175-763: Camp Pico Blanco is an inactive camp of 618 acres (250 ha) (originally 1,445 acres (585 ha)) in the interior region of Big Sur in Central California. It is operated by the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council , of the Boy Scouts of America , a new council formed as a result of a merger between the former Santa Clara County Council and the Monterey Bay Area Council in December 2012. The camp
350-579: A $ 1 million fish ladder and other modifications that satisfied the regulators and allowed the council to continue to use the dam in following years. Expenses related to the fish ladder and the new Hayward Lodge dining hall significantly contributed to the Monterey Bay Area Council's debt, leading to the dissolution of the council and its merger with the Santa Clara Council in December 2012. The new council leadership began
525-661: A 'scenic highway' with piles of shit up and down the highway. There are only 16 public restrooms along the entire coast to accommodate the almost 5 million annual visitors. The number of visitors far exceeds the available restrooms , and most restrooms are not available in locations where tourists frequently visit. Businesses report that the large number of visitors using their bathroom has overwhelmed their septic systems. If visitors can locate them, they can use bathrooms within California State Parks or federal campgrounds without paying an entrance fee. But many of
700-554: A 2,000,000-cubic-foot (57,000 m ) slide blocked the highway at Mud Creek, north of Salmon Creek near the San Luis Obispo County line, to just south of Gorda . The road was reopened on July 18, 2018. The region is protected by the Big Sur Local Coastal Plan, which preserves it as "open space, a small residential community, and agricultural ranching." Approved in 1986, the plan is one of
875-695: A BSA adult volunteer appointed by the Scout Executive, and the lodge staff adviser is the council Scout executive or his designated council professional Scouter. The lodge youth officers, consisting of the lodge chief, one or more vice chiefs, a secretary, and a treasurer are responsible for organizing and leading the various programs and activities of the lodge. Many lodges have standing committees responsible for ceremonies, service projects, publications, unit elections, camp promotions, and dance teams composed of youth members. Lodges are grouped into sections that are then grouped into regions. The section chief
1050-651: A BSA council in the area. Lodges are further broken down into chapters , which correspond to a district in Scouting. Members wear identifying insignia on their uniforms, most notably the OA pocket flap that represents their individual OA lodge and the OA sash worn at official OA functions. The OA program sponsors several events, awards, and training functions. It has foundations influenced by Freemasonry and uses imagery commonly associated with American Indian cultures for its self-invented ceremonies. Native Americans have criticized
1225-623: A Grand Lodge as inspired by the Freemasons. A new Constitution was written and the ceremonies used in the early years were rewritten. The following year, it became an Official Experiment of the Boy Scouts of America. Throughout the 1930s, the Order of the Arrow went through a full review. The terminology used by the order was slowly replaced to sound less masonic and more Native American. This
1400-415: A Skills Patrol area). The camp offers an Adventure Day each Wednesday during camp season which gives Scouts access to a number of activities both in camp and out of camp. In 2007 the camp launched an older Scout program called Pico Pathfinders. The program consists of hiking, outdoor skills learning, shotgun shooting, knife/tomahawk throwing, and craft making. In 2013, the council hired Abraham Wolfinger as
1575-644: A The Grand Lodge." It also acknowledges that it was required to change this terminology in the 1930s: "As part of the agreement made by the OA National Executive Committee with the BSA to become an official part of the Boy Scout program the OA agreed to change certain terminology effective January 1, 1935 (although not disseminated to local lodges until April 23, 1935). The BSA was concerned about heavy reliance on Masonic fraternal terms in
1750-517: A biologist to assist with the installation. The camp staff initially indicated they would take a week to fill the dam, although an unnamed parent told the agent that the dam would be filled in one day, as usual. Two days later, in violation of the agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service , an unidentified camp staff member filled the 11 feet (3.4 m) deep dam in less than one day. The agent returned later in
1925-582: A challenge. A large boulder with a dozen or more deep mortar bowls worn into it, known as a bedrock mortar , is located in Apple Tree Camp on the southwest slope of Devil's Peak, north of the Camp Pico Blanco. The holes were hollowed out over many generations by Indians who used it to grind the acorns into flour. Other mortar rocks have also been found within the Boy Scout camp at campsites 3 and 7, and slightly upstream from campsite 12, while
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#17328008178532100-417: A collaborative process with environmental and regulatory agencies to safeguard the camp environment. It published a vision for the camp that seeks to "appreciate, learn, and practice how we coexist with the beauty of nature around us." In 2013, after the merger was complete, the new leadership invited inspections by public and private organizations. They received high ratings for the improvements they had made to
2275-492: A fisheries service biologist, visited the camp and told camp officials that trout in the Little Sur River could be harmed if the dam provided insufficient flow downstream. In April 2002, the council submitted an incomplete application for the renewal of the dam permit and turned in the missing information after the original due date. The Department of Fish and Game told the Monterey Bay Area Council they could not fill
2450-545: A fourth is found on a large rock in the river, originally above the river, between campsites 3 and 4. Much of the native Indian population had been forced into the Spanish mission system by about 1822, when most of the interior villages within the current Los Padres National Forest were uninhabited. When the Big Sur area, along with the rest of California , gained independence from Spain in 1821 and became part of Mexico ,
2625-629: A full-time "naturalist in residence" for the summer season, the first such position created for any Boy Scout camp in the United States. They also adopted a new national program called "Science-Technology-Engineering-Math" that will include topics like Conservation, Earth Science, Fish and Fishing, and Wildlife. Pico Blanco camp was the home of the Order of the Arrow Lodge Esselen 531 until the councils were merged. The camp also hosts
2800-649: A northeasterly route up the slopes of Mt. Manuel. Hikers following this route can access Vado, Launtz Creek, and Tin House campsites. It connects to the Little Sur trail that provides access to the Little Sur River watershed. The trail is not maintained. The North Coast Ridge Road (USFS 20S05) is accessible from the road to the Ventana Inn and indirectly from the south via Limekiln State Park . Parking
2975-634: A number of unique animal and plant species. It is located at 800 feet (240 m) elevation on the North Fork of the Little Sur River south of Carmel, California. Historically, the camp area was visited regularly by the Esselen American Indians, whose food sources included acorns gathered from the Black Oak , Canyon Live Oak and Tanbark Oak in the vicinity of the camp. The camp has been repeatedly threatened by fire, including
3150-525: A parking spot at a trailhead parking lot and take a 14-passenger van to Pfeiffer Beach. In response to visitor abuses, an anonymous Big Sur resident began an Instagram account in May 2019 named BigSurHatesYou intended to shame visitors into treating the Big Sur region better. The television series Big Little Lies , which is filmed in the Monterey and Big Sur area, has increased the number of visitors to
3325-487: A part of the program at the 2024 National OA Conference." And, "There is not a single entity that speaks for the 574 federally recognized tribes/ Indian nations across the United States and it is impossible for us to gain consensus amongst all the tribes/Indian nations. As a result, national-level American Indian programming is not appropriate." In 2024, issuance of American Indian Vigil Honor names will stop and competitions, training and other programs will be discontinued at
3500-617: A patent for the land to the south of Swetnam, including what is known as Fox Camp, on August 21, 1896. On December 31, 1904, Antere P. Lachance took over Allen's patent and filed a claim for the property to the north, including the area of the former camp ranger's home, as well. Other early homesteaders in the Palo Colorado Canyon region included Samuel L. Trotter (January 23, 1914), George Notley (March 21, 1896), and his brother William F. Notley (May 8, 1901). William Notley took over Mortan's patent. Swetnam and Trotter worked for
3675-449: A popular destination for visitors from across the world. With 4.5 to 7 million visitors annually, it is among the top tourist destinations in the United States, comparable to Yosemite National Park , but with considerably fewer services, and less parking, roads, and related infrastructure. Big Sur Village is a collection of small roadside businesses and homes. The larger region known as Big Sur does not have specific boundaries but
