Q/A: Lone Scouts
Q: Can members of the Lone Scout program
be elected into the Order of the Arrow?
A: The following official response is from Clyde Mayer,
OA Team Leader:
Lone Scouts can not become part of the Order of the
Arrow.
The reason for this policy reflects both the way boys become
members of the OA, and the underlying purpose of the program.
The only way that youth (under 21) can become a candidate for
membership to the Order of the Arrow is by being properly elected
by the fellow Scouts in his unit. Lone Scouts, by definition, have
no unit. Therefore, there is no way to do a unit election to
elect them.
From the philosophical side, the OA exists as a part of the
Boy Scout program of the BSA. We ask each member to "...return in
service to your unit...", and we attempt to focus strongly on
how OA members can serve and support their own troop. Also,
part of our purpose is to recognize outstanding Scouts so
they can cause others "...to conduct themselves in such manner
as to warrant recognition...". Again, Lone Scouts do not
have a troop to serve, nor do they have other Scouts in a
troop to inspire.
While the Order of the Arrow is a great program for many boys,
it is not available to everyone. Specifically, it is not available
to boys who are registered as Lone Scouts.
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