Jack Bruggeman and Mark DeChristopher, members of Boy Scout Troop 48 in New Holland, were recently inducted into the Order of the Arrow (OA), the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).
OA was created in 1915 as a means of reinforcing the Scout Oath and the Scout Law, and the society is composed of Scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives as elected by their peer scouts. OA uses imagery commonly associated with Native American cultures for its ceremonies, which usually recognize Scouts' leadership qualities, camping skills, and adherence to other Scouting ideals. Influenced by Scout camp customs, the OA uses symbols and rituals to impart a sense of community.
Inducted members, known as Arrowmen or Brothers, are organized into local youth-led lodges that foster fellowship, promote camping, and render service to Boy Scout councils and their communities. Each lodge corresponds to a BSA council in the area. Lodges are further broken down into chapters, which correspond to a district in Scouting. Members wear identifying insignia on their uniforms, most notably the OA pocket flap that represents their individual OA lodge and the OA sash worn at official OA functions.
For more information about Scouting, readers may contact Scoutmaster Charles Ulrich at 717-371-5284 or ulrichc@outlook.com.
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