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#17328008178533850-420: A region, they are trained in topics relevant to their jobs. Each region also provides opportunities for Order of the Arrow members to go through a National Leadership Seminar. This weekend course is highly rated and a lasting memory for many members. The national chief and the national vice chief are selected by a caucus of the section chiefs at the outset of the Order of the Arrow's national planning meeting. At
4025-504: A scout joining the organization. It provides a formal process to answer these questions with the lodge adviser or his designee. If questions remain after this meeting, the adults will be permitted to read the current ceremony text used in the Ordeal to make an informed decision. As scouts are minors, parents have the final say to allow or disallow their child to join the organization. Some exceptions can also be granted to allow parents to attend
4200-412: A section conclave held in the late spring or early fall. It is the main duty of the section officers to lead the planning of this weekend with the help of the lodge chiefs in the section. Like the Boy Scouts of America's Areas, The Order of the Arrow was formerly organized into four regions, Central, Southern, Northeast and Western Region; the boundaries of each OA region correspond with the boundaries of
4375-553: A single shuttle van that operates on Thursday through Sunday from the Big Sur Station to Pfeiffer Beach. The owner of the Nepenthe restaurant estimated in 2017 that the number of visitors had increased by 40% since 2011. Big Sur residents and business owners are concerned about the impact visitors are having on the region. Traffic and parking is consistently bad during summer and holidays weekends and some visitors don't obey
4550-420: A single, narrow two-lane highway that for most of its length clings to the steep coastal cliffs. North-bound traffic during the peak summer season and holiday weekends is often backed up for about 20 miles (32 km) from Big Sur Village to Carmel Highlands . Due to the large number of visitors during the summer, congestion and slow traffic between Carmel and Posts is becoming the norm. However, during
4725-524: A staff of adults. After successful pilots in 2016, the Developing Youth Leadership Conference curriculum began replacing NLATS in early 2017. Goodman and Edson, the founders of the Order of the Arrow, opted to portray what they saw as Native American characteristics "as a sign of scouting excellence", and that the imagery, costuming, titles and imitation rituals "evoked a primitivist exterior Indian Other, vanished from
4900-490: A teenager once served as the camp's Nature Director, was helping the California Native Plant Society study the plant and to protect it beginning in the 1970s. When the council obtained a permit to remove 38 damaged trees after a fire in 2008, wood cuttings were left on top of the lousewort. Kuska meticulously documented the plant population and jealously guarded the plant. He received a permit from
5075-425: A term some use to describe the wearing of feathers and warpaint by non-Native Americans." In 2023, amid a backlash against stereotypes of Native Americans, the BSA held a survey among its members about whether to eliminate or alter the rituals, including those for the OA. On December 23, 2023, the national Order of the Arrow leadership announced: "American Indian Activities (dancing, drumming, and crafts) will not be
5250-499: A tree fall in the 1980s, and Council Executive Dean Crafton opted to demolish the building rather than repair it. The 1980s are referred to by many former camp staff members as "The Dark Decade". The area was first occupied by the Esselen indigenous people, who harvested acorns on the nearby mountain slopes. The area's terrain is mostly steep, rocky, semi-arid except for the narrow canyons, and inaccessible, making long-term habitation
5425-406: A visit by representatives of the California Native Plant Society , who praised the new leadership of the council for their cooperative and collaborative attitude. The Scouts engaged EMC Planning Group, an environmental consulting firm, to help the council develop a conservation and land management plan for the camp. The camp environment supports a large population of the rare Dudley's lousewort at
Camp Pico Blanco - Misplaced Pages Continue
5600-402: A youth-led organization. Only youth under the age 21 are voting members and are eligible to hold elected offices. Professional and volunteer adults are appointed to non-voting advisory positions at the chapter, lodge, and section levels. The smallest level of organization in the Order of the Arrow is the chapter. The chapter is usually corresponding to a district in the local council. The chapter
5775-455: A ±7,330 SF dining hall and kitchen, admin office, rangers residence, health lodge, nature lodge, church, rifle, archery, and shotgun ranges, an open air campfire bowl with seating, numerous campsites, a trading post, a waterfront building, several bridges, a seasonal dam with a fish ladder, and numerous freestanding bathrooms." The council's deputy scout executive told the press in April 2022 that
5950-539: Is 25 miles (40 km) south of the Big Sur village on Highway 1. A steep staircase leads down to the beach from the highway. Jade Cove , 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Sand Dollar Beach, is also sometimes popular with visitors. Swiss Canyon Beach is a long, sandy beach visible when looking north from the mouth of the Big Sur River in Andrew Molera State Park. The eastern side of the beach
6125-591: Is about play, for one thing, in the sense of dressing up, masquerade, the Bakhtinian carnivalesque...It is also about appropriation, in the sense of taking on, assuming an other's identity, taking another's identity. The implication here is replacing one with another, silencing another, speaking for another." Simon Mayo-Smith, a journalist and citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation explains the concern of using Native American Headpieces: “The headdress
6300-479: Is also the location of a Catholic monastery, the New Camaldoli Hermitage . The Hermitage in Big Sur was founded in 1957. It rents a few simple rooms for visitors who would like to engage in silent meditation and contemplation. Normally all retreats are silent and undirected. The Big Sur International Marathon is an annual marathon that begins south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and ends at
6475-511: Is available in the north at Cadillac Flat near the Ventana Inn. From Ventana Inn, the trail climbs steeply to the crest of the coastal ridge and south about 30 miles (48 km) to near Cone Peak . There are wide views in all directions for almost the entire hike. It connects to several trails over its length, including Terrace Creek Trail (closed as of January 2018 ), Boronda Trail, DeAngulo Trail, Big Sur Trail, Marble Peak Trail, Bee Camp Trail, Lost Valley Connector Trail, Rodeo Flat Trail, and
6650-661: Is bordered on the east and south by the Ventana Wilderness ; on the north by the Los Padres National Forest ; and on the west by both the Los Padres Forest and Mount Pico Blanco, which is largely owned by Graniterock . The redwood forest habitat, the riparian corridor, and the populations of rare plants are considered environmentally sensitive habitat areas. The camp area is host to a number of unique animal and plant species, including
6825-482: Is bounded by private land. The beach may be accessible from the southern end depending on the tide. Some beaches are surrounded by private land. At the mouth of the Little Sur river are some of the largest dunes on the Big Sur coast. The mouth of the Little Sur River, the dunes, and the mile-long Little Sur River beach are within the boundaries of the El Sur Ranch and are inaccessible to the public. The owner of
7000-408: Is certainly opposed to the idea of Scouting. If every man in camp is given that chance and not just a clique or coterie who call themselves together and form a fraternity, perhaps it might work advantageously. During this same conference, E. Urner Goodman had defended Camp Fraternities and opposed a possible blanket ban on these. The Order of the Arrow would end up becoming an "Official Experiment" at
7175-411: Is elected at the national planning meeting the day after the election of the national chief and vice chief by a caucus of the section chiefs from the given region. The members of the region committee consist of the region chief, the region chair, all national committee members from the region, and other appointed adult volunteers. Each region annually has a gathering of all section officers and advisers. As
Camp Pico Blanco - Misplaced Pages Continue
7350-549: Is generally considered to include the 71-mile (114 km) segment of California State Route 1 between Malpaso Creek near Carmel Highlands in the north and San Carpóforo Creek near San Simeon in the south, as well as the entire Santa Lucia range between these creeks. The interior region is mostly uninhabited, while the coast remains relatively isolated and sparsely populated, with between 1,800 and 2,000 year-round residents and relatively few visitor accommodations scattered among four small settlements. The region remained one of
7525-401: Is led by the elected youth chapter chief, chapter vice chiefs, secretary, and a volunteer adult is appointed as the adviser, the district executive is the professional (staff) adviser. The chapters often hold monthly or weekly meetings together. The next largest unit of the OA is the lodge, which is chartered by a local BSA council. The lodge chief is the elected youth leader, the lodge adviser is
7700-584: Is part of the Los Padres National Forest , Ventana Wilderness , Silver Peak Wilderness or Fort Hunter Liggett . Big Sur is not an incorporated town but a region without formal boundaries in California's Central Coast region. The region is often confused with the small community of buildings and services 26 miles (42 km) south of Carmel in the Big Sur River valley, sometimes referred to by locals as Big Sur Village , but officially known as Big Sur. The various informal boundaries applied to
