OA High Adventure & Sharon A. McDonald Campership Fund
Adventure like No Other
Do you need an escape from that 9-5 job, summer classes, or the monotony of staring out of your bedroom window longing for something new? If your answer is yes, the Order of the Arrow has the answer for you!
Each summer, the Order of the Arrow offers a myriad of different High Adventure opportunities to meet your summer needs. Maybe it’s wetting your appetite by going for a plunge in the Atlantic Ocean with the Ocean Adventure at the Florida Sea Base. Or maybe hiking is your passion; if so, what better place to go than the Philmont Scout Ranch, where you can hike the same trails as your Scoutmaster or Scouting ancestors as a part of your Trail Crew experience? Have you ever thought about what the Native Americans and early explorers did to be avid traders? Maybe the OA Voyage is your calling. Whatever your summer aspirations may be, these National High Adventure bases have put together a multitude of options for you.
OA High Adventure Trail Crew at Philmont
Information for Parents
A Letter from a Parent of a Trail Crew & Wilderness Voyage Participant:
Proud doesn’t begin to describe my feelings when my son related stories of his OA Trail Crew adventure. In a short two weeks, he had an experience that literally transformed his life.
Rob has always been serious about Scouting. He loves camping and the outdoors. After election into the Order of the Arrow, Rob wouldn’t miss a service project or a Lodge meeting. Applying for OA Trail Crew was the next natural step in cheerful service and high adventure.
During his trek, his mother worried constantly. I even became concerned when he didn’t call after finishing the work week and leaving for the trek. Finally, the call came and a tired—but happy—voice said, “had a great time, will tell you about it when I get home, bye.”
The ride home from the airport was something I’ll always remember. The car had the strong odor of clothes that had been worn for a week of strenuous activity. His uniform was wrinkled after the long flight. His face looked like someone who had been in the sun too long. But his broad smile wouldn’t quit and his voice was filled with the excitement of someone who had been to the moon and back!
Watch More:
Applying
Applying takes only 10 minutes to complete. Some program weeks for popular programs have already filled up but many spots are still open. If there is a program that interests you with few spots left, we encourage you to apply today! Click the list of programs to view a live open spot list for each program.
Imagine hiking through some of the same territories as Waite Phillips, Dr. Goodman, and other noteworthy Scouting figures. Imagine forming a team, coming into an experience as strangers, but leaving as friends for a lifetime. Few people get to experience the world’s natural beauty and understand what true fellowship is all about. This summer, the Order of the Arrow invites you to this rare occasion and to participate in the OA High Adventure program.
Available Adventures
The Order of the Arrow Wilderness Voyage: Canadian Odyssey program is an experience like no other. For two weeks, you will join together with Arrowmen from around the country and experience the wild beauty of the Quetico Provincial Park of Ontario, Canada. Like its U.S. counterpart the first week of the program is spent giving back to the Quetico through portage trail restoration work. The second part is a trek through the Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada.
The Order of the Arrow Ocean Adventure program is a 7 day program conducted in the Florida Keys. The service portion of the adventure will be primarily based out of the Dry Tortugas National Park located 70 miles from Key West. Participants will have the opportunity to snorkel, kayak, paddle board and swim.
The Order of the Arrow Summit Experience program is an experience like no other. For 8 days, you will join together with Arrowmen from around the country and experience all that the Summit in West Virginia has to offer. Four days of the program will be focused on building or maintaining trails around the Summit, and the New River Gorge National River Area. The remainder of the experience will revolve around white water kayaking and rafting, along with mountain biking, climbing, and participation in other Summit activities.
The Order of the Arrow Trail Crew program is one of the best ways to experience Scouting’s premier high adventure base, Philmont Scout Ranch. For two weeks, participants see and experience all that Philmont has to offer and much more. For the first week, participants will do trail building in the backcountry. During the second week Arrowmen will experience Philmont in its finest. Unlike regular treks, Trail Crews make their own itinerary, instead of selecting from pre-planned routes. You can do and see just about anything, from the Tooth of Time to Baldy Mountain, your crew decides!
The Order of the Arrow Wilderness Voyage program is an experience like no other. For two weeks, you will join together with Arrowmen from around the country and experience all that the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota has to offer. The first week is spent giving back to the Boundary Waters through portage trail restoration work. Participants have the opportunity to leave their mark on the Boundary Waters that will enable millions of visitors each year to better enjoy their experience. The second part is a trek planned by the crew. From the 8-1/2 mile “Grand Portage” leading to Lake Superior, to the Height of Land, even the pictographs on Fishdance Lake, crews have done and seen all in the Boundary Waters.
Cost
$350
$275
$500
$200
$200
A minimum deposit of $50-$100 per Adventure is required to complete your registration. Transportation not included in this pricing.
Sharon A. McDonald Campership
Occoneechee Lodge offers financial assistance for those wishing to attend Order of the Arrow High Adventure service programs. This campership is limited to the following programs:
- Order of the Arrow Philmont Trail Crew
- Order of the Arrow Ocean Adventure
- Order of the Arrow Wilderness Voyage
- Order of the Arrow Canadian Odyssey
- Order of the Arrow Summit Experience
Depending on the number of applications received and the funds available, not all applicants may receive funding. Funding amounts vary year to year.
This campership is not based on financial need but rather the merits of the Scout. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Application decisions are sent after the deadline passes through our application portal.
