The Order of Arrow's Scoutreach Mentoring Program is a joint effort of the national Scoutreach Division of the Boy Scouts of America and the Order of the Arrow. Its purpose is to identify and assist urban and rural Scout troops whose camping and advancement programs are below standard.

Goals and Functions To act as a positive change agent in the midst of startling social, political, economic, and demographic events affecting urban and rural Scouts. To increase advancement and camping opportunities for Scouts in urban and rural troops whose programs might be insufficient. To fulfill the Order of the Arrow Strategic Plan. To create the opportunity for more urban and rural Scouts to become eligible for membership in the Order of the Arrow. To provide additional, positive youth and adult role models for disadvantaged urban and rural Scouts and adult leaders. To create a "guided discovery" for Order of the Arrow members to reflect on the ideal of "He alone is worthy to wear the arrow who will continue faithfully to serve his fellow man."

Lodge Responsibilities It is the overall responsibility of the lodge with local Scoutreach and district committee support to administer the Order of the Arrow Scoutreach Mentoring Program. This comes about through the lodge service committee. Regardless of the size of the lodge and its internal structure, the lodge service committee has the authority for administering the program. The lodge service committee should request assistance from the council and district commissioner's staff, council professionals, and the council's Scoutreach committee in identifying urban and rural troops whose advancement and camping program are weak or nonexistent. Other sources within the council where information on a troop's status might be obtained are the record of district and council camping and advancement committees. Therefore, it becomes necessary that the lodge service committee develop a master profile of urban and rural troops in the council that might benefit from the mentoring program. From the master profile, the lodge service committee and district executive will match applicants to selected troops. The lodge service committee and the district commissioner should exercise great care in matching mentors to troops. Troops whose camping and advancement programs are weakest would require the most assistance. In such cases, two or more mentors might be assigned to a single troop. Keep in mind that matching mentors to troops will vary from troop to troop.

Recognition This final phase of the Order of the Arrow Scoutreach Mentoring Program is an opportunity to recognize mentors for their diligent efforts in assisting urban and rural troops.

Before recognition is granted, mentors must have the approval of the urban or rural Scoutmaster, lodge chief, lodge adviser, lodge service committee chairman, and district commissioner. Once approvals are granted, the Scout executive will forward applications to the national Scoutreach Division. The national Scoutreach Division will forward patches and certificates to the Scout executive for presentation.

The Order of the Arrow Scoutreach Mentor Award consists of a colorful triangular patch and certificate. Mentors who successfully complete their first action plans and have received application approval are presented patches and certificates with a bronze border. Mentors completing action plans for a second time, with application approval, are presented patches and certificates with a silver border. Finally, mentors completing action plans and approved for a third time are presented patches and certificates with a gold border.

The application to become a Scoutreach Mentor is available for download in PDF Format for your convenience. Scoutreach Mentoring Application