This page contains instructions for candidates for Order of the Arrow membership from Pathway to Adventure Council. Youth candidates for membership are chosen by elections in their unit and adult candidates for membership are nominated by the troop at the time of that election. If you are a unit leader and need to schedule an election for your troop, please use the contact box below.
Welcome
You have been elected as a candidate for induction into the Order of the Arrow, but you must complete the Ordeal to become a full member of Takhone Lodge and the Order of the Arrow. The two purposes of an Ordeal are to induct new members like you into the Order of the Arrow and to provide service at our council’s camp.
OA Welcome Sessions
The lodge will be hosting a series of informational welcome sessions throughout the summer to present key information to both parents and candidates about the OA, and our lodge. This session will be hosted on Zoom. We highly encourage all elected scouts and leaders as well as legal guardians to attend.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 @ 7pm
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 @ 7pm
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 @ 7pm
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 @ 7pm
Tuesday, August 29, 2023 @ 7pm
Zoom links will be emailed out to you in the weeks leading up to these dates, however, if you have not received them, please email vcinductions@oa7.org.
Meet and Greets
These meet and greet sessions are a time for you, as candidates to meet your elangomats as well as the other people in your crew. This will also be a time for you to ask any last-minute questions of the inductions team before your induction event. These events take place the Tuesday before each Induction event and are hosted on Zoom. Links will be emailed out in the days leading up to the Zoom meeting.
Spring Fellowship – Tuesday, May 2, 2023 @ 7pm
Owasippe Fellowship – Tuesday, May 23, 2023 @ 7pm
Summer Fellowship – Tuesday, August 8, 2023 @ 7pm
Fall Fellowship – Tuesday, September 5, 2023 @ 7pm
Fellowships
Takhone Lodge is holding four Ordeals during 2023 (2 in spring, 2 in fall). All ordeals will be held during Lodge Fellowship Weekends. To participate in the Ordeal, you need to complete Parts A and B Personal Health and Medical History and register for the Fellowship you would like to attend. Registration can be done via the below Blackpug links.
Effective January 1, 2023, the National Order of the Arrow Committee approved a policy which allows candidates 18 months from the date of there election to complete there ordeal.
We have the following events in 2023 for you to complete your ordeal:
- Spring Fellowship
- Camp Betz, Berrien Springs, MI
- May 5-7, 2023
- Owasippe Fellowship
- Owasippe Scout Reservation, Twin Lake, MI
- May 26-29, 2023
- Summer Fellowship
- Camp Betz, Berrien Springs, MI
- August 11-13, 2023
- Fall Fellowship
- Camp Betz, Berrien Springs, MI
- September 8-10, 2023
The cost for the Ordeal is $50, this covers the following items
- Event Fee (Meals, Insurance, etc)
- Sash
- Order of the Arrow Handbook
- Lodge Flap
- Lodge Dues
Important Information
You will need to bring with you the following minimum gear.
- Tent with Tarp
- Water Bottle
- Work Gloves
- BSA Class A Uniform
- Rain Gear
- Sleeping Bag
- Tarp to use with sleeping bag
- Flashlight
- Medical Forms A&B
- Face mask
- Sunscreen and Bug Spray
- Working clothes with proper footwear
Callout Ceremony
The lodge will hold Callout Ceremonies during summer camp in addition to ceremonies put on by the districts.