Resources for New Arrowmen to Continue Their Journey!

The process of the preparing yourself for Brotherhood Membership is explained in the Order of the Arrow Handbook, which you should obtain to learn more about the OA. An Ordeal member becomes eligible for Brotherhood membership ten months after completing his Ordeal. You must meet the five challenges before you can enter the Circle of Brotherhood:

1. Memorize the signs of Arrow Membership - this includes the Obligation, the Order of the Arrow Official song, the Admonition, the sign of ordeal membership, and the Arrow Handclasp.

2. Advance in your understanding of the Ordeal.

3. Serve your unit. retain registration in Scouting and expand your service.

4. Plan for service in the Lodge. retain registration in the lodge and keep your dues paid. Brotherhood membership involves a pledge to serve the lodge, and you should develop a specific idea on how to do this service.

5. Review your progress. When you earnestly feel that you have met the first four (4) challenges, write a letter to the Lodge Secretary, covering the topics described in the Order of the Arrow handbook.

To complete your brotherhood membership, you will need to study questions and answers about the customs & traditions found in the OA Handbook, and attend an event that includes the Brotherhood questioning and ceremony.

Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge has Brotherhood questioning and ceremonies during resident camp, at Spring Fellowship, and at the Fall Fellowship. Unlike the Ordeal, Brotherhood questioning and ceremonies do not involve physical labor of missing and meals. It is important to memorize the Obligation and Official Order of the Arrow Song, and to learn about tradition, legend, and aspects of the Ordeal ceremony in the order to pass the Brotherhood Questioning.

There are no ranks within the Order of the Arrow, but Brotherhood seals one's membership in the Order. Brotherhood membership is necessary to be considered for the Vigil Honor, and only youth who are Brotherhood or Vigil Honor members are eligible for Officer positions in Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge.

Chapter meetings are a good place for new arrowmen to get help as they prepare for Brotherhood membership.  You can request study guides to prepare for questioning, obtain a copy of the Order of the Arrow Handbook, obtain copies of the Ceremony for the Ordeal, and ask Brotherhood and Vigil Honor members who will be happy to help you prepare for Brotherhood membership.