Archive for April, 2011

New Officer Titles, Regalia, and Low Impact Policies Announced

Posted in Scouting News by John E. Pannell on April 1st, 2011 at 4:01 am

Please read this post first!

Some significant changes will soon take effect for the Boy Scouts of America’s Order of the Arrow program. Please read these carefully.

In recent years the Order of the Arrow has sought to become more culturally sensitive.  There have been a few complaints in recent years from parents in Copiague, NY and Woonsockett, RI about the use of American Indian derived names and regalia for officers in a BSA program.  They charge it is inappropriate and offensive.   The OA is sensitive to criticism that its programs over emphasize American Indian themes.  This overemphasis has caused some lodges from time to time to lose lose track of what the Order is: The Boy Scouts of America’s Brotherhood of Cheerful Service. American Indian themes, customs and traditions are to be used in a manner consistent with the mission of the Order and respectful of the various American Indian communities.

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