Camp Emerald Bay Patch History
The First Fifty Years - 1925-1975

by Dr. Jeff Morley (Staff '68)

Camp Emerald Bay opened in 1925 with the purpose of providing a high adventure aquatic experience for the Boy Scouts of the Crescent Bay Council. The original council boundaries included the seaside communities of Santa Monica, and Venice Beach, the artist colonies of Malibu, Topanga Canyon and Pacific Palisades; the academic community of Westwood and the back-lot and residential areas of the fledging Movie industry in Culver City and Beverly Hills.

Crescent Bay Council was incorporated in 1922. It merged with San Fernando Valley Council in 1972 to become the Great Western Council and more recently, what is now known as the Western Los Angeles County Council. Prior to the opening of EB, the Council operated two additional camps: Camp Temescal (now the site of Palisades High School) and Camp Slauson in Topanga Canyon. The popularity of Emerald Bay eliminated the need for Camp Temescal, which subsequently closed around 1930. Camp Slauson had a loyal following and remained open as a summer camp and weekend camp until the late 1970's. Camp patches from Emerald Bay date back to the inaugural year of summer camping on Catalina Island.

1925-26
The first patch was a simple monogram style felt patch composed of 3 parts. The first part is a Tee-pee that symbolizes camping. This Tee-pee is above the letter "V" which stood for "Veteran". These symbols are surrounded by a crescent "C" which represented Crescent Bay Council, the original owner of Camp Emerald Bay. This logo was used on various pins and patches issued by the Council throughout the 1920's.

The Camp Veteran system preceded the Good Camper program. It is not clear whether the term "Veteran" referred to a special rank or honor or simply meant that the Scout had completed a week at camp. Whatever the meaning, the Veteran designation at EB was replaced with the Good Camper program in 1929 but continued at Camp Slauson well into the 1950's. It is highly likely that this same patch was also used for camping at the other Crescent Bay Council Camps, which included Camp Temescal and Camp Slauson in Topanga Canyon.

Notes on the First EB patch
There is still some discussion as to whether or not this patch was used both years at EB. No other patch for 1926 was ever reported by the "old timers" and to date, no other specific patch for 1926 is known to exist.

1927
This felt patch was likely used for camping at all of the council camps as well as Camp Emerald Bay. The Crescent Bay Camping Veteran logo makes up the design. In all likelihood, only those Scouts and Scouters who met specific requirements received a patch. The Camp Veteran program had different degrees or honors. During the late 1920's the council issued the Camping Veteran logo in the form of cloisonné pins. The pins came in different colors and were meant to be worn on the patch directly over the Camping Veteran logo or on the sash.

1928
The phrase: "Crescent Bay Camp" is used on this patch. This suggests again that the patch was available for camping at Emerald Bay as well as the other Crescent Bay Camps: Slauson and Temescal. The graphics and colors of this year's patch are difficult to see. The totem appears to be a Ram or Long Horn Sheep. What this specific totem may have had to do with Camp Emerald Bay is unknown.

1929 Camper
This is the first patch that actually says "Emerald Bay". It was probably available to any Scout that camped on the Island during 1929. However, while this patch may have served as a souvenir of camping at EB, it certainly did not carry the status and prestige afforded by wearing the "Good Camper" patch.

1929 Good Camper
This year marks the first documented evidence of the Good Camper Award. The design continues the use of the Camping Veteran symbol. Perhaps this patch was also awarded at Camps Slauson and Temescal. This particular design of a Tee pee over a canoe was used in other parts of the country. The camps from Brooklyn, NY issued similarly designed patches during the 1920's and 30's.

1930
There are no known examples of a patch from this year for Camp Emerald Bay or any of the other Crescent Bay camps. It is rumored that the patch used was similar to the 1929 Good Camper patch with the exception that it was made on green felt. According to the recollections of the late Bill Van Slyke (1929 EB staff), a patch fitting this description was made up in 1970 for display purpose on the original Emerald Bay Patch Board. However, over seventy years later, the existence of a patch for the camp in 1930 remains a mystery. It is possible that the patch known to be used at EB during 1931 and 1932 was actually first used during the 1930 camping season. Since the EB patch used during the 1931-32 seasons is undated, it is uncertain which years it may have been available.

