<p>I’ve seen many scouts get OA simply because they went on enough troop outings to qualify. They then go to the OA Ordeal weekend, get the sash, and never do anything with it again. Unless a scout sticks with it and pursues some OA Lodge leadership with demonstrated value, just stating OA doesn’t add much value.</p>
<p>If your son is open to finishing those 2 MBs and his Eagle proj–encourage him to do that-Eagle is for a lifetime.</p>
<p>Our son made Eagle and has since earned a bronze palm
His is OA and did his ordeal. He would like to do more but is a varsity athlete and has alot going on academically etc.</p>
<p>Has your son earned his Triple Crown (Philmont, Northern Tier, Seabase) ?? Perhaps he’d enjoy that as well. </p>
<p>OAs can serve at Philmont for example–on the trails and then do a trek together after the project is finished. Might be worth looking at that as well.</p>
<p>If your DS is only going to do OA for apps but doesn’t have the commitment–then pass on it.</p>
<p>re: earlier posts about flooding during ordeal</p>
<p>My S was an active OA member and led 3-4 Ordeals for newbies. One of his college ap essays was about how he gathered up the crew and lead them to cover when a mighty Texas storm came out of nowhere and flooded the site. One scout was missing and he had to go back for him. </p>
<p>I don’t know if noting OA on the ap carried any weight, but his involvement showed service and leadership. And the actual experiences with Scouting were lifelong lessons.</p>
<p>Being a member of OA is in itself not that hard to achieve. I agree with the many posters who say that what is impressive is what you do after you get in. My DS is an Eagle Scout and is heavily involved in OA. He is running for Chapter Chief this month, going to Philmont and Jamboree this summer. The #1 thing that OA offers is MANY leadership and volunteer opportunities. My DS got the Gold award for community service last year and is already at 250 hrs. this year and it’s only November. I DO think that this will look impressive on his college apps. He does NOT do it for that reason, he just loves scouting and this is a good outlet for someone who is 15 and finished up Eagle. OA also has many older kids and adults, which is much welcomed for my DS who is tired of “babysitting” all those young scouts.</p>
<p>Yes, they still give a sash for earning OA.</p>
<p>It can be helpful for an almost Eagle to attend another kid’s Eagle Court. To be this close and quit happens often, but wow, you wish it wouldn’t! </p>
<p>Major bribery (excuse me, “win-win thinking”) might help with finishing too. As for OA, I’d let that be his decision. If he wants to, sure, fine, go. If he doesn’t, fine too.
Where OA is impressive is when the kid embraces it and really participates (and then really tells the admin about it!).</p>
<p>If your doing the OA just for EC for college, then you shouldn’t be doing it. also, the ordeal itself isn’t going to be the game breaker in your life, but rather it’s the start of one. It’s primary goal and depending on the effectiveness of your local lodge, is to promote cheerful service and brotherhood. It’s designed also to keep younger boys interested and motivated to join this ‘indian esque’ spirt organization.</p>
<p>I personally never had OA elections in my troop, but have seen the valuable service and commitment of the OA to general scouting. Ultimately the goal is to get the third highest honors, aka Vigil Honor, which is even more selective than Eagle. (Eagle is attained by 2-5%, while Vigil is attained by 2% of all OA Members, and OA members are about 15% of scouts. do the math. </p>
<p>And also, amazing, this 180,000 member organization is purely youth ran and well organized.</p>
<p>My S just received his Vigil award. If colleges are looking for applicants that have few, but very deep EC’s, my S is golden. He has pretty much devoted the last 6 years to scouting and has had amazing leadership and community service opportunities. OA promotes giving of yourself throughout life. My S went to Philmont with OA this summer and did a week of trail crew and then backpacked 95 miles the 2nd week. Had the time of his life. Then he packed his bag and went off the Virginia for the Jamboree as a staff member. Worked there for 3 weeks. Between those two events he has more than 300 hrs. of service this summer alone. He served as Chapter Chief this past year and will run for Lodge Chief this year. These are very time consuming activities that are usually positions run by adults, so to be 16 and doing it is pretty impressive… so that is why he got Vigil. I can’t even begin to describe how much scouting has benefited my S. College admissions are far from his mind and I will probably have to persuade him to write all this stuff down on his applications next year because he is very humble.</p>
<p>The OP is a yr old</p>