OA Temporary Camping Requirements Updated!

Feedback from our lodge leaders indicates that existing requirements will substantially limit the number of Scouts that will be eligible for election during the 2021 election cycle as a result of reduced camping opportunities during the pandemic period. As a result, the following modifications to the above policies have been approved by the National Order of the Arrow Committee. It is emphasized that only these provisions have been changed. All other requirements of the temporary camping policy remain in effect.

If you have not scheduled your unit election, please do so today!

Changes in OA election eligibility requirements for the calendar year 2021 election cycle ONLY:

• The limitation on counting no more than three (3) nights of short-term camping in a single month is increased to five (5) nights per month. All other requirements for virtual short-term camping eligibility remain in effect.
• The requirement for a long-term camp of five (5) consecutive nights is relaxed. While council long-term camps should be utilized if available, any combination of short-term and/or long-term nights, in camp or virtual, that are part of a BSA unit-organized unit camping event held within the two years prior to election may be counted toward the 15 night requirement.
• In cases where lodges have already begun their 2021 election cycle:
  • Units which have already held a 2021 election are authorized to hold one additional election.
  • Only individuals who were ineligible at the time of the first election due to the camping requirement then in effect can be eligible for this second election.
  • To be eligible, the Scout must have met the revised requirements at the time of their first unit’s election.
  • This second election must be completed no later than May 1, 2021.

Virtual short-term camp eligibility

The following temporary modifications to the above have been in effect “until further notice”:

Virtual [short-term] camping (i.e., backyard or solo camping) may be counted toward the required nights of camping for OA election eligibility if all the following stipulations are met:

• All virtual camping nights should be a direct result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and be part of a BSA unit-organized unit camping event (i.e., multiple members of the unit are involved and camping simultaneously at remote locations).
• Some form of unit-organized communications should occur either during or immediately following the event.
• All existing youth protection policies and digital safety guidelines should be followed.