Recovery continues at Camp Josepho
In early December, WLACC welcomed Scouts and other volunteers back to Camp Josepho for the first time since the camp and its historic lodge were consumed by the Pacific Palisades Fire.
As detailed in the Los Angeles Times, the volunteers removed invasive species, fully uncovered the World War II Memorial, and performed other minor repairs, like digging out mudflow from the amphitheater.
We will not be able to reopen the camp until the road through the Santa Monica Mountains is repaired. It will also likely be years before we are able to fully rebuild, and when we do, we plan to focus on smaller, more fire-resistant buildings. For example, the existing cinder block pool house survived the fire basically undamaged. Many of us have amazing memories of the old lodge, but the truth is this site will probably be affected by fire again. Next time, we want to be better prepared.
In the meantime, once it’s safe to do so, we plan to reopen Camp Josepho to rustic camping, so today’s Scouts can continue to experience the camp’s more-than-80-year history and build new memories.
If you want to contribute to the recovery effort, we are currently raising funds to fully restore the World War II Memorial.
If you’d like to participate in future volunteer days, sign up for our newsletter and watch out for opportunities. Please note that some events may be limited to adult volunteers and older Scouts based on safety.
WESTERN LOS ANGELES SCOUTS SAD TO ANNOUNCE CAMP JOSEPHO DESTROYED IN WILDFIRE
Council Focused on Relief Efforts for Families Affected by Fires
LOS ANGELES – The Western Los Angeles County Council, Scouting America announced today that 84-year-old Camp Josepho, its Scouting Camp nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, was destroyed in the Pacific Palisades Fire. Council leadership plans to assess the extent of the damage once the fires have been contained and decide on next steps then.
However, right now, they are dedicated to supporting families who have lost homes and livelihoods due to the wildfires that are still ravaging Los Angeles.
“The loss of Camp Josepho is sad, but the loss of life and homes throughout Los Angeles is devastating,” said Lee Harrison, Scout Executive & CEO of the Council. “Scouting families are among the thousands who have lost everything due to the fires, and our top focus is assisting them – in addition to other members of the community who have been affected.”
The Scouting motto is “Be Prepared,” and the Western LA County Council sprang into immediate action to support its members, first responders, and other members of the community upon learning about the fires.
“Thousands of young people have spent their summers and weekends at Camp Josepho, where they learned the skills they needed to become leaders and connected to nature,” Harrison said. “The Scouts will make sure we always provide our youth with these opportunities, whether it’s at a rebuilt Camp Josepho or somewhere else, but right now, we’re focused on supporting the people of Los Angeles County.”
The Scouting Council is currently arranging a large donation of water for evacuees and working with its membership and local elected officials to determine what more they can do to be of service.