Join us April 24 – 26 for Food, Fun, Service, and Inductions at the OA Spring Fellowship at Camp Crown

A Fellowship is an event for our OA members and anyone in the Scouting community to get together at one of our camps for a weekend of Order of the Arrow-themed activities. Any member of Scouting may attend the weekend and join in the fellowship, meals, service, and fun activities; OA members additionally may attend the Pre-Ordeal, Ordeal, and Brotherhood (must be at least Brotherhood) Ceremonies. Attendees who are OA members and dues paid will receive the 2026 Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Lodge Service T-Shirt. Other attendees may purchase the service T-shirt from our store if desired. 

Weekend Schedule

FRIDAY

• 7:00 PM – Members arrive
• 8:00 PM – Ordeal Candidates arrive
• 9:00 PM – The Ordeal Induction begins with the Pre-Ordeal Ceremony (start time subject to change but will be after 9 PM)

SATURDAY

• 7:00 AM – Breakfast
• 8:00 AM – Work projects
• 12:00 PM – Lunch
• 1:00 PM – Work projects resume
• 4:00 PM – Work projects end, Ordeal Candidates stop work, clean up
• 4:15 PM – Fellowship and Fun
• 6:00 PM – Dinner
• 6:30 PM – Fellowship activities
• 7:30 PM – Brotherhood Hike begins
• 7:45 PM – Brotherhood Ceremony
• 8:30 PM – Ordeal Ceremony
• 9:30 PM – Hodag

SUNDAY

• 7:00 AM – Breakfast
• 7:30 AM – New Ordeal Aim High Orientation and Brotherhood Member Session
• 8:00 AM – Parent information session
• 8:00 AM – Clean up
• 9:00 AM – Leave camp

Ordeal Inductions

If you are a candidate for the Order of the Arrow and have been elected (youth under 21) or selected (Adults over 21) in 2025 or 2026 this is one of your chances in 2026 to complete your induction by going through the Ordeal. To register, please select the Ordeal registration option. This is the only fee you need to pay for the weekend. Ordeal fees include the following: registration in the Lodge for 2026, your sash, your meals, a Lodge flap, and an Order of the Arrow Handbook. You should also make sure you bring the following. 

• BSA Medical Form Parts A and B. This health form will not be returned to you. 
• Medicine (if applicable) Must be in original bottles with attendee name, dose, etc. All medications will be turned into the Health Officer except medication for life-threatening condition, i.e., epi-pen. 
  • Youth under 18 will check-in their medication with our Health Officer. 
• Mess kit
• Ground cloth or tarp to sleep on the ground
• Sleeping pad
• Sleeping bag
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Refillable water bottle
• Rain gear
• Field uniform (aka Class A) – wear this Friday night and change into Saturday after work projects
• Work clothes – be sure they are clothes you don't mind getting paint on as some projects may be painting
• Work gloves
• Bug spray
• Sun screen
• Medicine (if applicable)

Ordeal candidate information

Please see our Ordeal Candidate Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Brotherhood Inductions

Members who have been Ordeal members for at least 6 months and wish to complete their Brotherhood membership should register as regular attendees and check the box that indicates they wish to complete Brotherhood. The following details the Brotherhood Induction process and you will need to prepare a little in advance.

• All current Lodge members who are Ordeal are eligible
• Be currently registered in the Lodge by paying your 2026 OA Dues
• A fee of $25 for Brotherhood will apply. Please check the box on your registration form. 
• Complete the 5 requirements as outlined in Brotherhood Letter and Study Guide (Document will be sent out prior to the event, check your emails).
• Complete the Brotherhood Hike and Ceremony

All attendees – be prepared

Bring the following for this event:

• BSA Medical Form Parts A and B. This health form will not be returned to you.
• Medicine (if applicable) Must be in original bottles with attendee name, dose, etc. All medications will be turned into the Health Officer except medication for life-threatening condition, i.e., epi-pen. 
  • Youth under 18 will check-in their medication with our Health Officer. 
• Mess kit
• Work clothes – we often have painting projects so be sure to bring clothes you don't mind getting paint on including outerwear to stay warm or dry
• Work gloves
• BSA Medical Form Parts A and B 
• Water bottle
• Rain gear
• Tents
• Sleeping bag
• Field uniform (aka Class A)

Work projects

As Camp Crown is home to many of our Outdoor Adventures, we will be working on the equipment and facilities for these adventures to prepare them for this year's use. We will also complete projects for the maintenance and beutification of Camp Crown. Specific projects may be sent or posted in advance of the Spring Fellowship. If you have specific skills, you can check the list to determine if you should bring any of tools. 

NORTHEAST ILLINOIS COUNCIL UNITS: Use the Autofill button next to each participant spot to add names. If a name is not listed, use the Update Information button instead. Contact your unit leader if they should be on our list to ensure the participant is properly registered; include Debi Geiger in the email so they are informed of their BSA status.

More information

If you have questions, please contact Lodge Chief Connor C at chief@lodge40.org or Lodge Adviser Steve Rossbach at adviser@lodge40.org. 

*A 3% Processing Fee will be assessed for all online Credit Card payments. **A 0.5% Processing Fee will be assessed for all online e-Check payments. *** Checks sent or brought to 850 Forest Edge Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061, will not be assessed this Processing Fee. Make sure the Memo line mentions your registration number.