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Our History

Orange County’s first American city was the birthplace of Scouting in Orange County. Anaheim had been laid out in 1857; just seven years after California became a state. And Elmore B. Douglass organized the first Orange County Boy Scout Troop in Anaheim in 1910, the same year that the Boy Scouts of America was founded.

The earliest reference to Scouting in Orange County is in the Anaheim Gazette of October 20, 1910, which reports, “Scout Master Douglass is meeting with much success in the organization of a local troop of Boy Scouts of America.”

In 1920, a group of civic leaders formed the Orange County Council, with headquarters in Orange.

One of the reasons for starting a Scout Council was to provide summer camp facilities for the local troops. In 1922, Camp RoKiLi was established in the San Bernardino Mountains. It was named for the three service clubs that did the most to help start the new camp — the Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions. Camp RoKiLi served local Scouts until 1964, when it was replaced by Lost Valley Scout Reservation (now Schoepe Scout Reservation at Lost Valley).

Orange County created its own Cub Scout program in 1928, two years before the National Cub Scout program was introduced. For older boys, Sea Scouting and Senior Scouting proved popular. In 1937, the Newport Sea Base was established on Newport Bay and has become one of the premier youth aquatic facilities in the state.

In 1943, the Orange County Council split. The northern communities formed the Northern Orange County Council, with headquarters in Anaheim and the southern area was renamed the Orange Empire Area Council. The line between north and south was roughly Katella Avenue.

The biggest Scouting event to ever hit Orange County was the Third National Jamboree, held on the Irvine Ranch in 1953. It is the only time a Jamboree was ever held on the West Coast. Some 50,000 Scouts and Scouters from around the world attended. The 3,000-acre site was donated by The Irvine Company. It was located above the Pacific Coast Highway, from the Back Bay to MacArthur Blvd. The main entrance road is still known as Jamboree Road.

In the late 1950s, under the leadership of Bill Spurgeon III, the Orange Empire Area Council created the first Specialty Exploring and vocation programs for older Scouts. The first vocational post was chartered by the Helipot Division of Beckman Instruments in 1957. Within two years, the program had spread across the United States. In 1960, the first law enforcement post in the nation was chartered by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. It is still active today.

In 1972, the two local Scout Councils merged, becoming the Orange County Council.

In recent years, the Orange County Council has worked to provide opportunities to all of Orange County’s youth. Many of the new programs are open to both boys and girls. In-School Scouting (now known as Learning for Life) was introduced in 1980 to reach students in inner city neighborhoods. Other programs serve older youth, or “at risk” groups.

Camping has remained a key part of the Scouting program. Since the 1970s, the Orange County Council has offered programming at several properties, including Rancho Las Flores on Camp Pendleton and Oso Lake in Rancho Santa Margarita, and a high adventure base at White’s Landing on Catalina Island. Additionally, the council recently built the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center, near Irvine Regional Park, which serves Scouts, students, and young people from many different youth groups. The council is currently in the middle of a comprehensive capital campaign to improve programs at these four premier facilities: Oso Lake, Schoepe Scout Reservation at Lost Valley, the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center, and the Newport Sea Base.

Like Orange County itself, Scouting just keeps on growing.

1953 BOY SCOUT JAMBOREE

Historical Monument Location: Memorial Plaque at Fashion Island (near Macy’s at the top of the escalators)

Official 1953 Jamboree Site Map: 1953 Jamboree Map

Memories of Boy Scouting by Jack Welty: Memories of Boy Scouting

65th Anniversary Reunion Program and Scout Memories: Jamboree Program

View photos from the reunion: 65th Anniversary Photo Album

LA Times News Article: LA TIMES

1953 Jamboree Memorial Campership Fund: OCBSA Endowment

Please share your own stories by contacting us via email at communications@ocbsa.org

JOIN SCOUTING

Follow these 3 simple steps and begin your Scouting journey.

1

Find a Scouting Unit

Select your preferred program(s) (i.e., Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing), enter your zip code, choose your nearest unit, and select APPLY NOW.

2

Complete a Youth Application

Create an account with my.scouting.org, complete the application, and make a payment.

3

Start Scouting!

