Order of the Arrow

Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge 40

New Ordeal Candidate Frequently Asked Questions

Congratulations on your election to become a member of Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge 40, Order of the Arrow! Your election signifies that members of your Unit - Troop, Ship, Crew - have identified you as a leader who helps others. 

Below are some frequently asked questions by new candidates and parents. 

Q: What Are Some of the Common Abbreviations and Terms Used? 

OA - Order of the Arrow

Lodge - shorthand for Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge 40, Order of the Arrow (or other Lodges as well)

Ordeal - shorthand for the Ordeal Induction process OR can also mean the 1st level of membership in the OA.

Unit - This refers to the Scout’s unit type which can be one of Scouts BSA Troop, Venture Crew, or Sea Scout Ship.

MSR - Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation

NEIC - Northeast Illinois Council

Q: What is a Lodge? 

The Order of the Arrow as a national organization is divided into many Lodges which is just a chartered organizational group. Each Lodge maps 1 to 1 to a BSA Council. Our Council is Northeast Illinois Council (NEIC).

Q: Are Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge and Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation the same? 

No. While our Lodge shares the same name - Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan - with our Council’s Summer Camp, we are separate entities. Our Lodge supports our camps including Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation, Camp Sol R Crown, and Camp Oakarro. In most Councils, the Lodge is named separately from any primary camp properties, i.e. the Three Fires Council (St. Charles, Aurora, Naperville, DeKalb, etc) has the Lodge name Lowaneu Allanque and their previous summer camp was named Camp Freeland Leslie. It is just a long and proud history that our Lodge and Summer Camp are named identically but while done so consciously is a coincidence. 

As a result, in general the records like Medical Forms and other information is not shared in common between the Lodge and Summer Camp. 

Q: I Got Elected to the OA, What Does That Mean? 

Again, congratulations! Election identifies you to the Scouts in your Unit and to others that you are a leader and live up to the Scout Oath and Law especially the parts of being helpful to others. To become a member of the OA, a Scout is elected by his peers in his Unit (Troop, Crew, Ship)  at which point he becomes a candidate for the OA. 

Q: I Am Elected, What is the Next Step? 

You will complete the Ordeal Induction as part of one of Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge’s Induction Events. (See next topic below).

Q: My Email Provides “Upcoming Induction Weekends.” What Are These? 

Once elected to become a member of the Order of the Arrow, you are a candidate. To become a member, you will go through an Ordeal Induction. The events listed in the emails as “Upcoming Induction Weekends” are the events during which you may complete the Ordeal Induction process to become a member. 

Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge tries to offer flexible opportunities to become a member. We hold Spring and Fall induction opportunities. 

Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge is actively working to make a Sabbath friendly Ordeal Induction event a normal part of our program each year with this event usually held in the Fall. This event will have the Ordeal Induction run from after sunset Saturday to Sunday evening. For some other candidates, this may be an ideal option as well to work around other activities like Football, Marching Band, etc. 

You can see an example of the Congratulatory email that includes inductions opportunities here: https://neic.ihubapp.org/posts/106079/example-order-of-the-arrow-candidate-congratulatory-email.

Q: What Email Are You Referring To 

After elections are posted to our OA LodgeMaster database, several emails will be sent the next day after approval by Lodge leadership. 

• An "Election Recap Message" to the Unit Leader (Scoutmaster, Skipper, Adviser) and the Unit Committee Chair
• A "Congratulations Letter to Candidate" to the newly elected Ordeal candidate using the email address submitted by the Unit
• A "Congratulations Letter to Parent" to the newly elected Ordeal candidate parents using the email address submitted by the Unit.

For this reason, it is important that the Unit do its best to provide correct email addresses for the parent AND a separate one for all the Scouts that are eligible for election. The congratulatory emails to candidates and parents will include information on the upcoming Induction Weekends. 

You can see an example of the Congratulations Letter to Parent here: https://neic.ihubapp.org/posts/106079/example-order-of-the-arrow-candidate-congratulatory-email.

