Congratulations!
You have been elected to the Order of the Arrow by the Scouts in your unit. Following your election, you were called out. Next you must complete your Induction Weekend.
What is this Induction Weekend that they’re talking about?
The induction weekend is the first step toward full membership in the Order. The entire experience is designed to teach significant values. All candidates for membership must complete the Induction weekend within 18 months of their election.
To complete your induction into the Order of the Arrow, prospective new members attend the Induction Weekend. It will be a time spent in service to the camp, working in silence and on scant rations. A time free of distraction to contemplate the value of service to others, it concludes with an induction ceremony and a feast of fellowship and food with other Arrowmen.
Once you have completed the Induction Weekend, you are a member of the Order of the Arrow well on your way through your journey, bestowed with the Ordeal Honor.
Ordeal Honor members are given an OA Handbook and some other materials. They should keep and refer to them as they progress on their journey to Brotherhood. After six months of membership, Ordeal Honor members are invited to participate in a Brotherhood Ceremony and complete their journey.
This registration begins with your Induction Weekend and includes the journey to Brotherhood and includes the weekend’s recognition, meals and program.
OA is a non-secret organization. Supervision at OA events is done on the whole by the adults in attendance. The OA has a long history of this practice of letting the honor campers enjoy a larger degree of freedom at camp and it will continue to do so. Your Scout is expected to live up to the standards of being an honor camper at events without constant supervision.
Cost: Inductions cost $97, which includes dues, sash, food, lodge flap, and your Brotherhood Honor sash (to be received at Brotherhood ceremonies starting 6 months after your Induction)
What to Bring: Medical Forms A and B, Water, Class A Uniform, Work Clothes, Money for Lodge Trading Post, Toiletries, 10 essentials
What not to Bring: Any kind of food or candy (All food will be provided)
More Info: For more information, please see the signup links below. Emails will also be sent out once registration is completed, along with an online down the hill meeting to prepare the week of. For dietary restrictions, medical needs, or any other concerns, please email evc@wiatava.org
Where?: Induction locations rotate among OCC camps during the year. The next Induction is at Oso Lake from March 20-21. Directions are below.
Sign up below (2025 Dates)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a secret? The OA is not a secret society, and any element of mystery in the ceremonies is for mistake. As stated by BSA, “ceremonies are open to any parent, Scout leader, or religious leader”. We are happy to share any information about activities with those who are not members.
What happens in the Induction? Inductions start with a ceremony, giving candidates an understanding of the the keystones of the OA- brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service. After this, each member is challenged to lifelong cheerful service as they enter the Order of the Arrow.
How to get involved after? Check out the New Members page!
How do I get to the Induction? We understand that some locations may be far or difficult for travel. If you contact evc@wiatava.org, we can help coordinate rides for Inductions.
Can I arrive late or leave early? While it is preferred that candidates arrive on time and stay for the entire event, exceptions can be seldom made for unavoidable conflicts. Please email evc@wiatava.org sooner than later if this is the case.
Can parents or guardians attend the Induction? Due to the personal and reflective experience of the Induction, parents and guardians are generally not allowed to observe. However, parents are assured that there are no secretive or harmful activities involved, and that adult supervision and proper youth protection is maintained at all times.