1931-32
The same patch was used as a good camper award for both years. The design incorporates the Crescent and the Tee-pee but replaces the "V" with a canoe. During this era, if a Scout did not meet the Good Camper requirements during the camping session, he probably did not get any patch for attending camp. This tradition of only awarding camp patches to the Scouts that achieved Good Camper status continued through the 1946 summer camping season. These "Good Camper" badges were akin to a high school letter. Only those that qualified received the insignia.

1933
The Great Depression made patches a luxury for most Scouts. This year, Scouts at camp probably made their own patch out of leather in the handicraft lodge. One story has it that a specific design of a pirate's treasure chest was made up by the Camp Staff and tooling the patch was actually one of the requirements to earn the Good Camper award. It is interesting to note that the use of the treasure chest design marks the first time that the pirate/nautical theme is used at Camp Emerald Bay. A skull and crossed-bones is used for the time.

1934
The pirate logo is used for the very first time and the origins of the Symbol of Camp Emerald Bay can be traced back to this point. Because of its size, this patch was probably designed for wear on the Scout sash and not the shirt pocket. It was likely that troops put their own troop number on the pirate's hat. The example shown is from the Scouts of Troop 51, Beverly Hills. The practice of identifying your troop number was used at other BSA camps around the country during the 1930's. Another theory says that during 1933 and 1934, large troop contingents made their own troop patches for camping at EB. This patch is known to come in 2 minor varieties.

1935
The pirate motif seemed quite popular. The design was copied in a smaller version for the 1935 patch. The troop number on the pirate's hat was replaced with the traditional skull and crossed-bones. This symbol went on to become the official totem of Camp Emerald Bay twelve years later.

1936
In keeping with the nautical theme, a skipper's wheel is used for the design of this year's patch. Once again, the patch seemed to be reserved for those scouts meeting the Good Camper requirements. While the use of a pirate totem was considered popular, the pirate was not to be officially chosen as the EB camp mascot until 1947.

1937
The treasure chest design is a return to the design used in 1933. According to Joel Stearns (Camp Josepho Staff 1941, Tamet Lodge Chief 1946 and EB attendee in 1937), the earning and wearing of the EB patch meant special status and prestige amongst one's peers.

1938
The anchor fits with the nautical theme of Camp Emerald Bay during the 1930's. Clearly, the reputation of EB as the premier aquatic camp on the west coast was becoming well known. Troops from many other councils in the Southland were sending contingents. Within the Council, some Crescent Bay troops had camped at Emerald Bay six to ten summers in a row. There was probably interest within the council to find additional camping facilities to provide other types of adventure experiences for scouts.

1939
The sea horse design of this patch indicates that camp staff had still not settled on the pirate as mascot of Camp Emerald Bay. 1939 also marked the opening of Crescent Bay's newest wilderness camp: High Sierra (later to become known as Camp Wolverton). Some EB staff members were recruited by camp High Sierra and a few troops attended the camp that year. However, Camp Emerald Bay remained immensely popular and had a great season in 1939.

1939-40
Around this time, Camp Emerald Bay offered a special award for Camping. Each camp session, a medal was awarded for the distinction of "Best Scout". After the end of the camping season, a competition was held between the "Best Scout" recipients. The winner received a gold medal known as the "Jim Price" award in honor of the scout by the same name.

1940
Word spread about the new camping experience in Sequoia National Park and the program at Camp High Sierra was expanded for the 1940 season. In order to accommodate the increased demand of troops that wanted to spend a week at the new camp, the staff was increased. Many of these staff members came from the ranks of the EB staff. In response to the lessening demand, sessions at EB were reduced during 1940 and very few troops actually camped there that summer. The patch used was a light blue felt patch with a fish design. This patch was seen many times during the 1960's but has somehow disappeared from view. Currently, there are no known examples in collections. Stories and rumors that Camp Emerald Bay was closed during 1940 are unfounded and lack supporting evidence.

