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 of the program 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. Trail work involves restoring and protecting trails that have existed for centuries and are in dire need or repair. The second part of the program 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.
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 have the chance to make a significant difference to Philmont by participating in trail building in the back country. Work will include clearing terrain for trail and constructing switchbacks, retention bars, and several other erosion controls. The impact of this service will be felt by scouts for decades. The second week of the program is spent experiencing 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 new Ocean Adventure has been revamped and will provide a significantly different experience to participants. The new OAOA will introduce Scouts to an environment found only in the magical world of the Florida Keys. Working among tropical islands, coral reefs, and majestic shores Arrowmen will grow and learn together with Scouts from around the nation, working as one in cheerful service.
After arriving at the Sea Base’s Brinton Environmental Center on Summerland Key, adventurers will embark on a trip marked with various service experiences around the Keys area. Mobilized by boat, sea kayak, and war canoe, OAOA work crews will provide service and conservation work to a number of different environments, working on trails, islands and fragile habitats for tropical fauna and flora. After 5 days of island hopping and cheerful service, Arrowmen will grab their sea legs and depart on a 5 day cruise of the world’s largest wilderness- the deep blue sea. With the help of an OA staff member and a boat captain, Scouts will navigate the Gulf of Mexico in a sailing yacht, developing team skills and leadership while learning all the more about themselves, their crew and life at sea aboard a sailing vessel (e.g., fishing, snorkeling, swimming, celestial navigation). The world’s oceans remain its largest mystery.Your ocean adventure will lead you to new discoveries about yourself and the world you live in.
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 it’s U.S. counterpart the first week of the program is spent giving back to the Quetico through portage trail restoration work. Participants have the opportunity to leave their mark on the Quetico that will enable millions of visitors each year to better enjoy their experience. Trail work involves restoring and protecting trails that have existed for centuries and are in dire need or repair. The second part of the program is a 90 mile trek from Atikokan, Ontario to Ely, Minnesota.
