The Order of the Arrow was founded in the summer of 1915 at Treasure Island, the Philadelphia Council Scout Camp. Dr. E. Urner Goodman, the camp's director, and his assistant Carrol A. Edson were them-founders of the order. Working with their staff, they originated the basic ideas for this national brotherhood. The co-founders wanted a form of recognition for the scouts and scouters of their camp who had best exemplified the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. Treasure Island, located in the Delaware river area, was an early camping ground of the Lenni Lenape Indians. Goodman and Edson decided to base the brotherhood on the legends of the Lenni Lenape. Wimachtendienk Wingolauchsik Witahemui

(Brotherhood of Cheerful Service) was chosen as the original name. Using the lore of the Lenni Lenape Indians, they prepare a simple yet effective ceremony for the induction of members into their organization. The first members were elected from the scouts encamped at Treasure Island that summer. Thus from the beginning, a unique custom was established in that members were elected by non-members.

On Friday, July 16, 1915 the co-founders of the order conducted the first Order of the Arrow induction ceremony. These members formed the first Order of the Arrow Lodge (Unami Lodge). Goodman and Edson served as advisers of Unami Lodge. The first formal meeting of the Order of the Arrow was held on November 23, 1915. From this time on the Order grew slowly. On October 7,1921 the first national conference was held in Philadelphia. At this conference a national lodge was formed. This was the first formal governing body of the Order of the Arrow.

In 1922, the Order of the Arrow became an official program of the Boy Scouts of America. Finally in May 1948, the Order of the Arrow was officially integrated into the Scouting movement. At the present time, the Order of the Arrow is a subcommittee of the National Scouting Committee. Over one million Scouts and Scouters have been inducted into the Order during the past 80 years. There are now over 165,000 active members, and over 560 lodges.