1941
The big event of the camping season in 1941 was the much-anticipated opening of Camp Josepho. Dubbed: "The West Point of Scouting", Camp Josepho was hailed as the most spectacular Scout camp in the west. To be selected as a staff member for the new camp was probably considered the highest distinction awarded by Crescent Bay Council. Remaining EB staff that had not previously defected to High Sierra were called upon to organize the opening summer of Camp Josepho. Staff members from Camp High Sierra were also needed to handle the huge number of Scouts that wanted to camp at Josepho in its inaugural season. This effectively closed down both EB and HS for large scale troop camping in 1941. However, both camps were probably still open by permit during the summer. For reasons currently unknown, Camp High Sierra changed its name to Camp Sequoia during this year. Camp Emerald Bay probably had limited camping operations. Patches were available for troops camping at both camps. The Emerald Bay patch was the same shape and size as the Camp Josepho patch. The design marked a return to the pirate theme utilizing a skull and crossed swords. Needless to say, the 1941 patches from Camp Sequoia and Camp Emerald Bay are extremely rare.

The evidence does not support reports that Camp Emerald Bay was completely closed in the summer of 1941. If, in fact, the Navy had taken over Catalina Island in June of 1941, (a full 6 months prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor), it raises some very interesting contradictions in American History. The commonly held belief that the Japanese perpetrated a surprise attack on the United States on December 7, 1941 would be suspect if it were known that the Military was actually preparing for war by taking over Catalina Island months before the attack. This interesting chapter of American history intertwines with the history of Camp Emerald Bay.

1942-1945
Catalina Island was closed to all civilian personnel during these years. Camp Emerald Bay and Camp Sequoia were shut down. All council camping operations were transferred to Camp Josepho and possibly Camp Slauson. Camp Sequoia was accessible by car but wartime gas rationing made the trip impractical.

1946
With World War II over, Crescent Bay Council opened all 4 camps (EB, Josepho, Sequoia and Slauson) for the 1946 season. Camp Sequoia changed its name to Camp Wolverton. Camp Emerald Bay reopened with a limited camp schedule. A treasure map design was used. The patch was probably available only to those Scouts that earned the Good Camper award.

1947 Camper
Apparently, it was decided that all Scouts attending camp were entitled to a camp patch. The pirate design used during 1934 and 1935 was officially chosen as the mascot of Camp Emerald Bay and continues to this day. This patch design on white felt has no writing on it and did not seem to be very popular. A cartoon-like caricature of the pirate, nicknamed the "Crazy Pirate", was part of a grander theme for all of the mascots used at Crescent Bay Camps after WWII. Camp Wolverton used the "Hamm's Bear"; Camp Slauson used the Disney version of "Bambi" and Camp Josepho adopted "Crazy Joe the wild Indian" as it's mascot.

1947 Good Camper
The same pirate design was used for the Good Camper patch, which was issued on yellow felt. The addition of writing indicated that the patch was from Camp Emerald Bay. The 1947 Good Camper patch is easily distinguishable from other similar EB patches made of yellow felt because it does not have a black border around it. Additionally, there are extra black details on the skull and crossed-bones.

1948 Series
Starting in 1948, the EB patch was issued in 3 different colors: yellow, white and blue. This was in keeping with the Camp Josepho and Camp Wolverton patches from the same years. The exact purpose of these colors remains a mystery. One theory has it that yellow was for the 1st year at camp, white was for the 2nd year and blue signified the 3rd year. It is also possible the meaning of the three-color system changed between 1947 and 1953 when it went out of use. Interviews with EB camp attendees and staff members from these years that actually earned the patches suggests the colors might have been given out randomly at some point.

None-the-less, the 1948 series is easily distinguishable from all other years because the patches have a double ring black border. They are also larger around (3 ½ inches) than the patches from subsequent years.

1949 Series
The design, which came in all three colors, yellow, white and blue, now has a single black border around it and is a standard three-inch size. This year's patches can be distinguished from other years because the earring on the pirate's left ear (right ear as you look at the patch) is solidly filled in with red. No other EB patches from this era are like that. It is highly likely that other varieties of EB patches from the 1950 Series may have been used this year as well.

1950 Series Good Camper
The design of this year's patch shows an outlined red earring on the pirate's left ear. It is doubtful that these small design changes were intentional. 1950 series patches can be distinguished from similarly designed patches used in 1951 because they do not have cotton backing. There are many minor varieties in all three colors for this series of patches.

