Arrowmen have a special opportunity to assist the camping and/or advancement programs of Scout units that need help. The OA Scoutreach Mentoring program, established in 2000, is a joint effort of the Scoutreach Division of the Boy Scouts of America and the Order of the Arrow. The Scoutreach Division gives leadership and emphasis to urban and rural Scouting programs and is part of the BSA's commitment to making sure that all young people have the opportunity to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background. Among the goals of the program are for Arrowmen to act as positive change agents and role models for Scouts and leaders in these types of units.
Arrowmen desiring to become a Scoutreach mentor must develop and submit a specific action plan that has the approval of the urban or rural unit leader, lodge chief, lodge adviser, lodge service committee chair, and district commissioner.
The resources here provide further information about the Scoutreach Division and the OA Scoutreach Mentoring program.
The OA Scoutreach Mentoring Program http://www.scoutreachbsa.org/
What Is OA Scoutreach Mentoring?
Remember when you joined your first Scout troop as a young boy? In your troop there were older, more experienced Scouts to lead, to set the example, to teach you skills, and to direct your program.
Many of our Scoutreach units do not have experienced senior Scouts to teach skills, run meetings, plan programs, or go camping and hiking with confidence.
That is where the OA Scoutreach Mentoring program comes in! The OA Scoutreach Mentoring program brings together Scouting's best—members of the Order of the Arrow—Scouting's "National Honor Society"—with Scouting's neediest— our urban and rural Scoutreach units.
Members of the Order of the Arrow will provide, on an as-needed basis, specific temporary assistance to Scoutreach units. Matching exceptional skills to critical needs is what the OA Scoutreach Mentoring program is all about, and the results show in the quality of Scouts this program produces.
What Is Mentoring?
In general, a mentor is an individual, usually older and always more experienced, who helps and guides another individual's development. The guidance is not done for the personal gain of the mentor. The best mentors are people whose own enthusiasm for the task at hand, whether it is tying a knot or leading a program, is so contagious that they inspire others just by doing what they enjoy most. The object of mentoring is to encourage growth of a younger or less experienced person whose needs and interests are a mentor's primary consideration.
Characteristics of a Mentor
- Role Model—A person that the youth admire and want to be like
- Teacher—A person who helps youth to acquire knowledge, information or skills
- Companion—A person who shares personal interests, skills, and experiences with others
- Supporter—A person who boosts self-esteem, gives support, listens to ideas and concerns, expresses beliefs, and conveys warm caring about the mentee as a person
- Resource—A person who provides opportunities to try new things and introduces mentees to new people, places, interests, or ideas to enhance their experienc
FAQ—OA Scoutreach Mentoring
Q. Why did the Order of the Arrow create this program?
A. The OA Scoutreach Mentoring program is a joint creation of the Scoutreach and the National Order of the Arrow committees. The Order of the Arrow supports the mission of Scoutreach and recognizes the importance of making Scouting available to every boy in America.
Q. Is the OA Scoutreach Mentoring program only for Scoutreach troops?
A. No. The program was created to help out any urban or rural Scout troop whose camping and advancement programs need help.
Q. Is the OA Scoutreach Mentoring program available for helping Cub Scout packs as well as Scout troops?
A. The program is designed to help Boy Scout troops with their hiking, camping, and outdoor programs. The primary goal of the Mentoring program, however, is to provide assistance to local council's Scoutreach program. If requested, the OA Scoutreach mentor should assist the council where the need is greatest.
Q. Will serving as a Scoutreach mentor interfere with my activities with my own unit?
A. No, your first duty is to your unit. Being a Scoutreach mentor should not interfere with participation in your unit.
Q. How long does a typical action plan take to complete?
A. Each action plan is unique, and may take six months to one year to complete; however, a minimum of three months or 45 hours of service is expected in order to apply for the recognition award.
Q. Is OA Scoutreach Mentoring just for the youth members, or can adults be involved?
A. Adults can play a key role in the OA Scoutreach Mentoring program. Scoutreach units need adult volunteer assistance, and adult-level training as well as the program assistance the youth can provide. Additionally, adults can help with resources and transportation.
Q. As an adult Scoutreach mentor, how can I work most effectively with my district commissioner?
A. Communicate the purpose of the program and keep your district commissioner informed about the progress of the program. The district commissioner should be your best supporter.
Q. Where can I get additional information about the OA Scoutreach Mentoring program?
A. The National Order of the Arrow website (www.oa-bsa.org) has additional information about the program. You can contact the Scoutreach Division at the national office. You can also call Dr. David Briscoe, National Scoutreach Committee, Mentoring Committee Chairman, at 501-952-3070, or Tico Perez, National OA Committee, OA Scoutreach Mentoring chairman at 407-649-4007.
The Application Process
Interested Arrowmen can secure an application from Steven Elliott at any of the Ordeals or Lodge events. You can also download an application from the link below. The application should then be completed and given to Steven Elliott or Carlos Soto at an ordeal or mailed to Steven. Selected mentors will then be matched with troops from the master profile of urban and rural units, and an action plan will be agreed on.
Recognition
The final phase of the OA Scoutreach Mentoring program is recognition of mentors for their diligent efforts in helping Scoutreach units. Recognition requires approval of the Scoutreach Scoutmaster, the lodge chief, the lodge adviser, the lodge committee chairman, and the district commissioner.
The award consists of a colorful triangular patch and certificate. Mentors who successfully complete their first action plans are presented patches and certificates with a bronze border. Mentors completing their second action plans will be presented with certificates and patches with a silver border, and mentors completing their third action plans will be presented with certificates and patches with a gold border.
For additional information use the links below or you can e-mail Steven Elliott.
Scoutreach Brochure - Please use this brochure to promote Scoutreach within your troop, chapter, and community
Scoutreach Committee Chair
Steven Elliott
(252) 321-8196
144 Squire Dr.
Winterville, NC 28590
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Scoutreach Committee Advisor
Carlos Soto
(252) 991-0012
414 E Reid St
Wilson, NC 27893
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Program