Dates

• Existence: 1915-

Biography

The Order of the Arrow (1915-) is the National Honor Society for Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scouts of America).

The Order of the Arrow was founded July 16, 1915 by E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson at the Treasure Island Scout Reservation on an island in the Delaware River, U.S. Started as an experimental honor society at the reservation called "Wimachtendienk", meaning "Brotherhood" in a local native dialect, extensively borrowing traditions and rituals from the Masons, the program began expanding into several surrounding states.

In 1921, the society's name was changed to the Order of the Arrow and, since then, more than a million Scouts have participated in its activities and ceremonies. Several lodges, comprised of smaller units called Chapters, exist across the United States. Currently, more than 160,000 youth and adults are members of the Order of the Arrow all around the world.

Citation:

Wikipedia, via WWW, June 25, 2019 (f. 1915 at Treasure Island Scout Reservation; founders: E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson; "Wimachtendienk"; Masonic influence in rituals and ceremonies; 1921 name change to "Order of the Arrow"; historically, more than one million participants; currently, 160,000 members)