If you did not get this email, please check your spam folders. Also, if the Scoutmaster did not provide the Parent and Scout emails, then the emails would not be sent to them directly. Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan asks that all emails addresses are provided for this reason.

Q: Can You Provide More Details on the Ordeal Induction? 

The Ordeal Induction starts and ends with separate ceremonies and is about 24 hours in duration. During the induction, the candidates will be asked to challenge themselves on several character traits that are critical to the Mission and Purposes of the OA. As the candidates challenge themselves, they learn the meaning of these traits, the importance of these traits, and about themselves and their ability to achieve these traits. The challenges are completed starting after the first ceremony and continues for the night and through the next day until late afternoon or early evening. 

Q: When Do the Induction Events End

The Fall and Spring Induction Events are weekends and typically start on Friday evening and end Sunday morning. In some cases, an event may have different start and end times; for example, our Fall Ordeal starts the Ordeal on Saturday evening and finishes on Sunday night to be Shabbat friendly. 

For events that have the Ordeal from Friday to Saturday night and then end on Sunday, OA candidates who will become members may bring a tent to use on Saturday night. 

Our event calendar with registration links is located here:2024-2025 OA Event Calendar. 

Stating in 2024, Ordeal Inductions will no linger be offered during Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Summer Camp. Call-ceremonies will continue on Friday nights of weeks 1, 3, and 5, but after the Call-Out, the Ordeal Induction will not take place at summer camp. Ordeal candidates should attend a separate weekend event to complete their Ordeal induction. 

Q: Will I Need a Tent for the Ordeal Induction? 

During the Ordeal Induction, you will sleep under the stars for that night. For any other nights of the event, you will need a tent. In case of inclement or dangerous weather, our Lodge will modify the Induction to provide a safe and suitable location to sleep for the night. 

Q: How is Inclement and Cold Weather Handled? 

In case of inclement or dangerous weather, our Lodge will modify the Induction to provide a safe and suitable location to sleep for the night. We regularly watch weather forecasts and we maintain alternative plans at all of our events to address weather conditions. The decision to modify the Ordeal process due to weather is made at the event with the latest forecasts and real-time information.

Q: Do I Need to Bring Food for the Induction Events?

No. Food is provided by the Lodge and is prepared by our Kitchen Team. We ask that any dietary restrictions be included in the registration and we pass these along to our Kitchen staff. The Ordeal fee covers the meals for the event.

Q: What If I Have Dietary Restrictions

Please indicate your dietary restrictions when you register for the Induction event. 

Q: Do I Need to Bring a Mess Kit? 

We ask that you bring a mess kit for any Order of the Arrow event. We will provide paper plates and plastic silverware if you do not have a mess kit. But, as we are trying to improve our sustainability practices, we ask that you bring a mess kit if you have one. 

Q: Does the Ordeal Induction Have a Fee? 

Yes, you will pay a fee to become a member. For 2025 this fee is $60.

Q: What Does the Ordeal Induction Fee Cover? 

The following items are covered in the fee.

• Your OA Sash

• Your OA Handbook

• Your 1st OA Lodge Flap (patch to be worn on your uniform)

• Your meals

• Your Lodge annual dues for the remainder of the calendar year

• Your National annual dues (in subsequent years, your annual dues to the Lodge are used to pay for National OA dues.)

• Other miscellaneous items necessary during the Ordeal Induction like printing, supplies, etc.

Q: Does My Unit (Troop, Crew, Ship) Pay for the Ordeal Induction or Do I?

This is a decision made by the unit (Troop, Crew, Ship). Many will pay for the Ordeal Induction but ask the Scout to pay for their later completion of the Brotherhood level. Some units ask the Scout to pay for Ordeal Induction as well. And others may pay for both.

Q: Does My Unit (Troop, Crew, Ship) Pay for my yearly OA dues or Do I?

