by Mike Matzinger
Camp Josepho, a 110-acre landmark in the Santa Monica Mountains, has been a cornerstone for generations of Scouts since the 1940s. The recent Palisades Fire changed that history in minutes, leaving nearly the entire site destroyed except for a concrete pool house. Leaders from Scouting America’s Western Los Angeles County Council described the loss as both emotional and surreal, given the camp’s deep cultural roots and its designation as a Los Angeles Historical Cultural Monument.
The property was originally gifted by the Josepho family, whose legacy includes contributions to early film and the invention of the photo booth. Over the decades, Scouts and community members returned to the camp for its scenery, its signature Malibu Lodge built by aviation pioneer Donald Douglas, and the sense of connection the place fostered.
Now, community members and Scouts are beginning the rebuilding process by restoring the land and removing invasive growth. Leadership hopes to recreate the camp with a lighter environmental footprint while preserving its purpose as an accessible outdoor experience for youth.