Thomas J. Richards Memorial Scholarship

The Section NE-5 Thomas J. Richards Memorial National OA High Adventure Scholarship was created in memory of 2009-10 Section NE-5B Chief Tom Richards in the hopes of providing monetary support to Arrowmen within the section by awarding a partial or full scholarship to one of the Order of the Arrow’s High Adventure programs at Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier, Florida Sea Base, and the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

It is the purpose of the section to provide for the Arrowmen of NE-5 in hopes to enhance their Order of the Arrow experience through participation in one of these programs. All programs are the epitome of what the OA represents: the ideals of brotherhood, cheerfulness and service. Thus, it is imperative that Section NE-5 and its leadership support these programs and offer financial assistance to the Arrowmen of the Unami, One, Ajapeu, Lenape, Lenapehoking IX, Woapalanne, Witauchsoman, Na Tsi Hi, Lowwapaneu, Japeechen, Black Eagle and Yokahu Lodges to help pay for the program costs.

The Thomas J. Richards Memorial National OA High Adventure Scholarship is reserved for those individuals who exhibit interest in the Order and a commitment to service, as well as a future commitment to the Order of the Arrow in their home lodges. It is expected that the recipients continue their service in the OA, as well as bring the enthusiasm gained from these programs back to their home units, councils, chapters and lodges. Each recipient will be required at the end of their experience to provide the section with an account of their experiences to be posted on the section website and in section newsletters for recognition and promotion for the programs and the scholarship.

The amount awarded to recipients will be a maximum of $500. This amount may be increased from year to year depending on the cost of the program attended and the need of the applicant. The NE-5 Section Officers, Advisers and National Program Committee will select the recipients each year.

Applications for the Thomas J. Richards Memorial National OA High Adventure Scholarship can be found here, and must be submitted NO LATER THAN MARCH 31st, 2022. All approvals need to be received by this date as well. Applicants will be notified of their selection prior to the April COC, where recipients will be announced. The scholarship money will be sent from the section's host council in the form of a reimbursement check after they have attended the program unless set up otherwise in conjunction with the Section Key Leadership.

The requirements to be considered for the Thomas J. Richards Memorial National OA High Adventure Scholarship are:

  1. The applicant must be a member in good standing of a lodge in Section NE-5.

  2. The applicant must have approval from their lodge adviser.

  3. The applicant must have approval from their lodge staff adviser.

  4. The applicant must meet all program requirements and be selected to attend a national OA event or an OA High Adventure program.

  5. The applicant must be a youth member or adult program participant (under the age of 21) at the time of application and must not turn 21 before the end of the OA High Adventure program.