Membership Requirements

Membership in the Order of the Arrow falls under two categories, Youth and Adults. Each category has different requirements and processes for attaining membership. Outlined below are the requirements and processes.

Youth Membership:

To join the Order of the Arrow a youth must:

• Be a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout who holds the First Class rank, is under the age of 21, and is registered as an active member of the troop or team.
• 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 no 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.
• Must be elected by his fellow scouts based upon their opinion of his devotion to service, cheerfulness and brotherhood. The election is not a popularity contest

Adult Membership:

In order for an adult to join the Order of the Arrow their must have been at least one youth member elected in the troop/team, and the adult must:

• Be over 21 years of age and be a registered adult leader.
• Meet the same camping requirements as a youth member.
• Be recommended by the unit leaders to the Lodge Adult Selection Committee based upon:
• Whether or not the adult will assist in the completion of the mission of the Order of the Arrow in the future
• The adult's membership would provide a positive role model for the youth members in the lodge
• It should not be based upon the previous contributions of the adult leader