CAMP PRESTON HUNT, Ark. A gathering of Scouts began Friday evening as inductees into the Order of the Arrow arrived for the Spring Arrowee. It is an experience designed to initiate them into a society within the Boy Scouts of America ranks in which entry is first by invitation rather than merit and tasks alone. Tasks are involved, but first, a scout must attract the attention of the Order of the Arrow and receive an invite to enter. Then comes the Ordeal.
"To fulfill the Ordeal, those elected to do it spend an evening in silence and isolation," said Darin Powell, Order of the Arrow adult advisor. "They are allowed a sleeping bag, a mat that can be used to cover the forest floor underneath the inductee or use it to shelter from the weather, if needed. They also get a flashlight.
"When they arrive, a 24-hour period begins where they must remain silent. the ones supervising the inductees, are undergoing the Arrowee as well, speaking just enough to instruct the inductees they are advising."
After that night, the participants continue their silence. The next day, while functioning on minimum rations, they will maintain silence while conducting labor. In this case, for the Spring Arrowee, the inductees will be preparing Camp Preston Hunt for the summer camp season.
"For the most part, the preparations are tidying up the camp, simple maintenance, tasks like that," said Powell.
According the its website (oa-bsa.org), the Order "recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives."
Robert and Emma Wright, a father-daughter team of Order of the Arrow inductees arrived Friday with their bedrolls and gear. Both of them are quiet by nature and seemingly had already slid into the restrictions required of them over the next 24 hours.
"This is a life experience," said Robert Wright, a scouting advisor, who joined BSA with his daughter, Emma, two years ago as an adult advisor.
So far, he has enjoyed the scouting experience.
"It has been great," he said. "The camping experience. Helping your community. This is great for us all, but especially the young ones, as it will help them out in the long run as adults. And you learn more about your community."
"I got into this for the experience," said Emma Wright. "Accepting the invitation to join the Order of the Arrow with my dad, same thing. I'm a senior patrol leader for Troop 5, out of Hope, Arkansas. I'm hoping this experience will make me even better at that."
As the inductees slipped into silent mode, Emma Wright is already comfortably there.
"I don't actually talk a lot," she said. "This will be a natural fit."
(Camp Preston Hunt is located at 6918 Tennessee Road.)