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THE HISTORY AND THE PURPOSE OF THE ORDER OF THE ARROW The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the Scouting Brotherhood of honor campers. It is a society of Boy Scouts and Explorers that function as a part of the regular camping program of the Boy Scouts of America. Its foremost purpose is to promote and enrich Scout camping. Elements of Indian traditions are used in the OA ceremonies for dramatic effect. The OA members in a local Scout Council form a Lodge (used as in Indian traditions of hunting or council lodge). One becomes a member, not so much for what he has done, but for what he is expected to do in the future. The purpose of the OA is to recognize those campers-Scouts, Explorers, and Scouters-who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their lives and by such recognition, cause other campers to conduct themselves in such a manner as to warrant recognition. It is to develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit, to promote Scout camping, which reaches its greatest effectiveness as a part of the Unit's camping program, and to strengthen the District and Council programs both year-around and summer camp, as directed by the camping and activities committee of the Council. Finally, its purpose includes crystallization of the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life of leadership in cheerful service to others. The OA was founded in the summer of 1915 by the directors of Treasure Island, the Philadelphia Council Scout Camp. It grew out of the desire to emphasize that the good Scout camper is not only proficient in the skills of Scoutcraft, but also practices the principles of the Scout Oath and Law. It was intended to make these Scout principles more effective in the lives of Scout campers. It focuses particular attention on cheerful service and brotherhood to the boy. The Order of the Arrow is run by the Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts and Explorers. Adults serve only in advisory roles. Wilderness Policy of the Boy Scouts of America All private or publicly owned back country land and designated wilderness are included in the term "wilderness" area in this policy. The Outdoor Code of the Boy Scouts of America applies to outdoor behavior generally, but for treks into wilderness areas minimum impact camping methods must be used. Within the outdoor program of the Boy Scouts of America, there are many different camping skill levels. Camping practices that are appropriate for day outings, long-term Scout camp, or short-term unit camping do not apply to wilderness areas. Scouts and Explorers need to adopt attitudes and patterns of behavior, wherever they go, that respect the rights of others, including future generations, to enjoy the outdoors. In wilderness areas, it is crucial to minimize our impact on particularly fragile ecosystems such as mountains, lakes, streams, deserts, and seashores. Since our impact varies from one season of the year to the next, it becomes important for us to adjust to these camping conditions as well, to avoid damaging the environment. The Boy Scouts of America emphasizes these practices for all troops, teams, and posts planning to use wilderness areas: Contact the landowner or land managing agency (Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, State, and private, etc.) well in advance of the outing to learn the regulations for that area and to obtain required permits and current maps. Always obtain a tour permit, available through the Council Service Center, meet the conditions specified and carry it on the trip with you. Limit the size of the groups generally to no more than 8 to 11 persons, including at least two adult leaders. Do not exceed the group size that has been established for the wilderness area. Organize each group (patrol, team or crew) to function independently by planning their own trips on different dates, serve their own food, providing their own transportation to the trail head, securing individual permits, and camping in a separate and distinct group. When necessary to combine transportation, planning or buying, small groups should still camp and travel on the trail separately from other groups of the same unit. Match the ruggedness of high adventure experience to the skills, physical availability and maturity of those taking part. Save more rugged treks for older youth members who are more proficient and experienced in outdoor skills. Participate in training for adult leaders in low-impact camping or be proficient and experienced in the leadership and skills required for treks into wilderness areas. Conduct pre-trip training for the group that stresses proper wilderness behavior, rules, and skills for all of the potential conditions that maybe encountered. Open fires are restricted. Supervision by an adult knowledgeable in the use of stoves must be provided. If a fire is necessary, keep it as small as possible and use established fire lays where available if in a safe area. After use, erase all signs. Emphasize the need for minimizing impact on land through proper camping practices and preserving the solitude and quietness of remote areas. Camp at low use areas - avoid popular sites that show signs of heavy use. Leave dogs, radios, and tape players at home. Use biodegradable (not metal or glass) food containers. Carry out nonburnable trash of your own and any left by others. Dig shallow holes for latrines and locate them at least 200 feet from the nearest water source. Cover the latrines completely before leaving. Wash clothes, dishes, and bodies at least 200 feet from any source of natural water. Look at and photograph; never pick or collect. Follow trail switchbacks and stay on established trails. Treat wildlife with respect and take precautions to avoid dangerous encounters with wildlife. Leave snakes, bears, ground squirrels, and other wildlife alone. THE OUTDOOR CODE As an American, I will do my best to- BE CLEAN IN MY OUTDOOR MANNERS- I will treat the outdoors as a heritage to be improved for our greater enjoyment. I will keep my trash and garbage out of America's waters, fields, woods and roadways. BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE- I will prevent wildfire. I will build fire in a safe place and be sure it is out before I leave. BE CONSIDERATE IN THE OUTDOORS- I will treat public and private property with respect. I will remember that use of the outdoors is a privilege I can lose by abuse. BE CONSERVATION MINDED- I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, energy, grasslands, and wildlife; and I will urge others to do the same. I will use sportsman like methods in all my outdoor activities. Oregon Trail Council Properties OTC has a total of six camps, four of them, Kitson Hot Springs, Marion Mooney Scout Ranch, Weyerhaeuser Woods, and Camp Murnane are open Year Round for unit use with a reservation filed at the Council Service Center.
