ORDER OF THE ARROW OCTORARO LODGE 22

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.

In 1948 the OA, recognized as the BSA's national brotherhood of honor campers, became an official part of the national camping program of the Boy Scouts of America.

The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is fourfold:

• To recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives

• To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit

• To promote Scout camping

• To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others

Who hath smelt wood smoke at twilight?
Who hath heard the birch log burning?
Who is quick to read the noises of the night?
Let him follow with the others.
For the young men's feet are turning,
To the camps of proved desire and known delight.
                                        -- Rudyard Kipling

Octoraro Lodge 22 Winter Staff Service Troop
Information and Guidelines

Service Units will need to check in upon arrival with the Campmaster, who will open up the lodge. Inspect the cabin for prior damage and report any discrepancies to Campmaster or Ranger.  Also please report any items which you discover during your stay which may require maintenance attention.

It is very important that the Service Unit be represented at the Friday night Cracker Barrel hosted by the Campmaster. This meeting provides an excellent opportunity for the OA Service Troop to become acquainted with the troops and packs in camp and to inform them of the program schedule for the weekend. It would also be during the cracker barrel that the Service Troop would offer a Saturday evening campfire (although many visiting groups will choose to do their own campfire program).

Saturday programs should focus on scout skills, although this is just a suggestion. Keep in mind that the Horseshoe Scout Reservation is utilized by both Boy Scout Troops and Cub Scout Packs and the service unit's activities should allow for age appropriate levels of participation.

Some suggested programs:
 

Fire building and cooking Personal fitness A theme hike around HSR Rope work, knots and lashing Intra camp Pioneering competitions Tote n Chip Paul Bunyan Woodsman Conservation and Forestry

Orienteering Winter sports (hope for snow) Safety in the outdoors Low impact camping Backpacking First Aid Indian Lore Fire Safety

Programs should be well planned and executed. In your planning, it would be very worthwhile to consider incorporating intra camp games and/or competitions in the program. The Horseshoe Scout Reservation Rangers will make every effort to assist you with necessary supplies or equipment. Please provide adequate advanced notice of your needs.

The buildings, the structures, the landscape, the flora and fauna do not "make" the camping experience for a scout. Certainly, it adds to the uniqueness of the camper's surroundings, and allows for different opportunities based on the environment that he finds himself; however the physical property is in reality simply a tool that can be used to provide for a positive outdoor scouting experience. The most important ingredient in developing a successful program is the people involved. In short, it is the staff members that "make" the camp and ultimately determine its effectiveness in delivering a quality scouting program. One of the defining features of the Horseshoe Scout Reservation which has allowed it to be ranked among some of the finest camps in the country is Horseshoe's reputation for its' dedicated commitment to service. The Octoraro Lodge Weekend Service Units, in cooperation with the HSR Campmasters Corps can help to foster this great legacy of service during the winter camping season. This is both a great opportunity and a tremendous responsibility, but one which is well worth undertaking in the spirit of brotherhood and service.

 

OA Cabin Use Rules and Regulations
 

• Only registered members of the Order of the Arrow are permitted to sleep overnight in the building.

• Units must provide a meaningful service to the camp during the weekend, provide a Saturday program and hold a Sunday morning church service. OA service units should also be prepared to conduct a Saturday evening campfire program. OA units will work with the Campmaster to promote the schedule of their program activities to the campers.

• An OA representative from the unit will attend the Friday night cracker barrel hosted by the campmaster.

• Service Unit must clean the building prior to leaving.

• Service Unit must restock firewood.

• Service Unit must check-out with the Campmaster.

Click below to access the online form

Octoraro 22 Winter Staff Service Troop
Reservation Application

Octoraro Lodge Website