New Members

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is Scouting’s National Honor Society. It recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and who show outstanding service to others. Founded in 1915, the OA uses Native American traditions and ceremonies to emphasize the values of brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service. Members of the OA serve their local councils, camps, and communities by promoting camping, providing service, and developing leadership among youth.

Congrats on completing your Ordeal and becoming a member of Withlacoochee Lodge! Your next step is to get involved — come to Lodge events, help at your Chapter meetings, and meet other Arrowmen. You’ll make friends, have fun, and make a real impact through service. You can also start working toward your Brotherhood membership, which shows a deeper commitment to the OA and to cheerful service.

Withlacoochee Lodge hosts several big events each year: 

• Spring Ordeal (late March or early April) – Induction and service weekend 

• Summer Fellowship (August) – Fun, training, games, and brotherhood 

• Fall Ordeal (late October or early November) – Service and new member induction 

• Winter Banquet (early December) – Year-end celebration and awards dinner 

There’s something for everyone — service, fun, and fellowship all year long!

All of our events — like Ordeals, Fellowships, and Banquet — are listed on the Lodge Events Calendar on the Withlacoochee Lodge website. On the South Georgia Council website each event has a registration link with all the info you’ll need.

You can earn Brotherhood six months after your Ordeal. It’s a chance to really understand the meaning of the OA and what it stands for. You’ll review a few key parts of our ceremonies, learn more about the history and purpose of the OA, and take part in a Brotherhood ceremony at a Lodge event. It’s not a test — it’s a chance to grow as an Arrowman and strengthen your bond with the Lodge.

You can keep up with what’s happening by: 

• Checking the Lodge website for updates and the event calendar 

• Following Withlacoochee Lodge on social media 

• Attending Chapter meetings in your area 

• Reading Lodge email updates or newsletters 

These are the best ways to stay connected and never miss an event!

Chapters are smaller groups within our Lodge based on your district. They handle local meetings, elections, and service projects. 

• Crooked River Chapter serves the Alapaha District 

• Ichauway Chapter serves the Chehaw District 

If you’re not sure which Chapter you’re in, just ask your Scoutmaster or reach out to a Lodge Officer — they’ll help you get connected.

Section E6 is a group of Order of the Arrow Lodges from across Georgia and parts of Alabama that work together to support and strengthen Scouting’s National Honor Society. Withlacoochee Lodge is proud to be one of the Lodges in Section E6! 

The Section connects Lodges by offering leadership training, sharing resources, and hosting fun, large-scale events — the biggest being the annual Section E6 Conclave. Conclave is a weekend packed with competitions, service, shows, training, and fellowship where hundreds of Arrowmen from across the Section come together to celebrate the spirit of the OA. 

Section E6 is part of the Southern Region’s Gateway Region East, and includes Lodges such as Alibamu, Aracoma, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Echeconnee, Egwa Tawa Dee, I-Tsu-La, Ini-To, Mowogo, Waguli, and Withlacoochee. 

Through Section E6, Arrowmen have opportunities to meet new people, develop leadership skills, and experience the OA beyond their home Lodge — making it one of the most exciting parts of being an Arrowman!