This is a decision made by the unit (Troop, Crew, Ship). Most do not pay for the OA dues. You will need to be a dues paid member of the OA in order to be a part of the Lodge. 

Q: How Long Do I Have to Complete the Ordeal Process? 

All youth elected in 2024 and 2025 will have 18 months from the date of the Unit Election during which they were elected. to complete their Ordeal. The 18 month period is the same for any adults selected to become members of the Order of the Arrow. If a candidate does not complete the Ordeal within 18 months, they will need to re-elected or in the case of adults go through the selection process again. 

Q: What Are the Various Ceremonies? 

The complete process has up to 3 ceremonies. 

• A public Call-Out Ceremony - Note these are very impressive at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation during Summer Camp and currently our Lodge is looking into ways to improve and provide Call-Outs outside of Summer Camp. Anyone, non-member or member of the OA, friends, family, etc. may attend this ceremony. This ceremony is optional but very nice to have.

• The Pre-Ordeal Ceremony - this starts the actual Ordeal Induction. After attending this ceremony, the Ordeal Candidate must remain in camp for the next 24 hours through the Ordeal Ceremony to complete the Induction. 

• The Ordeal Ceremony - this concludes the Ordeal Induction and completion of this ceremony by a candidate makes them a member of the OA.

Note the Call-Out ceremony is not required to successfully complete the induction but the other 2 are required. In some cases, the Lodge may not be able to provide a suitable Call-Out ceremony at or prior to some Induction events.

Q: Can Parents and Family Attend the Induction Ceremonies? 

Any parents and family that are also OA members may attend the induction ceremonies during the events. However, other than the Call-Out Ceremony which is open to all (see above), the Ordeal Induction Ceremonies consisting of the Pre-Ordeal and Ordeal are closed to OA members only. The rest of the event including meals, fun, service, and fellowship are open to all non-members and members alike.

Please remember that any adult, 18 years or over, that wishes to stay overnight at a Scouting event must be a registered member of Scouting America, formerly the Boy Scouts of America, and have a valid Youth Protection Training certification.

Q: Can Parents, Family, and Other Scouts or Scouters Attend the Induction Events? 

Yes! People who are members of the OA or non-members are welcome to attend and take part.  They need only to register for the event as a guest if they are not a member of the OA. 

• Helping us work on projects around camp during the day. 

• Meals (must register of course.)

• Fun and fellowship

A couple of caveats do exist. 

• As noted above, non-members of the OA cannot attend the Ordeal Induction Ceremonies (Pre-Ordeal and Ordeal ceremonies). This is a small part of the Induction event overall. If a Call-Out Ceremony is held, anyone may attend that ceremony at the start of the event. 

• During much of the day the candidate is doing their Ordeal and, as noted above, the candidate has challenges to complete. Interactions with the candidate will be limited within the scope of those challenges until about 5 PM. 

Q: What if My Parents Have Concerns About the Ordeal Induction or Specifically the Ceremonies? 

Your parents may discuss their concerns with either a Chapter Adviser or the Lodge Adviser. In these cases, the Lodge Adviser is able to discuss details of the process and even the ceremonies as it pertains to the specific concerns.  

Q: Can I Complete the Ordeal Induction at Another Council's Summer Camp? 

As noted previously in the FAQs, a separate and optional Call-Out, aka public recognition ceremony, exists from the Ordeal Induction ceremonies and process. 

You may only complete the Ordeal Induction in your home Council's Lodge. If your Troop is attending an out of council Summer Camp - a summer camp other than Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation - and you wish to be Called Out, but not complete the Ordeal Induction while in attendance at your summer camp, your Troop must request a letter from Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge to be sent to the visited OA Lodge and Camp. See NEIC Units Attending Out-of-Council Summer Camps - Call-Out Information for more information on how to request this letter. However, you will have to wait and attend a Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge Ordeal event to go through the Induction process and become a member of the Order of the Arrow.

Q: For Weekend Ordeal Inductions, Should a Parent Attend?