7875-618: Is reserved for our revered elders who, through their selflessness and leadership, have earned the right to wear one. It’s a spiritual garb, not just cultural; it’s not merely an addition to one’s attire. Wearing one, even an imitation headdress, belittles what our elders have spent a lifetime to earn.” On July 23, 2018, the National Order of the Arrow Committee announced that they had received "many complaints surrounding these ceremonies from various American Indian tribes due to
8050-439: Is sometimes rated as the best beach in Big Sur. Depending on the season, visitors can view sea otters, sea lions, seals, and migrating whales from the beach. The beach is barely visible from Highway 1. Pfeiffer Beach is very popular but is only accessible via the narrow 2 miles (3.2 km) Sycamore Canyon Road. The parking lot at the beach only accommodates 60 vehicles and is usually full on summer and holiday weekends. During
8225-481: Is surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest , the Ventana Wilderness , undeveloped private land owned by Graniterock , and is located astride the pristine Little Sur River . The land was donated to the Boy Scouts by William Randolph Hearst in 1948 and the camp was opened in 1955. The camp was closed following the Soberanes Fire in 2017, and remained closed after Palo Colorado Road was severely damaged
8400-415: Is the elected youth leader, a volunteer adult is appointed as the section adviser, and the area director (or his designate) is the professional (staff) adviser. In addition to the section chief, the section has two additional elected officers. The vice chief and secretary are elected immediately following the election of the section chief at the section's annual business meeting. All sections gather annually at
8575-621: Is the oldest Boy Scout camp on the California Central Coast . On July 23, 1948, the council purchased the property, originally 1,445 acres (585 ha), from the Hearst Sunical Land and Packing Company for $ 20,000. On September 9, 1948, Albert M. Lester of Carmel obtained a grant for the council of $ 20,000 from William Hearst through the Hearst Foundation of New York City, offsetting the cost of
8750-525: The Delaware River and assistant Camp Director Carroll A. Edson under the name of Wimachtendienk Wingolauchsik Witahemui . It was seen as a way to improve the summer camp experience and to encourage older Scouts to continue attending the summer camp. It was not part of Boy Scouts of America at the time. The name was based on the Lënape dialect. In 1921, the "known" Lodges organized themselves under
8925-537: The Marble Cone Fire of 1977, the Basin Complex fire in 2008, and the 2016 Soberanes Fire , which were successfully kept at bay by fire fighters. The three fires burned entirely around the camp. In 2008 and in 2016 the camp was evacuated as a precautionary measure due to the fires. Prior council leadership struggled to adhere to government regulations affecting rare and endangered species. In 2002
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#17328008178539100-569: The Monterey County Supervisors in 1981, states that the region is meant to be an experience that visitors transit through, not a destination. For that reason, development of all kinds is severely restricted. Besides sightseeing from the highway, Big Sur offers hiking and outdoor activities. There are a large number of state and federal lands and parks, including McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park , one of only two waterfalls in California that plunge directly into
9275-842: The Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases with the OA Wilderness Voyage, repairing the portage trails in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area , and then to Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in 2005 with Ocean Adventure, which works to remove invasive species on some of the Keys and promoting and carrying out of the Bleach watch program in the Florida Keys . After the addition of the third High Adventure Base,
9450-696: The Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean . It is frequently praised for its dramatic scenery. Big Sur has been called the "longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous United States ", a sublime "national treasure that demands extraordinary procedures to protect it from development", and "one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world, an isolated stretch of road, mythic in reputation". The views, redwood forests, hiking, beaches, and other recreational opportunities have made Big Sur
9625-545: The threatened steelhead , the rare Dudley's lousewort , the rare Santa Lucia fir , the California Coastal Redwood , and others. The council originally committed to preserve the camp as a "primitive area where the American boy can have the inestimable experience of untouched wilderness and unspoiled natural beauty." A conservation plan prepared for the camp in 1988 noted that the camp is located on
9800-651: The " Human Potential Movement ", and Gestalt therapy in the United States. Esalen is named after the Native Americans who congregated there at the natural hot springs possibly for thousands of years. Far from the coast within the Los Padres National Forest, the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center , accessible via a steep, narrow, 12-mile (19 km) dirt road, is only open to guests during the summer months. Big Sur
9975-427: The 1977 Marble-Cone Fire . It later sold about another 525 acres (212 ha) in the 1980s to the federal government for an unknown amount, reducing the camp to about 800 acres (320 ha). In 1990, the Monterey Bay Area Council executive board voted to sell the entire camp, resulting in considerable controversy and opposition. No buyer was found, and in 1992, the executive board voted in closed session to sell half of
10150-538: The 1980s, concerned parents, Scout leaders, and religious leaders may review the ceremony through a process set by the Order of the Arrow and parents can refuse for their child to take part in the ceremony as the membership is voluntary. Inducted members, known as Arrowmen or Brothers (regardless of gender; as BSA and its programs are open to all genders), are organized into local youth-led Lodges that harbor fellowship, promote camping, and render service to Boy Scout councils and their communities. Each lodge corresponds to
10325-515: The 2016 Soberanes Fire , fire fighters from Sierra Hotshots, Kings County, and the U.S. Forest Service successfully protected the camp as the fire burned around it. As some trees on the steep slopes above camp burned and threatened the camp, they were too dangerous to fell, so the Forest Service used explosives to blow up a half-dozen of them. The blaze destroyed about 10,000 feet (3,000 m) of water line and one small outbuilding. It burned
10500-437: The 350 acres (140 ha) wilderness parcel that is being sold separately will be funneled to the national council to help pay victims of sexual assault. Local councils are being required to contribute $ 515 million to the $ 2.7 billion fund. If the local council cannot sell the wilderness parcel, they can transfer the land to the national council. Money from the sale of the immediate camp property will be used to benefit members of
10675-580: The Arrow Conference (NOAC) is a multi-day event which usually takes place on a university campus, bringing together thousands of delegates from OA lodges around the nation for training and activities. NOACs are held every two years, with exceptions made to align the event with significant anniversaries. As a youth-led organization, these national conferences are organized and directed by the elected section and region youth officers, who serve on committees responsible for various conference aspects under
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#173280081785310850-688: The Arrow sponsors service groups to the four National High Adventure Bases that focus on conservation. Inspired by three gentlemen, Edward Pease, Eugene "Gene" Schnell and Marty Tschetter, who gathered at a leadership summit at Philmont Scout Ranch in 1979, the Order of the Arrow High Adventure program was established. It originally started with the Order of the Arrow Trail Crew at the Philmont Scout Ranch working to build new trails and repair old ones. This expanded to
11025-588: The Arrow, Boy Scouts of America" . oa-bsa.org . September 24, 2024 . Retrieved November 8, 2024 . </ref> As evident in the history of the Order of the Arrow , the organization started with a large influence of Freemasonry. In the 1930s, it underwent a replacement of the Masonic vocabulary to avoid offending religious groups, including the Catholic Church and some protestant denominations who have long-standing concerns with Freemasonry. Since then,
11200-786: The Arroyo Seco Trail. It provides access to Timber Top and Cold Spring Camp. It passes near the summit of Anderson Peak (4,099 feet (1,249 m)) and Marble Peak (4,031 feet (1,229 m)), and through to the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road and through connects to the Cone Peak Road. It is not open to vehicular traffic or bicycles. As of January 2018 , the trail is closed. Garrapata State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park all contain short hiking trails. As of January 2018 , almost all trails on
11375-486: The BSA's regions. As of 2021, following the Boy Scouts of America's restructuring of these areas, the OA changed their region boundaries, now having only two. Each region has an elected region chief, a volunteer adult who is appointed as the region chairman to oversee its region Committee, and an appointed professional (staff) adviser, forming a 'Key Three' much like the Lodge and chapter system described above. Each region chief
