The area around The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center is rich with history. Native Americans gathered acorns here for centuries before the first Spanish settlers arrived in 1769. The boundary of two Mexican land grants cuts through the camp, the Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana and the Rancho Lomas de Santiago. Both were owned by the Yorba family, who ran cattle on the land. James Irvine and his partners bought the ranchos in 1866.

By the 1870s, the “picnic grounds” in the oak grove along the Santiago Creek were a popular recreation spot with local pioneers. In 1897, James Irvine II donated 160 acres of this property to the County of Orange to create the first County Regional Park. In 1929, it was officially renamed Irvine Park. Over the years, the park has grown to more than 470 acres.

What is now The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center was used for training exercises by the National Guard during the Spanish-American War and World War I. Beginning in the 1930s, the Santiago Rifle and Revolver Club had their shooting range on the property. Some of the members also collected antique muzzle loading guns and held black powder shooting competitions. The range operated until the 1960s.

In 1935, James Irvine II leased 30 acres to the Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America for a Boy Scout camp. Camp Irvine was used for camporees, training sessions, Courts of Honor, and other Boy Scout events. The camp was closed during World War II when the Army took over the entire area and renamed it Camp Rathke, in honor of an Orange soldier who lost his life in a training exercise. After the war, the Boy Scouts renewed their lease, and even held summer camp there for a few years before eventually returning the property to The Irvine Company. Today, the area is a part of Irvine Regional Park.

History will continue to be written at The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center.