C.J. Carlson is a legendary figure in Southern California Scouting. A supporter of Scouting in its earliest days, he was instrumental in partnering with Lee Emerson to donate land that would become both Camp Emerson and the original Camp Tahquitz.
After a time as the Chief of Police for the City of Riverside, Mr. Carlson left the profession to become Executive for the nascent Riverside County Council. A few years later, he left to become Executive for Long Beach Council.
It is believe that through CJ Carlson, the pre-OA Tribe of Tahquitz organizations at Camp Emerson and Camp Tahquitz were created. The Emerson group eventually became Tahquitz Lodge # 127, which is now Cahuilla Lodge # 127. And while the Order of the Arrow did come to Long Beach Area Council in 2012, the original organization lives on as the Tahquitz Community.
In 1927, he became the Executive for Region XII of the Boy Scouts of America.
Upon retirement, he moved back to Riverside. He is interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Riverside.
- 1920: Council President, Riverside Council
- 1920 – 1923: Scout Executive, Riverside County Council
- 1923 – 1927 : Scout Executive, Long Beach Council
- 1927 – 1948: Executive of Region XII, Boy Scouts of America
- Possible Co-Founder of Camp Emerson Tribe of Tahquitz and Camp Tahquitz Tribe of Tahquitz.
- 1918 – 1920: Chief of Police, Riverside, California
- 1951: Silver Beaver, Riverside County Council # 45
- 1952: Silver Antelope, Boy Scouts of America
- 1955: Council President, Riverside County Council # 45
- Namesake of Camp Emerson Meadow as well as possible former name of Camp Emerson pool