OA is deeply enriched by ceremonies. Each ceremony is designed to help members learn and feel the high purpose of OA. While at the same time, they are not meant to imitate initiations or inductions into adult fraternal groups. Materials, information pertaining to, and the actual ceremonies themselves should be safeguarded with the utmost caution. Some parts of OA are meant to be mysterious, ceremonies is one of these parts. The passwords, signs, countersigns, and secluded sights are to be kept mysterious and safeguarded. Ceremonies are not public, and are not meant to be social affairs. Remember that we brothers must satisfy ourselves, that all persons present are members and are therefore entitled to remain. Ceremonies however, are not to interfere with anyone's religious beliefs.

OA has four main ceremonies. Each presents the principle of OA in a fun and exciting atmosphere. The ceremony has always been an integral part of OA. When Dr. E. Urner Goodman founded OA, he used ceremony to vociferate the high ideals and principles of OA. The ceremonies are used by WE as they are proscribed by National: "to effectively communicate the importance of the principles of OA to not only scouting but also to the community."

White Eagle is proud of its ceremony teams. We have a PreOrdeal/Ordeal team, and are working on creating a brotherhood Team. Several of our lodge members are part of the Lodge Brotherhood Team and the Vigil Ceremony Group, which includes the Vigil Ceremony Team and Vigil Chief. Our chapter has members that are going to NOAC this year to compete in Brotherhood and Vigil Ceremonies. In addition, we also offer ceremonies in Arrow of Light and Webolos Crossover ceremonies, Ordeal Call Outs, and other ceremonies.

It is a custom in WE that each member of a ceremony who has participated in a ceremony, whether as drummer, guard, or element, place an arrowmen civilian pin on his outfit. The tradition is for the PreOrdeal, Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil ceremonies. Other ceremonies may participate in the idea. Special thanks to Eric Hansen who created the program in June of 2000.

To learn more about Ceremonies, visit our other pages about ceremonies:
-Brotherhood
-Webolos Crossover/ Arrow of Light
-Outfit Construction
-Pictures from our ceremonies

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