11550-405: The Big Sur region to include only the coastal flanks of the Santa Lucia Mountains , which at various points extend from 3 to 12 miles (5 to 19 km) inland. Some residents place the eastern border at the boundaries of the vast inland areas comprising the Los Padres National Forest, Ventana Wilderness, and Silver Peak Wilderness, or the unpopulated regions all the way to the eastern foothills of
11725-498: The Boy Scout camp area was on the border of the Rancho San Jose y Sur Chiquito land grant to the north and Rancho El Sur to the south. Pioneer Isaac N. Swetnam obtained a land patent for the property and surrounding area on February 1, 1894. Thomas W. Allen patented the land immediately to the west of Swetnam's claim, including the current location of the Little Sur River camp, on August 4, 1891. Harry E. Morton obtained
11900-531: The California Department of Fish and Game to plant additional specimens of the plant, but only after he obtained the council's permission for locations within the camp's boundaries. When the council rebuffed his efforts to plant new specimens within the camp, Kuska contacted the Center for Investigative Reporting in the summer of 2012. They wrote an article describing the prior council's actions at
12075-601: The California State Senate Environmental Quality Committee, who called the head of Fish and Game, Robert Hight. Hight, now a judge, commented, "We received political pressure from legislators all the time, but we always did the right thing." On June 3, the Monterey County Herald ran a story titled, "Scouts' summer fun dries up." A Department of Fish and Game deputy director contacted the supervisor of
12250-578: The Council Executive estimated that buying the land at that time would cost the council over $ 1 million, or nearly $ 68,670,000 in today's dollars. In about 1969, the ex-wife of Jules Kohefer, who had operated the Pico Blanco Hunting and Fishing Lodge near Launtz Ridge beginning before World War I, donated to the council 80 acres (32 ha) in the vicinity of Dani Ridge on the northeast slope of Pico Blanco that she had received in
12425-861: The Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The marathon was established in 1986 and attracts about 4,500 participants annually. Civic leaders in Big Sur stage a run each year in October to raise funds for the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Big Sur Health Center. Since the race, known as the Big Sur River Run, was founded in 1971, more than $ 1,025,104 has been donated to the two organizations. The run through
12600-545: The Masonic fraternal system: "In 1921 Wimachtendienk, W.W. (a common way at the time of referring to what we know as the Order of the Arrow) was ready to have a national structure. Patterned similar to the Freemasons, it was decided that each lodge would become a member of the Grand Lodge." "The usage of the term “Grand Lodge” appears to have come from the Masonic fraternal system that also calls their national organization
12775-401: The Monterey / San Luis Obispo count line is closed to the public. The Pine Ridge Trail (USFS 3E06) is the most popular hiking route into the Ventana Wilderness . Hikers can use it to access many campsites in the backcountry, including Ventana Camp, Terrace Creek, Barlow Flats, Sykes, and Redwood camps. When open, it is accessible from the Big Sur Station . The trail, connecting trails, and
12950-597: The Monterey National Forest by President Theodore Roosevelt in a presidential proclamation. This included portions of five sections of land containing the private inholding that is the current site of Camp Pico Blanco. In 1916, the Eberhard and Kron Tanning Company of Santa Cruz purchased most of the remaining land from the original homesteaders. They brought tanbark timber out on mules and crude wooden sleds known as "go-devils" to Notleys Landing at
13125-488: The National Chieftain. Similarly, the term “Degree” became “Honor” and the term “Password” became “Admonition”. The term “Manitou” referring to a deity was completely eliminated from ceremonies, this being done to satisfy religious groups concerns." The OA also recognizes and respects the right of any parent, Scout leader and religious leader to have questions about the OA and its safeguarded ceremonies prior to
13300-548: The Notley brothers, who harvested Redwood in the Santa Cruz area and expanded operations to include tanbark in the mountains around Palo Colorado Canyon. Swetnam married Ellen J. Lawson and bought the Notley home at the mouth of Palo Colorado Canyon for their residence. He also constructed two cabins and a small barn on his patent along the Little Sur River at the site of the future Pico Blanco camp. The original Protestant Chapel
13475-745: The OA Distinguished Service Award and other entertainment. In addition to training courses available at a NOAC or section conclave, the OA offers specialized leadership training as weekend events for members: Lodge Leadership Development (LLD), National Leadership Seminars (NLS), and National Lodge Adviser Training Seminar (NLATS). LLD is a one-day or two-day event conducted by a lodge to train their officers and advisers. NLS's are conducted by regions for lodge officers and advisers. Many lodges send key officers to receive training. Typically, each region schedules three or four NLS weekends annually, at geographically dispersed locations within
13650-761: The OA Song, commonly referred to by its first line of lyrics as "Firm Bound in Brotherhood", and titled "Order of the Arrow Official Song" and "The Order of the Arrow Song" in the printed music score of official OA publications. It was written in 1921 by OA founder E. Urner Goodman to the Russian hymn tune " God Save the Tsar! " (Боже, Царя храни!), composed by Alexei Lvov in 1833. The Order of
13825-418: The OA has grown to be an important part of the Boy Scouts of America throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. However, the debate about its relationship with Freemasonry is not over. Those who put forward this idea believe that the Order of the Arrow is still today a Masonic organization and has not shed its Masonic nature. Several articles have been published since the 1990s expending on this idea. They point to
14000-499: The OA's use of headdresses, face paint, eagle feathers, and dancing with a pipe, "downright offensive". After researching the OA and watching their ceremonies she said, "Use of these items by Boy Scouts indicates that there is very little understanding of the Native people they claim to admire and respect." American anthropologist John H. Moore , an expert on North American Indian ethnology, wrote in an essay published in 1998 that "of all
14175-430: The OA's various symbols and "rituals" as cultural appropriation based on non-Native stereotypes of American Indians . Its Freemason ties have also been source of debates, in spite of its systematic removal of masonic terminology in the 1930s to avoid offending religious groups. The Order of the Arrow was started as a Camp Fraternity by E. Urner Goodman , newly assigned Director of Treasure Island Scout Reservation on
14350-534: The Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch . It is a gathering place for locals and has become the focal point of individuals with a literary mind, a cultural center devoted to Miller's life and work, and a popular attraction for tourists. There are a few small, scenic beaches that are accessible to the public and popular for walking, but usually unsuitable for swimming, because of unpredictable currents, frigid temperatures, and dangerous surf. The beach at Garrapata State Park
14525-463: The Order of the Arrow as of August 2018. Unit elections of the OA are allowed in Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout units. There are three levels of membership: Honorary membership was once bestowed in special circumstances, as with Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower , but this practice was officially discontinued in 1953. The Order of the Arrow places great emphasis on being
14700-801: The Order of the Arrow implemented the OA Triple Crown Award in the summer of 2009, the OA began the OA Canadian Odyssey program which provided service similar to the OA Wilderness Voyage to the Quetico Provincial Park . In 2014, The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve began hosting the Order of the Arrow Summit Experience which gives service to the New River Gorge National River . The National Order of
14875-399: The Order of the Arrow is one element that "exemplifies the much larger phenomenon of 'playing Indian'...Boy Scouts, Eagle Scouts, Order of the Arrow. Order of Red Men. Campfire Girls. Woodcraft. Boston Tea Party. 'White Indians' – white New Agers as Native American 'wannabes.' ... To pursue the argument a step further, what is 'playing Indian,' 'playing Native,' 'playing an Other,' all about? It
15050-565: The Order of the Arrow was even part of Boy Scouts of America. During the Second Biennial Conference of the Boy Scout Executives in the debate about secrets societies within BSA camps by Dr. Tinney of Little Rock, AR stated this: I happen to be an ex-fraternity man. I have had experience where every boy in the camp is not given the opportunity - mind you I say the opportunity - to join that fraternity, which
15225-667: The Order. So the term “lodge” which is what Masons call their local groupings was replaced with the word “tribe”. Instead of Unami Lodge and Owasippe Lodge, they became Unami Tribe and Owasippe Tribe. Likewise the Masons use of the term “Grand” to describe their highest governing body was changed to “National”. Thus the OA’s Grand Lodge would become known as the National Tribe and the Grand Chieftain would become known as
15400-660: The Palo Colorado Fault, part of the San Gregorio-Hosgri Fault, a branch of the San Andreas Fault complex. The camp area is rated on a 1-6 scale at 6 for the potential for landslides and erosion. Portions of the narrow dirt road are on a steep slope and is vulnerable to slides. It was temporarily closed in 1967 and again in 1969 due to mudslides. In January 1978, the winter after the 1977 Marble-Cone Fire that burned entirely around
