Awards and Recognition
Every few years as Arrowmen from across the country gather for the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC), committees busily decide upon various National awards to be given at the conference. Many lodges and individuals from the Southern Region have been honored with the following awards.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to those Arrowmen who have rendered outstanding service to the Order on a sectional, area, regional, or national basis. It is given primarily for dedicated service to the Order and Scouting over a period of time. Only a limited number of awards are presented each year, and Arrowmen whose service records are the most outstanding and extend the farthest beyond the local lodge level are selected.
E. Urner Goodman Camping Award
Administered by the recognitions subcommittee of the National Committee of the Order of the Arrow, the E. Urner Goodman Camping Award was established as a tribute and testimonial to the Order’s founder, E. Urner Goodman, in 1969. Its purpose is to encourage and challenge Order of the Arrow members and lodges to increase their effectiveness in promoting and increasing Scout camping in each region. Awards are presented to two outstanding lodges in each region annually.
Josh R. Sain Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1998 to honor the spirit and the memory of Josh R. Sain, a former National Vice Chief of the Order of the Arrow. The scholarships are provided to former National Officers upon completion of their successful service of their terms.
National Service Award
Administered by the recognitions subcommittee of the National Committee of the Order of the Arrow, the National Service Award was established in 1999 to recognize that lodges in each region that have performed outstanding service, both in a qualitative and quantitative sense, to their council. The award was developed by past national vice chief, Ryan Miske. Awards are presented to two outstanding lodges in each region annually.
Order of the Arrow Innovation Award
The Order of the Arrow Innovation Award was established in 2012 to recognize chapters and lodges for developing creative and innovative solutions to challenges faced during the implementation of their annual program plans. Two awards in each Region are presented annually.
Red Arrow Award
The Red Arrow Award is presented by the National Order of the Arrow Committee for distinguished service to the Order of the Arrow by either non-scouters or Scouters who are not members of the Order of the Arrow. This service may take many forms and should involve a significant period of time, as opposed to a single event. Only those nominees whose accomplishments are of the highest order will be considered competitive.
To view the past recipients of each of these honors, click the appropriate link below.