#oaha

Each summer, the Order of the Arrow hosts its very own high adventure programs at Philmont Scout Ranch, Florida Sea Base, Northern Tier and the Summit Bechtel Reserve. Each program offers unique service opportunities, along with exciting and challenging outdoor experiences. These programs go above and beyond the normal offerings at the high adventure bases, being longer in duration and coming at a substantially lower cost. However, with the current requirement to be at least 14 or 16 years old, depending on the program, and the physical demands of the programs, this opportunity is not available to many of our members.

The opportunity for high adventure and service still exists outside of the Order of the Arrow High Adventure (OAHA) program. Many lodges and sections across the country organize their own high adventure and service programs that extend the experience to those who are unable to attend OAHA. These programs offer the chance to conduct service in participants’ local area, and often include high adventure activities at their local camp. Many of these programs incorporate elements of the OAHA program, while increasing accessibility to high adventure opportunities at the local level.

There are dozens of examples of these programs across the country, one of those being the Goshen Order of the Arrow Trail Crew (GOAT) led by Amangamek-Wipit Lodge, based in Washington D.C. This two-week program offers the opportunity to learn many valuable outdoor skills such as Leave No Trace ethics, search and rescue (SAR) and backcountry risk management. Additionally, Arrowmen get the opportunity to use their new skills backpacking on the Lenhok’sin Trail at Goshen Scout Reservation.

Much like GOAT’s inspiration, the Philmont OA Trail Crew, the program is not just about work. During the first week, the Arrowmen get to experience Goshen Scout Reservation’s Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience (COPE) course, and they also have the opportunity to create their own unique high adventure experience in and around the reservation.

Since this program first started in 2002, it has provided outstanding experiences for members of the National Capital Area Council, and has served as a perfect example of what Order of the Arrow High Adventure is about. Ask your lodge officers if your council has its own high adventure trek or other such programs. To learn more about OAHA, make sure to visit http://adventure.oa-bsa.org/.

Excitement for Order of the Arrow High Adventure (OAHA) programs is at an all time high due to the new OA Summit Experience Program which commenced last summer. Through the addition of this fifth OAHA program, Arrowen may be wondering how the OAHA Triple Crown Award can be earned in the future.

The OAHA Triple Crown has always recognized outstanding outdoorsmen who take the initiative to attend not one, but three high adventure bases through the Order of the Arrow’s programs. After attending an OA trek at Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier and the Florida Sea Base, these Arrowmen typically received a patch displaying a ship, a Indian in a canoe and Philmont’s Tooth of Time embossed over a red arrow. When the idea of a Triple Crown Award was conceived, plans for an additional program at the Summit Bechtel Reserve were not yet in the works. Therefore, the Order of the Arrow has worked to revamp the Triple Crown Award and its patch design!

Members seeking to achieve the new OAHA Triple Crown Award can complete any three of the five OAHA programs as long as they do so at three separate bases. These Arrowmen are also expected to give a presentation about their experiences at a lodge or section event encouraging others to participate. Afterwards, they should submit an OAHA Triple Crown application per the instructions on the form. After verifying attendance, the Arrowmen will receive a patch set and a certificate signed by the national officers recognizing this accomplishment. The patch set will consist of a universal center patch surrounded by three "rockers" to signify the three programs completed.

Many Arrowmen are excited for this new program, including 2014 National Chief Nick Dannemiller. When asked what he thought on the new requirements Nick said, “The revitalization of the Triple Crown Award will not only help us kick off our newest OA High Adventure program, but also seek to better recognize Arrowmen who have enjoyed unforgettable experiences and given outstanding service to our national high adventure bases.”  

The purpose of these programs is more than merely receiving another patch; these programs give Arrowmen the adventure of a lifetime and further instill the Order’s founding principles of brotherhood, cheerfulness and service into their daily lives. The new updated patch and certificate is available as of January 1st, 2015. For more information on eligibility for the new Triple Crown Award, please visit http://www.oa-bsa.org/uploads/resources/forms/oaha_triplecrownform-2015.pdf.