Download the Quality Lodge Guide in Adobe PDF Format.

“Why does the Order of the Arrow place so much emphasis on achieving the status of ‘Quality Lodge’? Don’t lodges and chapters have enough to do without spending their time and attention on edicts handed down by the National Order of the Arrow Committee?” Lodge leaders have probably heard those sentiments before, and may have even expressed them on occasion. The answer is that if the Order of the Arrow is more than just a social club, and is instead an important and contributing part of the Boy Scouts of America, then there are certain activities in which all OA lodges must engage. If these activities are important enough for us to pursue together as an Order, then they are important enough for us to measure. Consequently, the OA adopts a set of standards against which lodges measure themselves in order to assess their progress and the progress of the entire Order.

The Quality Lodge program recognizes a level of excellence in lodge program and operation. Every OA lodge has the opportunity to achieve the status of Quality Lodge. The requirements provide a guide for a successful lodge, addressing inductions, service, camp promotion, membership, events and other aspects of lodge operation. Meeting the standards for Quality Lodge recognition will help the lodge perform its Mission, and the Order fulfill its Purpose:

Purpose of the Order: To recognize those campers—Scouts and Scouters—who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, and by such  recognition cause other campers to conduct themselves in such manner as to warrant recognition. To develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit. To promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the unit's camping program, both yearround and in the summer camp, as directed by the camping committee of the council. To crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.

Mission of the Lodge: The mission of the lodge is to achieve the purpose of the Order of the Arrow as an integral part of the Boy Scouts of America in the council through positive youth leadership under the guidance of selected capable adults.

To be considered for Quality Lodge recognition, the lodge must have filed its charter renewal by December 31, with appropriate fees, and achieved the necessary standards set forth on the Quality Lodge Recognition Petition, which is included annually in each lodge’s charter renewal kit. Achieving Quality Lodge status is required in order for a lodge to apply for all national lodge awards and recognitions. In addition, a Quality Lodge is eligible to purchase recognition pins for its members after February 1 of the following year, which may be worn on the lodge flap. However, the real reward is the excellence and success that the lodge will have achieved.

The purpose of this Quality Lodge Guidebook is to help your lodge plan for and achieve success, as measured by the Quality Lodge program. Distribute copies widely among your lodge leadership, refer to it often, and begin your planning early in the year. Good luck as you lead your lodge in pursuing its Mission and help the Order of the Arrow fulfill its Purpose!