don’t be a flap wearer. OA dues must be paid in order to wear the Lodge flap. Dues can be paid at the Council office (713) 659-8111 or online by clicking on the appropriate year: 2009

Brotherhood
The Ordeal member’s commitment is to return in service to their unit, a duty that should never be neglected. The Brotherhood honor is a step that an Ordeal member should take when ready to seal their membership within the Order of the Arrow. The process of becoming a Brotherhood member can begin immediately upon becoming an Ordeal member; however, the longest part of the process will be the continued service to the member’s unit for 10 months following the Ordeal. The OA Handbook lists all of the requirements of Brotherhood. A Brotherhood Walk to help Ordeal members complete the requirements occurs at every Lodge event. After the Brotherhood walk, Ordeal members will be able to seal their membership in the OA by taking part in a Brotherhood ceremony marking the completion of induction into the Order of the Arrow.

Arrowman Opportunities

Troop OA Representative
The Troop OA Representative is a youth leadership position that is held within a Unit. Troop OA Representatives serve as a link between the Lodge or Chapter and the Unit. In the Unit, the Troop OA Representative makes sure that fellow Arrowmen know about upcoming OA events. In addition, the Troop OA Representative takes information back to the Chapter and Lodge on how the OA can help the Unit. The OA Troop Representative is a very important role to the OA. It is a way to serve the Lodge and Unit at the same time, and fulfill a leadership requirement for advancement towards Eagle.

Event Staff
Youth and Adult Advisers are needed to serve in a variety of positions at Lodge Events such as Fall PowWow and Spring Fellowship. Each event has a variety of committees including program, service, and facilities. Contact the youth event chairman for more information.

Elangomats
Arrowman young and old are needed to serve as an “Elangomat” or “friend” at Ordeals to make candidates feel welcome. Serving as an Elangomat is a wonderful leadership experience as well as an opportunity to make new friends. Elangomats are vital to the Lodge’s induction process. Serving as an Elangomat can also help youth achieve the Leadership in Service Award as well as the Service Clan Sash.

Chapter Ceremony Teams
Ceremony teams are needed to conduct Arrow of Light Ceremonies, Pre-Ordeal and Ordeal Ceremonies and Brotherhood Ceremonies. In addition, ceremony teams have many exciting opportunities to participate in competitions at the Lodge, Section, and National level events. For more information about ceremonial opportunities, contact your Chapter Chief or Chapter Adviser.

Native American Dancing and Drumming
Workshops on Native American Dancing and Drumming are available at Fall PowWow and Spring Fellowship. Colonneh’s Native American Committee promotes cultural education through song, authentic dance, crafts, and more. Individual dancing and drumming competitions occur at many Lodge, Section, and National events. For more information, contact the Lodge Native American Committee to learn more about the many opportunities that exist and how to get involved.

Camp Promotions
The OA was founded upon camping traditions. Each Chapter has a Camp Promotions team to improve interest in our local Scout camps and promote the excitement of camping and adventure. Contact your Chapter Chief to sign up. Arrowman are also encouraged to work on Summer Camp staff. To receive a camp staff application, please contact the Camping Services department at the Scout Service Center.

Summer Camp Staff
Serving on Summer Camp Staff is an outstanding opportunity to serve Scouting through working at one of the Sam Houston Area Council’s summer camps: El Rancho Cima Cockrell River Camp and Walter Scout Camp-Horseshoe Bend, Hamman Scout Camp or Bovay Scout Ranch. Full-time summer camp staff employment is available for Scouts and Venturers ages 16 and up and adult Scouters. In addition, Junior Staff opportunities (two weeks of service) are available for Scouts and Venturers 14-16 years old. Contact Camping Services (713-756-3303, camping@shac.org) or click here for more information.

