Skip to main content
We've detected that you're using an unsupported browser. You may experience issues using the OA website. Please visit our supported browsers page for more information.

Language of the OA

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.

Termnational vice chief
Category
OA Organization
Definition

The youth Arrowman elected by thier peer section chiefs to assist the national chief. Assumes the role of national chief, if needed, and serves as a voting member of the National Order of the Arrow Committee.

Style and Usage

Capitalize in sentence case except when preceding a name. Do not use a hyphen; can be abbreviated as NVC after first use.

Examples
TermNational Webinar
Category
OA General
Definition

A seminar conducted over the Internet; typically focused on new policy and procedures, training, and event details. 

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown.

Examples
TermNative American
Category
OA General
Definition

See "American Indian," which is preferred.

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown.

Examples
TermNOAC Radio
Category
2015 NOAC
Definition

The conference radio station.

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown. 

Examples
TermOA
Category
OA General
Definition

Abbreviation of the full name of the Order of the Arrow. Refrain from using "Order" as a stand-alone abbreviation. 

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown.

Examples
TermOA Camp Coordinator
Category
OA General
Definition

The OA Camp Coordinator, or OACC, is an Arrowman who cheerfully serves both the camp and the lodge during the summer. Responsible for the various lodge programs at camp, the OACC is the "go-to" person for all Order of the Arrow related questions. On any given day, they might make torches for that week’s call out ceremony, conduct a unit election for an in-council troop in the comfort of their own campsite, organize Arrowmen to serve coffee and newspapers each morning to Scoutmasters as reveille sounds, or promote the next big event to each Unit Representative.

Style and Usage

Captialize as shown. May abbreviate as OACC.

Examples
TermOA Eagle Scout Congratulatory Letter
Category
OA General
Definition

The Congratulatory Eagle Scout Letter is a resource for the Awards and Recognition chairperson meant for Scouts earning their Eagle Scout during the current year. The national chief and national vice chief want to recognize each Eagle on the great accomplishment of obtaining Eagle. The letter is intended for all Eagle Scouts and not just an Arrowman.

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown.

Examples
TermOA Hackathon
Category
OA General
Definition

A hackathon is a design sprint-like event in which computer programmers and others involved in software development collaborate intensively on software projects. OA Hackathons focus on education and collaboration as delegates have fun and tackle the technology issues of the Order of the Arrow. 

Style and Usage

An OA Hackathon participant is named a "delegate."

Examples
TermOA LodgeMaster
Category
OA Organization
Definition

Software distributed by the National OA Committee for use by lodges to keep track of their official roster, finances and charter and Journey to Excellence petition. 

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown.

Examples
TermOA PhilBreak
Category
OA General
Definition

Born in 2003 in response to the fires that damaged thousands of woodland acres in Philmont’s beautiful Ponil region, PhilBreak has three major goals: Provide Philmont Scouters for service to Philmont, Provide a qualified pool of potential staff members, and Enhance and build participant’s leadership skills. In 2019, PhilBreak was reborn in response to the devastating Ute Park fire of 2018, with three week-long sessions of service towards the sustainability of and fire prevention at Philmont.

Style and Usage

An Arrowman who attends the OA PhilBreak is named a "participant"

Examples
TermOA SeaBreak
Category
OA General
Definition

In September 2017, the southeastern United States was struck by two category five hurricanes, Irma and Maria. Many people in affected areas lost power for weeks, and suffered extreme property damage. Although the main campus of Sea Base in Islamorada remained largely untouched, this was not the case for properties throughout the Florida Keys and BSA facilities operated by local councils. Camp Sawyer and Big Munson Island were both hit heavily, with camping facilities having been destroyed by the storm. In response to these storms, the Southern Region hosted SeaBreak in the spring of 2018. SeaBreak provided Arrowmen the opportunity to serve by helping repair parts of Sea Base, Camp Sawyer, and Big Munson Island.

Style and Usage

An Arrowman who attends the OA SeaBreak is named a 'participant'. Capitalize as shown.

Examples
TermOA Today
Category
Publications
Definition

Email newsletter for general OA membership, sent and managed by the National Communications Committee. 

Style and Usage

Capitalize and italicized as shown.

Examples
TermOAHA foreman
Category
OA General
Definition

A registered member of the Order of the Arrow serving on staff at a Scouting high adventure base, leading participating crews in OA High Adventure programs.

Style and Usage

Capitalize in sentence case unless preceding a name.

Examples

"Foreman Johnny Scout met with the other foremen before the work began"

TermOAWarrior
Category
2015 NOAC
Definition

Activity for guests organized by the Activities and Recreation Committee.

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown.

Examples
TermOperation Arrow Ambassadors Program
Category
OA General
Definition

A promotional effort administered to form and engage local support in the Operation Arrow recruitment process.

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown.

Examples
TermOperation Arrow Street Team
Category
OA General
Definition

The grassroots promotional effort for Operation Arrow. 

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown. 

Examples
TermOrdeal membership/Ceremony
Category
OA General
Definition

The first induction phase of membership in the Order of the Arrow. Ordeal members are entitled to all rights and privileges of OA members. 

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown only when referring to membership or to the ceremony. Adjective form: Ordeal member.

Examples
TermOrder of the Arrow Handbook
Category
Publications
Definition

The main handbook for OA members. It includes basic information all members should know and reflects current policies.

Style and Usage

Capitalize and italicized as shown.

Examples
TermOrder of the Arrow unit representative adviser
Category
OA General
Definition

Unit-level adult position resonsible for advising the Order of the Arrow unit representative.

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown. 

Examples
TermOrder of the Arrow, Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui
Category
OA General
Definition

Full name of the Order of the Arrow. 

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown. 

Examples
TermOrder of the Arrrow unit representative
Category
OA General
Definition

Unit-level youth position directly responsible for maintaining communication between the unit and the lodge, encouraging Ordeal members to seal the bond in Brotherhood, and ensuring that the unit remains active in the lodge.

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown. May be abbreviated OA unit rep after first reference.

Examples
Termour national centennial experience
Category
100th Anniversary
Definition

The slogan of ArrowTour. 

Style and Usage

Capitalize in sentence case and display in bold or other manner that draws attention to the text.

Examples
TermPerformance Measurement Program
Category
OA General
Definition

Performance Management Program is the performance measurement and recognition program for BSA groups. It replaced the JTE program in 2019. Can refer to lodge or section programs. See Journey to Exellence.

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown.

Examples
TermPhilmont Museum and Seton Memorial Library
Category
BSA General
Definition

The Philmont Museum is home to many historical Scouting artifacts pertinent to the Scouting movement and the Philmont Scout Ranch. Within the museum is the Seton Memorial Library.

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown.

Examples
TermPILOT
Category
2018 NOAC
Definition

The PILOT program was developed to help youth and adult lodge leaders understand their personal leadership abilities, and how they can improve their leadership to positively influence their lodge. The training was based on the writings of James Kouzes and Barry Posner which explain that all exemplary leaders exhibit five practices of leadership: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. The curriculum has a strong focus on the personal leadership abilities, rather than the specific operational aspects of leading a lodge. In doing so, the learner will be able to apply their newly found leadership abilities to a wide array of situations.

Style and Usage

Capitalize as shown.

Examples