The Order of the Arrow has had a long-standing interest in coordinating a national service project, utilizing the infrastructure and leadership established over many years of success at the Boy Scouts of America's high adventure bases. Working closely together, the United States Forest Service and the Order of the Arrow have chosen five project sites, spread across America, that will be the focus of our combined efforts. ArrowCorps5 (pronounced Arrow Corps Five, with the 5 correctly written as superscript) will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for each participant to set an example of leadership in service to those who treasure our national forests. (ref: US Forest Service website, October 09, 2008)
In some ways, this is like a local lodge service project, but on a national scale. Any lodge member, anywhere in the country, could apply for any (or all) of the five projects. The selection criteria was "first come, first served).
Project Sites & Dates:
Mark Twain National Forest - June 7 - 14, 2008 - Missouri
Manti-La Sal National Forest - June 14 - 21, 2008 - Utah
Washington & Jefferson National Forests - June 21 - 28, 2008 - Virginia
Shasta-Trinity National Forest - July 12 - 19, 2008 - California
Bridger-Teton National Forest - July 26 - August 2, 2008 - Wyoming
The plan calls for one thousand volunteers at each of the five sites, for a total of five thousand physically fit and able Arrowmen (determined by the "Philmont Weight Limits for Backpacking & Hiking"), made up of youth and adults. The national Order of the Arrow committee and key sponsors will fund the projects, with participants paying a reasonable fee toward accommodations, meals, and a full day of recreational activities during the projects. I am not aware of any reports of the success of this effort.