National Programs and Events

Every year there are lots of awesome opportunities for Arrowmen to participate in national programs and events. Being a member of the OA has many benefits beyond Colonneh. Here are just a few of the programs and events available to members of the Order:


National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC)– Held every three years at a major university, this is the premier Order of the Arrow event, and is among the largest events held by the Boy Scouts of America, second only to the National Jamboree. Over 7,000 Arrowmen gather for this awesome week-long event. For more information, contact the Lodge leadership.
Northern Tier OA Wilderness Voyage– One of the last untouched wilderness areas lies on our nation’s northern border--the Northern Tier Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base. Any OA member between the ages of 16-20 can participate in the OA Voyage program for just $150, plus the cost of transportation. Participants spend two weeks on the waters of northern Minnesota; performing service the first week, and taking part in a crew-designed voyage the second week.
Philmont OA Trail Crew– Want an inexpensive, fun way to visit Philmont? All OA members age 16-20 can participate in the OA Trail Crew program for just $150, plus the cost of transportation. Participants spend two weeks in the Philmont backcountry; performing service the first week, and taking part in a crew-designed trek the second week.
Florida Sea Base Crew– The OA Ocean Adventure (OAOA) is a unique opportunity to experience the programs at the Florida Sea Base, while providing a new type of service to the Atlantic Ocean. In a two-week period, participants will complete PADI SCUBA certification, as well as interact with undersea wildlife like no other Scouts do. For one week, participants will undergo intensive SCUBA certification in preparation. The second week participants spend their time taking wildlife samples in the Florida Keys, performing island restoration and other meaningful projects to the surrounding area.
National Boy Scout Jamboree– The Order of the Arrow provides leadership to several areas of the National Jamboree—Scouting’s largest event. The OA has led the American Indian Village, T.O.A.P. (The Outdoor Adventure Place), and the highly acclaimed Scoutopia. The OA has also provided a Service Corps to the Jamboree that gave cheerful service throughout the event. Consider applying to be on staff.
National Leadership Seminar (NLS)– One of the highest regarded training weekends in the BSA, the National Leadership Seminar is a training program that focuses on leadership development. The NLS discusses the leadership skills and techniques needed by people to be successful, and how to apply those to your life in and out of Scouting. An invitation is only available through your lodge leadership, so speak with your lodge chief or adviser if you’re interested.


OA Contact Information
Physical Location
OA Office
2225 N Loop W – Houston, TX 77008-1311

Mailing Address
OA Office
c/o Sam Houston Area Council – BSA
P.O. Box 924528 - Houston, TX 77292

Phone: (713) 756-3395
Fax: (713) 865-9150; new fax number dedicated to the OA
Email: oa@shac.org; delores.mcgee@shac.org


OA Membership Requirements
Unit Leader Approval. To become eligible for election, a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America and have the approval of his unit leader prior to the election. The unit leader must certify his Scout spirit (i.e. his adherence to the Scout Oath and Law and active participation in unit activities). The unit leader must also certify that the nominee meets all specified requirements at the time of this annual election.

Youth Membership Qualifications. All members of, or candidates for membership in, the Order of the Arrow who are under 21 years of age shall be considered youth members or candidates for youth membership, subject to meeting the following requirements:
Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America
Hold the First Class rank of the Boy Scouts of America, as a minimum
After registration with a troop or team, have experienced 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The 15 days and nights 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.

Candidates for youth membership shall be elected by other youth members in accordance with policies set forth by the national Order of the Arrow committee.

Adult membership qualifications. All members of, or candidates for membership in, the Order of the Arrow who are 21 years of age or older and who are registered members of the Boy Scouts of America shall be considered adult members or candidates for adult membership. Individuals shall be selected as candidates based on the following:

Adult leaders in units: Each year, upon holding a troop or team election for youth candidates that results in at least one youth candidate being elected, the unit committee may nominate one adult to the lodge adult selection committee, composed of the lodge adviser, the chairman of the council committee on which the lodge adviser serves, and the lodge staff adviser. Troops or teams having more than 50 registered active youth members may nominate an additional adult for every 50 registered, active youth, or fraction thereof. For example, a troop having 51 to 100 registered, active youths may nominate two adults each year if at least one youth has been elected. Recommendations of the adult selection committee, with the approval of the Scout executive, serving as Supreme Chief of the Fire, will be candidates for induction, provided the following conditions are fulfilled:
Selection of the adult is based on the ability to perform the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose, and not for recognition of service, including current or prior achievement and positions.
The individual will be an asset to the Order because of demonstrated abilities that fulfill the purpose of the Order.
The camping requirements set forth for youth members are fulfilled.
The adult leader’s membership will provide a positive example for the growth and development of the youth members of the lodge.

Because the Order of the Arrow is principally a youth organization, unit, district, and council Scouters are not selected for membership as a recognition. Selection should take place only when the adult’s position in Boy Scouting or Varsity Scouting will make Order of the Arrow membership more meaningful in the lives of the youth membership.