Camp Melakwa holds two weeks of high adventure summer camp programs for Boy Scouts Troops, Varisty Teams, Venturing Crews, and Explorer Posts. After summer camp it is open for a limited time for unit use with a reservation filled at the Council Service Center. Camp Baker holds six weeks of premier summer camp opportunities for Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Explorers. After summer camp Baker is home to Cub Scout Resident Camp, and Webelos Weekends. Baker is open the rest of the year for unit use with a reservation filled at the Council Service Center. Reservations and Information - Additional information and reservations for all council facilities are handled through the Council Service Center.
Camp Baker Camp Baker is located on Siltcoos Lake six miles south of Florence, Oregon on the inland side of Highway 101. It is about 1.5 hours driving time from Eugene/Springfield; 1 hour from Coos Bay/North Bend; and 2 hours from Corvallis. This 160 acre piece of property is owned and maintained Year Round by the Oregon Trail Council. Troop Sites: There are 16 troop sites available. Four of these sites have adirondacks, (three sided wooden shelters ). Troops using the other troop sites are provided with 6' x 9' tents. Some metal cots are provided. All sites have tent platforms. Food Service: Scouts and Leaders eat their meals in the spacious dinning hall. A professional cooking staff prepares three meals a day for Scouts and Leaders. Scouts get a chance to assist by serving as waiters for their patrol table. Program Variety: Camp Baker offers a great mix of programs for fun and instructions. From learning rifle safety at the field sport area, shooting a bow for the first time or learning a new handicraft skill such as leather work or woodcarving are all part of the program offered at Camp Baker. Scoutcraft skills such as camping, cooking, and rope work are all part of the Scoutcraft instruction that is offered. At the waterfront, Scouts can experience the thrill of sailing, test snorkeling skill, swimming, canoeing or compete BSA Lifesaving. COPE Course: The new COPE course matches the Scouts' spirit and determination with high intensity challenges for individuals and patrols, while the professional caliber climbing tower offers and exciting and challenging adventure in climbing and rappelling. Lake Seals: Strap on the fins and dive on in! Baker's waterfront is offering a wild new aquatics program for advanced Scouts. The Scouts proudly call themselves the Elite Lake Seals. Exciting action, crazy missions, and unusual maneuvers are part of the Lake Seals program of water activity run by the waterfront staff. To any Scout who meets the qualifications and wants to try something really different. The Lake Seals want YOU! (Pre-requisites) Swimming Merit Badge, Snorkeling BSA, or advance snorkeling skills, age 15 or older. Outbound Camping: Four, overnight camping adventures are offered. Some by water and some by land. Every troop should plan to take advantage of one of these outbound programs.
For Older Scouts / Venturing Crews Be sure your Venturing Crew don't overlook the opportunities Scout camp has to offer them. Camp Baker could be the base for an ultimate adventure or could provide the opportunity the crew needs to train together for an upcoming adventure. Baker is especially well suited to two of the nationally suggested Venture programs - fishing and wilderness survival. Siltcoos Lake is one of the prime fishing lakes on the Oregon Coast. A surf or bay fishing trip is only a short drive away. With a little preplanning a Fishing Venturing Crew could plan a deep-sea fishing trip out of Florence or Winchester Bay. A Wilderness Survival Crew could use the time together at camp to do those confidence-building exercises outlined in the Wilderness Survival booklet. A crew could also design teamwork-building exercises that make use of the camps equipment and surroundings. An overnight excursion to the dunes or an overnight canoe trip could provide excellent warm-up adventures building towards a crew's ultimate survival adventure. Camp Melakwa Nestled in the foothills of the Three Sisters Wilderness, Camp Melakwa provides outstanding high adventure opportunities for Scouts of all ages. Melakwa's rustic and removed location, where star-studded nights are cold and the lake is crystal clear, is the preferred choice of troops seeking awe-inspiring scenery and "adrenalin adventures" like climbing the Middle Sister, high lake fishing, ascending into a volcano's throat, and serious rappelling from the nearby cliffs. Patrols cook and eat their own meals at Camp Melakwa. Opportunities include wilderness survival, swimming, rock climbing, shooting, boating, handicraft, outbound trips, nature study, Native American lore program and much more. Camp Brochures and promotional videos are available at the OTC Service Center. Call (541) 485-4433 or email office@otcbsa.org for more information.
