The Boy Scouts of America is a national organization that aims to form men of character and virtue by instilling in them the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.  These values include loyalty, kindness, cheerfulness, and bravery.  In addition to camping, Scouts move through the ranks by completing specific requirements related to swimming, cooking, personal fitness, etc.  Ranks are patches Scouts wear on their uniforms that indicate the Scout’s status/level in the organization.  The ultimate goal of every Boy Scout is to become an Eagle Scout.  The Eagle Scout rank is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.  However, the accolades do not end there.  A Scout can also be elected to become a member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s Honor Society.

Once a Scout is elected to become a member of the Order of the Arrow, he must undergo an ordeal to officially be considered part of the organization.  The ordeal takes places on a weekend, and everything is very solemn and meaningful.  Once a Scout becomes a member, he is invited to attend OA (Order of the Arrow) meetings and remain involved in the group.  Similar to Scouting, the OA has three ranks a Scout can earn during his time in the organization.  Being a member of the OA is an accomplishment that speaks volumes, as boys are elected by their fellow Scouts.  The OA continues to be an example of excellence and achievement in the Scouting world, and members represent the best the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) has to offer.