OA Honors
Awards
The Order of the Arrow provides opportunities for its members to excel and be recognized for their accomplishments. These recognitions are provided at two levels of the organization, either at the local lodge level or at the National level. Individual members may be recognized or entire lodges. The awards and honors provided here are standard throughout the organization. Individual lodges may form and provide their own local awards such as "Brother of the Year", "Most Active Arrowman", and other achievement awards.
Cubs to Camp Grant
The Cubs to Camp Grant initiative seeks to partner the National Order of the Arrow Committee with local lodges in an effort to promote getting Cub Scouts into the outdoors to experience the adventures Scouting has to offer.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to Arrowmen, youth and adult, who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, regional, or national basis.
E. Urner Goodman Camping Award
The E. Urner Goodman Award was established in 1969 as a tribute and testimonial to the Order's founder, E. Urner Goodman. Its purpose is to encourage and challenge Order of the Arrow members and lodges to increase their effectiveness in promoting and increasing Scout camping in each council. Awards are presented to two outstanding lodges in each region annually. For a lodge to be eligible for consideration, the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award petition should be completed and forwarded with the lodge's charter renewal application.
Founder's Award
Introduced at the 1981 National Order of the Arrow Conference, the Founder's Award recognizes Arrowmen who have given outstanding service to their lodge. The award is reserved for an Arrowman who demonstrates that he or she personifies the spirit of selfless service, as advocated by founder E. Urner Goodman and cofounder Carroll A. Edson.
Innovation Award
The Order of the Arrow Innovation Award was established in 2012 to recognize chapters and lodges for developing creative and innovative solutions to challenges faced during the implementation of their annual program plans. Each region presents two awards annually.
Josh Sain Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1998 to honor the spirit and the memory of Josh Sain, a former National Vice Chief of the Order of the Arrow. The scholarships are provided to immediate past national officers and regional officers, and immediate past section chiefs, upon completion of their successful service of their terms. All awards are selected on merit and based on performance in their respective roles and academic achievements while serving in one of the roles mentioned above.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Legacy of Servant Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award was created by the National Order of the Arrow Committee in 2002 to recognize the Order's second and third generation "Founders" - Scouters who have built an enduring legacy to Scouting and the Order of the Arrow through a lifetime of cheerful service to others.
Maury Clancy Indian Campership Fund
This campership fund was created in 1971 to help provide funds to those American Indian Scouts needing assistance to attend resident camp. The fund was subsequently named in memory of long-time national committee member Maury Clancy, who contributed significantly to the Order. Mr. Clancy emphasized the significance of our nation's American Indian culture and worked to encourage the preservation of our American Indian heritage. Lodges may contribute to this fund through their section at will, thereby increasing the fund and enabling more camperships to be awarded.
National Service Award
The National Service Award was established in 1999 to recognize lodges in each region that have performed outstanding service, both in a qualitative and a quantitative sense, to their council.
OA Service Grant
One of the four fold purposes of the Order of the Arrow is to crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others. It is with this spirit of cheerful service to others that the Order proudly offers the matching service grant program. For several years, the National Order of the Arrow Committee has provided matching service award grants for a limited number of projects.
Red Arrow Award
The Red Arrow award was created in 1967 to recognize individuals who are not members of the Order of the Arrow, for outstanding service to the Order. This attractive award, a red arrow and medallion superimposed on an engraved plaque, and a miniature charm for civilian wear, can only be awarded by action of the National Order of the Arrow Committee. Recommendations, by nomination form, should be sent to the national director.
The Vigil Honor
The Vigil Honor is the highest honor that the Order of the Arrow can bestow upon its members for service to lodge, council, and Scouting. Membership cannot be won by a person's conscious endeavors.