Ini-To candidates

Welcome to all candidates and interested non-members. This page is designed to help you understand more about the Order of the Arrow, as well as find information about your Ordeal if you are a candidate.

The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Society. The Order exists to provide recognition for “those scouts and scouters – who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives” and lead others to do the same. Also, the Order aims to develop and promote camping both in the troop and at the council camp. Lastly, but importantly, the Order seeks to “crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others”.

Members are selected by their peers for nomination to the Order. It is one of the few organizations where members do not select candidates, rather, candidates are proposed by the scouts who know them best… those in their own troop. This is one of the things that makes it such an honor to be elected.

Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America
Hold the BSA First Class Rank as a minimum
Experience 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during a 2 year period (while a registered scout) prior to the election. This must include one approved long term camp of at least 6 days and 5 nights (such as summer camp).
Have Leader approval prior to the election (certify scout spirit and active participation in troop activities).
Adults are selected by the unit committee, and must meet all the youth requirements above except for First Class Rank.

Once elected, a candidate must go through an experience know as the “Ordeal”. During the Ordeal, the candidate will go through a series of experiences designed to strengthen his knowledge and commitment to the Scout Oath and Law, as well as gain a deeper understanding of self and service to others.

If you have further questions, we suggest that you talk to an arrowman in your troop or contact your local chapter adviser, listed elsewhere on this website.

If you are a candidate for the Order of the Arrow, and lost the letter you were given at the call out, click the link below for a replacement copy. (Not all candidates were called out, some may have been notified by their Scoutmaster)

If you don’t know if you are a candidate or not, you should discuss this with your Scoutmaster. Only duly elected candidates may go through the Ordeal.

Ordeal Candidates