For more than a century, Ventura County Council, Scouting America has helped young people throughout Ventura County discover adventure, develop leadership skills, serve their communities, and prepare for the future.

The roots of Scouting in Ventura County actually predate the Council itself. Historical records indicate organized Scouting activity in the county as early as the 1910s, including the chartering of Troop 1 in Port Hueneme in 1916. By the early 1920s, community leaders recognized the need for a locally organized council that could support the growing number of Scout troops throughout the county.

On March 28, 1921, community leaders gathered at a Ventura County Chamber of Commerce meeting and began the process of establishing a local Scout council. Their efforts led to the official chartering of Ventura County Council No. 57 on June 23, 1921.

C. H. Whipple became the Council’s first president, Col. J. L. Howland served as commissioner, and Harvey R. Cheesman was selected as the first Scout Executive. Cheesman officially began his duties on July 11, 1921.

At the time the Council was organized, Scouting was already taking hold in communities across Ventura County. Among the early units were troops in Ventura, Oxnard, and Santa Paula, communities that would remain important centers of Scouting for generations.

Only weeks after the Council was chartered, local Scouts attended the Council’s first summer camp. By 1922, Ventura County had its first Eagle Scouts, establishing a tradition of achievement and leadership that continues today.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Scouting expanded into communities across the county.

In 1926, the Council established a unit-numbering system that reflected geographic areas: the 100s represented Ventura, 200s the Oxnard Plain, 300s Santa Paula, 400s Fillmore, 500s Ojai, 600s Moorpark, and 700s Thousand Oaks.

The program also expanded beyond traditional Scout troops. Sea Scouting arrived in Ventura County in 1924, and on February 18, 1931, the county’s first Cub Scout Pack was established at the Methodist Church in Santa Paula.

These early decades established something that would become a hallmark of Ventura County Council: adapting Scouting to meet the interests and needs of each new generation.

Camping and outdoor adventure have always been central to the Ventura County Scouting experience.

The Council operated several early camping programs, including Camp Gray near Wheeler Hot Springs. When construction of what became Highway 33 affected the camp property, Council leaders began searching for a permanent location.

That search led to Lockwood Valley.

In 1932, the Plush family donated 10 acres that became the beginning of Camp Three Falls. A trial camp opened there on June 10, 1933. The experience proved so successful that the Council Executive Committee selected Three Falls as the permanent summer camp later that year. The camp was formally dedicated on July 1, 1934.

Over the decades, Three Falls grew far beyond its original 10 acres and became a treasured part of the Ventura County Council experience. Generations of Scouts learned to swim, hike, shoot, climb, cook, lead, and live outdoors there. The camp later became known for programs ranging from traditional Scoutcraft to rock climbing and rappelling.

Another important piece of the Council’s outdoor history came in 1954, when Edith Scott Willett donated approximately 535 acres near Oak View. The property became known as Camp Willett and provided another location for camporees and outdoor Scouting activities.

As the Council grew, so did its traditions.

In June 1944, Topa Topa Lodge No. 291 of the Order of the Arrow was established, creating a new tradition of recognizing Scouts and leaders who exemplified service and leadership.

New programs continued to emerge. Ventura County’s first Air Scout Squadron was organized in Moorpark in 1945, reflecting Scouting’s ability to introduce young people to new interests, careers, technologies, and adventures.

In 1954, Ventura County Council held its first Scout-O-Rama, beginning another tradition of bringing Scouts together to demonstrate their skills and share Scouting with the community.

As Ventura County’s population grew and communities such as Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Oxnard, and Ventura expanded, the Council evolved with them.

For many years, Council operations were centered in Santa Paula. In December 1968, the Council headquarters moved to the Rancho Camarillo Building in Camarillo. The following year brought another milestone when longtime Scout Executive John B. Gessford retired after 25 years of service.

Today, Ventura County Council is headquartered at 509 E. Daily Drive in Camarillo and continues to serve communities throughout Ventura County.

While the uniforms, activities, and programs have evolved since 1921, the purpose behind Scouting has remained remarkably consistent.

Ventura County Council has expanded beyond traditional Cub Scout Packs and Scout Troops to provide opportunities through Scouts BSA, Venturing, Exploring, Sea Scouts, and other programs and experiences designed to connect young people with leadership, service, outdoor adventure, career exploration, and their communities.

Exploring, in particular, extends the Council’s mission into career development by connecting young people with professionals and hands-on experiences in fields such as healthcare, STEM, public safety, Aviation, Law Enforcement, Fire and other career pathways.

Through every generation, the goal remains to provide meaningful experiences that help young people develop character, citizenship, confidence, and skills for life. The Council describes its purpose as providing educational programs that build character, citizenship, and personal fitness while helping young people develop strong values and life skills.

Ventura County Council celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021, marking a century of service to young people and families.

But the Council’s history is more than a collection of dates, camps, buildings, and programs.

It is the story of generations of volunteers who gave their time to mentor young people. It is the story of community organizations that opened their doors to Packs, Troops, Crews, Ships, and Posts. It is the story of Scouts completing their first hike, attending their first campout, serving their neighborhoods, earning their Eagle Scout rank, exploring a future career, or discovering that they were capable of something they had never tried before.

Since 1921, thousands of young people have been shaped by those experiences. Ventura County Council’s history has been built by the Scouts, families, volunteers, donors, community partners, and professionals who believed that investing in young people strengthens the entire community.

More than a century later, that work continues.

The next chapter of Ventura County Council is being written today.

As Scouting moves forward, Ventura County Council remains committed to creating opportunities for young people to lead, serve, explore, discover, and prepare for whatever comes next.