Hi,

"The Order of the Arrow" is an honorary society run by the Scouts (Boy
Scouts of America).  When I was in it (1978), the term "WWW" was
widely used, and the meaning of it was super-secret, being one of the
things that made it "cool" to be in this honorary society.  Nobody
ever told an outsider what WWW meant.

Now that the web is here, "WWW" means something else entirely!

My question is:  Does "The Order of the Arrow" still have WWW as a
secret?  Or is it a big joke now?

Here's a newsgroup post from 1999 that discusses the WWW words, which
are apparently still a part of the ritual:

"Order of the Arrow is the honor camping organization within the BSA. 
There are three different levels (not ranks) of membership, each
conferring it's own priviledges and responsibilities. Ordeal - the
Scout must be at least 14 and at least a First Class Scout and must
have had X number of days and nights camping, at least Y of which must
be long-term (like summer camp). [I can't remember the exact numbers
for X and Y].  The Scout is then elected by members of his Troop
(including all members and non-members of the OA) if they deem him
worthy.  If at least one Scout is elected to the OA, then the Troop
Committee may select one adult to be inducted.  The Scouts is
"tapped-out" at a ceremony, then led to a pre-Ordeal ceremony.  During
the Ordeal, the Scout must display the three ideals of the OA -
Wimachtendienk, Wingolauksik, Witahemui (Brotherhood, Cheerfulness,
Service)."

http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=7ugk9s%2441vu%241%40newssvr04-int.news.prodigy.com&oe=UTF-8&output=gplain

Hey, I was in OA the same time you were, boy that was long ago.  Yes
OA was definitely cool to be in all the more so because there was an
aura of mystery about it.  I'm not active in Scouting these days but I
did a bit of looking around on the web and it appears the cat is out
of the bag concerning WWW.  What it stands for is plainly in view to
anyone that wants do a little searching.  I don't think WWW is a point
of ridcule, vis-a-vis the web, but who knows what sort of joking goes
on.

OA was a great organization (still is, I bet), founded on wholesome
principals designed to build character and a sense of service in boys
and young men.  I hope OA is still prospering.

Now as for the misfits that insist on giving our secrets away.. well,
we'll get 'em.. we'll get all....

maybe I can clear some of these questions up.  In regards to the WWW,
you are right, if one wants to search for it, you can find what it
stands for with probably realitve ease.  The reason for this is that
in the years since you were active, a lot of legal cases and such have
caused Scouting to abandon its position on secrets.  There are no
secrets within the Boy Scouts of America.  This includes the Order of
the Arrow.  In fact, if a parent was truely concerned about what their
child was going through on the Ordeal, then they could come and watch,
even see the ceremonies.  For the most part, the youth leaders and
adults of my Lodge do their best to quell those fears and we don't
have much of a problem.  WWW is still for the most part, kept quiet
about.  Members like to keep the mystery so that when new members join
they may enjoy the full experience of the whole process.  When people
ask, most members will either play dumb or give them a funny answer
(like "we work weekends")Again, its all part of keeping the mystery. 
Hope that answers some of your questions.