Council Focused on Relief Efforts for Families Affected by Fires

The Western Los Angeles County Council, Scouting America announced today that 83-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.