The Order of the Arrow eXperience (OAX) at the annual Cardinal Conclave allows over a thousand E8 Arrowmen the chance to “Spark Your Future” with diverse, high-impact training. Set up like a dynamic exhibit hall, OAX offers a wide range of hands-on exhibits focusing on personal skills and hobbies, such as wilderness first aid, public speaking, and leadership principles, promoting exploration and development. Crucially, the program also includes specialized training sessions tailored to individual lodge needs, helping leadership teams solve specific issues like membership retention or leadership conflict. By combining broad personal enrichment with targeted, lodge-focused tools, OAX ensures attendees gain the practical skills needed to be effective leaders back home.
What is OAX?
The Order of the Arrow eXperience (OAX) allows over a thousand of E8’s Arrowmen to experience a plethora of trainings during the annual Cardinal Conclave, whether that’s through hands-on, interactive exhibitors or the detailed training sessions.
Beyond typical sessions, OAX 2026 is themed “Spark Your Future,” placing a heavy emphasis on giving Arrowmen practical, transferable skills and inspiring new interests. The program is set up like one big, dynamic exhibit hall where you can dive deep into different skills and hobbies. Think of it as a huge fair offering everything from practical outdoorsmanship to ice cream making. This is your chance for personal development and exploration.
OAX also hosts specialized, high-impact training sessions that are tailored directly to the needs of individual lodges, helping lodge leadership teams tackle issues ranging from improving chapter relations and increasing membership retention to streamlining key events such as inductions or fellowships. With broad personal enrichment combined with targeted, lodge-focused tools, OAX makes sure every Arrowman leaves Conclave with the spark they need to lead effectively and make a real difference back home.
In summary, OAX is the place to be, whether that’s to learn a new skill, make ice cream in a bag, or to participate in valuable training sessions.
What is different in 2026?
In 2026, OAX aims to Spark Your Future and elevate the Arrowman’s experience during OAX, ensuring a hyped-up atmosphere, more interaction, training sessions, and interests for all ages. We want to ensure that these training sessions train current and future leaders in the section to ensure a steady lodge-section program.
2026 OAX Information
View more resources about the overall Conclave program on the section planbook.
- Timeframe:
- Saturday, April 18th, 9am-12pm
- Setup will range from 7:45am to 9am
- Cleanup will range from 12pm to 1:15pm
- The full Conclave program will run April 17th-19th
- Saturday, April 18th, 9am-12pm
- Location:
- STEM Building to Sullivan Center
- Camp Durant (4637 Old Carthage Rd, Carthage, NC 28327)
- Parking & Vehicles:
- Overnight exhibitors will be provided a parking pass to use on Saturday
- Exhibitors may park at the Sullivan Center
- When driving through camp, there is a one-way system (shown on the driving map in the planbook)
- Food & Drinks:
- Lunch and waters will be provided to exhibitors
- Pricing & Contracts:
- There are no fees and contracts in order to participate as an exhibitor at OAX; just let our team know you are coming and we will discuss logistics with you
Contact
If any questions or concerns arise, please contact the Vice Chief of Training, Austin Mirando, at training@e8.oa-scouting.org.