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The Choctaw Chapter (Established in 1962) is a part of the Chilantakoba
Lodge #397, Order of the Arrow, chartered by the
Southeast Louisiana Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The
Order of the Arrow is
the "Honor Camping" Association of the
Boy Scouts of America. These pages have been created to provide basic
information for the Scouts, and Scouters of Cypress
District relative to the Chapter. The Choctaw Chapter is a Scout
managed program with adult advisors, similar in leadership structure to other
Boy Scout Programs. The chapter has a tradition of meetings on the same night as
roundtable for the Cypress District.
This affords the Scouts the opportunity to have transportation coordinated with
the adults in the troop that are attending the Cypress
District Roundtable.
Membership
Requirements:
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Be a registered
member of the Boy Scouts of America
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Hold the First
Class Rank of the Boy Scouts of America as a Minimum
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After registering
with a troop, have experienced 15 days and nights of camping including 6
consecutive days and nights of resident camping approved and under the
auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, within 2 years immediately prior to
election to candidate status.
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Candidates for
youth membership shall be elected by other youth members in accordance with
policies set forth by the national committee of the Order of the
Arrow. (The unique feature of this is that members are actually
elected a majority of the time by non-members)
Purpose
of the Order of the Arrow
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To recognize
those campers -- Scouts and Scouters -- who best exemplify the Scout Oath
and Law in their daily lives and by such recognition cause other campers to
conduct themselves in such manner as to warrant recognition.
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To develop and
maintain camping traditions and spirit.
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To promote Scout
camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit's
camping program, both year-round and the summer camp, as directed by the
camping committee of the council
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To crystallize
the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful
service to others.
What
Chapters of the Order of the Arrow typically do:
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Supervise
Order of the Arrow elections in the geographic area
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Hold Several
Meetings each year
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Act as a
rallying point for members going to lodge activites
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Support a
specialized part of the lodge program (such as a ceremonial or dance
team)
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Have
specific jobs at lodge activities, such as cooking and cleanup, etc.
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Write for
the lodge newsletter or its own newsletter.
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A
good chapter does one or two of these each year:
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Conduct a
service project
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Provide
support at a camporee or Scout Show.
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Perform
Indian dances and conduct ceremonies for Cub Scout packs.
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Have a
Callout ceremony
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The
Scouters Role
The role of the adult
Scouter in the Order of the Arrow is the same as it is throughout
Scouting. Scouters help young people grow through a program the youth plan
and run.
As a Scouter you wear
the Arrow to make it more significant to Scouts. If you were elected as an
adult, it was for this reason, rather than as an honor or award. There are
two main roles of a Scouter in the Order of the Arrow: that of the advisor
appointed for a particular youth leader, and that of other
| Advisor Role - Advisors play a role in
supporting the various committee chairman of the Lodge or Chapter.
It is inappropriate for an advisor to run the various programs or
committees, although he or she should always be involved. This
includes training, transportation, and staying involved and
informed. Each of our Chapter Officers
would benefit from an Advisor. |
Non-Advisor Role - Your main duty within
the Order is to support its program. If you are a Scoutmaster, you know
that your attitude will be reflected in those of your Scouts.
Involvement in the activities and meetings of the Order requires
transportation. Scouters who are members of the Order have a
primary duty and responsibility to serve as a resource of transportation
and a model for inspiration. |
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