Ordeal Inductions - Beginning on the Trail

Perhaps you were just elected to become a member of Illinek Lodge. If so, congratuations! You are about to begin a journey that we hope you will enjoy for a lifetime. The first step of the Ordeal will bring you an understand of what we consider our cornerstone of purpose - Brotherhood, Cheerfulness and Service. At your Call-Out, you met Scouts like yourself dressed in traditional regalia of the Native Americans of our area. They represent principles you will be introduced to as you progress through the Ordeal induction weekend. Pay close attention to their words and actions. For now, know that a friend was with you from the time you were called out. He will accompany you through the Ordeal until you have completed it successfully.

At the Call-Out ceremony, after you were lead away from the council fire, you were given a packet of information. This packet is critical. There was a small booklet which you were encouraged to read later that evening after you returned to your campsite. Read it again before coming to the Ordeal weekend. Follow the instructions in the packet carefully and be sure to sign up early for the Ordeal weekend you prefer to attend. Bring the items listed. Arrive at the appointed time and check in with the staff. I'm sure you have other questions. Some must remain unanswered for now. But if you have concerns please contact us or review the information that we have provided below. We look forward to seeing you.

What is the "Ordeal" all about?

Older Scouts talk about how hard the Ordeal is. Is it that tough?

Is the OA a "secret fraternity"?

What can parents know to be better informed?

Can parents or non-OA members attend the ceremonies?

How long after election do I have to complete the Ordeal?

What should I bring / not bring to the Ordeal weekend?

Do I pay "dues" to be an OA member?

What will actually happen at the Ordeal?

When can I complete the Ordeal induction?

Once I complete the Ordeal, how do I get involved in things?

What is "Sash and Dash" disease and can I get it?



Question: What is the "Ordeal" all about?

The Ordeal is a structured activity that teaches through participation, principles which the Order of the Arrow is founded upon - Brotherhood, Cheerfulness and Service. In the process, ideals important to strengthening your understanding of leadership are introduced. Much symbolism is used, hence the Native American attired individuals you met at the Call-Out. Through the ceremonies these are explained. As you participate, pay close attention to the actions and words of the ceremonial team.

During the Ordeal, you will perform four challenges. If you have completed First Class rank (and you had to in order to be elected to the OA) and have helped your unit with typical service projects, then you will have no difficulty with these challenges. Expect to work hard! It is a time to test yourself against the standards of the Order of the Arrow and to affirm the confidence placed in you by your unit when they elected you.


Question: Older Scouts talk about how hard the Ordeal is. Is it that tough?

Sometimes older Scouts might make up stories about what happens during the Ordeal partly to frighten younger Scouts or to make their own experience sound more exciting. There is no hazing. It is true that you will work hard, perhaps getting dirty, maybe raising a blister or two, and find yourself mentally challenged to complete the four challenges. This is no different than perhaps the difficulty you may have had in mastering map & compass, learning to swim, or completing a five mile hike. But throughout the Ordeal, you will notice that there are OA members working side-by-side with you. These are friends, who have volunteered to go through the Ordeal again just to help you to be successful. You can do it!


Question: Is the OA a "secret fraternity"?

Mystery can stimulate interest and help to build pride in an accomplishment that not all Scouts achieve. Knowledge of all the details can lower expectancy and dull the experience that awaits you. Put another way, would you really enjoy a blockbuster movie if they showed the ending first? Of course not. For that reason, the Ordeal introduces information in an order that builds upon what you know and creates an air of excitement.

But the OA is not a secret society or fraternity and we do not support hazing in any form. We are a part of the Boy Scout program and must abide by all of its rules and policies for Youth Protection. The official position of the BSA states: The Order is not a secret Scout organization, and its ceremonies are open to any parent, Scout leader, or religious leader. There is an element of mystery in the ceremonies for the sake of its effect on the candidates. For this reason, ceremonies are not put on in public. The ceremonies…are not objectionable to any religious group.


Question: What can parents know to be better informed?

Candidates should share this website and its content with their parents. Encourage them to talk to your unit leader, to contact our Scout office, and / or the Lodge Advisor. We will be happy to answer any questions that they have and address any concerns. They can rest assured that the Order of the Arrow is a Scouting activity.

On Friday evening before the Ordeal begins, the Lodge Advisor will hold a "Parents Meeting", typically about 8:00pm. During this meeting we will provide details about what will occur and how the four challenges are performed. A brief video will be presented showing what occurs during the Ordeal and afterwards. If your parents would like to see this video ahead of time, contact the Lodge Advisor to make arrangements to view it at our Council Service Center. We will be available before, during or after the Parents Meeting to address any concerns. The Lodge Advisor also has the text of the ceremonies available and will be happy to review it with any concerned parent, unit leader or religious leader.


Question: Can parents or non-OA members attend the ceremonies?

Visitors at the Ordeal are not encouraged. It can distract from the atmosphere we strive to build and disrupt the candidate's experience. Parents and non-OA siblings are strongly discouraged from attending OA ceremonies. In large measure, this is to preserve the future experience of possible future participants. The ceremony is not like a Court of Honor however. If a parent still wishes to attend the ceremony please inform the Lodge Advisor on Friday evening so that arrangements can be made for you to be in place before the ceremony begins and to discretely observe the ceremony.

The induction ceremony is open to all Order of the Arrow members. If a parent, sibling or other relative is currently or has in the past been an OA member they are welcome to attend. (If you are not currently registered we encourage you to do so soon! You can register either at the Council Service Center, or Friday evening before the Ordeal.)

In order to avoid distractions, we do not allow recording devices, video cameras and still cameras to be used during ceremonies.


Question: How long after election do I have to complete the Ordeal?

