Virtual Ordeal Inductions

In-person events will not always be possible due to COVID-19 restrictions or parental reluctance to allow their youth to attend in-person gatherings. Recognizing these challenges, lodges are authorized to conduct virtual induction events when in-person inductions are not possible under COVID-19 restrictions utilizing the guidelines that follow.

Virtual induction events should consist of five primary components:

• Advance preparation
• Pre-Ordeal ceremony
• Introduction to the Order of the Arrow
• Application of the four tests (scant food, period of silence, night alone, day of service)
• Ordeal ceremony

Each of these components will be addressed below.

Download the Virtual Inductions Checklist

Advance Preparation

Because of the uniqueness of conducting virtual induction events, lodges need to consider the following in advance of commencing the actual induction:

• Selection and training of Elangomats so that each candidate has a designated Elangomat
• Communication to the candidates regarding the nature of the induction event and any materials needed. (e.g., Spirit of the Arrow booklets)
• Communication to parents explaining the induction event and outlining their role in supporting their Scout’s completion of the induction such as:
  • Explanation and purpose of the four tests of the Ordeal
  • Sample menu of scant food
  • COVID-19 restrictions in your local area
  • Point of Contact for questions regarding the event

Pre-Ordeal Ceremony

The Pre-Ordeal ceremony will be conducted via a video conferencing platform. Ceremonialists are to conduct the ceremony as if they were conducting an in-person ceremony. A fifth person, normally the Lodge Chief, would serve as moderator during the event to explain how the online ceremony differs from a traditional ceremony. The moderator should strive to describe what a traditional ceremony looks like  (e.g., showing and explaining ceremonial diagrams, relating the ceremony to the lodge’s local camp, and showing photographs of prior induction events).

Several general guidelines will apply to both the pre-Ordeal and Ordeal ceremonies and should be communicated to candidates and their parents in the advance preparation communications as appropriate:

• All electronic communication devices should be powered down during the ceremony.
• Video conferencing sessions should be conducted with the same attendance restrictions as traditional in-person ceremonies.
• Recording of video conferencing sessions is not permitted.
• Out of respect for our nation’s American Indians, online ceremonies shall not be conducted in American Indian clothing. Ceremonies should be conducted wearing the Scout Field Uniform or the alternative ceremonial clothing.
• All candidates and non-ceremonialists participating in the ceremony should wear the Scout Field Uniform.

Download the narrator script for the Pre-Ordeal Ceremony

Introduction to the Order of the Arrow

Given the unique nature of a virtual induction process it is appropriate that as part of the pre-Ordeal event, a special effort is made to clarify the purpose of the procedural exceptions being used and to explain how they differ from a traditional induction process. Emphasizing that the success of this event is largely dependent on the Scout’s honest participation (Scout’s honor) in adhering to guidelines outlined and complying with the spirit and intent behind them is likewise important. There is no "script" for these explanations, and it is up to the lodge leadership to ensure they are communicated and understood.

Components of this introduction can precede or follow the pre-Ordeal ceremony at the lodge’s discretion and should include coverage of the following topics:

• Explanation of the mission and purpose of the Order of the Arrow
• The importance of entering the National Honor Society of the BSA
• The basic history of the Order of the Arrow, its role in Scouting, and its major tenants including Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service

Application of the Four Tests of the Ordeal

Application of the four tests of the Ordeal can be performed on either an individual or small group basis depending on restrictions in your local area. If being done in small groups, the lodge will need to actively administer this component. If being done individually, parents will need to be provided with guidelines to ensure successful completion to include:

• Scant Food suggestions (e.g., a sample menu) along with an explanation of why this is being done.
• Silence should be explained to both parents and candidates and should be in effect throughout the night alone and during the day of service (unless communication is necessary to successfully complete the service project or in an emergency).
• Service projects will need to be arranged in advance by the candidate and approved by the candidate’s Elangomat. Service projects should be community-based projects wherever possible (e.g., cleanup of a public park, support to their local church, litter sweeps, etc.).
• Night Alone should be completed outdoors if at all possible.

Time should be allocated for Elangomats to discuss the experiences of each Scout following the application of the four tests to reinforce their importance before the Ordeal ceremony is conducted.

Additional Guidelines on the Application of the Four Tests.

