Lowwapaneu Lodge
Guide for New Members

Welcome from 2023 Lodge Chief, Britt B.

Welcome to our lodge! This weboage is intended to guide you on your journey to seal the bond in the Order by achieving the Brotherhood honor. In it you will find information about the Order of the Arrow and our Lodge, Lowwapaneu #191.

Your fellow Scouts in your troop have recognized your service and have given you a charge of continued service to yourself and Scouting. By using this booklet along with the Official Order of the Arrow Handbook, I have no doubt that you will fulfill your charge, and that you will ‘seal the bond of brotherhood.’

In Brotherhood,
Britt Banull

Meghan G., 2023 Ordeal Chairman

Introduction to the Order of the Arrow

The Purpose

As Scouting’s National Honor Society, our purpose is to:

Recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and through that recognition cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition.

Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp.

Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our nation.

Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

The Mission

The mission of the Order of the Arrow is to fulfill its purpose as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults. 

The Obligation

I do here by promise on my honor as a scout, that I will always and faithfully observe and preserve the traditions of the Order of the Arrow, Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui.

I will always regard the ties of brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow as lasting, and will seek to preserve a cheerful spirit even in the midst of irksome tasks and weighty responsibities, and will endeavor, so far as my power lies, to be unselfish in service and devotion to the welfare of others.

The Song of the Order

Firm Bound in Brotherhood,
Gather the clan
That Cheerful service brings to fellowman

Circle our council fire,
Weld tightly ev’ry link
That binds us in brotherhood,
Wimachtendienk

The History

The Order of the Arrow was founded in the summer of 1915 at Treasure Island, the Philadelphia Council Scout Camp. Dr. E. Urner Goodman, the camp’s director, and his assistant, Carroll A. Edson, were the co-founders of the Order. Working with their staff, they originated the basic idea for this national brotherhood. The co-founders wanted a form of recognition for Scouts and Scouters who had best exemplified the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives.

Treasure Island is located in the Delaware River. The site was an early camping ground of the Lenni Lenape Indians. Goodman and Edson decided to base the brotherhood on the legends and traditions of the Lenni Lenape. Wimachtendienk Wingolauchsik Witahemui (Brotherhood of Cheerful Service) was chosen as the original name.

Using the lore of the Lenni Lenape Indians, the founders created a simple, yet effective, ceremony for the induction of members. The first members  were elected from scouts encamped at treasure Island that summer. This formed the beginning, a unique custom was established in that members were elected by non-members and members. 

On Friday, July 16, 1915 the cofounders of the Order conducted the first Order of the Arrow induction ceremony. These members formed the first Order of the Arrow Lodge (Unami Lodge #1). Goodman and Edson serve as advisors of Unami Lodge. The first formal meeting of the Order of the Arrow was held on November 23, 1915. From this time on the Order grew slowly. On October 7, 1921 the first national convention was held in Philadelphia. At this convention a national lodge was formed. This was the first formal governing body of the Order of the Arrow.

In 1922 the order of the Arrow became an official program experiment of the Boy Scouts of America. Finally in May 1948, the Order of the Arrow was officially intergraded into the Scouting movement. At present, the Order of the Arrow is a subcommittee of the National Scouting Committee. Over one million Scouts, and Scouters have been inducted into the Order during the past one hundred years.

Lodge History

For more on the history of Lowwapaneu Lodge, visit our Lodge History webpage at https://lowwapaneu.org/knowledge/history

Guide to Brotherhood, “Seal the Bond”

Your completion of the Ordeal sets you on the next part of your “long and toilsome journey.”  You must be a member of the Order of the Arrow at least 10 months before sealing the bond in Brotherhood. Your Brotherhood Journey is completed in the  Brotherhood Ceremony.

The Ordeal has introduced you to the mysteries of the Arrow. Now,  during your service as an Ordeal member, you have ample opportunity to increase you knowledge of the Arrow and to make it work for you.

You must meet five challenges before you can enter the Circle of the Brotherhood. The first of these you should meet now. The next three require steady effort over a period of many months. The last challenge you must meet after you are satisfied that you are meeting the first four.

The five Challenges are:
Memorize the signs of Ordeal membership
Advance in your understanding of the ordeal
Serve your unit
Plan for service in your Lodge
Review your progress.

To assist you in your first challenge, the Order of the Arrow Handbook has review questions. These will help you memorize the signs of the Ordeal membership. 

To advance in your understanding of the Ordeal, you must attend  a Brotherhood training session. You can attend a session any time after you receive your Ordeal. 