15575-605: The Santa Lucia Mountains. Author and local historian Jeff Norman considered Big Sur to extend inland to include the watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean. The name "Big Sur" has its origins in the area's early Spanish history . While the Portolá expedition was exploring Alta California , they arrived at San Carpóforo Canyon near present-day San Simeon on September 13, 1769. Unable to penetrate
15750-481: The Soberanes Fire. From north to south, the following state parks are in use: As of January 2018 , some trails and campsites within the following areas are closed, due to damage caused by the 2016 Soberanes Fire and the following winter's rains. During most summer weekends and on all major holidays, Big Sur is overwhelmingly crowded. Although some Big Sur residents catered to adventurous travelers in
15925-406: The area. Public transportation is available to and from Monterey on Monterey–Salinas Transit . The summer schedule operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day three times a day, while the winter schedule only offers bus service on weekends. The route is subject to interruption due to wind and severe inclement weather. There are only six gas stations along Highway 1 in Big Sur, from Ragged Point in
16100-624: The authority to control the construction of any type, including buildings, housing, roads, as well as fire and erosion abatement structures, and can issue fines for unapproved construction. The Coastal Zone is specifically defined by law as an area that extends from the State's seaward boundary of jurisdiction, and inland for a distance from the Mean High Tide Line of between a couple of hundred feet in urban areas, to up to five miles in rural areas. The Big Sur Local Coastal Plan, approved by
16275-586: The bathrooms are not visible from Highway 1. This is due in part to the fact that restroom signs along Highway 1 were removed for aesthetic reasons. As a result, visitors often resort to defecating in the bushes near locations like the Bixby Creek Bridge. Residents complain that visitors regularly defecate along Highway 1. Toilet paper, human waste, and trash litter the roadsides. Residents have taken it upon themselves to clean up after visitors. The California Department of Transportation, which cleans
16450-576: The busy summer season. Order of the Arrow The Order of the Arrow ( OA ), previously known as Wimachtendienk Wingolauchsik Witahemui ( WWW ) is the honor society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), composed of Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives as elected by their peers. Started as a Camp Fraternity by E. Urner Goodman , with the assistance of Carroll A. Edson , in 1915, its goal
16625-482: The camp property for $ 3 million, but once again no offers were received. In December 2012, the Santa Clara Council and the Monterey Bay Area Council were reunited after being separate councils since 1933. The merger announcement cited the expense of building the fish ladder and the Hayward Lodge Dining Hall, resulting in about $ 1 million in debt, along with declining membership, as contributing to
16800-412: The camp was first built include an administration building, Catholic Chapel, Presbyterian Chapel, quartermaster's building and trading post, health lodge, staff lodge, handicraft lodge, boat house, the original camp ranger's cabin, bridges, river fords , electrical system, and twelve campsites. The Presbyterian Chapel was built around a cabin constructed by Isaac N. Swetnam in the 1890s. The Catholic Chapel
16975-499: The camp was impacted by a change in state regulations governing seasonal dams on California rivers that affected the council's dam on the Little Sur River. The dam limits the ability of steelhead that frequent the river to swim upstream. An inspector found fault with how the council filled the dam and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration threatened to fine them up to $ 396,000. The council responded by installing
17150-455: The camp's use of those areas. The Little Sur River is prime habitat for the threatened South-Central California Coast Distinct Population Segment of steelhead . When the camp was constructed in 1955, the council built a seasonal, 11 feet (3.4 m) high, 75 feet (23 m) long concrete flash board dam on the river. When filled each summer, the dam creates a small recreational impoundment about 2 acres (0.81 ha) in size. In 1990,
17325-607: The camp, the lower elevation of the camp adjacent to the Little Sur River were flooded. The Trading Post and the Quartermaster Building, normally more than a 100 feet (30 m) from the river's edge, were in water up to 5 feet (1.5 m) deep. The Boathouse adjacent to the dam area was almost completely submerged. The floods also took out all of the foot bridges across the river which took the council several years to replace. The 2008 Basin Complex fire destroyed
17500-480: The camp. About 50% of the known population of the rare Dudley's lousewort is located within the camp's boundaries which led to some friction between the former council and environmentalists. The dominant features of the camp are the old growth Coastal Redwoods and the North Fork of the Little Sur River . Camp activities include aquatics, shooting sports at three ranges (archery, rifle, and shotgun shooting), handicraft, nature study, and Scoutcraft skills (including
17675-563: The camp. Kuska was then informed by lawyers representing the Monterey Bay Area Council that he could only visit the camp under supervision. But in September 2012 they declined to renew his Scouting membership without explanation, effectively expelling him from the organization. Kuska says his membership wasn't renewed because he was a whistle-blower and exposed the Scouts' environmental carelessness. Ron Schoenmehl, director of support services for
17850-632: The campsites along its route were closed during the Soberanes Fire in July 2016. They were damaged by the fire itself and further damaged by the heavy rains during the following winter. As of August 2017 , the trail was blocked by four major washouts and more than 100 fallen trees across the path. Reopening the trail will require an environmental assessment, and perhaps re-routing the trail entirely. The Mt. Manuel Trail (USFS 2E06) begins within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. It follows
18025-475: The ceremony itself under certain conditions. Elections to the Order of the Arrow have sparked controversy as being little more than popularity contests, especially in troops where Scouts attend the same schools and are friends outside of the troop. As such, deserving Scouts who are not popular among their troop mates frequently remain excluded from the Order of the Arrow. In larger troops, the election of younger Scouts almost never occurs since older Scouts dominate
18200-636: The coast 18 km (11 mi) distant. † Optional side-trip. Mileage not included in trek total. Note: the lat/lon values are provided for historical interest - many of these camp locations are not accurate Original facilities included the Bing Crosby Kitchen built with money donated by the Bing Crosby Fund , funded by the Bing Crosby Pro-Am Invitational . Other facilities also constructed when
18375-617: The coast were named El Rio Grande del Sur and El Rio Chiquito del Sur . The first recorded use of the name el Sud (meaning 'the South') was on a map of the Rancho El Sur land grant given by Governor José Figueroa to Juan Bautista Alvarado on July 30, 1834. The first American use of the name 'Sur' was by the United States Coast Survey in 1851, which renamed a point of land that looked like an island and
18550-402: The council chose to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the partnership because they indicated an interest in preserving its availability to Scouts. The camp is located at 800 feet (240 m) astride the North Fork of the Little Sur River , 11.3 miles (18.2 km) south of Carmel, California on Highway 1 , and south-east on Palo Colorado Road 13 miles (21 km). The camp
18725-410: The council chose to sell the camp due to damage to the roads caused by wildfires, making the camp inaccessible and unusable. He emphasized the decision was not driven by a need to raise funds to pay sexual-assault judgments , which has driven many councils to sell their camps. “Most specifically, we are not selling it for financial need, but because Scouts can’t use it.” However, proceeds from the sale of
18900-598: The council widened and deepened the impoundment basin behind the dam, and Assistant Council Executive Robert Lambert pleaded no contest to four violations of the Department of Fish and Game code prohibiting modifying the stream bed without a permit. In 2001, the California legislature enacted new regulations to protect steelhead that required the California Department of Fish and Game to inspect all recreational summer dams. In July 2001, Jonathan Ambrose,
19075-483: The council's financial problems and making it difficult to continue operations. In May 2016, the Palo Colorado Road into camp, and consequently the camp itself, was closed when Rocky Creek washed out a bridge and overflowed the road at milepost 3.3. The bridge was repaired in 2018 but numerous slideouts further south caused major damage. As of June 2023, Monterey County has not announced plans to repair
19250-509: The council's one-week-long National Youth Leadership Training program each summer. The western or right fork of the trail in Camp Pico Blanco climbs Launtz Ridge 11 miles (18 km) to a fork in the trail, where hikers can take the right fork to U.S. Forest Service campgrounds including Pico Blanco Campground, Pico Blanco Camp, and the Coast Road, or veer left 1.1 km (0.68 mi) to Launtz Creek Camp, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and
