BSA Troop 21 Scouts inducted into Order of the Arrow

This summer, six Batavia Troop 21 scouts were inducted into Fox Valley Chapter Lowaneu Allanque Lodge 41 Order of the Arrow (OA).

Nick Bowgren, Anthony Giometti, Nick Harmon, Thomas Kein, David Mahler and Kyle Yorke, all of Batavia, were elected by their troop peers to be recognized in Scouting's National Honor Society.

To be considered, the scouts must be at least First Class rank, have attended specified camping requirements and demonstrated superior scouting ideals.

The Order of the Arrow recognizes Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, according to the Boy Scouts of America. After being “called-out” as a chosen candidate in a formal ceremony, the Scouts had to participate in the induction process called “The Ordeal” intended to emphasize service and self-sacrifice.

The Arrowmen were required to maintain complete silence, spend the night camping alone under the stars with only the bare necessities, receive small amounts of food and perform a camp work project the following day. The full day of service work included painting, mulching trails and planting shrubbery at Camp Freeland Leslie Boy Scout Camp in Wisconsin.

Troop 21 is a chartered Boy Scout Troop of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Batavia under the direction of Scoutmaster, Bill Mahler.

For information regarding Troop 21 membership and its activities, please visit www.bataviatroop21.org.