Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Various questions about Order of the Arrow topics are answered on this page. The answers below are official responses to questions asked through the national OA web site.

If your question is not answered here, please refer to our Questions and Comments page for information on where to find an answer.

Membership Issues

Requirements

• Who decides what camping activities qualify for OA eligibility?
  
• Where may resident camping occur for OA eligibility?
  
• What are the requirements for an adult to become a member of the OA?
  
• How many adults can a unit recommend for OA membership?
• Can a Lone Scout become a member of OA?
  

I am moving or I have moved...

• How can I maintain my OA membership when transferring councils?
  
• I am registering in a new lodge. How can I verify my past membership in the OA?
  
• Is there a Lodge transfer form available?

Past Record Questions

• Is there a way to obtain old OA membership records?
• As an Adult who became a member of the OA in another council as a youth, what lodge do I belong to now?
• My old lodge does not seem to exist anymore. What happened?
  
• If I was a member of the OA as a boy, am I a member now?

Current Members

• How do I pay my lodge dues?

Policies and Guidelines

• What is the cutoff age for youths and adults in OA Activities?
  
• Can I wear a lodge flap on my Cub Scout Den Leader uniform?
  
• I became a member of the OA in another council as a youth, what lodge flap should I wear now?
  
• Can a lodge be dissolved?
  
• What is the policy for Health and Medical checks and forms for OA events?
  

OA Troop/Team Representative

• Can the position of OA Troop/Team Representative be used for BSA rank advancement?
  
• Can a Troop/Team Representative Adviser be under 21 years of age?
  

Ordeal and Brotherhood Honors

• Are there different handclasps for each honor in the OA?
  
• Can I order the Ordeal ceremony guide for my chapter?
  
• I need to know the admonition for the Brotherhood requirements. Can you tell me what it is?
  
• Can you e-mail me a copy of the Ordeal ceremonies booklet?
  
• Where are online copies of the ceremonies booklets located?
  

Vigil Honor

• How can I get my Vigil certificate which was never given to me?
  
• Can you e-mail me the rules for the Vigil selection process?
  
• Is there a national list of all Vigil honorees?
  
• Is it possible to verify member's Vigil Honor from the 1950's?
  

Awards and Recognition

• Were can I get application forms for the OA Founder's Award?
  
• How can an adult meet the requirements for the Arrowman Service Award?
  
• Is there a list of people who have been recognized with the Founder's Award?
  

Venturing

• Can Venturing Crews elect OA candidates?
  
• Can lodge flaps be worn on the Venturing uniform?
  

Contacting OA Leaders

• Can you send me the email address or phone number for a national OA committee member?
  
• How can I contact the National Executive Secretary?
  

The National OA Web Site

• How can safe guarded materials on this site be accessed?
  
• Is it possible to reprint material from the OA web site?
  
• Can you add our organization's link to your site?
  
• Why does the OA logo appear in my favorites list?
  
• Can we link our web site to yours?
  
• Does the National OA Web Site offer web hosting?
  
• Why does the menu bar font look small and hard for me to read?
  
• Can I use pictures from the National OA Web Site?
  

Events and Activities

• When and where will future national events be held?
  
• Is there any exception to the Philmont Trail Crew age limits?
  

Miscellaneous

• Why did the Order of the Arrow change its logo?
  
• Are any OA training materials available on-line?
  

Revised 12/29/2012