Note that the additional guidelines are secured with an Ordeal Safeguard.

Ordeal Ceremony

As with the pre-Ordeal ceremony, the Ordeal ceremony will be conducted via a video conferencing platform while under COVID-19 restrictions. Ceremonialists will conduct the ceremony as if they were conducting a traditional, in-person ceremony. A fifth person, normally the Lodge Chief, should serve as moderator during the event to explain how the online ceremony differs from a traditional ceremony. The moderator should strive to describe what a traditional ceremony looks like. Following the Ordeal ceremony, lodges are encouraged to hold a virtual fellowship to discuss upcoming lodge/chapter event, encourage progress toward Brotherhood membership, and allow new members to learn more about the lodge, its leadership and history as well as have an opportunity to interact with other lodge members.

Download the narrator script for the Ordeal Ceremony here.

Nationally Produced Ceremony Videos

Recordings of the Pre-Ordeal and Ordeal ceremonies are available to aid lodges in conducting virtual inductions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lodges may either use these videos or utilize their own ceremony team during virtual inductions. As a reminder, virtual ceremonies should either be conducted using this clothing option or in Class A uniforms. American Indian attire should not be used during virtual inductions.

Nationally Produced Ceremony Videos

Virtual Brotherhood Inductions

If possible, induction events should be conducted in camp and in accordance with the guidelines provided in the Guide to Inductions.

Recognizing the uniqueness of conducting such inductions under COVID-19 restrictions, the national OA committee has authorized the use of In-Person OA Induction and Ceremonial Suggestions Under COVID-19 Restrictions. It is emphasized that these are only suggestions. Because COVID-19 restrictions/ requirements can vary significantly between localities, lodges must ensure they have the approval of their local Scout Executive before attempting to host any in-camp inductions.

Alternative locations may also be substituted to allow an in-person event. For example, the council’s camp may be closed, but a different outdoor location or indoor facility may allow for an induction ceremony to be held.

Virtual Inductions

Brotherhood Inductions are a key component of member retention. Lodges are authorized to conduct virtual Brotherhood induction events when in-person inductions are not possible under COVID-19 restrictions. This authority is in effect until cancelled by the National OA Director. During this period, the following guidelines are to be followed unless authority to deviate has been granted by the National OA Director.

Virtual Brotherhood induction events should consist of five primary components:

• Advance preparation
• Information sessions
• Small-group follow-up sessions
• Virtual Brotherhood Hike
• Virtual Brotherhood Ceremony

Advance Preparation

Because of the uniqueness of conducting virtual induction events, lodges need to consider the following in advance of commencing the actual induction:

• Selection and training of Brotherhood guides and ceremony team members
• Assembly of needed materials (ceremonial materials, Brotherhood sashes, Spirit of the Arrow booklets, etc.)
• Communication to the Brotherhood Candidates regarding the nature of the induction event and delivery of any materials needed.
• Communication to Brotherhood Candidates explaining the Brotherhood induction process, COVID-19 restrictions in your local area and providing a point of contact for questions regarding the process

Information Sessions

Information sessions are intended to guide eligible Ordeal members through the Brotherhood requirements and ensure all understand the Brotherhood induction process and expectations of candidates. The number of sessions held as well as the group size for these sessions is at the discretion of the lodge and should be determined based on candidate availability to ensure all candidates have the opportunity to attend.

Small Group Follow-Up Sessions

Once candidates have completed their information session, small group (no more than 12 are recommended) sessions should be scheduled during which testing is completed. This is also an opportunity to emphasize the candidates’ responsibility to complete their letter of commitment and submit it to the Lodge Secretary.

Lodges with limited numbers of Brotherhood candidates may choose to combine the Information and small group follow-up sessions into a single session. Given the fact these sessions are in smaller groups, particular care should be taken to ensure Youth Protection guidelines are followed.

Virtual Brotherhood Hike

Small groups of candidates should be assembled in a virtual meeting room. The hike leader (Nimat) should be in place in an outdoor setting that will allow them to hike along a trail. At the outset of the experience, the Nimat introduces himself/herself and has each candidate do the same. The normal Brotherhood hike format is then followed with the Nimat hiking along the trail at the appropriate times and the candidates remaining silent as he/she does so. At each stop on the hike, the candidates are engaged in dialogue as they would be in a traditional hike.

