Distinguished Elangomat

A salute to Hill Country District volunteer Doug Spencer, who recently completed his 50th time serving as an Elangomat for Order of the Arrow Ordeal candidates!

The Order of the Arrow is Scouting’s National Honor Camping Society. Youth and adults are elected by their peers for membership in the Order. But newly elected members must first complete their “Ordeal” before their membership is confirmed. The Ordeal is a weekend where new candidates perform service projects in silence, reflecting on the meaning of brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service. The Elangomat (Lenape for “friend”) is an established member of the Order who works and lives alongside candidates, providing support and friendship and modeling behavior exemplifying the ideal of cheerful service.

Our council’s Tonkawa Lodge of the Order of the Arrow has never had a member reach this milestone (not even close, actually – and the Elangomat program started in 1975). Doug was recognized during the Lodge’s Spring 2026 Assembly at Lost Pines Scout Reservation with a very special Elangomat pin. We’re grateful for Doug’s leadership and service and appreciative of his incredible example.