The National Order of the Arrow Conference is excited to announce the Trailblazer Scholarship program. The scholarship supports youth contingent delegates and staff members who are planning to attend NOAC 2027 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, July 26–31, 2027. It has been established to increase access to NOAC for members of the Order of the Arrow who might otherwise not be able to attend. Lodges remain the primary source of financial assistance for their delegates, and the Trailblazer Scholarship serves as a supplemental resource for youth participants who demonstrate financial need.
Supporting the Trailblazer Scholarship Program
The Trailblazer Scholarship is your opportunity to make a difference. Support a youth OA member who, due to financial constraints, may not otherwise be able to attend NOAC. By contributing to the Trailblazer Campership, you enable youth members to apply for scholarships that cover up to the full conference fee. Every donation directly supports youth OA members looking to attend NOAC. And the best part? You do not need to attend NOAC 2027 to make a donation.
In recognition of any donation of $245 or more, you will receive a special Trailblazer recognition package. One package is provided per donation of $245 or more. Recognition items will be shipped well ahead of the conference, whether you attend or not.
Recognition items for donations of $245 or more include the following exclusive items, which will only be available through the Trailblazer Campership donation:
- Trailblazer NOAC Patch (part of the official NOAC event patch set and only available through a Trailblazer Campership donation)
- Chenille Patch
- Neckerchief
- Commemorative Coin
Every individual supporter of the Trailblazer Campership who donates at least $245 and registers to attend NOAC will be invited to an exclusive reception at the conference.
Do not wait to support a Trailblazer. All donations must be received by Friday, February 26, 2027, and are maintained in the Order of the Arrow Expendable Fund to be awarded as scholarships to NOAC attendees. Gifts are tax-deductible to the National Boy Scouts of America Foundation (Tax ID 75-2675978).
Application Criteria and Eligibility
Applications for the Trailblazer Scholarship can be found here. This application is open from October 5, 2026, and the last day to submit a scholarship application will be Friday, January 29, 2027.
Eligibility requirements for the Trailblazer Scholarship Program include:
- Be registered for NOAC, including assigned to a contingent slot within NOAERS, as a youth delegate with a contingent or as a youth staff member by January 31, 2027.
- Submit a Trailblazer Scholarship application, which will be routed to your Lodge Adviser for approval (if a lodge contingent delegate) by January 31, 2027. No supplemental approval is required for staff members.
- Be under the age of 21 through the last day of the conference, July 31, 2027.
The Scholarship Committee will determine scholarship amounts for each applicant. Lodges, sections, or regions do not have a role in reviewing and approving Trailblazer Scholarship applications but may be contacted by the committee to validate requests.
Questions in the Trailblazer Scholarship application will include financial information such as the size of the household, parent or guardian name(s), total annual household income before taxes, and the requested scholarship amount. There will be additional free-form response questions, such as why you are interested in attending NOAC, what you are doing to raise funds to attend NOAC, and if you do not receive the scholarship amount you requested, how that might impact your ability to attend NOAC.
Applicants and their respective contingent leaders will be notified of their scholarship status and a potential award by Friday, March 19, 2027. Trailblazer Scholarship awards will be applied directly to the individual registration account within NOAERS. Funds will not be mailed.
Questions about the Trailblazer Scholarship may be directed to [email protected].
