Order of the Arrow

The Order of the Arrow is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America. For over 100 years, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long-term resident camping, developing leaders, and providing cheerful service to others. OA service, activities, adventures, and training for youth and adults are models of quality leadership development and programming that enrich, support, and help to extend Scouting to America’s youth.


​The Order of the Arrow (OA) was founded by Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson in 1915 at the Treasure Island Camp of the Philadelphia Council, Boy Scouts of America. It became an official program experiment in 1922 and was approved as part of the Scouting program in 1934. 

 

Papago Lodge was chartered in 1953.  It serves the Catalina Council BSA, Tucson, Arizona.  The name “Papago” was derived from the Tribe of Papago society that had been formed at camp lawton.  The lodge totem is Hohokam conception of the Gamble’s Quail. Papago Lodge is divided into chapters, which corresponds with the council districts; Sky Islands District = Jaguar Chapter and Cochise District = Cochise Chapter.

 

Order of the Arrow members are able to participate in exclusive lodge, section, regional and national events and special high adventure treks. The OA has something for everyone. For more information, contact your chapter.

 

The purpose of the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America’s National Honor Society, is to:

  • Recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, and through that recognition, cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition.
  • Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp.
  • Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance the activities of their units, our brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our nation.
  • Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.