Tribe of Tahquitz

Tahquitz Community
Camp Tahquitz staff 1996
Age range14-21 years old
LocationLong Beach, CA & Barton Flats, CA
CountryUnited States
Founded1925; 99 years ago (1925)
Current ArchonBrandon Cruz (2024-25)
First Big ChiefRandolph Richards
AffiliationLong Beach Area Council
Website
www.tribeoftahquitz.org
Staff Dress Uniform
 Scouting portal

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.