Order of the Arrow Onerahtokha Lodge #297

About Onerahtokha Lodge #297

Onerahtokha Lodge is a member of Eastern Region Section 9 of the Order of the Arrow and serves the Shenandoah Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The Lodge is divided into four chapters, each corresponding with a SAC district.

The Lodge’s Mission

To achieve the purpose of the Order of the Arrow as an integral part of Scouting America in the council through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults..

The OA is…

An organization of honor campers. A member is elected by their unit and is chosen not so much for what they have done, but rather, for what they are expected to do. The Brotherhood of Cheerful Service, as the OA is otherwise known, is chartered by Scouting America.

An Arrowman's first obligation is your duty to your unit, utilizing their skills and talents in the development of their fellow Scouts. Activities in the OA focus on service to Scouting, particularly the Scout Camp. We, like all OA lodges, utilize the aspect of Indian Lore and mystery to enhance the program's appeal.

Onerahtokha Lodge #297 is your local OA lodge serving the Shenandoah Area Council. The lodge exists to support and enrich the Scouting program in this area and works to benefit the local program through leadership, camping, and an abundance of cheerful service.

Every Arrowman is reminded of his or her primary obligation to his or her unit, as he or she seeks to catch the higher vision of a life of cheerful service.

Mission of the OA

"To achieve the mission of Scouting America through transformative fellowship that ignites limitless Scouting journeys."

Purpose of the OA

As Scouting’s National Honor Society, we forge lifelong bonds among the leaders in Scouting and:

  • Recognize those who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and, through that recognition, cause others to act in the same way
  • Reinforce a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others
  • Create and deliver peer-led, adult-guided, advanced leadership experiences for Scouts and Scouters that positively impact their unit, community, and ultimately our nation
  • Be an integral part of Scouting America and encourage participation in all it offers through units, outdoor adventures, and national events to further the Scouting experience