| Type: | Organization |
| Tahquitz Community | |
| Age: | 14-21 years old |
| Location: | Long Beach, CA & Barton Flats, CA |
| Country: | United States |
| Chiefscouttitle2: | First Big Chief |
| Chiefscout2: | Randolph Richards |
| Chiefscouttitle: | Current Archon |
| Chiefscout: | Grant Zandvliet (2023-24) |
| Affiliation: | Long Beach Area Council |
| Gender: | Male |
| Color Body: | 306980 |
| Pattern Body: | shirt short sleeves |
| Pattern Head: | barehead |
| Color Legs: | 67684d |
| Pattern Legs: | trousers |
| Uniform Caption: | Staff Dress Uniform |
The Tahquitz Community is one of a few local Boy Scout honor societies in the United States that have not been absorbed by the Order of the Arrow. The organization was created in 1925 and consisted of 15 honor Scouts who were chosen to start and maintain a perpetual volunteer summer camp staff at Camp Tahquitz. The history of the Tribe/Community is intertwined with that of the two camps that they have inhabited making one inseparable from the other.
To keep active during the winter months, the organization has developed an extensive Indian Lore, backpacking and service program. These programs benefit the Long Beach Area Council and surrounding community and give the members unique youth leadership experience. This Indian Lore program was retired during the 2020 season. The "Tribe of Tahquitz" was also renamed to the "Tahquitz Community" in an attempt to change direction by community leadership. In place of the Indian Lore program has been installed a mountaineer program focusing on early 19th century fur trapping, though this program has been slow to get off the ground it does have general support.
The organization is particularly known for the Indian lore ceremonies that its members perform throughout the year at Scouting and civic group meetings. A great sense of dedication and many traditions has been developed throughout the near 100 year history of the organization. The Tahquitz Community exists only in the Long Beach Area Council, but has many "out of council" members, from California to New York, and beyond.
The Tahquitz Community is run by five elected officers with each serving a one-year term.[1] The officers are elected each year at the annual meeting held right after induction, usually taking place in the bowl on the Monday of Labor Day weekend
Archon: The Archon is the chief executive officer, and is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all the Community's activities. They are the organization's spokesperson and main connection to the Scout units in the Long Beach Area Council and the community. In addition, the Archon is also responsible for working closely with the camp director to ensure a successful summer camp season.
Minor Archon: The Minor Archon assists the Archon, and assumes the responsibilities of the Archon in their absence. They are the editor-in-chief of The Runner and also oversee the Community's Neophyte program. The Runner is the organization's newsletter, which is published regularly and is filled with articles by the members, news about upcoming events, and other features of interests. The Neophyte Program is made up of honor scouts who are 13 but have not yet turned 14 (being ineligible for membership). The Minor Archon is responsible to host events "down the hill" (in Long Beach) to drum up interest amongst the Neophytes in the hope that they will come back and spend a week on staff as staff in training (SIT).
Envoy: The Envoy is primarily responsible for the Indian lore program of the Community. For many decades, the organization has studied a variety Native American tribes. They also coordinate the Community's powwows, workshops and induction. The Envoy's after the name change in 2020 the Envoy's duties have been transitioned to supporting the Frontiersmen theme that the community has adopted.
Mountaineer: The Community also promotes camping and outdoor activities. The Mountaineer's duties include promoting Camp Tahquitz to Scouts whose troops have signed up to go to summer camp. They also assist the Archon and the council with camporees, backpacking trips, rock climbing, the Venturing program and other activities.
Keeper: The Keeper is the financial officer of the Community and works with the business manager to maintain the Community's accounts, records, and supplies. They also assist the other officers in the preparation of an annual budget and is responsible for all saleable supplies.
To be eligible for membership, a Scout must:[2]
Near the end of the week of summer camp that a troop attends, the youth camp staff, along with scoutmasters present in camp, meets at Tribe Rock. There they discuss all of the Scouts present in camp who are truly “Honor Scouts.” Then, after a democratic vote by any and all youth members present (mostly that year's current youth camp staff), those Scouts who are deemed worthy are offered an invitation to join. The Community announces and invites its new members at the Friday night awards campfire.[3]
In order to become regular members, they must complete the annual induction ceremony held at Camp Tahquitz over Labor Day weekend. All regular members have the right to hold office and vote on Community business. At the annual meeting following their 21st birthday, youth Members become "Honorary" members. They provide valuable service to the Community as advisers, but can no longer vote or hold office.[4]
The Long Beach Area Council did not have an Order of the Arrow lodge for many years, but used only the camping honor society, The Tahquitz Community. The Tahquitz Community will continue and has not ended, but on May 19, 2012, the Long Beach Area Council started an Order of the Arrow lodge. A number of councils have both OA and local camping honor societies.[5]