An Arrowman’s Aims

Read this section carefully

The Order of the Arrow was founded to strengthen Scouting in the troop. Your Ordeal had given you a pattern that can help you fulfill this purpose. In your new Obligation, you promised to “observe and preserve the traditions” of the Order: Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service. Remember that you have had the experience of the Ordeal because your troop voted for you, and that your responsibility as an Ordeal member is to them.

The required ten months between Ordeal and Brotherhood are a part of your induction much like the day of your Ordeal. During this period, try to deepen your commitment to Scouting in your troop by living up to your new obligation.

You may want to make a list now of the ways in which you aim to fulfill the trust which your troop place in you by electing you to the Order. Your aims should be personal, realistic, and directed towards improving Scouting for the other boys in your troop.

Translate your obligation into action! Ask yourself about the following:

Brotherhood: Who in your troop needs your care and support to get more out of scouting? How can you improve your troop’s spirit? How can you help to strengthen the bonds of fellowship in your troop?

Cheerfulness: Your own example will be the key here. What can you do to increase the fun of Scouting for everyone? Which jobs that are normally avoided could you help with to show that attitude makes a big difference? How can you promote friendship, good sportsmanship, participation, and Cooperation in your troop?

Service: Brotherhood and Cheerfulness are services to your troop. In what areas of program , activities, planning, projects, and leadership could you be more useful?  Ask your Scoutmaster for suggestions. What can you do to get your troop to camp more often, and to improve their camping skills?

You will probably want to add to your aims or change them as you see other needs in your  troop. The lodge will not “grade” your aims list or judge you on it or share it with others, but you are your own judge, just as you are the one who will decide when you are ready to accept the additional obligation of Brotherhood membership in the Order of the Arrow.

Take some time to write down your thoughts. Use them as a guide in developing your own aims. When you are ready to Seal the Bond in Brotherhood, visit our Brotherhood webpage at https://lowwapaneu.org/knowledge/brotherhood. This will help you prepare for your Brotherhood Induction.

Lodge Committees

Current Chairman and their Contact information can be found at https://lowwapaneu.org/knowledge/executive-committee 

Activities Committee

The Activities Committee coordinates all functions of our lodge that fulfill our purpose. They plan the activities at  Fellowship Weekend. They also plan and coordinate activities and religious services at Ordeals.

Native American Activities

The Native American Activities is one of our most public committees. The committee is responsible for drumming and dancing at the conclave and for representing the lodge in the public. This committee also does performances at blue and gold dinners, cub, and troop activities, Fellowship Weekend and  at Ordeals.

Camping Committee

This committee works with the Council Camping Committee in fulfilling the Order's primary purpose of promotion  and of service to camping. Develops and publishes a booklet listing camping areas in our region available to campers, issued to all unit leaders at no charge.

Service Committee

Service committee is responsible for running the service weekends and for service projects on Ordeal weekends, and Fellowship Weekend.  The committee is in charge of  Lodge Council wide service projects. This committee also represents the lodge at Council Camping Meetings. 

Food Committee

This committee is responsible for planning, ordering, transporting, and preparing all meals at Order of the Arrow or related events,  and other projects, e.g. Conclave ,Fellowship Weekend.

Communications Committee 

This committee mails appropriate letters to members at the direction of the Lodge Secretary.  The committee’s main responsibility is for the quarterly publication of the lodge bulletin, Smoke Signals. Committee members write articles and lay out the bulletin. They also seek space in the Council bulletin for news items about the Lodge and the OA, and in newspapers about committees and their activities

The communications Committee also creates and maintains our lodge website, text group, Facebook group, twitter feed, and all other communications technologies. 

Unit Elections

Unit Election members oversees and coordinates the district sub-committees for unit elections. The committee is responsible for holding elections in the manner prescribed in the Order of the Arrow Handbook in every eligible unit. Committee members sends letters to unit leaders in the early fall. The committee follows up with units that do not respond.

Elangomat 

Elangomats recruit and train Elangomats for the Ordeals.  The Elangomat is the first contact the candidate encounters at a Lodge event. The Elangomats act as the "friends" of candidates.

Ceremonies

The Ceremonies team runs ceremonies at an Ordeal. They may also conduct Call -outs at district camporees or other public events and keeps the ceremony site in a state of good repair.

Brotherhood 

This committee invites Ordeal members to take Brotherhood. The Brotherhood committee conducts the Brotherhood training sessions. 

Ordeal Functional Team

The Ordeal Committee coordinates all aspects of Ordeal function and support services.  

Joining a Committee

One of your challenges on the journey to Brotherhood is to plan for service in your lodge. Why not start now? All of the lodge committees  need and want your help. Sign up for a committee right here and come out to the Lodge Executive Committee meetings each month. The meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:30 PM at the Scout Service and Training Center. See you there!

