The Language of the OA encompasses style, usage, and grammar norms observed by both the Boy Scouts of America and the Order of the Arrow. The OA has developed this resource so that communications at every level of the organization are more consistent. Through periodic updates of terminology, it will become a more comprehensive primary resource to ensure chapters, lodges, sections and regions are aware of terms and style specific to the OA.
For more information on broader Scouting terms not commonly used in day-to-day OA operations, please visit The Language of Scouting and BSA Style Manual. To suggest an update and/or edit of The Language of the OA, please email @email.
Official social hashtag used to promote OA High Adventure programs and anything outdoors related.
Used within or at the conclusion of social posts. Do not use outside social media posts unless it is used to promote the hashtag. Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag used to promote the Arrowman Service Award, and all other service related endeavors in the Order of the Arrow.
Used within or at the conclusion of social posts. Do not use outside social media posts unless it is used to promote the hashtag. Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag for anything relating to the general ArrowTour program.
Used within or at the conclusion of social posts. Do not use outside social media posts unless it is used to promote the hashtag. Capitalize as shown.
Official social media hashtag used to promote the OA to potential members, Scoutmasters, parents, and/or non-members.
Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag of the "Dare to Do" movement, in which participants pledge to preform one act of service each day, and then share it on social media. Used at the beginning or conclusion of posts.
Do not use outside social media posts unless it is used to promote the hashtag. Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag of the OA's staff presence at the 2017 National Jamboree.
Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag used to promote OA hackathons. Used during and after event in social media posts.
Used within or at the conclusion of social posts. Do not use outside social media posts unless it is used to promote the hashtag. Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag of centennial anniversary communications. Used within or at the conclusion of social posts.
Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag used to generally promote the Order of the Arrow.
Official social hashtag used to promote OA Canadian Odyssey at Northern Tier.
Used within or at the conclusion of social posts. Do not use outside social media posts unless it is used to promote the hashtag. Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag used to generally promote OA High Adventure programs.
Used within or at the conclusion of social posts. Do not use outside social media posts unless it is used to promote the hashtag. Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag used to promote OA Ocean Adventure at the Florida Sea Base.
Used within or at the conclusion of social posts. Do not use outside social media posts unless it is used to promote the hashtag. Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag used to promote OA Summit Experience at Summit Bechtel Reserve.
Used within or at the conclusion of social posts. Do not use outside social media posts unless it is used to promote the hashtag. Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag used to promote OA Trail Crew at Philmont Scout Ranch.
Used within or at the conclusion of social posts. Do not use outside social media posts unless it is used to promote the hashtag. Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag used to promote OA Wilderness Voyage at Northern Tier.
Used within or at the conclusion of social posts. Do not use outside social media posts unless it is used to promote the hashtag. Capitalize as shown.
Official social hashtag used to promote OA-centric training events and initiatives.
Used within or at the conclusion of social posts. Do not use outside social media posts unless it is used to promote the hashtag. Capitalize as shown.
A NOAC 2015 incentive program that challenges lodges to bring 100 or more of their members to the conference.
Capitalize as shown.
A member of the Order of the Arrow who is at least 21 years of age, is responsible to the Scout executive, supervises the program, and guides, counsels, and mentors youth on an Order of the Arrow organization or committee (e.g, lodge adviser, staff adviser, ceremony team adviser, etc.).
Capitalize in sentence case, unless it is used to precede a person’s name. Do not use “advisor” in the OA (more info).
"Johnny Scout is a lodge adviser," "Na Tsi Hi Lodge Adviser Johnny Scout"
American Indian Activities Committee
Should not be used in guest communications.
This term is preferred to "Native American" when referring to Indigenous People of the continental United States. "Native American" also applies to include native peoples of the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Guam. When possible, be required and use the name of a specific tribe, Such as "Chinook tribe," "Chinook Indian tribe."
Capitalize as shown.
Annual publication of the National Order of the Arrow Committee that details organizational operations and achievements for the previous year and presents a current vision for the future.
Capitalize and italicized as shown.
Activities and Recreation Committee
Should not be used in guest communications.
An administrative section of a BSA region containing a number of councils. Organizational equivalent of a section within the Order of the Arrow, though it is possible for one area to have multiple sections. In the OA, sections contain a number of lodges (charted to the council). Regions have from five to eight areas.
Capitalize in sentence case unless referring to a specific area. When referring to a specific area, use numerals.
Area 1, Area 4, "an area event"
In September 2017, the island of Puerto Rico was devastated by a category five hurricane; Maria. Many people in affected areas lost power for months, and suffered extreme property damage. The council camp in Puerto Rico, Camp Guajataka, suffered intense damage. Later that year, a group of Arrowmen from Section NE-5 created a patch fundraiser to assist with cleanup and repair efforts. After raising over $50,000, ArrowCorps Puerto Rico was born - a weeklong service project with 100 Arrowmen from across the country, rebuilding Camp Guajataka. Held in the spring of 2018, the week of service made Camp Guajataka operational for the upcoming camping season.
Capitalize as shown. An Arrowman who attends ArrowCorps Puerto Rico is named a "participant."
A national OA service project where over 3600 Arrowmen provided over 280,000 man-hours of service to our National Parks. Sites included the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Manti-La Sal National Forest, the Mark Twain National Forest, and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
Capitalize and italicized as shown. If possible, the 5 should be superscript.