1950 Camper
Similar to 1947, a patch was designed for those Scouts who attended camp but did not earn the Good Camper patch. This patch was silk-screened on canvass and described EB as an "Aquatic Camp". Truer words were never spoken!

1949-51 Staff Backing
A simple 3½-inch round, red felt backing worn behind the Good Camper patch signified being on staff during the 1949-51 period. Personal accounts and photographs of staff members taken during these years document this practice. Based on known examples, only Blue EB patches with red backing have surfaced. This suggests the blue version of the patch may have also evolved as a staff patch although this theory is only speculation. The red felt is plain on both sides and does not have separate cotton-twill backing behind it.

1951 Series Good Camper
This summer's patches look like the 1950 series with exception that they have cotton-twill backings. The extra backing made the patches more rigid and presumably more durable to washing. Multiple minor varieties exist in each color.

1951 Camper
This is a remake of the 1950 camper patch except the date is added and the patch is made of felt. The patch proved to be quite popular as a souvenir from Camp Emerald Bay and represented what might be called the Camp's first "trading patch"

1951 (and possibly used through 1953) Adventure Patrol
A special program was developed during this summer to appeal to the older Scouts in camp that were looking for a more challenging experience. Each session, Senior Scouts from the various troop encampments combined to form the Adventure Patrol. Tamet Lodge chief and EB staff member, Lorin Tarvin, headed the original program. Adventure Patrol proved extremely successful and was carried on in subsequent years as the Rugged "E" program.

1952-53 Camper
The pirate patch was redesigned without the "Good Camper" words so that every Scout who attended camp could have the same EB patch. Once again, the design was issued in yellow, white and blue felt. The exact purpose of the three different colors remains a mystery. According to the late Selwyn Douglas, troop Scoutmasters at EB in 1952-53 were given an assortment of colors and passed out patches to the Scouts in their troop according to individual preference.

1952-53 Good Camper Backing
The practice of wearing a red backing behind the EB patch to signify Camp Staff was adopted for the Good Camper Award. The large felt red patches were actually made up with red cotton-twill backing during these years and worn behind the camper patch.

1950's Adventure Patrol
The success and reputation of the adventure patrol program continued through the 1950's. This neckerchief with a black felt 'billy goat" became the insignia. At some point, the name of the program was changed to Rugged "E".

1954
Starting this year, patches were made out of a cotton-twill material instead of felt. Every scout received the Camp patch and segments were available for staff and the Good Camper award. The pirate mascot from earlier years continued to represent the emblem of Camp Emerald Bay. EB staff member, Jack Halloran, designed the first flap patch for Tamet Lodge No. 225, in 1954. The same green and yellow color them is used for the OA patch, which has been known as the legendary "Green Tamet" for over forty years.

1954 and 1956 Good Camper Strip
For those that earned Good Camper status, a separate strip or rocker was available. This rocker was undated and was also used during 1956.

1954 and 1956 Staff Strip
Staff members similarly had an extra strip, which fit with the colors of the 1954 and 1956 patches.

1955
The same pirate design was used and the background color was changed to blue.

1955 Good Camper Strip
This strip came in the same blue and yellow colors of the regular issue camp patch.

1955 Staff Strip
This strip came in the same blue and yellow colors of the regular issue camp patch.

1956 Type 1
This patch is very similar to the 1954 patch and has a cut edge border. Apparently the supply of patches ran out near the end of the summer and had to be reordered.

1956 Type 2
A different company might have made the second order of patches for this year. They have a rolled edge border and many other differences.

1957-58
This patch is undated and was used for 2 years. The "Crazy Pirate" (as some staff members have called this rendition of the EB mascot used between 1947 and 1958) became the unique and recognizable image of Camp Emerald Bay during the 1950's and then had a big comeback during the 1970's.

1957 Camper Strip
Starting in this year, the strips were dated.

1957 Good Camper Strip Type 1
This dated strip has a yellow border and yellow lettering on green twill. It was designed to be worn around the 1956 patch.

1957 Good Camper Strip Type 2
This is the same strip with a white border. It was designed to be worn around the 1957 patch.

1958 Camper Strip
Extra supplies of the 1957 strips were overstitched to make the "7" into an "8".

1958 Good Camper Strip
Again, unused strips from the 1957 season were overstitched to make the 1958 strip.

1958 Staff patch
A large rocker available through National Supply was used for staff recognition. It was worn over the camp patch on a neckerchief. Many other camps used this same staff patch.

