Unit Elections

Scouts BSA troops, Venturing crews, and Sea Scout ships are eligible to hold Order of the Arrow unit elections. Units are allowed to have a single election per calendar year.

Units with qualified Scouts are urged to hold an election no later than May 1, 2025.

Membership Requirements

Unit elections are permitted in Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout units. The Order of the Arrow membership requirements are as follows:

• Be a registered member of Scouting America.

• Have 15 nights of camping within the past 2 years of the unit election

  • 5 nights of long term camping (Summer and Winter Camp, High Adventure)

  • 10 nights of short term camping (Weekend campouts )

• At the time of their election, youth must meet the following requirements and, following approval by the Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor or Sea Scout Skipper, be elected by the youth members of their unit.

  • Troop: Achieve the rank of First Class and be below the age of 18

  • Ships: Achieve the Ordinary Rank and be below the age of 21

  • Crews: Achieve the Discovery Rank and be below the age of 21

• Adults (age 21 or older) who meet the camping requirements may be selected following nomination to and approval by the lodge adult selection committee.