The Order of the Arrow, or OA, is the BSA’s National Honor Society. To learn more about the Order of the Arrow national organization, click here. Each Council in the BSA operates an OA Lodge that is youth-run—we are Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge #40. To learn about the history of the lodge, click here for a brief overview. For a more in-depth exploration, check out the OA Lodge 40 History Book, for sale on the OA online Trading Post, at camp, and at the NEIC council office.

Weeks one, three, and five at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan always end with our closing campfire and Order of the Arrow Callout Ceremony. During this ceremony, Scouts and adults who have been elected to join the Order of the Arrow officially begin their OA journey through a process called the Ordeal. If Scouts are already Ordeal members of the OA and wish to obtain their Brotherhood honor, they can do so at camp.

LODGE 40 CAMP SCHEDULE

The 2021 OA dates will be posted in spring 2021. Please note that COVID-19 may change the way that call-out ceremonies are conducted. We will keep units updated as we learn more about how COVID may alter our operations.

PROCEDURES AT CAMP

To make your unit’s OA experience as meaningful and hassle-free as possible, there are few steps you should follow during the week of a fire.

Scouts attending only Weeks 1, 3, or 5 who have been called out for the Order of the Arrow will have the option of staying overnight Saturday to Sunday at no additional cost; however, units are responsible for providing adequate leadership (leaders staying behind may need to change campsites and will need to pay visitor fees). Scouts unable to stay will be notified of alternate arrangements, usually a fall conclave to be held at one of our other council camps.

Monday Night Meeting

An OA adult leader information meeting will be held the first Monday of weeks one, three, and five in each camp’s respective office. Each troop must send at least one representative to these meetings whether or not you have any scouts or adults being called out. These meetings allow the assistant honors masters and honors master to gather ordeal medical information and arrival details as well as cover more procedures during the week and for each campfire. Questions will also be answered and a weekend schedule will be handed out.

Before the end of the week, please make sure that all Ordeal and Brotherhood candidates in your troop have a valid BSA medical form on file with the camp and that OA Induction Fees are paid for. Click here for the Ceremony Fee Form. OA Induction Fees & Annual Dues can be paid at the Welcome Center during camp, or at the NEIC office before camp.

Friday Callout Ceremony

At a time indicated earlier in the day (accounting for sunset), East and West Camp will line up single-file at their respective dining halls and walk to the ceremony in silence.

Parents and visitors who are not registered BSA leaders are lined up separately from troops. Please line up at the Country Store (for West Camp Guests) or the parking lot near the East Camp Dining Hall (for East Camp guests) where our guides will direct you to sit in the visitor section.

Anyone who needs assistance getting to the Callout fire should contact the East or West Camp Offices or the Welcome Center to arrange transport. We ask that you arrange this by noon on Friday so that our staff can plan accordingly.

Saturday Night Induction Ceremonies

These ceremonies take place on Saturday night to induct the new class of Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil members. These ceremonies are only open to members of the OA who have attained the appropriate honor. Individuals looking to attend the Ordeal and Brotherhood Induction fires will meet at the Welcome Center at a time that will be announced during camp. A guide will lead the group to the proper fire bowls. Unfortunately, Ordeal and Brotherhood Ceremonies are only accessible by foot. We are unable to provide access for those with disabilities.

OA FIRE POLICIES

OA fires are special, solemn, and sacred. Please help us respect these traditions by adhering to a few simple rules:

No flash photography at any time.
Units will be sat together with their leaders; family members and visitors are asked to sit separately.
Please do not enter the bowl before you are directed to do so by a staff member.

MORE INFORMATION

If you are already involved in OA Lodge 40 or need more information about elections, lodge and chapter meetings, dues, or the Lodge Executive Committee, you can join the OA Channel on the NEIC HUB and visit the OA Resource page.