The Path to Brotherhood

The Brotherhood Ceremony is an opportunity for any Ordeal members to seal their membership in the Order of the Arrow. The Ordeal is the beginning of your journey as an Arrowmen, showing you have been recognized for your service to others. By doing your Brotherhood, you seal your commitment to the lodge to live according to the Scout Oath and Law. All Ordeal members are encouraged to participate in this ceremony once they are eligible.

Brotherhood ceremonies are held several times during the year, and will always be announced on the calendar. In most cases, the lodge will offer Brotherhood ceremonies at the Spring and Fall Conclaves, as well as at summer camp at Ingersoll Scout Reservation.

Doing your Brotherhood at summer camp?

Ordeal Members who meet the requirements and are ready to seal their membership in the Order of the Arrow are encouraged to take their Brotherhood on Wednesday night during any week of camp. Note: there are no exceptions to the ten months as an Ordeal member requirement! All candidates are strongly encouraged to visit jumpstart.oa-bsa.org before coming to camp. After paying the Brotherhood fee of $17.00 at the Trading Post, meet at the Dining Hall at 4:00 P.M. for the Brotherhood Hike - all Brotherhood letters can be submitted at this time. Scouts and Scouters not camping at ISR that week may still come to complete their Brotherhood. These candidates will need to purchase a meal ticket in the Trading Post for dinner. The ceremony will begin after Ridge Campfires and will be finished by 10:00 P.M.

Dates for 2012 Brotherhood Opportunities - June 20, June 27, July 4, July 11, July 18, July 25, September 22

In order to be eligible for Brotherhood, an Arrowman must meet these requirements:

• 10 months service as an Ordeal member
• Registered active membership Scouting
• Registered active membership in the Order of the Arrow (annual dues are $13 and can be paid at any time)
• Memorize the Obligation, Admonition, Handclasp, and Song. It is strongly recommended that you visit Jumpstart for New Arrowmen
• Pay the $17 Brotherhood fee (covers cost of sash and red-bordered lodge flap)

It is important that you not only meet the these requirements, but that you are prepared for the Brotherhood. You must write a letter to the Lodge Secretary expressing your feelings. Include the following in your letter:

• Explain what you think the Obligation means
• Describe how you have been fulfilling this Obligation of cheerful service in your troop and in your daily life, and how youhave personally used your understanding of the traditions of the Ordeal to aid in this service.
• Describe the specific plans you have for rendering service to the Lodge in fulfillment of the new pledge you expect to take.
• Visit Jumpstart for New Arrowmen if you need assistance

Once the Arrowman has met the above requirements, he is considered eligible for Brotherhood. Prior to the actual ceremony is the Brotherhood Hike. This is required for all who go through the Brotherhood Ceremony. If there is a specific reason that an individual cannot complete the hike, please indicate this during registration, and special arrangements can be made. Later on in the evening, the Brotherhood Ceremony will take place.

Anyone who is Brotherhood or Vigil Honor can attend the ceremony to watch. 

At the completion of the Brotherhood ceremony, you will receive your Brotherhood sash and later that evening, you will receiveyour red-bordered flap (awarded only to Brotherhood and Vigil members) and a Brotherhood certificate to commemorate the occasion.