Attendance by one or both parents is optional but welcomed provided the following.

• For those parents that are registered Scouters and members of the OA, we encourage you to attend the entire event.
• For those parents who are registered Scouters but not OA members, we welcome you to attend the event, however, you would not be able to attend the ceremonies. All other portions of the event are open to you.
• For parents that are not registered Scouters, you may attend during the day only. Again, as a non-member, you would not be able to attend the actual ceremonies.

In all cases, we would require you to register to cover any food costs. Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge is considering options for Dinner only registrations but do not have these currently.

Q: Will My Scout Know Anyone At the Ordeal Induction?

If your Scout knows someone in their Troop or a friend in another Troop, they can encourage that Scout to also attend. But, if not, our weekend inductions will usually have many Scouts of various ages in attendance both as members and Ordeal Candidates. Many Scouts attending do not initially know anyone else. Our events are designed to include social time at the beginning of the event and at appropriate other times to get to know others. Our Youth Leaders meet and get to know Scouts and encourage them to meet each other as part of the event.

Q: Who Should My Scout Go To For Questions at the Event?

Many of our Lodge's Youth Leaders, who will be in attendance, are also Summer Camp Staff Members. If your Troop attends Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Summer Camp, it is possible they have already met these leaders. But, our Youth Leaders are always the best people to ask questions of initially.

• Our Lodge Chief
• Our Lodge Vice Chiefs
• Our Chapter Chiefs
• Our other Lodge and Chapter Officers and Committee Chairs

In addition, we will have several key adults in attendance at our events.

• The Lodge Adviser
• Associate Lodge Advisers for each Youth Officer and Committee Chair
• Chapter Advisers
• Associate Chapter Advisers

Q: What is Brotherhood Membership?

All OA members become eligible to become a Brotherhood member. As the OA is new to new Ordeal members and you will still be learning what it means to be an OA member even after the completion of the Ordeal Induction, the OA provides another step in your journey that results in Brotherhood membership and a new OA Sash signifying Brotherhood. 

Q: When Can I Earn Brotherhood? 

You will become eligible to become a Brotherhood member of the OA six (6) months after you complete your Ordeal Induction and provided you meet the other requirements that include being a dues paid member of a Lodge, maintaining your registration in the BSA, and learning about the OA. 

Q: Do I Need to Work All Day to Earn Brotherhood? 

While most of our Brotherhood inductions are held during events in which we also provide cheerful service to our Council Camps, working is not a requirement to earn Brotherhood. We ask that you help us at these events as much as you can, but it is not required. You will receive the specific requirements on earning Brotherhood separately as the time approaches.

Q: How is Youth Protection Maintained At OA Events?

For our weekend events that are held at our camps within 30-60 minutes of families living in our Council, our Lodge has many registered BSA adult members who all have completed Youth Protection Training. We act as the adult leaders and provide the barriers to abuse. We follow all BSA Guide to Safe Scouting guidelines for Youth Protection and also have specific OA guidelines that extend YP to our program.

Q: Can I Complete the Ordeal Induction at Another Council's Summer Camp? 

As noted previously in the FAQs, a separate and optional Call-Out, aka public recognition ceremony, exists from the Ordeal Induction ceremonies and process. 

You may only complete the Ordeal Induction in your home Council's Lodge. If your Troop is attending an out of council Summer Camp - a summer camp other than Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation - and you wish to be Called Out, but not complete the Ordeal Induction while in attendance at your summer camp, your Troop must request a letter from Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge to be sent to the visited OA Lodge and Camp. See (need to add link) for more information on how to request this letter. However, you will have to wait and attend a Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge Ordeal event to go through the Induction process and become a member of the Order of the Arrow.

Q: What if I Have More Questions? 

Please respond to your Election Congratulations email to your Chapter Leaders. They can help answer questions. If you need additional assistance, you can also contact the Lodge Adviser at oalodge40@gmail.com.