Where to go Camping in Applegate District Alder Dune Campground Siuslaw National Forest/Oregon Dunes N.R.A This 39-site campground has flush toilets, drinking water and garbage facilities. Fishing and hiking are available.
Archie Knowles Campground Siuslaw National Forest/Mapleton Dist This campground has only a small number of tent sites available. This camp is right next to the highway and may be annoying to overnight campers. Vault toilets are on the premises. The Siuslaw River borders the camp. Fishing is popular.
Clay Creek Campground Bureau of Land Management/Eugene Dist. This twenty-one site camping area has a ball field, horse-shoe pits and shelters as well as toilets and water. Reservations are required for the shelters. Call the B.L.M. at 888-442-3061. Stream fishing, Swimming, and Crawfishing is very popular here.
Devil's Lake Campground Siuslaw National Forest This campground is found along US 101 at Lincoln City. This 68-site campground has boating, fishing, swimming, showers, and handicapped access.
Driftwood H ORV Campground Siuslaw National Forest/Oregon Dunes N.R.A This large 90 site campground has fire pits and picnic table in some sites. There are 6 vault toilets and 1 flush toilet during the summer only. Drinking water is available. This site is used primarily as a staging area by dune buggy and ATV users. It is not known for quiet and solitude.
Jesse 1VL Honeyman State Park Oregon Parks Dept. This Campground has 241 sites available. This camp offers access to the Oregon Dunes. It is located on Cleawox Lake. There are many places to swim and fish as well as boating. The nearby dunes are very popular with scouts.
Lagoon Campground Siuslaw National Forest/Oregon Dunes N.R.A This camp has 40 campsites suitable for tenting, each with a fire pit and a table. There is drinking water as well as 2 vault and I flush toilet. This site is near a fresh water lagoon that was once a bend in the Siltcoos River. There is an excellent nature trail - River of no Return Trail - that circles the campground. The Chief Siltcoos Trail is located 1/4 mile west of the campground on the road. Beach access is 3/4 miles west on the road. The Siltcoos River Fisherman's Trail is 200' west of the campground entrance.
North Fork Campground Siuslaw National Forest/Oregon Dunes N.R.A This small campground has 5 individual campsites and 2 group sites. These sites are first come, first served. There are vault toilets, but no garbage facilities. Bring your own water. Fishing is popular here. There is also a large field for games or group activities.
Siltcoos Outlet Campground Siuslaw National Forest/Oregon Dunes N.R.A Drive in camping, tables, water, electricity, fire-pits, waste receptacles and unlimited parking. Reservations probably necessary only in the summer. Lake and stream fishing, hiking, and lots of plant and animal wildlife.
South Jetty Dune and Beach Access Siuslaw National Forest/Oregon Dunes N.R.A Dispersed camping is permitted if campsite is more than 200 feet from developed roads or parking lots. No developed drinking water is available. Otter, mink and raccoons are common to the area as whistling swans, which nest and feed in marshes near the river mouth. You may also see brush rabbits, black-tailed deer and Pacific tree frogs. This is an excellent place to view wildlife.
Sutton Campground Siuslaw National Forest/Oregon Dunes N.R.A This large campground has 96 paved campsites with tables and fire rings. Both drinking water and garbage facilities are available, as well as toilets. This camp has many interesting features including fishing in Sutton Creek, an amphitheater (summer programs given by the Forest Service), a Darlingtonia. Trail (carnivorous plants) and hiking along Sutton Creek. A bike camp is available on Loop E. A group camp is located on Loop A.
Turner Creek Campground Siuslaw National Forest/Mapleton Dist. This campground has a stream for fishing and scenic views. There are 4 tent sites and a few picnic sites. Vault toilets are available.
Tyee Campground Siuslaw National Forest/Oregon Dunes N.ILA This riverside campground has excellent access to boating on the Siltcoos River as well as Siltcoos Lake. This opens up a 2 mile section of river above the Siltcoos dam to boating and fishing. Hiking opportunities are limited to the campground an nearby Westlake road, and Siltcoos Lake. Wildlife observation, especially birds, is quite good. There are 14 campsites with fireplaces and tables. There is a developed water system as well as 3 vault toilets. While Tyee campground is generally shady and quiet, Highway 101 is within earshot. Also, there is no fishing allowed within 200 feet above or below Siltcoos dam.
Wax myrtle Campground Siuslaw National Forest/Oregon Dunes N.R.A This campground has 56 sites with fire pits and tables. There are 5 toilets, 4 vault and 1 flush. Drinking water is available. Fishing is good along a nearby fisherman's trail. The Chief Siltcoos Trail is located about 500' from the entrance to the campground. Beach access is by a sand road to the east of the campground.
Whittaker Creek Campground Bureau of Land Management/Eugene Dist. This campground is located along Whittaker Creek where it feeds into the Siuslaw River. In addition to camping, this site is good for picnicking and swimming. This campground is well known for it's scenic beauty.
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