To gain membership into the Order, candidates must complete an ordeal at camp during one of three weekends throughout the year, also known as service or ordeal weekends. Other members, who set the example for the ordeal candidates, also come to participate and help ready the camps (Horseshoe and Ware) for summer or winter lodging.
The 2016 Fall Fellowship weekend took place from September 23-25, 2016 at Camp Horseshoe and Camp Ware. Major projects included lining the loop road with stone (to improve drainage), wood cutting (particularly in Picnic Grove), and the Day of Service, which saw approx. 50 Octoraro 22 brothers donate blood to the American Red Cross at Camp Ware.
The 2017 April Service weekend took place from April 28th to April 230th, 2017 at Camp Horseshoe and Camp Ware. Major projects included Pre-Camp Inspection, fixing the steps at Achgeketum circle, campsite repair, masonry work at the Camp Horseshoe pool, and trail crew work.
The 2017 June Service weekend took place from June 2nd to June 4th, 2017 at Camp Horseshoe and Camp Ware. Major projects included painting the pool, opening up the Camp Horseshoe adult showers toilets to the public by walling off the toilets from the rest of the shower house, building the Kit Carson pavilion, splitting wood, and campsite setup.
This weekend took place from September 22nd - 24th, 2017, and featured the highly popular Buzz the Beard event that saw Camp Ranger Tom Murphy's beard disappear after $25,000+ was raised for reforestation efforts. 2017 Northeast Region Chief Jon Hagenow and Section NE-1 Chief Justin St. Louis (and later, 2018 Northeast Region Chief) also attended to witness the festivities.
This weekend took place from September 28th - 30th, 2018, and roofing, campsite landscaping, mulching, painting of the Camp Horseshoe health lodge, and post-camp inspections were some of the projects featured during the weekend. The lodge also hosted 2 Northeast region section chiefs, Ethan Mooney and Matthew Parsons.
The 2019 April Weekend was held on 4/26-4/28 and was primarily devoted for preparing Camp Horseshoe for Conclave.
The 2019 June Service Weekend took place May 31 - June 2, 2019 and was mainly activities for setting up camp for the summer camp season as well as the OA conclave to take place at Camp Horseshoe the following weekend.
The September 2019 OA Fellowship weekend took place at HSR on September 27-29, 2019 and included chainsaw cutting of fallen timber, spreading soil for new grass in the picnic grove, and fun activities in the afternoon and at night, including an auction.
The September 2020 Ordeal weekend took place at September 25th - 26th, 2020 at Camp John H. Ware 3rd.
The 2021 April Service Weekend was held on April 30 - May 1st, 2021 at Camp Horseshoe.
The 2021 June Service Weekend was held at Horseshoe Scout Reservation from June 11 - 13, 2021.
The 2022 April Service Weekend was held at Camp Horseshoe from April 29 - May 1, 2022.
The 2022 June Service Weekend was held from June 10-12, 2022 at Camp Horseshoe.
The 2022 September Fellowship Weekend took place at Camp Horseshoe from September 23-25, 2022 and included mostly Fellowship activities, including an expansive Amazing Race event consisting of 7 challenges.
The 2023 April Service Weekend took place at Camp Horseshoe from April 28 - April 30, 2023, and included platform repair, pool cleaning, wood cutting, and lots of other projects to prepare for the summer camp season.
The 2023 June Service Weekend took place at Horseshoe Scout Reservation from June 9 - 11, 2023.
The 2023 September Fellowship Weekend took place on September 29 - October 1, 2023 (postponed from the original date of 9/22-9/24 due to inclement weather from Tropical Storm Opehlia).
Started in September 2021, here are maps of the events at the weekend.
