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  •   District and Chapter Realignment
    The following information on chapter realignment was distributed at the October 2011 LEC meeting and was also published in the November 2011 Drumbeat (page 3):

    The new Princess Anne Chapter (formerly Kempsville and Chowanoc Chapters) are in the new Princess Anne District. Albemarle Chapter is in Albemarle District. Merrimac Chapter and Elizabeth River Chapter are in the Three Rivers District, but will retain their names. Powhatan Chapter and Cape Henry Chapters are in the new Bayside (formerly North) District, but will retain their names.

    In the Three Rivers and Bayside Districts, which both have two chapters, the specific chapter boundaries will be determined by the respective Chapter Advisers, and will remain close to their original locations. Each of the two chapters in these districts has elected its own chief, and each chapter chief has one vote on the LEC. In November 2012, the lodge realignment committee will meet to decide if the chapters should be realigned.

About Blue Heron Lodge

Blue Heron Lodge is the Order of the Arrow Lodge for Tidewater Council. Members of Blue Heron Lodge visit Camp Pipsico on a regular basis to perform service to camp. Several of the buildings you see at camp, including the OA Shelter, the pump house, and the Gregson Center were built by the OA. The OA assists with the preparation of Camp Lions for summer camp by erecting tents on the platforms, clearing debris from the sites, and performing other tasks.

What is the Order of the Arrow?

The Order of the Arrow is an organization within the Boy Scouts of America that provides service and leadership opportunities for older Scouts. It is the BSA's honored camper society and is dedicated to cheerful service.

I went through my Ordeal. Now what?

If you are a member of the OA, the Lodge needs your help. The first thing to do is to start attending your chapter meeting. Important information about upcoming events is given out at chapter meetings and you need to be there to keep up to date with what is going on in the lodge.

OA Ceremony OA members performing service Conclave 2004: The Empire Strikes Back

Then, start coming to the lodge events. We have several service days up at camp each year (Ordeals) and a Fall Fellowship, where we have a weekend of fun and games. We also have an annual fellowship of the lodges in our section called the "Conclave". This weekend is always exciting and is fun for all. In 2007, we hosted the Conclave and we will do so again in 2013.

Who can be in the Order of the Arrow?

The OA is often referred to as "Scouting's Honor Society". Membership in the OA is granted only to those who are elected by their own troop. Thus, members are selected primarilly by non-members.

Election into the Order of the Arrow is fairly unique. The OA is one of few organizations where selection is made by primarilly non-members. Each year, Boy Scout troops are permitted to hold an Order of the Arrow election. Traditionally, it is held in the spring, but it is permissible for it to be held at any time during the year. All youth members, as well as Scouters under the age of twenty-one, are permitted to vote in this election. Troops that elect at least one youth are eligible to nominate an adult for consideration. To request that an OA election team visit your troop, please contact your chapter.

OA Ceremony Conclave games OA Ceremony