Scout Skills

Troop · Youth Leadership

OA Representative

The Order of the Arrow (OA) Representative is the troop's link to the Order of the Arrow — Scouting's national honor society, whose members are recognized for their camping spirit and cheerful service. The OA rep is a two-way link between the troop and the local OA lodge.

Links
Troop & OA lodge
The OA is
Scouting's honor society
Promotes
Camping & service
Advancement
Counts as a POR

What the OA rep does

  1. 1Stay connected to the lodge — attend chapter/lodge meetings and bring back news.
  2. 2Report to the troop — share OA events, service opportunities, and deadlines.
  3. 3Encourage participation — get scouts involved in OA service and camping activities.
  4. 4Support the OA election — help organize the troop's annual election and explain it.
  5. 5Promote camping and service — the heart of the OA's purpose.

The role

  • Connecting the troop to the Order of the Arrow.
  • Encouraging camping and service beyond the troop.
  • A leadership role for an OA member who wants to serve their troop and lodge.

Notes

  • Standard youth protection applies to OA events and travel (adult supervision, two-deep leadership).
  • Represent accurately — pass along OA information and deadlines reliably so scouts don't miss opportunities.
  • Serve genuinely — advancement credit requires real service, not just the title.

Going deeper

  • The troop-to-lodge bridge. The OA rep keeps the troop plugged into the Order of the Arrow — elections, service, and camping opportunities.
  • Honor society of cheerful service. The OA recognizes scouts for camping and service; the rep spreads that spirit in the troop.
  • One sash at a time. OA members wear the OA sash — but never together with the merit badge sash.

Official source

Order of the Arrow — Scouting America →

Duties and OA program details are paraphrased. Membership and election specifics change and vary — verify against current OA resources before relying on any threshold.