We have developed these FAQs with the details that are currently known. These FAQs will be continuously updated with additional details.
Last Updated: February 16, 2022
The National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) is the flagship national Order of the Arrow event. It is held every two years at a major university campus and is typically attended by as many as 8,000 Arrowmen from all 50 states. It is second only to the BSA National Jamboree in size and scope. Our largest conference was in 2015, attended by more than 15,000 Arrowmen to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow. We expect at least 6,000 Arrowmen to attend in 2022.
NOAC will be held July 25 – July 30th, 2022 at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. UT Knoxville also hosted the 1977, 1992, and 2000 national OA conferences.
Any registered member of the Boy Scouts of America and the Order of the Arrow as of the conference start date. Attendance requires the review and approval of your council Scout executive or their designee. All attendees are required to provide BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (AHMR) forms A, B, and C, and must be no older than one year from the last date of NOAC (newer than July 30, 2021). Adults must also complete Youth Protection Training through MyScouting.
NOAC fees are based on attendee type. Conference fees cover housing, program, and food service during the event. Staff and individual attendees are responsible for coordinating their own transportation to UT. For delegates, additional fees for transportation to and from the conference as well as any contingent expenses are at the discretion of your lodge contingent leadership.
Youth attendees (under the age of 21) must register as a delegate with their local lodge contingent unless they intend to serve as a staff member. Adult attendees (at least 21 years old) may choose to register as either a delegate or individual. Delegates register and travel with their lodge contingent. Contingents are housed together in air-conditioned UT residence halls and are seated together at the nightly shows. Adults who wish to participate in the conference alongside members of their lodge should register as a delegate.
Delegates will register directly with their lodge leadership. All other attendees can register individually in NOAERS, which can be found at https://registration.oa-bsa.org.
Staff members require the same local approval and documentation as contingent members, with additional approval from the lead adviser of the NOAC committee to which you apply. Lead adviser contact information is available in the forthcoming Conference Registration Kit.
There are no lodge capacity quotas. The NOAC committee always recommends a 2:1 youth to adult ratio for your lodge contingent in order to maximize the youth delegate experience. Your contingent cannot have more adults than youth.
Day passes are not available for NOAC. Everyone attending NOAC must be either a registered delegate, staff member, or invited guest.
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is located in Knoxville and is approximately 20 minutes from campus and is serviced by American, United, Delta, and Allegiant airlines. Nashville International Airport (BNA) is approximately 2.5 hours from Knoxville and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is approximately 3.5 hours from Knoxville.
Yes, for an additional fee. NOAC will offer airport transportation from/to McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) for both individuals and contingents. Fees and details will be forthcoming.
Contingents should plan to arrive on the UT Knoxville campus no earlier than Monday, July 25th. There are no accommodations available for early arrivals. Contingent check-in times will be assigned during the registration process. The first meal provided will be dinner on Monday, July 25th.
Program officially concludes with the Friday evening Theme Show and any post-show activities. The final meal served will be breakfast on Saturday, July 30th.
Contingents and staff will be housed and eat meals in University residence halls located throughout campus. Linens and towels will be provided.
Yes, contingents are welcome to add slots throughout the registration cycle. Discounted delegate slots were available until December 15. Standard delegate slots can be added until May 31 or until the conference is sold out.
Yes, delegate slots of the same type can be transferred between youth or adult.
No later than May 31, 2022. You are welcome to begin associating names once the slots are created and approved. Recommend contingents aim to associate names to slots by early 2022. Program registration opens on April 4, and any delegate not associated to a slot will be unable to express their program activities and training preferences.
No, delegate slots can not be transferred between types (i.e. discounted to standard or standard to discounted).
Yes, contingents can associate a new delegate’s name to slots if individuals from your contingent can no longer able to participate.
Staff roles are available for both youth and adults in a variety of positions. For more information, please see the Contingent Reservation Kit.