Download the My Scouting app, contact your unit’s leader, and begin your Scouting journey!

Adventure Passes

The following is a sample Adventure Pass schedule.  Number of passes available per adventure will vary.  Our goal is to have as many youth experience an Adventure at Scout-O-Rama as possible, and spend less time in lines.  Each adventure is approximately 60 minutes and includes training time.

AdventurePasses OpenActivity Time
Archery7:30 am8:30 am
Archery8:00 am9:00 am
Archery8:30 am9:30 am
Archery9:00 am10:00 am
Archery9:30 am10:30 am
Archery10:00 am11:00 am
Archery10:30 am12:00 pm
Archery11:00 am12:30 pm
Archery12:00 pm1:00 pm
Archery12:30 pm1:30 pm
Archery1:00 pm2:00 pm
Archery1:30 pm2:30 pm
Archery2:00 pm3:00 pm

This copy of the waiver is for reference and easier reading.  You will agree to the waiver electronically, as part of event registration. 

Informed Consent, Release Agreement, and Authorization

I understand that, if any information I/we have provided is found to be inaccurate, it may limit and/or eliminate the opportunity for participation in any event or activity. The participant has permission to engage in adventure activities described, except as specifically noted by me or the health-care provider.

I understand that participation in Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America (OCBSA) activities involves the risk of personal injury, including death, due to the physical, mental, and emotional challenges in the activities offered. Information about those activities may be obtained from the venue, activity coordinators, or your local council. I also understand that participation in these activities is entirely voluntary and requires participants to follow instructions and abide by all applicable rules and the standards of conduct.

In case of an emergency involving me or my child, I understand that efforts will be made to contact the individual listed as the emergency contact person by the medical provider and/or adult leader. In the event that this person cannot be reached, permission is hereby given to the medical provider selected by the adult leader in charge to secure proper treatment, including hospitalization, anesthesia, surgery, or injections of medication for me or my child. Medical providers are authorized to disclose protected health information to the adult in charge, camp medical staff, camp management, and/or any physician or health-care provider involved in providing medical care to the participant. Protected Health Information/Confidential Health Information (PHI/CHI) under the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information, 45 C.F.R. §§160.103, 164.501, etc. seq., as amended from time to time, includes examination findings, test results, and treatment provided for purposes of medical evaluation of the participant, follow-up and communication with the participant’s parents or guardian, and/or determination of the participant’s ability to continue in the program activities.

(If applicable) I have carefully considered the risk involved and hereby give my informed consent for my child to participate in all activities offered in the program. I further authorize the sharing of the information on this registration with any OCBSA volunteers or professionals who need to know of medical conditions that may require special consideration in conducting Scouting activities.

Assumption of Risk
With appreciation of the dangers and risks associated with programs and activities, on my own behalf and/or on behalf of my child, I hereby fully and completely release and waive any and all claims for personal injury, death, or loss that may arise against the Boy Scouts of America, the local council, the activity coordinators, and all employees, volunteers, related parties, or other organizations associated with any program or activity.

Photographs/Video
I also hereby assign and grant to the local council and the Boy Scouts of America, as well as their authorized representatives, the right and permission to use and publish the photographs/film/ videotapes/electronic representations and/or sound recordings made of me or my child at all Scouting activities, and I hereby release the Boy Scouts of America, the local council, the activity coordinators, and all employees, volunteers, related parties, or other organizations associated with the activity from any and all liability from such use and publication. I further authorize the reproduction, sale, copyright, exhibit, broadcast, electronic storage, and/or distribution of said photographs/film/videotapes/electronic representations and/or sound recordings without limitation at the discretion of the OCBSA, and I specifically waive any right to any compensation I may have for any of the foregoing.