1959-61 A-variety
A redesigned patch was coordinated with a new design for the Camp Wolverton patch as well. The camp mascot was retained in a reduced size. The same patch was used for 3 years and may have been re-ordered multiple times. There are two basic varieties. The "a" variety is distinguished by its dark yellow rolled edge. Both red canoes have a little red figure in them.

1959-61 B-variety
The "b" variety has a yellow flat rolled edge and the upper canoe does not have a figure in it.

1959 Camper Strip
This same strip was used at Camp Emerald Bay and Camp Wolverton

1959 Good Camper Strip
Used at EB and Wolverton

1959 Staff Patch
A large rocker on blue twill was issued for wear on the staff neckerchief. As for the previous summer, the patch was a generic National Supply issue.

1960 Camper Strip
Used at EB and Wolverton.

1960 Good Camper Strip
Used at EB and Wolverton

1960 Staff Patch
This marks the last year that the National Supply Staff rocker was worn

1961 Camper Strip
Used at EB and Wolverton

1961 Good Camper Strip
Used at EB and Wolverton

1961 Staff Patch
A separate felt pirate patch was used on a black neckerchief for staff members

1962-63 A-variety
Once again, the patch was redesigned and for the first time since 1947, the pirate mascot was not used on the patch. The patch comes in two basic varieties that have many minor differences. The easiest way to distinguish them is by looking at the uppermost white wave detail around the pirate ship. The "a" variety has a flat rolled edge and the upper most wave detail is basically a straight white line.

1962-63 B-variety
The "b" variety has a regular dark yellow rolled edge and the upper most wave is a white zigzag line.

1962-63 Camper Strip
Strips for this patch have a yellow border and red lettering. Similar colored strips were used during 1966-67. There are some very minor differences between the different year that are actually collected by some EB collectors.

1962-63 Good Camper Strip
This strip also has a yellow border and red letters. It was also used during 1966-67 and can also be distinguished by several minor differences.

1962 - 1970's Staff Patch
A stock-issue pirate patch was used on a variety of different black neckerchiefs during these years. This is a swiss-embroidered patch and can be distinguished by a tan face and red horizontal stitched hat.

1964-65
The pirate mascot returns to Camp Emerald Bay's first solid-embroidered patch. It has a red border and yellow lettering.

1964-65 Staff Strip
Made to be worn below the camp patch

1964-65 Camper Strip
Meant to be worn below the patch, this strip has a red border and yellow lettering.

1964-65 Good Camper Strip
This year's strip also has a red border and yellow letters.

1966-68
This yellow-bordered patch was used for three years. There are several minor varieties.

1966-7 Camper Strip
This strip was very similar to the strips used during 1962-63.

1966-7 Good Camper Strip
Again, this strip was similar to the strips used in 1962-63.

1968 Camper Strip
Issued on white twill, yellow border and red lettering. This strip was worn above the patch.

1968 Good Camper Strip
Issued on white twill, yellow border and red lettering. This strip was worn above the patch.
.
1969
This newly redesigned patch returned to the "crazy pirate" mascot of the 1940's and 50's. The pirate was surrounded by a life preserver. However, because of the small size of the patch and the border's close cropping of the life preserver, the lettering was distorted. It appeared that the camp name said "LEMERALDI" instead of "EMERALD". This patch was seen as a step backwards from the patches of previous years and it was very unpopular.

1969 Camper Chevron
Made to be worn below the patch. It is distinguished from the 1971 chevron by the wide, spread-out letters.

1969 Good Camper Chevron
This strip is similar to the Camper chevron from the same year. The letters are wide and the "O's" in "GOOD" are round.

1970 Type 1
The patch was enlarged slightly to correct the problems that existed with the previous year's patch. The type 1 patches had a golden border and the supply ran out near the end of the camping season.

1970 Type 2
Patches were reordered for the last session of camp. However, the manufacturer mistakenly put a yellow border on the reordered emblems. These patches were passed out to Scouts during the last camp session. The type 2 1970 patch was made in very small quantities and is actually quite rare.