The Virtual Brotherhood Ceremony

Use of an "Active Candidate" model used by many fraternal groups in their ceremonies is authorized for the virtual Brotherhood Ceremony. This model uses one Active Candidate while the rest of the candidates watch the Active Candidate go through the ceremony. The Active Candidate represents the class individually with the exception of the Obligation where the entire class stands and participates.

The ceremony should be streamed live if at all possible. If not, a lodge controlled recording of the ceremony is authorized. In all cases, trained ceremonialists should be used. The ceremony should be conducted at a ceremony site at camp if possible to give the virtual candidates as "realistic" an experience as possible.

A ceremony team should go to camp (or an alternative outdoor setting) and set up the ceremony site as usual (candles, sashes, fire, everything).

Local COVID-19 requirements (e.g., social distancing and masks) should be followed such as when the principals interact with each other. Multiple cameras should be used if possible with varying camera angles so that only one person appears in a shot at a time, thus allowing appropriate social distancing and minimizing the need for masks.

The camera should be positioned from the point of view of the Brotherhood Candidate for most of the speaking parts with the principal speaking directly facing the camera. For example, passing the burden could be done with the camera behind the principal's back so the focus is on the Active Candidate stepping forward to take and bear the burden. When they lift the burden they do so on behalf of all the Brotherhood Candidates participating.

By focusing on the point of view of the candidates, it makes the experience more personal for each Brotherhood candidate. The "Active Candidate" becomes each individual’s “stand-in" for the ceremony and can be explained as such at the start of the ceremony.

The ceremony should be conducted using the in-person ceremony guidelines published on this page.

Consider having your lodge chief record an introductory video for broadcast before the Brotherhood Ceremony begins to explain this special opportunity being made during this historic time so that the candidates can seal their membership. Hopefully it will reinforce how special this opportunity is for them and inspire them to reactivate their commitment to the Order and to Scouting.

Arrangements should be made to provide the newly inducted Brotherhood members their as soon as possible either by personal delivery using volunteers, pick up at the Scout Office, or delivery by mail. A great option would be to have Arrowmen from the unit of the Brotherhood Candidate appear at the candidate's house to place the sash on the candidate in conjunction with or shortly after the ceremony.

Several general guidelines will apply to the Brotherhood ceremony and should be communicated to candidates and their parents in the advance preparation communications as appropriate:

• All electronic communication devices should be powered down during the ceremony.
• Video conferencing sessions should be conducted with the same attendance restrictions as traditional in-person ceremonies.
• Recording of video conferencing sessions is not permitted.
• Out of respect for our nation’s American Indians, online ceremonies shall not be conducted in American Indian clothing. Ceremonies should be conducted wearing the Scout Field Uniform or the alternative ceremonial clothing.
• All candidates and non-ceremonialists participating in the ceremony should wear the Scout Field Uniform.

Conclusion

Being able to reach out to members--especially Scouts who joined the Order in the last 6-12 months--and offer them the chance to seal their membership in the Order is very important to being able to re-engage and activate Scouts who have been isolated during the pandemic. It allows lodges to continue the induction cycle with some semblance of "normalcy" (the "new normal") and spur additional creativity for how we can safely be together even while being physically distanced.

These guidelines provide the authority for lodges to record their Brotherhood ceremony when live streaming is not feasible. Any such recording should be kept under the control of the lodge and only be used in conjunction with their intended purpose.

This resource was developed through the efforts of the Ahoalan-Nachpikin Lodge of the Chickasaw Council in Memphis, Tennessee.

Special Considerations for Virtual Induction Events

Although preferable, the entire induction event need not be conducted over one weekend. If the lodge leadership decides that providing additional time would allow completion by a greater number of candidates, the time between the pre-Ordeal and Ordeal ceremonies can be extended. For example:

• Lodges may plan for multiple smaller groups of candidates to complete the four tests of the Ordeal, and later conduct a larger Ordeal ceremony for all groups.
• Additional time may be needed for Elangomats to contact each of their candidates to confirm completion of the four tests.
• Individual Scouts may have conflicts that require them to complete the four tests at different times.

In all cases, the four tests of the Ordeal must be completed over one night and the following day with at least four hours devoted to the service project. For questions related to Induction Guidance, email ICE@oa-bsa.org.