Shooting Sports (Archery, BB Gun, Wrist Rocket, Tomahawk)
Injuries and accidents can be near eliminated when safety rules are followed. Participants will show clear knowledge of the
safety rules and procedures prior to using any equipment. Participants will be taught proper form, safety rules and general
knowledge of the equipment. Participants will be expected to adhere to all safety rules and follow guidelines on the care
of equipment. Anyone ignoring or not the following expectations maybe sidelined from the activity until sufficient
retraining has occurred to ensure everyone’s safety. Participants under 8 must be always accompanied by an adult one-on-one. No personal or outside equipment is permitted.
* California Penal Code Section 12552: Every person who furnishes any BB device to any minor, without the express or implied permission of the parent or legal guardian of the minor, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Adventure Hill (Zip Line, High Ropes, Low Ropes, & Climbing)
Adventure Hill activities offered at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center involve a certain degree of risk that could result in
injury or fatality. All participants shall be provided with and instructed in the proper use of helmet, harnesses, belay equipment and
other items required to complete each specific challenge area safely. Participants will be taught proper form, safety rules and general knowledge of the equipment. All participants will be expected to adhere to all safety rules and follow guidelines for proper care of equipment. Participants MUST always follow the instruction of the of IROEC staff. Anyone not adhering or following activity
expectation may be sidelined from the activity until sufficient retraining has occurred to ensure safety. No personal or outside
equipment is permitted.
Weight Restrictions: Zip Line and High Ropes Course- Participants must weigh between 50 lbs. and 275 lbs. Climbing Tower-
Participants must weigh between 30 lbs. and 275 lbs.
Age Restrictions: Zip-Line & Climbing- Minimum 5 years of age. Low Ropes- Minimum 8 years of age. High Ropes- Minimum 11 years of age. Participants must fit into all required safety equipment properly regardless of weight or age.

Aquatics (Swimming, Water Sports, Water Slide)
All participants will be expected to adhere to all safety rules and follow instructions of the IROEC Aquatic Staff and Lifeguards.
Anyone not following expectation may be sidelined from the activity until sufficient retraining have occurred to ensure everyone’s
safety. An adult must accompany children 5 years and under, one-on-one in the water at all times.

Other Activities
Other available activities at the IROEC include but are not limited to: Mine Immersion, Wacky Science Immersion, Lawn Games, Team Building Games, Breakout Box, Ranch Immersion.

All Activities
All activities and programs at the IROEC follow the standards of the Boy Scouts of America, American Camp Association (ACA), American Red Cross, or Association of Challenge Course Technologies (ACCT).

CLOSED TOE SHOES ARE SUGGESTED IN ALL AREAS. MANY ACTIVITIES REQUIRE THEM FOR SAFETY.

NOTE: Due to the nature of programs and activities, the Boy Scouts of America and local councils cannot continually monitor compliance of program participants or any limitations imposed upon them by parents or medical providers. However, so that leaders can be as familiar as possible with any limitations, list any restrictions imposed on a child participant in connection with programs or activities in this registration.

In consideration of the benefits to be derived and after carefully considering the risk involved and in view of the fact that the Boy Scouts of America is an organization in which participation is voluntary, and having full confidence that precautions will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of myself (and any minor children for whom I have the capacity to contract), I have carefully considered the risk involved and have given the participant identified below, my consent to participate in the Recreational Activities available at The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center* (IROEC).
In consideration of accepting this registration, and to the extent permitted by law, I hereby agree to release, indemnify, defend and hold harmless on behalf of myself (and any minor children for whom I have the capacity to contract), the IROEC, the Boy Scouts of America, Orange County Council, event staff, activity coordinators, all employees, volunteers, or other organizations associated with IROEC from and against any and all liabilities, claims, penalties, losses, or expenses (including attorneys’ fees), of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether related to bodily injury, property damage or any other form of injury or loss to myself (and to any minor children for whom I have the capacity to contract), caused by any negligent act or omission of the IROEC or its officers, clients, agents or employees, arising out of or in any way related to participation in the activity for which I (and any minor children for whom I have the capacity to contract) am registering.
I give permission to the IROEC to take photographs of me, my children, and any minor children for whom I have the capacity to contract while participating in this activity for use in future publicity and understand that I will not receive any compensation for such use.
In case of emergency, I hereby give my permission to the physician selected by the IROEC, to secure proper treatment, including hospitalization, anesthesia, surgery, or injections of medication for myself or any minor children for whom I have the capacity to contract.

I acknowledge that the activities to which this release applies can be dangerous and as a result of signing below, I am accepting those risks for myself and for any minor participants for whom I can contract.

I CERTIFY THAT I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ALL THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER.