About the Order

About the Order

What is the Order of the Arrow?

The Order of the Arrow (or as most people call it, the OA) is Scouting's National Honor Society. It was founded in 1915 by Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A Edson at Treasure Island, the Council camp for the council in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Units hold elections where Scouts are selected based on their adherance to the Scout Oath and Law. Requirements are at least First Class, 15 days and nights of camping within 2 years prior to the election (must include 1 and not more than 1 long-term camping experience), and Scoutmaster approval.

Purpose of the Order of the Arrow:

To recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives

To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit

To promote Scout camping

To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others

Brotherhood Membership
After 10 months of service as an Ordeal member and meeting certain requirements, a member may convert to Brotherhood, which places further emphasis on the ideals of Scouting and the Order. Completion of this ceremony signifies full membership in the OA.

Click here to learn more about Brotherhood Conversion...

The Vigil Honor
After two years of service as a Brotherhood member, and with the approval of the national Order of the Arrow Committee, a Scout may be recognized with the Vigil Honor for outstanding service to Scouting, his lodge, and the community. This honor is bestowed by special selection and is limited to one person for every 50 members registered with the lodge each year.

Click here to see a list of our Vigil Honor Members...

What is a Lodge?

Our Lodge Flap features the Red Tail Hawk Each council throughout the country can charter an OA Lodge. Our lodge serves the Old North State Council of North Carolina. Our Lodge name is Tsoiotsi Tsogalii which means "We Three Are Friends" in the Cherokee Language. The totem for our lodge is the Red-Tailed Hawk. We hold 5 major events throughout the year: Spring Fellowship in March, May Induction Weekend, September Induction Weekend, October Induction Weekend, and Fall Fellowship in November.

Our lodge is part of Section SR-7B, which is composed of 5 other lodges in North Carolina: Occoneechee 104, Croatan 117, Wahissa 118, Nayawin Rar 296 and Klahican 331. The Section has an annual event known as a Conclave (Typically held in April). This is a really fun event with all types of competitions, fellowship and patch trading.

What is a Chapter?

Think of a Chapter as smaller sub-set of the lodge. We have 9 Chapters which are organized along District boundaries. Chapters typically meet once per month and have other activities. Chapters are a great way for new members to get involved in the Order and to meet new friends.

Click here to see a list of our Chapters...

What is a Council?

Old North State Council Logo A council is a geographic operating entity of the Boy Scouts of America. Our council (Old North State Council) is made up of 8 counties: Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Guilford, Person, Randolph, and Rockingham. Our council service center is located in Greensboro NC. We also have a new Scout Shop (Hours: Monday to Friday are 9:00am to 6:00pm, Saturday is 10:00am to 4:00pm).

Click here for more information...