Troop 149 Order of the Arrow

Introduction (back)

Scouts that demonstrate an ability and desire to follow the Scout Oath & Law may be elected as candidates for the Order of the Arrow (OA).  The OA is a service organization with Scouting whose goals are to provide cheerful service to others, particularly in support of camping. Candidates must complete 24-hour ordeal to demonstrate their commitment to the ideals of the order. Successful candidates then become Ordeal members. Ten months later, Ordeal members are eligible to seal their commitment by becoming Brotherhood members.

The OA is unique in that eligible candidates are elected by their fellow troop members, both current OA members and non-members. Our troop generally schedules its election at the end of April. It is required to have at least 50% of the registered scouts present in order to conduct an election. Eligible candidates must be registered scouts, First Class or above, and have spent 20 nights camping within the past two years, 5 and only 5 nights must be long-term camp, such as summer camp or High adventure treks (Philmont, Sea Base, etc.) Eligible candidates will be announced several weeks before the election to allow time for scouts to consider the candidates and to identify any potential errors in outing record keeping. Elections are conducted by an OA Election Team from another troop. Likewise, our members will form an election team to conduct other troop's elections.

If the troop's OA members participate in at least 50% of their chapter and/or lodge activities, they are eligible to nominate an adult candidate. (Two candidates for troops with over 50 scouts, and three for over 100 scouts). Qualified adult nominees (registered with BSA and 20 nights camping) are elected by secret ballot by the Troop Commitee.

Our troop is in the Kishwaukee Chapter (Sycamore District) of the Wulapeju Lodge (Blackhawk Area Council).  See the Links section for information on our Lodge & Chapter, the National Chapter, and important reference sites for members. (The Jump Start site is particularly helpful for Ordeal members working towards Brotherhood.)

Leadership (back)

Each troop has a youth OA Representative and an adult OA Coordinator. The OA Representative is an official Position of Responsibiity and counts towards advancement requirements. The OA Representative position is currently open. Contact Mr. Jones or Mr. Vannerson, the troop's adult OA Coordinator, if you are interested in this position. The OA Rep is your main contact point for information and coordination of OA activities. Mr. Vannerson will provide additional support in his absence or for issues the OA Rep is unable to respond.

News (back)

2012 Annual Dues Due (top)

Your annual dues for 2012 are due ASAP. Dues are $13 per year and you can pay with cash, check or scout account slips. Make checks payable to Blackhawk Area Council. You can download the form from the Wulapeju Lodge website ( )

Election News  (top)

Unit elections must be completed by April 20 this year. We will conduct Troop 131's election and they will do ours just as we have done in past years. The chapter has already begun election training for election teams. The OA requires troops to have members re-trained every year and the Kishwaukee chapter has provided this at most meetings.

Brotherhood Conversion  (top)

I strongly encourage all of you to goal yourself to complete the transformation to brotherhood this year. It's not difficult and it can even be easier if you all help each other. I suggest that you ask the PLC to include some set aside time for OA members to review the brotherhood requirements at a troop meeting once each month. You can work on learning and memorizing the requirements together (song, oath, legend, etc.). All of the requirements are found in the OA handbook that was given to you at your ordeal. You can also learn more at the Brotherhood Jumpstart site( ). You need your OA handbook for the password. The lodge also has provided a worksheet( ) to help you record your answers. There is a special Brotherhood conversion session on April 21 at the Nunda Tow    nship Barn. You can also do your brotherhood conversion at the Spring Fellowship or Fall Conclaive.

Meetings  (top)

January 14
   Order of the Arrow Winter Banquet (website )
    Rockford, IL . (map )
    Gather 5 p.m. – Dinner 6 p.m.
    $15 before Dec. 28, $20 after Dec. 28 until Jan. 4
    Walk-ins may attend program but will not be seated for the program!

February 18-19
    Kishwaukee OA Chapter Lock-In @ Belvidere YMCA
    8:45 p.m. Sat.- 6:30 a.m. Sun., $15
    220 W. Locust St., Belvidere, IL 61008 (map )
    Swimming, basketball, D&D, games, etc.
    Election team training!   

March 15
    Kishwaukee OA Chapter Rock Climbing @ North Wall, Crystal Lake
    Rock Climbing (Waiver )
    Election Team Training!

April 19
    Kishwaukee OA Chapter Shooting @ TBD (website  )
    Street, City, IL  (map )
    Shooting
    Just We Two planning.

April 21
    Brotherhood Conversion @ Nunda Township Barn (website  )
    3510 Bay Rd., Crystal Lake, IL  (map )
    Meet at Noon
    Cost is $15
    Must be current with 2012 dues.

May 17
    Kishwaukee OA Chapter Service Project @ St. Marys, Crystal Lake (in back)
    210 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake, IL  60014 (map )
    Troop 152 in charge
    Service Project & Chapter Elections

June 3
    Order of the Arrow Spring Fellowship, Canyon Camp  Stockton, IL (website )
    Stockton, IL 61085 (map )
    New OA Candidates can do their ordeal
    Ordeal members can seal their membership as Brotherhood candidates.
    All members can attend and help provide cheerful service

July 30 - August 4
    National Order of the Arrow Council (NOAC),  Michigan State University (website )
    East Lansing, MI  ( website & map )
    Every two years, approx. 7,000 Arrowmen from around the country have the unique opportunity to gather together for NOAC .
    Cost is $420 and includes 5 nights housing, 14 meals & conference materials

August ??
    Order of the Arrow Fall Conclave,  Camp Lowden,  Oregon, IL (website )
    4418 S. Scout Rd., Oregon, IL 61061  (map ) (entrance map )
    New OA Candidates can do their ordeal
    Ordeal members can seal their membership as Brotherhood candidates.
    All members can attend and help provide cheerful service

August 28
    Extreme Service Project TBD (website )
    Street. City, St ZIP ( website & map )
    Every two years, approx. 7,000 Arrowmen from around the country have the unique opportunity to gather together for NOAC

September (TBD)
    Kishwaukee OA Chapter Meeting @ TBD
    7:00 P.M.
    Yearly calendar planning
    Chapter elections

Links (back)