Tribe of Tahquitz
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The Tribe of Tahquitz is one of the few surviving 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 Idyllwild, California in 1925. It consisted of 15 honor Scouts who were chosen to start and maintain a perpetual volunteer summer camp staff at Camp Tahquitz.
To keep active during the winter months, the tribe has developed an extensive Indian Lore, backpacking and service program. These programs benefit the Long Beach Area Council and surrounding community and give the tribesmen unique youth leadership experience.
The tribe is particularly known for the Indian lore ceremonies that it's members perform throughout the year at Scouting and civic group meetings. A great sense of dedication and many traditions has been developed throughout the 80-plus year history of the organization. The tribe exists only in the Long Beach Area Council.
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[edit] Officers
The Tribe of Tahquitz is run by five elected officers with each serving a one year term.
[edit] Chief
The chief is the chief executive officer of the tribe, and is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all the Tribe's activities. He is the tribe's spokesperson and main connection to the Scout units in the Long Beach Area Council, and in the community. In addition the chief is also responsible for working closely with the camp director to ensure a successful summer camp season.
[edit] Little Chief
Assisting the chief, and assuming the responsibilities of the chief in his absence, is the little chief. The other main responsibilities are to be the editor-in-chief of The Runner and oversee the tribe's Neophyte program. The Runner is the tribe's newsletter, which is published regularly and is filled with articles by the tribesmen, news about upcoming events, and other features of interests.
[edit] Medicine Man
The medicine man is primarily responsible for the Indian lore program of the tribe. For many decades now, the tribe has studied a variety Native American tribes. He also coordinates the tribe's powwows, workshops and induction.
[edit] Mountain Man
The tribe also promotes camping and outdoor activities. The mountain man duties include promoting Camp Tahquitz to Scouts whose troops have signed up to go to summer camp. Also, he assists the chief and the council with camporees, backpacking trips, rock climbing and other activities.
[edit] Keeper of the Tally
The keeper of the tally is the financial officer of the tribe, and works with the business manager to maintain the tribe's accounts and records. He also assists the officers in the preparation of an annual budget and is responsible for all saleable supplies.
[edit] Membership Requirements
To be eligible for membership, a Scout must:
- be at least 14 by December 31 of the year in which they apply
- hold the rank of First Class or above
- have earned two of the following merit badges: Backpacking, Camping, Cooking, Hiking, Wilderness Survival;
- have at least two long-term camping experiences, one of which must be at Camp Tahquitz.
[edit] Tribe of Tahquitz membership invitation
Near the end of the week of summer camp that a troop attends, the tribe 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, those Scouts are offered an invitation to join the Tribe. The tribe announces and invites its new tribesmen at the Friday night awards campfire.
In order to become regular members, tribesmen must complete the annual induction ceremony held at Camp Tahquitz over Labor Day weekend.
