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2008 Cahuilla Lodge Ordeal Induction Weekends

Ordeals are just around the corner… are you ready? This year we have a lot of new and exciting changes that will make the ordeals even more fun. Don’t miss out- sign up at the council office today!

This year we will be having four ordeals. The ordeals will be held on the following dates and locations:

The ordeals of Cahuilla Lodge are a great way for new and old members alike to get involved and have a good time. Chapters are always encouraged to put together ceremony teams for the pre-ordeal, ordeal, and brotherhood ceremonies. Talk to your chapter chief or ceremony team leader if you are interested in playing a part.

Another way for members to get involved is to be an Elangomat at an ordeal. As an Elangomat, you get to go to the ordeal completely free of charge. Essentially your job is to go through the ordeal again, but this time as a peer and a “leader” to the ordeal candidates. Your job is essential to the ordeal process.

Not brotherhood yet? Has it been 10 months since your ordeal? Great! Sign up at the council office as a brotherhood candidate and come on up to seal your ties in our order. A brotherhood candidate will have the opportunity to exercise his/ her leadership skills, learn more about the Order of the Arrow, and become a better “brother”.

All other members are encouraged to come up to the ordeal as “general members”. As a general member, you will be able to assist the lodge in putting on the ordeal and many different ways.

After the positive response received from changing the ordeals last year to have the ceremonies before dinner, the Lodge sat down and looked at other ways in which the ordeal could be improved. Hence, a new Sunday Program is being put into effect.

Saturdays at ordeals will continue as they did last year, with one exception: the candidates will not go home Saturday night. Instead they will stay and see a little more of what the OA is about- well, at least the fun and fellowship side! Sunday will be a fun time for all members (newly inducted and returning) as we will have sports, games, rifle shooting (as long as we have a range master) and swimming. This event is going to be a blast!


The Ordeal is an experience that all Arrowmen of the Order of the Arrow share in common, for it is the event of our initiation. When one has been elected by his peers into the Order of the Arrow he is formally considered a candidate- commonly recognized at a Call-Out Ceremony. Thus he is eligible attend an Ordeal and become a member. After attending an Ordeal, the new member is entitled to all the rights and privileges of an Order of the Arrow member. He or she is a full life member as long as he or she pays their dues.

The Ordeal is a weekend one spends to gain a better understanding of Brotherhood, Cheerfulness and Service. Although it cannot be disclosed exactly what occurs at an Ordeal for a candidate, be comfortable in knowing that it is designed to only be a positive influence on your life!

(LINKS)
Ordeal Membership
Every member is encouraged to be an Elangomat at least once before they become a Brotherhood member. This experience gives one the opportunity to more completely understand the meaning of the Ordeal and its intentions. Essentially, the Elangomat goes through the Ordeal again as if he or she were an Ordeal candidate. If you go through an Ordeal as an Elangomat, not only is it FREE but you will also receive a patch!

Besides strengthening your understanding to the Ordeal, you help to improve the experience for the Ordeal Candidates in attendance. The word Elangomat is translated as "friend" from the Lenne Lenape. Thus, an Elangomat serves as a friend to the Ordeal Candidates. During the Ordeal, an Elangomat will act as a liaison from the Lodge to the candidates, enduring every part of the ordeal with them, and therefore strengthening their confidence.

Being an Elangomat is a wonderful experience and we encourage all brothers and sisters to do it. Be sure to check out the Extended Elangomat (NIMAT) program.

(LINKS) Extended Elangomat Program

After being an Order member for 10 months, you are eligible to attend another Ordeal and seal your ties. Becoming a Brotherhood member helps one to reaffirm his or her beliefs to the Order and is intended for those who desire to continue their path in unselfish service to others. The Brotherhood membership is not a rank but a method of strengthening ones ties to the Order of the Arrow. Brotherhood membership signifies the completion of the induction cycle.

If you have been a member of the OA for ten (10) months and wish to seal your ties, please download the Brotherhood Score Card. More information can be found on the Brotherhood Membership page.

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Brotherhood Score Card
Brotherhood Membership Page

Ceremonies are integral to the Ordeal. If you are on a ceremony team in your chapter and would like to perform at an Ordeal than talk to your chapter chief and ceremony team leader to see if your team can be present. Our Lodge offers a discount to those teams that come up to the Ordeals to perform.

If you are interested in attend an Ordeal and performing, be sure to check out the Ceremony Expert Program- being that it is part of the requirements. Becoming certified in the Ceremony Expert Program is a great way to get involved as well as receive a special patch!

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Ceremony Expert Program

If no other responsibility appeals to you, then just come up! The job of a general member is to make a presence and give his or her support to the Lodge. We always need help up at Ordeals and by coming up as a general member we hope that you can assist when necessary.