Ceremonies

Ceremonies are an essential part of the Order of the Arrow. The lodge and chapter’s conduct various ceremonies throughout the year. If you are interested in having a ceremony conducted for your unit, please contact your Chapter Adviser or Chapter Chief.

If you are interested in serving in a ceremony, email ceremonies@marnoc.org and our chief will connect you with more information!

CEREMONY SAFEGUARDS

Some of the ceremonies on this page and on the national OA page are safeguarded to maintain the mysterious aspect of ceremonies. These safeguards are detailed below. All passwords are lowercase with no spaces.

Ordeal Safeguard: Admonition

Brotherhood Safeguard: Have You Seen The Arrow?

Vigil Safeguard: Watchwords

CALL-OUT CEREMONY

Each year, we will conduct a Call-Out Ceremony, generally at summer camp. This ceremony is for Scouts and Scouters who have been elected and become Ordeal Candidates. Those candidates not present at their Call-Out Ceremony will still be allowed to attend the Ordeal.

The Callout is the only public ceremony that the Order runs. During the Callout, we publicly recognize your election to the Order in front of your troop, your family, and your friends. If you are going to be called out your unit needs to send their Order of the Arrow Unit representative to Buena Vista Cabin at 7:00 PM on Sunday of your Summer camp week to be sure that your name is on our list, especially if you are going to be called out during a week in which you are not at camp. It is important that every unit has someone on hand -- preferably their Order of the Arrow Unit Representative -- with a list of Ordeal candidates from their troop. Your Scoutmaster has more information about how to check in for the Callout, please contact them for details. You do not need to be called out. It is an optional part of the process. You may also be called out after you've taken the Ordeal (if you take your Ordeal before your week at camp, for example). The timing of your Callout is entirely up to you.

This ceremony can be found here.

ORDEAL, BROTHERHOOD, AND VIGIL CEREMONIES

The Order of the Arrow utilizes three nationally standardized ceremonies for Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil Honor memberships using themes, stories, and symbols centered on American Indian traditions. It also utilizes symbolic progression. This is done to keep the sense of mystery surrounding the ceremonies and their various symbols. There is an element of mystery in the ceremonies for the sake of its effect on the participants. The three membership ceremonies are only allowed to be performed in front of Arrowmen, depending on which honor they currently hold.

The ceremonies are linked on the OA national website here.

ARROW OF LIGHT AND CROSS-OVER CEREMONIES

Cub Scout Packs may request to have the Order of the Arrow conduct their Arrow of Light Ceremony. Webelos will be presented with their Arrow of Light award in a very unique and interesting way. This ceremony may be done in conjunction with the Cross-Over Ceremony.

The Order of the Arrow’s Cross-Over Ceremony will help Webelos better understand the values of Scouting, well also giving them a unique experience at such a young age. This ceremony may be done in conjunction with the Arrow of Light Ceremony.