19425-426: The council, had previous experience with sensitive issues at a Scout camp. According to Schoenmehl, Kuska had been planting lousewort in new, high-traffic areas near the camp's generator, health lodge, and camping area without the council's permission, which his permit required him to obtain. Since the council is obligated to protect the plant wherever it grows, Schoenmehl said that lousewort in those areas would restrict
19600-512: The dam until the permit was complete, an environmental review was conducted, and a site visit was made. They had a number of inspections pending and told staff they could not inspect the camp's dam before their summer camp began. The Council wanted to fill the dam in time for their short, three-week summer camping season. When Fish and Game would not make an exception, the Council contacted California State Senator Bruce McPherson , Vice-Chairman of
19775-536: The day and found in the river bed below the dam 30 recently killed steelhead, stranded and suffocated. He reported that more were likely killed but had been eaten by raccoons and birds. Assistant Council Executive Ron Walsh commented, "Why the fish died is anybody's guess." Big Sur Big Sur ( / ˈ s ɜːr / ) is a rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of the U.S. state of California , between Carmel Highlands and San Simeon , where
19950-538: The depths of the Great Depression , the Monterey Bay Area Council was organized without camping facilities or suitable funds. In 1934, a makeshift Camp Wing was built within Big Sur State Park, but it was abandoned after the 1937 summer camping season. Camp Esselen was constructed the next year at another location within the Big Sur State Park. This site was improved until 1945, when limitations of
20125-547: The difficult terrain along the coast, they detoured inland through the San Antonio and Salinas Valleys before arriving at Monterey Bay , where they founded Monterey and named it the provincial capital. The Spanish referred to the vast and relatively unexplored coastal region to the south of Monterey as el país grande del sur , meaning 'the big country of the south'. This was often shortened to el sur grande 'the big south'. The two major rivers draining this portion of
20300-438: The divorce settlement. This steeply sloping piece of property included Redwood trees up to 11 feet (3.4 m) in diameter and raised the total acreage to 1,525 acres (617 ha). The original camp property extended about 2 miles (3.2 km) southward along the Little Sur River, almost to Fish Camp and just short of Jackson Camp. The Council sold 245 acres (99 ha) to the federal government for about $ 100,000 shortly after
20475-579: The early twentieth century, the modern tourist economy began when Highway 1 opened the region to automobiles in 1937, but only took off after World War II-era gasoline rationing and a ban on pleasure driving ended in August 1945. Big Sur has become a destination for travelers both within the United States and internationally. The number of visitors to Big Sur has risen from about 1.5 million in 1978, to about 3 million in 1980, to an estimated 4 to 5 million during 2014 and 2015, comparable to or greater than
20650-417: The east side of Highway 1 in these parks are closed due to the Soberanes Fire and damage sustained during heavy rains the following winter. Some trails west of Highway 1 are open. Among the places that draw visitors is the once counterculture, later upscale Esalen Institute . Esalen hosted many figures of the nascent " New Age " and, in the 1960s, played an important role in popularizing Eastern philosophies,
20825-554: The effort. Paul became the first camp ranger where he and his wife lived for 10 years. They persuaded the US Army to loan the services of the United States Army Corps of Engineers . The Army helped build the road from a local area on Palo Colorado Road known as "The Hoist" to Bottchers Gap (2,050 feet (620 m)), the site of former homesteader John Bottcher's home from about 1885 to 1900. From Bottcher's Gap,
21000-685: The entire Little Sur River watershed upstream of the camp, and downstream as far as the Old Coast Road. The fire contributed to erosion problems during the 2016-17 winter. Several portions of the Palo Colorado road were washed out during heavy rains in February 2017 closing off access to the camp. On July 9, 2013, the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America inspected the camp and found only two deficiencies, one related to
21175-645: The first festival. The festival was held yearly on the grounds of the Esalen Institute, except for 1970, when it was held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. Even when well-known acts like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young or the Beach Boys performed, the event was purposefully kept small with no more than a few thousand in attendance. The state parks in Big Sur grew out of the original residents' desire to protect and preserve
21350-525: The following winter. Monterey County has been unable to budget the funds required to fix the road. In April 2022, the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council announced that the 18 acres (7.3 ha) camp and its buildings were for sale for $ 1.8 million, and also offered an adjacent 350 acres (140 ha) of undeveloped wilderness for $ 1.6 million. The camp vicinity is an ecologically diverse and sensitive environment containing
21525-447: The highly restrictive development plans enforced in Big Sur; no billboards or advertisements are permitted along the highway and signage for businesses must be modestly scaled and of a rural nature conforming to the Big Sur region. The state of California designated the 72-mile (116 km) section of the highway from Cambria to Carmel Highlands as the first California Scenic Highway in 1965. In 1966, First Lady Lady Bird Johnson led
21700-549: The history and traditions of the Native American tribes indigenous to the areas the lodge serves, but use of Native American sacred objects by non-Native groups such as the Boy Scouts has been condemned by Native activists. Mother of former Scouts Ozheebeegay Ikwe writes, "While native children in residential schools had their culture and language beaten from them, the Boy Scouts were using the language and their version of 'Indian culture' in their OA ceremony." She called
21875-483: The history of the OA and the current similarities that persist between Freemasonry and the present-day Order of the Arrow in its organization, secret ceremonies, and other rituals: The Order of the Arrow has not addressed directly the question of its present ties to Freemasonry. But on its official website, the OA does not shy away from its past by using the old Masonic terminology similar in a historical context and acknowledging that this terminology may well have come from
22050-424: The individual charged with enforcing the permit, and soon afterward Fish and Game changed its mind and allowed the council to fill the dam without the required permits. On July 8, 2002, the camp staff began installing the flash boards to fill the dam. A fisheries service special agent videotaped the flash board installation and found the Council did not have the required water flow gauge installed and had not retained
22225-504: The institutions in American society, the Boy Scouts of America have probably done the most damage in miseducating the public about Native American cultures...[the] Order of the Arrow annually initiates thousands of boys into the martial, romantic version of Indian culture through ceremonies drawn from the writings of Longfellow and James Fenimoore Cooper". David Prochaska, professor in the University of Illinois History Department states
22400-524: The land they admired. "The early settlers considered land stewardship their obligation to the community." The first was Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. John Pfeiffer, son of pioneers Michael Pfeiffer and Barbara Laquet, was offered $ 210,000 for his land near Sycamore Canyon by a Los Angeles developer, who wanted to build a subdivision on the land. Instead, Pfeiffer sold 700 acres (2.8 km2) to the state of California in 1933. As of January 2018 , portions of most of these parks are closed due to after effects of
22575-489: The last 3.6 miles (5.8 km) of single lane dirt road traverses extremely steep terrain, requiring four hair-pin switchbacks over 2 miles (3.2 km) of road. The entire road into the central camp area was completed in the summer of 1951. Construction of the central buildings and water systems began in 1953 and the camp was dedicated on May 31, 1954. The council turned over the 4.4 miles (7.1 km) road from The Hoist to Bottcher's Gap to Monterey County in 1958. In 1963,
22750-463: The later twentieth century and beyond, the Order of the Arrow has been protested and criticized for engaging in cultural appropriation and spreading stereotypes of, and racism against, Native Americans . Protester concerns include OA's imitation of Native American ceremonies, regalia, and artwork they consider to be offensive. The Chief Seattle Council of the BSA has written that modern ceremonies conducted by each OA lodge are "influenced by"
22925-477: The laws. Residents began discussing the potential necessity of shuttle buses, tollgates along Highway 1, and limits on the number of private autos allowed on the highway in 1978. One of the reasons for Big Sur's popularity is that it is only a one-day drive for about 7 million people. With the advent of social media , hashtags like "#sykeshotsprings" and "#pineridgetrail", two popular destinations within Big Sur, encourage more visitors. Visitors must pay $ 15 for
23100-513: The leadership of the conference vice-chief. Events include training for programs, leadership and American Indian culture; competitions in athletics, ceremonies, cooking and American Indian dances; and exhibits on OA history, outdoor activities, and camping. There are also opportunities to talk with national leaders, perform service work and trade patches. Evening shows have different themes, including American Indian culture and recognition of dance competition winners, presentations of awards including
