Ordeal Candidate Information

General

Your election is the first step of your induction into the Order of the Arrow. The next step will be the Ordeal. The Ordeal is a 24-hour test of your strength and will. The Ordeal is not a test to see if you are worthy for membership in the Order. By being elected by your unit, you've passed that test already.

The Ordeal is a 24-hour intensive leadership development exercise designed to demonstrate to the candidate the values on which Scouting and the Order of the Arrow are based. After completing the Ordeal a Scout becomes a member of the lodge and is entitled to seal his membership through the Brotherhood Ceremony. Candidates should select a weekend where they can complete the entire Ordeal without interruption.

Candidate Packet

After being elected each candidate should receive a packet of information about taking their Ordeal. This packet contains a letter of congratulations, registration flyer, OA FAQ sheet, and calendar with contact list. For privacy reasons, the contact phone numbers have been removed from the online version. Please contact the Vice-Chief of Membership or Membership Adviser if you never received a packet or to answer any questions you may have about the Ordeal.

Call-out (optional)

The Call-out is an intermediate step between the election and the Ordeal. It is the only public ceremony that the Order runs. During the Call-out, we publicly recognize your election to the Order in front of your troop, your family and your friends. 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 summer camp, for example). The timing of your Call-out is entirely up to you.

The Ordeal

Ordeals are held three times a year, Spring Fellowship, June Ordeal, and August Ordeal. You will be expected to be in attendance for the complete Ordeal, so you will need to schedule an Ordeal when you have no other obligations.

All Ordeal candidates check-in for their Ordeal between 6:30–8:30 pm at the Augustus Training Center at Beaumont Scout Reservation. Candidates must bring a completed Class 1 medical form with them. During the check-in process the candidate will need to sign in, hand in their medical form, and if not prepaid, pay the $35.00 fee for the Ordeal.

While participating in your Ordeal you will be expected to do physical labor, this may involve lifting, walking, reaching and other strenuous activity. If you are physically incapable of performing these activities, please contact the Ordealmaster, we'll make adjustments according to your abilities.

Things you need (and don't need) to bring: You'll need to pack for about 24 hours. You'll need to carry what you bring so pack lightly and properly. What you bring is up to you, but here's a brief list of things that you should remember.….Class 1 BSA Medical form with signatures, Class A uniform, Sleeping Bag, Ground Cloth(s), Rain gear , Shower Kit, Work Clothes, Class ‘A’ Scout Uniform, Water Bottle, Work Gloves, Prescription Medicine, Ordeal Fee.

Some things you should NOT bring would include portable electronic equipment (like Walkmans, video games, etc.), sheath knives, matches, and tents. In general, if it's bulky, dangerous or time wasting, you won't need it.