ordeals

YOUR ORDEAL

Congratulations on your election for membership in the Order of the Arrow.

The Ordeal is event that you complete to join the Order. It is an overnight camp and comprises, 4 tests of your commitment. You will arrive, check in and then attend a campfire ceremony on the first night. You will sleep under the stars, unless there is bad weather, as an example of your ability to camp on your own. The next day includes service work for the camp or a community group that needs our help. We will provide all of the food and materials for your use during the day. The work in done in silence. At the conclusion of the day, you will attend a special ceremony where you will be present with a sash and inducted into the Order of the Arrow.

While non-members are not generally allowed in the ceremony, there is a parents meeting to explain the meaning of the ceremony and the OA to parents. Any members of the OA are welcome to attend the ceremony.

We hope that you will sign up for the Ordeal at your earliest opportunity. Below, you will find the information that you need to answer your questions:

Ordeal June 9th - 10th
Congratulations on your election for membership in the Order of the Arrow. The Ordeal of the Arrow Ordeal is for young men who have been elected as candidates for the Order. Each young man should be onsite by 7:00 p.m. on Friday night. A Class 1 Medical History is required for each participant. Food will be furnished. The Ordeal will conclude with dinner for the new members on Saturday night. A parents' meeting describing the Order, its purposes and opportunities associated with it will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday in the WigWam Click here for a Class 1 Medical Form Click here for a map to Camp Tomahawk at East Fork of the Bear The Ordeal is event that you complete to join the Order. It is an overnight camp and comprises, 4 tests of your commitment. You will arrive, check in and then attend a campfire ceremony on the first night. You will sleep under the stars, unless there is bad weather, as an example of your ability to camp on your own. The next day includes service work for the camp or a community group that needs our help. We will provide all of the food and materials for your use during the day. The work in done in silence. At the conclusion of the day, you will attend a special ceremony where you will be present with a sash and inducted into the Order of the Arrow. Each candidate should bring with them the following equipment for the camp: Sleeping bag Pack and frame Ground Cloth Scout Uniform Work Clothes Work gloves Rake or shovel Canteen Medications (if any) Personal hygiene kit Coat or Jacket Appropriate bad weather gear Flashlight Do Not Bring: Electronic items such as cell phones or ipods, food, books etc. To Register on line click here No Registrations will be accepted at the door

Registration:

Registration can be completed in one of two ways:

You can also register by mail by downloading the registration form and mailing it to the council office (or dropping it off) with the registration fee.

Each person (Staff and Candidate) who is attending the Ordeal will need to bring a Class 1 physical with them. This can be downloaded here.

If you or your son has specific medical problems, please go to the medical information section of this page to get further information.

Ordeal can fill up so early registration is important. If an ordeal does not show that it is closed, you can register at the door by bringing the documents and the fees, HOWEVER, do not plan on space being available - contact the contact person for the Ordeal to be sure that this is possible.

The Ordeal fee is $29.00. This includes the Ordeal Sash, food, insurance, lodge dues, and related materials for the event. It does not include a lodge flap or other memorabilia which are available at the trading post after the event.

We will do our best to accommodate any dietary and/or religious consideration of any participant. If that is an issue please contact the lodge adviser prior to registration.

Staff Information:

In order to be on staff for an ordeal, contact the Ordeal Chairman who can tell you what positions are needed.

Staff fees are $5.00 per person for food and are collected at the event. Do not use the online registration for staff fees.

Staff need to bring the Class 1 medical with them and register with the Ordeal Chairman.

Staff are expected to follow the program of the Ordeal including maintaining silence around the candidates etc.

TRADING POST

After the Ordeal a trading post will be open. You may purchase:

Lodge flaps - current and some past flaps
Hanging ribbon pin
OA Handbook
Lodge Service and event t-shirts
Other OA memorabilia.

The trading post can accept cash and checks and council approved credit cards. Prices vary with the current price of the item.

The lodge is self sustaining, that is it receives no council funding, and the proceeds of the trading post are reserved for lodge activities and events.

If you need a cell phone to contact parents at the conclusion of the event, please check it at registration so that it does not interfere with the event.

Medical Information

The Ordeal has been completed by youth and adults with a variety of medical problems including some in wheelchairs. We will do everything in our power to see that you have a great event and accommodate all of the medical conditions that we can.

If you have severe medical conditions that might require assistance during the event, please contact the Lodge Adviser so that we can arrange accommodations.

Each Participant is required to bring a Class1 physical and to note on that any medication that is bring taken, and all physical limitations. The Ordeal should be considered a strenuous activity. It is a long day with a lot of physical activity in an outdoor setting. Ordeals are not canceled because of bad weather. Please plan accordingly,

Schedule:

Friday 5-7:00 p.m. Registration at the Site

7:15 p.m. Orientation

9:00 p.m Ceremony

Saturday 6:30 am Breakfast

Morning Service project work

11:30 Lunch

Afternoon Service project work

4:30 p.m. Prepare for Ceremony

5:30 p.m. Ceremony

6:30 p.m. Dinner

6:30 p.m. Parent’s Meeting and Orientation

7:30 p.m. Leave Event

All Ordeals may not be on a Friday and Saturday. Make sure of the date that you want. The same general schedule will apply however.

Dates, Time

Ordeal are scheduled by the lodge or a specific chapter. A chapter ordeal, while planned for the members in that chapter or district is also open to all of the membership of the lodge. Registration is the same for any ordeal. Dates may be added during the year, so visit this page frequently to see if there are any changes.