23275-630: The level of membership on the Scout uniform. The pocket flap is sewn permanently to the shirt pocket itself and is worn even in casual settings while the ribbon or the sash are only used in more formal settings. There are four ceremonies following the Unit Elections of OA candidates: The requirements to take part in the ceremonies are public but the content of the ceremonies are considered safeguarded and not to be shared with non-members without proper vetting. Awards are separate and distinct from
23450-648: The local council. On June 26, 2022, the White Stag Leadership Development Academy, the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, and Camp Krem Camping Unlimited, calling themselves the Pico Blanco Partners, submitted a proposal to the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council to acquire the 18 acres (7.3 ha) parcel containing Camp Pico Blanco. Other groups had also submitted proposals and offered larger amounts, but
23625-492: The manner in which they are conducted as well as the inconsistent nature in which they are performed." In 2019, the rules were changed: "Scouts will no longer be allowed to dress up as 'Indians' and incorporate Native American motifs into two of the order's more important ceremonies", according to the Voice of America , which noted also that "in spite of complaints from tribes across the country, Scouts continue to dress in 'Redface,'
23800-569: The membership levels of Ordeal and Brotherhood. Awards available through the Order of the Arrow include: The national OA committee also sponsors various national service opportunities, the oldest of which is the National OA Service Corps at the national Scout jamborees , at which Arrowmen have helped with many functions including shows and the Outdoor Adventure Program exhibit. Ceremonies also utilize
23975-462: The modern world but still accessible through ritual and its accompanying objects." Goodman and Edson established the OA at Treasure Island Scout Reservation as a Scouting honor society "based on a loose interpretation of" Hiawatha and the novel The Last of the Mohicans . Inductions of new OA members at Treasure Island involved OA members meeting around bonfires in "ritual Indian costume". In
24150-504: The most inaccessible areas of California and the entire United States until, after 18 years of construction, the Carmel–San Simeon Highway (now signed as part of State Route 1) was completed in 1937. Along with the ocean views, this winding, narrow road, often cut into the face of towering seaside cliffs, dominates the visitor's experience of Big Sur. The highway has been closed more than 55 times by landslides , and in May 2017,
24325-416: The most restrictive local-use programs in the state, and is widely regarded as one of the most restrictive documents of its kind anywhere. The program protects viewsheds from the highway and many vantage points, and severely restricts the density of development. About 60% of the coastal region is owned by governmental or private agencies which do not allow any development. The majority of the interior region
24500-595: The mouth of Palo Colorado Canyon, where it was loaded via cable onto ships anchored offshore. William Randolph Hearst was interested in preserving the uncut, abundant redwood forest, and on November 18, 1921, he purchased the land from the tanning company for about $ 50,000. From 1927 to 1934, area Boy Scouts from the Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey Bay Council #55 camped at Camp Totocano, located in Swanton, north of Davenport in Santa Cruz county. In April 1933, in
24675-610: The name of their post office from Arbolado to Big Sur, and the rubber stamp using that name was returned on March 6, 1915, cementing the use of Big Sur as the place name. The section of Highway 1 running through Big Sur is widely considered one of the most scenic driving routes in the United States, if not the world. The views are one reason that Big Sur was ranked second among all United States destinations in TripAdvisor 's 2008 Travelers' Choice Destination Awards. The unblemished natural scenery owes much of its preservation to
24850-433: The national level, the OA is headed by the National Order of the Arrow committee of which the national chief and national vice chief are voting members. The national adult leadership includes the volunteer national chairman and the OA director, a professional Scouter. Today, the Order of the Arrow is famous within BSA for its uniform symbols. There are two types of symbols: The lodge membership often takes center stage over
25025-522: The new residence for the camp ranger on a ridge alongside the entrance road, the camp's climbing wall, the shooting range, portions of the water system, and the COPE course . The council was forced to divert Scouts to another location for that summer. Scouting volunteers applied for a grant from The Central California Friends of NRA , who contributed a $ 55,000 grant towards repairing the range in 2012. Volunteers contributed many hours over several years to rebuild
25200-504: The new, yet to be trained camp ranger and the other in the camp's conservation program. But they noted that specific plans for improvement were already in place. The inspection noted that the merger of the Monterey Bay Area and Santa Clara County Council had produced "very positive and noticeable changes for this camp." The council also sought an inspection by the state Division of Forestry which found no violations, and arranged
25375-440: The number of visitors to Yosemite National Park . Unlike Yosemite, which is managed by a single federal entity, about one-quarter of the land in Big Sur is privately owned and the remainder is managed by a conglomeration of federal, state, local, and private agencies. Yosemite offers 5,400 parking spots and a free, daily, park-wide bus service. In Big Sur during the summer, there is a single public bus that runs three times daily and
25550-400: The ocean. The waterfall is located near the foundation of a grand stone cliffside house built in 1940 by Lathrop and Hélène Hooper Brown which was the region's first electrified home. However, parking is very limited and usually unavailable on summer weekends and holidays. Another notable landmark is Point Sur Lightstation , the only complete nineteenth century lighthouse complex open to
25725-495: The official scenic road designation ceremony at Bixby Creek Bridge . In 1996, the road became one of the first designated by the federal government as an "All-American Road" under the National Scenic Byways Program. CNN Traveler named McWay Falls as the most beautiful place in California. The drive along Highway 1 has been described as "one of the best drives on Earth", and is considered one of
25900-428: The other Scouts are surprised certain Scouts are never elected. OA Representatives organizing the elections are requested to read the following statement to the troop: An Order of the Arrow election is not a popularity contest. We ask you not to vote for a Scout just because they are your friend, or because they are a good athlete, or because they are older. We ask you to vote for those you believe are best at following
26075-511: The public in California. The Ventana Wildlife Center near Andrew Molera State Park features a free Discovery Center that enables visitors to learn about the California Condor recovery program and other wildlife. The Henry Miller Memorial Library is a nonprofit bookstore and arts center that opened in 1981 as a tribute to the writer. Miller lived in Big Sur from 1944 to February 1963 and wrote about Big Sur in his book Big Sur and
26250-408: The public include Point Sur Beach, a long sandy beach located below and to the north of Point Sur Lighthouse. There is a small beach at Rocky Point that is surrounded by private property, making it inaccessible. The beach at the foot of McWay falls is physically inaccessible from the shore. To the south near the county line, Wreck Beach south of Pfeiffer Beach is not accessible. Gamboa Point Beach near
26425-416: The purchase. The council spent about $ 500,000 in improvements, including $ 200,000 to build a 8 miles (13 km) road into the camp area. Walter Tavernetti led construction of the 8 miles (13 km) road from Turner Creek to the future camp location. Paul Harlan, a member of a Big Sur pioneer family, had just returned from Oregon where he had farmed for several years. He learned of the project and joined in
26600-438: The ranch maintains a secure fence and has prominently posted "Private Property" and "No Trespassing" signs on the fence along Highway 1 as suggested by legal precedent. While the beach below the mean high tide line is open to the public, the law does not permit individuals to trespass on private property to reach the public beach. Individuals who trespass to reach the beach have been cited. Other beaches that are inaccessible to
26775-475: The range. The grant was the largest awarded to any group by the NRA friends in the Central California area. After the fire, the council obtained a permit to cut 38 old-growth redwood trees, some more than 200 years old, that endangered the camp property and participants. After removing some of the trees as permitted, they cut another of these trees in 2011 after the permit expired, violating the original permit. During
26950-468: The redwoods was canceled in 2016 due to the Soberanes Fire and in 2017 due to winter storms. The Big Sur Folk Festival was held from 1964 to 1971. It began unintentionally when Nancy Carlen, a friend of singer Joan Baez , organized a weekend seminar at the Esalen Institute in June 1964 titled "The New Folk Music". On Sunday afternoon, they invited all the neighbors for a free, open performance. This became
