Since 1913, the BSA has utilized several different organizational structures for councils and lodges (Geary ii). In 1938, lodges were grouped first into fifteen, then eventually twenty-six areas. When the OA became fully integrated into the BSA in 1948, lodges were reorganized as part of the Twelve Scouting Regions.

The 1973 New Section Operation realigned lodges into areas and sections among the Six Regions.

In 1992, the Six Regions were consolidated into four. The East Central and the eastern half of the North Central Region was merged to create the Central Region, while the western half of the North Central Region merged into the Western Region. The Southeast and South Central Regions were combined to create the Southern Region. The Northeast Region's seven areas were reorganized into five; however, its boundaries remained unchanged.

In October 2021, it was announced that in December, as part of Project Magellan, the OA would be reorganized into two regions: Pacific and Atlantic. However, by December these names were changed to Gateway and Eastern, and a list of new sections was released. With the exception of Sections C-2 and C-6B, section boundaries were unchanged. Supposedly, this orgazational structure will be separate from the new BSA National Service Territories. This is particulary interesting, as since the OA's full integration with the BSA in 1948, OA regions and areas have almost always been in lockstep with BSA regions and areas-- even to the detriment to lodge and section organizations.

Geary, Patrick. Councils of the BSA 6th ed. n.p., 2000, p. ii. Print.

"New Section Operation," Order of the Arrow Bulletin, vol. 4. Boy Scouts of America, 1972, p. 4. Print.

"Project Magellan." Boy Scouts of America, 14 Dec. 2021. Web. 22 Dec. 2021.

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