Welcome the ArrowTour into your communities this summer

This summer, contingents of Arrowmen are hitting the road to deliver the message that Scouting is building new adventures to keep our movement fun, challenging and relevant to America’s youth.

These Scouts are helping to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow — Scouting’s national honor society. They are terrific ambassadors who will share in communities across the country many of the fresh experiences that Scouting offers to America’s young people.

Our “ArrowTour” is made up of four delegations of youth Arrowmen, led by a crew chief, which will travel to council camps and Scouting events, where they will commemorate the Order’s rich 100-year history, and reveal the vision for our second century of service. They’ll also encourage communities to bring more young people into Scouting with the help of hands-on displays, games, and opportunities to make souvenirs, including silk screening and hat and belt branding.

Our OA delegation from the Northeast region made its first stop March 31 at Resica Falls Scout Reservation in Pennsylvania’s Cradle of Liberty Council. Arrowmen from the other three BSA regions will embark on their journeys June 18-22. Their current ArrowTour schedule calls for 111 stops across the country.

It has been a lot of hard work to pull this schedule and series of events together. I want to congratulate OA National Director Clyde Maher, his staff, the National Order of the Arrow Committee, National Chief Alex Call and the rest of the National OA Leadership, and all the volunteers and Arrowmen who spent many hours coordinating this important event for our movement.

I encourage all of you to add the ArrowTour to your summer calendar. Please support these Scouting ambassadors as they make their way to or near your councils. And please remember that this is more than an anniversary celebration; it’s a message to our nation about why Scouting is so vital to the future of our young people and the communities we serve.

Thanks, Wayne