Meet Jackson, a junior at Sioux Falls Washington High School, who has embraced scouting with
a passion that goes beyond badges and campfires. As a Life Scout and Brotherhood member of
the Order of the Arrow, he has found both friendship and personal growth in the organization’s
programs and traditions. Through his years in the OA, he has developed leadership skills, built
lasting connections, and deepened his commitment to service.
Currently, Jackson is active in his lodge’s ceremonies team and in his chapter, contributing to
events that bring Arrowmen together. He previously served as Lodge Vice Chief of Inductions,
demonstrating his dedication to supporting his fellow scouts. “My favorite part about the OA is
the fellowship and friendship you make through it,” he says. “The friends I have made through
the OA are ones I plan on keeping for my lifetime.”
Jackson’s involvement in the OA goes deeper than camaraderie. He believes in the organization’s principles and the personal growth it encourages. “I have seen the change in myself when I started actively following the Obligation. To be cheerful in everything that I do has changed how I view the world,” he says. This mindset guides him both in scouting and in life. An experienced Arrowman, Jackson attended the National Leadership Seminar in Minneapolis in 2025, where he enjoyed connecting with scouts from his section and across the nation. While
he has not yet experienced an OA High Adventure program, he hopes to visit one of the high adventure bases before turning 21, eager to continue expanding his skills and experiences.
Jackson has also been in the OA for three years, joining in the fall of 2022. Over that time, he has enjoyed exceptional campfire programs, including Publano at Philmont, where a quartet of singers performed country songs with cleverly altered lyrics. His favorite camp skit, he says, is the Medicrane, a testament to the humor and creativity that are hallmarks of OA gatherings. Among his favorite lodge traditions are the fall and spring conclaves, where Arrowmen come together to maintain camp facilities and strengthen their sense of community.
Some of Jackson’s fondest scouting memories come from his time at Many Point Scout Camp. One evening during the closing campfire, his troop led a song and invited scouts from every troop at Ten Chiefs to join them on stage. “It was such a positive experience that it makes me smile to think about,” he recalls. He also cherishes lighter scouting memories, such as a hilarious moment during lifeguard certification at Many Point, when the instructor playfully simulated a drowning victim by leaping onto other scouts’ backs. Jackson also treasures his
glow-in-the-dark Crazy Horse Lodge NOAC patch set.
Being a lodge member holds deep meaning for Jackson. “It means taking initiative to serve others and actively seeking ways to better not only yourself but also your community,” he says. Looking ahead, he hopes to take on a leadership role in Tetonwana, and mentor newer scouts to keep them engaged in the OA’s mission of service and fellowship.
Outside of scouting, Jackson has aspirations that reflect his love of challenge and curiosity. He dreams of becoming an actuary and hopes to travel to historic sites such as the Roman Colosseum. He draws inspiration from his grandfather, whose lifelong dedication to family and service left a lasting impression. One of Jackson’s proudest accomplishments is summiting Mt. Baldy at Philmont, an achievement that reflects both his love for adventure and his determination to push personal limits.
With his enthusiasm, dedication, and strong sense of fellowship, Jackson embodies the spirit of the OA, demonstrating how service, adventure, and camaraderie shape young leaders who are ready to make a difference, making him a clear indicator of Where the Arrow Points.