For decades, the Bob Parker Scout Lodge was a place where young people in California City gathered to learn leadership, life skills and service. Now, after a fire last week reduced the building to rubble, scout leaders, families and community members are determined to rebuild and keep its legacy alive.
The lodge had served about 25 Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in California City. In recent years, it had also endured frequent vandalism, even as scouts worked toward significant improvements.
Nieva, a California City Girl Scout cadet, said the loss has been painful for scouts who spent years making memories there.
“It makes me feel sad. Just because me and my troop, we had so many great memories here. And like now it’s all, like, burnt,” Nieva said.
Nieva also recalled activities scouts did at the lodge and nearby, including fishing.
“We did camping, made teddy bears, we sowed. We played games here and we made pancakes and also made s’mores,” she said.
Kern County Fire, which has been contracted by California City since January, said the fire is under investigation. Because of the lodge’s frequent and recent vandalism, many in the community suspect arson, including the mayor.
Jessica Rojas, a Boy Scout leader, said there was a small fire at the facility on June 29.
Girl Scout leader Quiana Sandres-Spears said it was emotional to see the damage for the first time on Monday.
“It brings me to tears. Because I just have no words. I just don’t understand why a person .. who would do this?” Sandres-Spears said.
Sandres-Spears said scouts had been trying for more than a year to improve the facility with security cameras and new equipment, but vandals prevented that, as did city approval. There was also talk that Mojave’s Boy Scouts would use the facility as well, which may have delayed improvements.
Marquette Hawkins criticized the destruction of a space meant for youth.
“People in the community complain a lot about not having enough stuff for kids to do. You turn around and you destroy something that gives kids stuff to do. Make that make sense,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said the building is expected to be demolished, but he and others in the community want to rebuild the lodge.
Nieva said she hopes a new lodge can be built so scouts can return to meeting there.
“I hope that we can start to make a new lodge and better, so that we can start having more meetings and stuff,” she said.
Community members connected to the California City Boy Scout lodge said the building can be replaced, but the memories cannot — and they hope to create new ones soon.