Topa Topa Lodge

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Topa Topa Lodge #291, Order of the Arrow - r

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America for Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Scouters elected by their fellow Scouts according to OA membership requirements, and inducted into membership by an OA lodge. The OA has been providing cheerful service to others through youth and adult OA members (known as "Arrowmen") in various lodges and councils throughout the USA since July 1915.

Lodge History

Many years ago the Chumash Indians roamed the forests and hunted game in the bountiful Ojai Valley. When a bad omen came to the tribe, the great spirit sent two white gophers to chief Matilija. The gophers instructed the chief and his people to perform acts of unselfish service and sacrifice. Chief Matilija perished in a great calamity, but with the acts of service and devotion done, the great spirit sent chief Topa Topa to the Chumash to save the worthy people from an evil horde. In the 1920’s the spirit of unselfish service was rekindled at Ventura County Council’s Camp Grey. There, the “Tribe of Matilija” was founded as the honor camping organization of the council. The tribe had as its purpose to promote camping at Camp Grey. The Order of the Arrow in Ventura County was established in June of 1944, when ceremonies were conducted during the Camp-O-Ral at Steckel Park to induct 13 selected scouts as charter members of Topa Topa Lodge #291 of the Order of the Arrow. Thus the Order of the Arrow came to replace the “Tribe of Matilija.” The new lodge took its name from the legendary Chief Topa Topa.


Ventura County Council

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This district is part of The Ventura County Council (VCC), headquartered in Camarillo, California, and serves youth members and volunteer leaders through Scout units Covers Ventura County. It is a local council (#057) of the Boy Scouts of America. All youth are invited to join scouting.