You have one year from the date of election to complete the Ordeal induction. We offer three opportunities each year to be inducted. One in late May / early June, primarily for candidates called out in May at the Spring Camporee. Two others are offered in early August and early September. We strongly encourage you NOT to wait until the September Ordeal.

If you cannot complete the Ordeal within one year of election, you must be reelected by your unit. Remember, most units have their elections before June.


Question: What should I bring / not bring to the Ordeal weekend?

If you were called out by our lodge you received a packet of instructions. If you were called out out-of-council at a summer camp other than Camp Bunn, your leader should have given you this packet. It contains instructions and a detailed list of what to bring.

Briefly, you need a tent (or find a buddy to share with), and personal sleeping gear, ground cloth, work clothing that could be damaged with paint or stain, sturdy shoes or boots, gloves, a hat, personal hygiene items including soap and a bath towel, complete scout uniform and a small pack or bag to carry gear (no suitcases). You will setup your tent, but you will not be camping there on Friday night! Keep your raingear, ground cloth and sleeping bag together ready to be carried with you when the Ordeal starts Friday night. If you wish to purchase items from the lodge trading post allow a small amount of money for this purpose.

Clothing should be appropriate for the weather (remember that poison ivy and ticks are common). Of course bring required medications and check them in with the medical officer Friday evening.

Things not to bring:

If you are under age 18, cell phones and car keys must be surrendered at check-in. Those over age 18 will be asked to turn off their cell phones or put them in silent mode for the duration of the Ordeal. You are encouraged to turn in cell phones and car keys to reduce the chance of loss (we seem to have one of these lost at every Ordeal!)

Saturday evening after the ceremony is "fun time" with a large cracker barrel for all. If you want to bring board games to share, put them in a large bag sealed and marked with your name and check them in at the Ordeal HQ when you arrive Friday night.


Question: Do I pay "dues" to be an OA member?

Yes. When you are inducted your first year's dues are included in your Ordeal fees. Our lodge year runs from September 1st through August 31st of the next year. Dues are currently $12.00 and should be paid to the Scout office or at an OA event in August or September (you can do it earlier if you wish). OA dues are not part of your Boy Scout dues which are collected by your unit during re-chartering. You must pay OA dues annually to be an active member of our lodge and to participate in activities. These fees pay for newsletters, various activities, and chartering of the lodge with the National organization.


Question: What will actually happen at the Ordeal?

You will sign in Friday, pitch your tent, change into work clothing and keep your pack and sleeping gear handy. You will be broken up in to groups lead by an OA member who will be with you throughout the Ordeal. He is called an "Elangomat" a word that means "friend". Parents will participate in an orientation session after which they leave and the Ordeal begins. You will be led to an initial ceremony where what is to come will be explained. You will be asked to willingly accept the challenges and to do your best to meet them. From there you will camp.

Saturday you will have a light breakfast and begin various service projects with your group under the leadership of the Elangomat. You will have a light lunch and continue on various projects in the afternoon. Throughout Saturday, you will be asked to live up to the challenges and to honestly perform them. Late on Saturday afternoon, you will be released from your group to go shower, clean up, and change to your full Scout uniform. In the early evening, you will attend the induction ceremony where you will become a full member of our Order and receive your Sash.

Saturday evening is free time to visit with new friends, play games, watch movies, relax and if you wish, ask questions about the Order and to clarify anything you did that you didn't quite understand.

Sunday morning after breakfast, we have a brief non-denominational religious service, explain in more detail what you did and why, introduce you to Illinek Lodge activities, give you information about future opportunities and show you how to make your "lodge totem" which you have no earned the right to wear.

You must be present from Friday evening through Sunday morning to complete induction. You cannot leave Saturday to attend school events for example. If there is a conflict you must plan to attend an Ordeal where you can faithfully and completely perform the Ordeal.


Question: When can I complete the Ordeal induction?

In the coming year, Illinek Lodge will offer three opportunities to complete the Ordeal and to become a member. These are:


Question: Once I complete the Ordeal, how do I get involved in things?

Read your newsletters that come by mail and sign up early for events. Come to the monthly "LEC" or "Lodge Executive Committee" meetings (the LEC is for everyone!) Keep the lodge calendar handy and contact the officers if you are not sure what is going on. Attend the next section conclave. Check this website regularly. Training events are also fellowship events. These are for youth and adults alike. Find a fellow OA member in your unit, and invite them to come with you. Like anything, you have to put something into your OA membership to get much out of it.


Question: What is "Sash and Dash" disease and can I get it?

Unfortunately, "Sash and Dash" disease is a real affliction that sometimes infects new Ordeal members. Its symptoms are much like the similar "Flap and Flee" syndrome. Early warning signs are:

Infected members often are heard to make statements like, "I earned my OA"; "I have other things to do"; "All the OA does is work". In its more advanced stages, Ordeal members may express a lack of appetite after ten-months of membership to complete the Ordeal and achieve the "Brotherhood" membership. In the most advanced stages, having never participated in any OA activity, having become totally uninvolved, the patient will simply do nothing and never pay their lodge dues after the first year.

"Sash and Dash" is easy to avoid and is readily treatable. First, a member should take a healthy attitude and get involved early. Even occasional exposure to lodge activities can boost the immune system and reduce the chances of this disease occurring. An early warning sign is the statement, "Nobody asked me to get involved or to help. Nobody called me." When this occurs, the best course is to show up at the next event, and get involved. In many cases, we have confirmed reports of suffers being quickly cured just by having a buddy ask them to come with them to the next lodge activity.

Fun is the best prevention technique we have discovered.

Avoid "Sash and Dash". Get out and have some fun. Get involved with the Order. Get your sash dirty!