L.A.'s Scouting troops lost their camp in the Palisades. Now they're working to heal the land

"The Palisades fire roared down the canyon 11 months ago, destroying the historic lodge and its Hogwarts-like interior (albeit without the "flying balls," Copen noted), a smattering of cabins and the trading post where Scouts would buy candies and memorabilia. Weeks later, heavy rains sent mud and debris careening into the canyon, burying sections of the camp in feet of dirt."

"On Saturday, he was one of about four dozen Scouts, parents and regional Scouting leaders that headed to camp for the first time since the fire, picked up some tools and got dirty. It was a humble and cautious start: remove some of the invasive species that were taking advantage of the open soil and dig out the camp's veterans memorial that the mudslides had partially covered."

Camp Josepho, a 110-acre Scouting camp in the Santa Monica Mountains, suffered severe damage in the Palisades fire that roared down the canyon months earlier. The historic lodge, with a Hogwarts-like interior, several cabins and the trading post were destroyed, and subsequent heavy rains sent mud and debris that buried sections of the camp in feet of dirt. Scouts, parents and regional leaders returned about 11 months later to begin restoration work, removing invasive species and uncovering a veterans memorial. The effort provided a chance to mourn losses, reconnect with peers and give back to an accessible city-adjacent haven owned by the Western Los Angeles County Council.

Read at Los Angeles Times