Order of the Arrow

The Order of the Arrow is Scouting's National Honor Society.  I was nominated to become a member of the Order of the Arrow by my troop in 1996.  In May of that year, I passed the Ordeal, which is an initiation weekend in which the loyalty and fidelity of a candidate is tested.  Ten months later I sealed my membership in the lodge and became a Brotherhood member. 

I quickly became involved in the activities of the lodge.  My first step in the lodge was become an active member in the Publications Committee that published the lodge newsletter, Wolf's Tale.  Soon thereafter, I became the chairman of that committee.  Eventually, I was nominated and elected to the office of Lodge Secretary, and a year later, Vice Chief of Activities.  I was also instrumental in the earliest stages of our lodge website and became the youth webmaster of kittatinny5.org.

In 1999, I was nominated for the Vigil Honor.  In November 1999, I kept my Vigil and was declared a Vigil Honor member of the lodge and given the Indian Name Gischitehen Lekhiket, which is interpreted as The Determined Writer.  I finished my time as a youth in the lodge serving as the Vigil Chief.

Today, I am still active in the lodge in an advisorial capacity.  I still contribute to the Publications Committee and serve as co-advisor of our lodge website.

My experiences in the Order of the Arrow have taught me much.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this organization and for the chance to meet and befriend many people of fine character.