The Order of the Arrow is the best way to experience scouting’s High Adventure Bases. There are currently 5 different options open to youth arrowmen that are registered members of both the Boy Scouts of America and Order of the Arrow. For more information visit adventure.OA-BSA.org.
Summit Experience
The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve
Age Requirement: 14 to under 18
he Order of the Arrow Summit Experience program is an eight-day adventure at The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve bordering the New River Gorge National River Area.
While experiencing over 10,000 acres of adventure, you have the opportunity to explore the Summit like no one else, while blazing trail with the first year of the Order of the Arrow Summit Experience Program.
Four days of the program will be focused on building or maintaining trail around the Summit, and the New River Gorge National River Area. The remainder of the experience will revolve around white water kayaking and rafting, along with mountain biking, climbing, and participation in other Summit activities. Participants will not only build trail, but also bonds of brotherhood as they start their High Adventure journey.
The program is designed to entice younger Arrowmen to participate in High Adventure. Lodges and Chapters are encouraged to participate as a crew. Arrowmen ages 14 but not yet 18 will have the opportunity to explore all that the summit has to offer in terms of adventure, brotherhood, and cheerful service.
Trail Crew
Philmont Scout Ranch
Age Requirement: 16 to under 21
The Order of the Arrow Trail Crew program is one of the best ways to experience Scouting’s premier high adventure base, Philmont Scout Ranch. For two weeks, participants see and experience all that Philmont has to offer and much more.
For the first week, participants have the chance to make a significant difference to Philmont by participating in trail building in the backcountry. Work will include clearing terrain for trail and constructing switchbacks, retention bars, and several other erosion controls. The impact of this service will be felt by scouts for decades.
The second week of the program is spent experiencing Philmont in its finest. Unlike regular treks, Trail Crews make their own itinerary, instead of selecting from pre-planned routes. You can do and see just about anything, from the Tooth of Time to Baldy Mountain, your crew decides!
Wilderness Voyage
Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases
Age Requirement: 16 to under 21
The Order of the Arrow Wilderness Voyage program is an experience like no other. For two weeks, you will join together with Arrowmen from around the country and experience all that the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota has to offer.
The first week of the program is spent giving back to the Boundary Waters through portage trail restoration work. Participants have the opportunity to leave their mark on the Boundary Waters that will enable millions of visitors each year to better enjoy their experience. Trail work involves restoring and protecting trails that have existed for centuries and are in dire need or repair.
The second part of the program is a trek planned by the crew. From the 8-1/2 mile “Grand Portage” leading to Lake Superior, to the Height of Land, even the pictographs on Fishdance Lake, crews have done and seen all in the Boundary Waters.
Canadian Odyssey
Quetico Provincial Park
Age Requirement: 16 to under 21
The Order of the Arrow Wilderness Voyage: Canadian Odyssey program is an experience like no other. For two weeks, you will join together with Arrowmen from around the country and experience the wild beauty of the Quetico Provincial Park of Ontario, Canada.
Like it’s U.S. counterpart the first week of the program is spent giving back to the Quetico through portage trail restoration work. Participants have the opportunity to leave their mark on the Quetico that will enable millions of visitors each year to better enjoy their experience. Trail work involves restoring and protecting trails that have existed for centuries and are in dire need or repair.
The second part of the program is a 90 mile trek from Atikokan, Ontario to Ely, Minnesota.
Oceans Adventure
Florida National High Adventure Sea Base
Age Requirement: 16 to under 21
The Order of the Arrow, in cooperation with the Florida Sea Base, is offering you an opportunity to provide cheerful service while experiencing the adventure and fun of one of the greatest ecosystems on our planet – the Florida Keys and the waters which surround them. This ten day program will provide an array of service opportunities that include work helping to develop the Florida Keys Heritage Trail, removing invasive species in and around the Sea Bases’s Big Munson Island, and supporting both the Crane Point Nature Center and Marathon Wild Bird Center in preserving the Keys flora, fauna and wildlife. You will be camping at both Big Munson Island and Crane Point during the service portion of the program, after which you will move aboard a 40-50′ sailing yacht for four days at sea. While afloat, you will experience the fun and excitement of life in the Keys from the unique perspective of a sailor as you sail, snorkel on pristine coral reefs, troll for sportfish, and swim in the warm waters of the Keys.
Your program is a 10-day experience in which you will experience wilderness camping, kayaking, sailing, fishing, snorkeling, team building (including a trip on a war canoe) and of course cheerful service. The program will be conservation based and will seek to help protect the eco-system of the Florida Keys.
In addition to the conservation service, participants will strengthen leadership skills, learn about the Keys eco-system and its marine environment, experience life afloat and strengthen understanding of the Order of the Arrow.