1970 Camper Chevron
This rocker was made to be worn on the top of the patch.

1970 Good Camper Chevron
Similar to the Camper Chevron for the same year, designed to be worn above the patch.

1971
The patch was redesigned to make the life preserver look more like a life preserver. This was to be the last Camp Emerald Bay patch to be issued by the Crescent Bay Area Council.

1971 Camper Chevron
Meant to be worn below the patch, this chevron can be distinguished from the 1969 strip by the compact narrow lettering.

1971 Good Camper Chevron
Similar to the Camper chevron for the same year and distinguished from the 1969 strip by compact lettering. The "O's" in "GOOD' are oval shaped.

1972-74
After exactly 50 years of operation, the Crescent Bay Area Council merged with the San Fernando Valley Council. Control of Camp Emerald Bay was transferred to the Great Western Council. The new patch used the traditional "crazy pirate" mascot from the 1940's and 50's. This patch was made in large quantities and comes in several minor varieties including: white outlined teeth, black teeth, thin nose, thick nose etc.

1972-80's Camper
These strips were worn below the patch. They have yellow borders and red lettering on a white background.

1972-80's Good Camper
These strips were worn below the patch. They have yellow borders and red lettering on a white background.

1975
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Camp Emerald Bay, a new patch was designed using the version of the pirate that had been used on the staff neckerchief since 1962. The patch is undated but says "50 YRS".

Explorer Camps, Cruises and Survivals

1957 Cruise
The explorers from Beverly Hills District sponsored a special explorer event at EB and issued a sateen patch.

1957 Camp
A special camp session just for explorers was initiated at EB. Participants received a silk-screened on felt patch

1957 Explorer Camp Staff
Staff for the 1957 Explorer Camp received an embroidered-on-twill version of the felt patch issued to participants.

1958 Explorer Camp
Unused supplies of the 1957 Explorer Camp Staff patch were returned to the manufacturer to have the date re-stitched. The "7" was turned into an "8" and the restitiched patches were issued to all attendees of the explorer camp that year.

1959 Explorer Camp
A similar design as the previous years was issued on a yellow background.

1960 Explorer Camp
This patch is the same design as the 1959 patch.

1960 Survival
A special adventure camp was held at Emerald Bay during Christmas Vacation break. Called the "survival", explorers arrived on the island and were required to fend for themselves. They hunted for their own food and endured a very challenging experience.

1961 Survival/Explorer Camp
In 1961, Camp Emerald Bay hosted the southern California Sea Scout Rendezvous in conjunction with the explorer camp and survival. Long Beach Area Council started the Rendezvous in the early 1950's. Explorers from all over Southern California attended the event.

1962 Explorer Camp
This patch marks a return to the design from previous years.

1963 Explorer Camp
The 1962 design is used with the date changed to 1963.

1965 Survival
The survival may have replaced the explorer camp.

1967 Survival
This year may be the last of the explorer survival camps at EB, ending a program that took various forms over an eleven year period.

Events

1952 Area 12A Conference
For the first and only time, Camp Emerald Bay played host to an Order of the Arrow regional conference. Area 12 A represented all of the Order of the Arrow Lodges in southern California, Arizona, Las Vegas and the Panama Canal Zone. Tamet Lodge 225 organized the event for the 2nd time (the first time in 1947 at Camp Josepho). In 1956, the lodges of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties became Area 12E.

Footnote to Camp Emerald Bay patch history:

The patches of Camp Emerald Bay have been avidly collected for well over 60 years. The uniqueness of its location, quality of the camp facility and dedication of its staff members have distinguished Camp Emerald Bay as one of the premier camps in the entire country.

Images for many of the patches were taken from the Crescent Bay Council collection section of The National Archive of Twentieth Century Scouting Insignia. The archive is maintained by The American Scouting Historical Society.

Information and interviews about the patches have been collected over a forty-year period and represent the best theories and stories of a here-to-for unrecorded history of Camp Emerald Bay. A special thanks goes out to Bill Topkis, Adam Lombard and the late Glen Gordon for their interest, insight and dedication in preserving a part of the history of one of the truly special camping experiences in the USA.

If you have information regarding any patch that was omitted from the listing or was incorrectly listed, please contact the author, Dr. Jeff Morley.