Our lodge hosts a large variety of activities throughout the year . These events promote Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service. Here is a list of some , but not all , of the activities our lodge has.

Ordeals – Service weekends at Goose Pond Scout Reservation and Camp Acahela  where new members are inducted into our order.

Fellowship Weekend – This is a  weekend of Fun, Fellowship, Service and Brotherhood. This weekend includes some service and lots of fun such as board games, movies, video games, and much more.

Conclave -This is a gathering of all lodges from NE-5 in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and overseas. Conclave is an awesome opportunity  for you to meet new Arrowmen from different lodges. The lodge competes in many tournaments at conclave including, the Iron Arrowman , Volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, and in ceremony competitions.

Holiday banquet – Our annual Holiday banquet promotes a sense of fellowship among our lodge. It also serves as a recognition dinner for our new lodge officers and the Founder’s Award recipients.

NOAC – Our lodge sends a contingent to the biannual National Order of the Arrow Conference, where Arrowmen an opportunity to meet thousands of brothers from around the country and also to take part in different activities.   

Lodge Picnic - The lodge picnic is a gathering of Arrowmen for just a fun time of games, eating, and fellowship. 

For the dates of these and other lodge events as well as registration forms, please visit http://www.lowwapaneu.org.

2021 Lodge Officers and Advisors

All information relating to our Executive Committee can be found at the link below: https://lowwapaneu.org/knowledge/executive-committee

New Ordeal Member Information

Common Questions

1. When can I wear my sash?
   You can wear your sash at any Order of the Arrow sanctioned event. (i.e. Ordeals, Holiday Banquet, Committee Meetings) You cannot wear your sash to your troop meeting unless an Order of the Arrow election or promotion will be held.
   
   
2. How long are my dues paid?
   Your dues are paid until December 31 of the year after you took your Ordeal. After this point you have to pay dues of $15 a year.
   
   
3. When can I take my Brotherhood?
   You can take your Brotherhood ten months after your ordeal.
   
   
4. Why should I go for my brotherhood?
   As an Ordeal member, you are in charge of the progression of your Ordeal experience. To have a deeper understanding of your Ordeal, you must take your Brotherhood.
   
   
5. How much does brotherhood cost?
   Brotherhood fees are free. They were included in your Ordeal registration fee.
   
   
6. How can I join a committee?
   You contact the committee chairman and he will provide you with the information on committee meetings and how you can help out.
   
   
7. Can adults be members of committees?
   Yes! Although the Order of the Arrow is a youth run organization , adults provide essential resources for the youth of a committee.
   
   
8. When do I become an adult in the Order?
   You are considered a youth and a voting member of the Order of the Arrow until you are 21. National BSA youth protection standards of 18 are still upheld in the Order of the Arrow.
   
   
9. What is a Committee Chairman?
   A Committee Chairman is the head of a given committee in the Order of the Arrow. For every Committee Chairman there is an Adult Committee Advisor.
   
   
10. How do I become a Committee Chairman or Committee Advisor?
    Committee Chairman are chosen by the Lodge Chief and Committee Advisors are chosen by the Lodge Advisor. The committee chairman act as a cabinet for the Lodge Officers and Advisors. The best way to become a leader of a committee is to be associated with a committee and submit your name to the appropriate selector in December for consideration. 
    
    
11. What is Vigil?
    Vigil is the third honor in the Order of the Arrow. Vigil candidates are chosen by a committee of Vigil members under 21. The Vigil can not be worked towards. Two members out of every 100 members of the lodge can be nominated every year for the honor. A person is eligible for their vigil after two years of active service after their Brotherhood Ceremony.

Questions for you

The following is a list of questions to help you in your search for a fuller meaning of the Order of the Arrow.

1. What are the four Principles of the Order of the Arrow and what was their role in the ceremony?
2. What challenge did each principle present to you in the Pre-Ordeal?
3. How many blazes lead you to the Pre-Ordeal?
4. What was the significance of the blazes?
5. How does Kichkinet meet the other Principles? What is their response? What is its significance?
6. What do the 3 W’s stand for?
7. What is the Meaning of the Admonition?
8. What was the significance of the ropes around your hand before the Ordeal ceremony?
9. What does Lowwapaneu mean?
10. What is the significance of your election by non members?

Read the Ordeal Ceremony at: https://lowwapaneu.org/downloads/2-ceremonies/9-current-ceremonies 

...Membership in our Order is given, not only for what you have done, but for what you are expected to do in the future - for your journey is just beginning. Another time of testing is before you. Now you must preserve the tradition of Cheerful Service given us by Uncas. This will not be easy. Your fellow Scouts will thoroughly test your dedication. But you will discover that everything you have done and heard in this Ordeal will help you.

Allowat Sakima