27125-540: The region have gradually expanded north and south over time. Esther Pfeiffer Ewoldson, who was born in 1904 and was a granddaughter of Big Sur pioneers Michael and Barbara Pfeiffer, wrote that the region extended from the Little Sur River 23 miles (37 km) south to Slates Hot Springs . Members of the Harlan Family, who homesteaded the Lucia region 9 miles (14 km) south of Slates Hot Springs, said that Big Sur
27300-451: The region. NLATS is a training event for adults, usually held in conjunction with an NLS and conducted by regions, on the role of advisers in the OA. Largely considered the adult equivalent of the NLS program, NLATS's primary objective was to provide advanced training to adults in each lodge. NLATS and NLS usually happened concurrently on the same weekend. The events were planned and executed by
27475-555: The road. After four years and with no prospect of reopening the camp, the Silicon Valley Council put the camp up for sale in April 2022. They offered the land in three parcels: a 368 acres (149 ha) section containing Camp Pico Blanco and the immediate area for $ 1.8 million, and two additional parcels totaling an additional 350 acres (140 ha) of wilderness for $ 1.6 million. The listing included "approximately 20 buildings totaling ±22,525 square feet. They include
27650-829: The roadside areas about once a week, finds human waste during every cleanup. Butch Kronlund, executive director of the Coast Property Owners Association, criticized the lack of restrooms. He says, "It's a 'scenic highway' with piles of shit up and down the highway." The 1976 California Coastal Act makes installing public bathrooms, trash bins, or even new road signs along Highway 1 extremely difficult. Several federal, state, and local agencies have jurisdiction in Big Sur, all of which must weigh in on decisions affecting residents and visitors. The land use restrictions that preserve Big Sur's natural beauty also mean that visitor accommodations are limited, often expensive, and places to stay fill up quickly during
27825-426: The same conference. Today, the Order of the Arrow provides guidance to OA leaders in an effort to mitigate this issue. The OA Unit Election Handbook covers this in their Frequently Asked Questions: How do you keep the elections from being a popularity contest? Some Scouts who meet the requirements and definitely have the qualities of a true Scout are not elected. They meet the qualifications year after year. Even
28000-491: The section and national level in 2025. The practice will remain open at the local level until January 1, 2026. At that time, "only lodges that have a formal relationship established with a state or federally recognized tribe in their area may engage in American Indian programming." Additional guidance on this last item will be distributed by December 2024 and additional training will be issued throughout 2025. "Policy Update: Changes Regarding American Indian Programming | Order of
28175-469: The site of the former Catholic Chapel. The former Monterey Bay Area Council was criticized for damaging the environment necessary to sustain the plant, which is protected by the California Native Plant Protection Act, the California Environmental Quality Act and the Little Sur River Protected Waterway Management Plan. The current Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council has invited naturalists and others to review their stewardship policies and actions. The species
28350-406: The site, closeness to public camping facilities, and jurisdictional conflicts between the Scouts and the state forced the council to request reimbursement from the state for $ 8,000 in improvements. The council continued to use the camp through August 1953. In 1952, construction began on Camp Pico Blanco, and in 1954 with the opening of Camp Pico Blanco, Camp Esselen was finally closed. Camp Pico Blanco
28525-564: The south to Carmel Highlands in the north. Three of them are in the north near Big Sur Valley. The gas station at the Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant offers a steep discount to local residents. The filling station in Gorda has one of the highest prices in the United States, as it is far from the electrical grid and part of the cost of auto fuel is used to support the operation of a diesel generator. All of them only operate during regular business hours and none of them supply diesel fuel. There are three Tesla recharging stations near Posts. It's
28700-408: The summer, a shuttle operates from the US Forest Service headquarters to the beach. The wide sandy expanse offers views of a scenic arch rock offshore. It is sometimes confused with the beach at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to the south. In the south, Sand Dollar Beach is the longest stretch of beach in Big Sur. It is popular with hikers and photographers for its views of nearby bluffs. The beach
28875-411: The three levels of the Order: Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil. These ceremonies are usually for recognition of leadership qualities, camping skills, and other Scouting ideals as exemplified by their elected peers. Influenced by Scout camp customs, the OA uses "safeguarded" (privy only to members and legitimately interested adults) symbols, handshakes, and private rituals to impart a sense of community. Since
29050-454: The top 10 motorcycle rides in the United States. Highway 1 was named the most popular drive in California in 2014 by the American Automobile Association . The region receives as many as and sometimes more visitors than Yosemite National Park . Unlike the national park managed by a single entity, the Big Sur region is ruled over by multiple government and private land owners, offers only occasional bus service, limited parking, few restrooms, and
29225-482: The troop leadership and will frequently only elect their peers rather than Scouts who are several years younger. The Chairman of the Order of the Arrow acknowledged in 2011 that elections were a challenge, and that steps had been taken for adult leaders to make a greater effort to convey the serious nature of Order of the Arrow membership to members of the troop. This concern about Fraternities being cliques and excluding some had already been brought up back in 1922 before
29400-481: The winter, the road is frequently closed due to washouts and slides. Despite its popularity, the region is heavily protected to preserve the rural and natural character of the land. The entire Big Sur coast is located within the protected coastal zone established by the 1976 California Coastal Act . This includes land use within a defined "coastal zone" extending inland from 3,000 ft (910 m) up to 5 mi (8.0 km). The California Coastal Commission has
29575-487: Was "miles and miles to the north of us." Prior to the construction of Highway 1, residents on the south coast had little contact with residents to the north of them. Most descriptions of the area refer to Malpaso Creek 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of the Carmel River as the northern border. The southern border is generally accepted to be San Carpóforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County . The vast majority of visitors only see Big Sur's dramatic coastline and consider
29750-498: Was a requirement from the Boy Scouts of America who wished to not offend the religious groups that represented almost half of their charter organizations at the time and this needed to happen before the OA could be fully integrated in BSA. By 1948, two-thirds of the BSA's councils had OA Lodges. That same year, it announced at the 1948 NOAC that the Order of the Arrow was integrated as an official part of Boy Scouts of America Program. More than 160,000 youth and adults are members of
29925-412: Was built in 1955 around one of the Swetnam cabins. In October 1905, the land that now makes up the Los Padres National Forest , including the South Fork and portions of the upper reaches of the North Fork of the Little Sur River watershed, were withdrawn from public settlement by the United States Land Office. On January 9, 1908, 39 sections of land, totaling 25,000 acres (10,000 ha), were added to
30100-409: Was damaged by a falling tree and was demolished. In the 1970s, the council erected a warehouse in the vicinity of the original rangers cabin, about .5 miles (0.80 km) outside of the main camp. A new circular, glass-enclosed ranger residence was built about 1 mile (1.6 km) outside of camp on a short ridge spur alongside the entrance road in the mid-1970s. The Staff Lodge was slightly damaged by
30275-522: Was named for 19th-century Stanford University botanist William Dudley . It only grows at the base of Douglas fir trees, relying on the tree's fungal network to obtain water, nitrogen and phosphorus. Fewer than 10 locations are known to support the plant, and the site within the camp contains about 50% of the known specimens. Monterey County cited the former Monterey Bay Area Council in 1989 for their "repeated destruction of Dudley's lousewort and its habitat." Eagle Scout and science teacher Kim Kuska, who as
30450-447: Was shaped like a trumpet, known to the Spanish as Morro de la Trompa and Punta Que Parece Isla , to Point Sur . Big Sur's first post office was named "Posts" after William Brainard Post , in whose home it was located. He had obtained a patent to land at the top of the grade south of the Big Sur River, where he built a home in 1867. The English-speaking homesteaders petitioned the United States Post Office in Washington D.C. to change
30625-414: Was to reinforce the Scout Oath and the Scout Law . Started without approval of Boy Scouts of America (BSA), it became an "Official Experiment" of the Scouting organization. In 1948, following an extensive review, it officially became a program of Boy Scouts of America. While the OA is not a secret organization, it is an organization with "safeguarded" rituals. There are three main secretive ceremonies for
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