Trails Council & Newbury Park Boy Scout Troop 730 Project

In the Spring of 2014, the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council and Boy Scout Troop 730 of Newbury Park teamed up to restore the La Jolla Valley “Hike-in” Campground, destroyed in the Springs Fire.

As the Springs Fire swept through Point Mugu State Park in April 2013, the popular La Jolla Valley “Hike-in” Campground was almost completely destroyed. Seven of ten picnic tables, an interpretive kiosk and most signage were destroyed. Fortunately, the recently installed, pit toilet survived without any noticeable damage. While the larger Oak trees seem to have survived, almost all of the smaller trees and brush were consumed. Prior to the restoration, the campground was not a very inviting sight.

Trails Council members and State Parks employees surveyed the damage and developed an overall plan to rehabilitate the facility. The plan was submitted to, and approved by local State Park Officials. The Trails Council committed to spend up to $10,000 to purchase equipment and materials for the restoration. Four Eagle Scout candidates from Troop 730 committed to perform the labor for the project with four separate sub projects. The project restored eight individual campsites and two group campsites. Three other campsites, which were located on an archeological site will be abandoned and the sites restored to a natural state. Nine new picnic tables were purchased and installed, while three surviving tables were repaired. New, metal food storage boxes were attached to each of the tables. A new information kiosk and new signage were installed and trails throughout the campground were repaired. Trash and debris left from the fire were removed.

The four Eagle Scout candidates worked together to parse the overall project into four sub-projects of approximate equal size. Each Scout was responsible for planning his own project, including recruiting volunteers to assist in the work. The Eagle Scout also organized his team and supervised it to project completion. Each of the sup-projects was accomplished on a different weekend.

The first of the four sub projects was completed in late May and the final project completed in mid-July. Prior to completion of the project, numerous campers were observed using the facility.

The Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing and maintain the public trail system in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. While the Trails Council frequently donates money for specific projects to the local park agencies, it’s volunteer trail crew contributes several thousand volunteer hours to maintaining the trails ever year.

Boy Scout Troop 730 was established in Newbury Park in 1967. Currently, it is sponsored by St. Matthew's United Methodist Church. Since its founding more than 40 years ago, Troop 730 has seen the involvement of more than 1,000 Scouts and Scouters. The Troop has also been the nest for over 90 Eagle Scouts.