By Samuel Guerra
Each Arrowmen must test themselves during their Ordeal to demonstrate cheerful self-denial, brotherhood, service and self-reliance.Yet, these virtues don’t end when an Arrowman earns his or her sash. Rather, they teach lessons that one will use throughout life. Part of the purpose of the OA is to recognize Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily lives and to promote camping. The Ordeal experience alone has made a positive impact on the lives of so many throughout the years. Three advisers have remarked that the Ordeal has made a huge impact on each of their lives as an adviser and in their professional careers.
National OA Chairman Ray Capp was inducted into Sippo Lodge as a youth in August 1965. Capp first learned about the Order when his uncle took him to “visitor’s night” at his local summer camp where his cousin was a Scout. He was really excited about and interested in learning more about the tap-out ceremony. Capp’s first thought of the Order was it was full of “cool older kids” who seemed to be having a lot of fun and were really great friends. When Capp first arrived at his Ordeal, he had no idea what to expect or what he was going to do. Part of his cheerful service was cleaning the wood stove, as he was the smallest of all the Ordeal candidates. After completing his Ordeal, Ray got involved as an OA Troop Representative at his summer camp where he was a counselor in training. But the real benefit arrived when he was an adult working in his career. Capp met so many new people and made so many friends that he still works with today. The real benefit of his Ordeal is that it taught him to do “something brave, hard or kind that adds to your energy level and does not drain it.”
Mark Chilluti, Northeast Region chairman, was inducted as a youth into Unami Lodge on July 16th, 1981, the 66th anniversary of the Order. His first thought about the OA was that “everyone who was a leader in the troop wore a sash and flap proudly, and I wanted to be part of them.” While Chilluti wanted to be in the OA, he had no idea what to expect other than it would be a “really meaningful experience.” Chilutti enjoyed his Ordeal experience, especially being called out and inducted at Treasure Island Scout Reservation. “We did a very worthwhile project for our Ordeal that I could show people for years to come—as opposed to hauling trash or something less permanent.” Immediately after being inducted, Chilutti wanted to learn more. “I can remember reading my OA handbook in my tent with a flashlight the night after my Ordeal ceremony. I also knew right then I wanted to be that chief guy, even though I didn't really know who he was or what he really did, but I was impressed by him.”
But the real learning came for Chilluti when he was an adult. “I came to recognize how meaningful it was to be a member of the first lodge in the nation and inducted at the birthplace of the OA. I was inducted the year after Dr. Goodman died, but there were enough people still around and involved that I was able to hear lots of stories of the early years. To able to seal my bonds of Brotherhood and keep my Vigil on the island made it even cooler!” The challenges that he went though at his Ordeal taught him to lead others and to run a successful program.
Section NE-2A Adviser Bill Chin was inducted into Tankieke Lodge in 1993. Chin first learned about the OA when he was a Cub Scout and attended a district camporee with an indian lore theme. ”I remember being impressed with the lodge’s dance team performance,” he says.
Chin enjoyed participating in Scouting events and thought the OA would open a whole new window of opportunity. He was definitely excited for his Ordeal, even though he did not know what to expect. The most memorable part of his Ordeal was the amazing ceremonies, he remarked. Even though a lot of people complain about the four tests of the Ordeal, he did not really mind them. “When I received my Ordeal sash, it made the whole weekend worth it.”
Chin feels that the Ordeal didn’t have as much impact on him as being a member of the OA did. He was able to take on many different leadership positions that shaped him into the person that he is today. He was able to meet so many people that are now lifelong friends. Looking back, he realizes that the Ordeal experience is a valuable life lesson once recollecting on his personal journey. He adds that his OA experience prepared him to plan, manage projects and execute projects and programs from beginning to end.