Camping and Outdoor Recreation Areas for Masons and their Families

One of the benefits of membership enjoyed by Freemasons in California is access to hundreds of acres of forested, private campgrounds and recreation areas. At some of these private Masonic outdoor reserves, brethren can rent cabins or tent sites, hike, fish, swim, canoe, and mountain bike. From the Russian River, to the Santa Cruz Mountains, to the Sierra foothills (Eldorado National Forest), to the Cleveland National Forest east of San Diego, Masons have provided outdoor recreation areas for Masons enjoyment for over eighty-years.

Paradise Park Masonic Club, Inc., at Santa Cruz, CA

Paradise Park Masonic Club, Inc., is located just northeast of Santa Cruz, off of Highway 9, in the heart of a redwood forest. Paradise Masonic Park consists of one hundred thirty-eight acres located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is approximately three miles from the heart of the City of Santa Cruz. The San Lorenzo River runs through the park. It is a private club whose membership is limited to 400 Masonic families (Masons or Easter Star): The Club Bylaws require an applicant to be in good standing with his or her Masonic Lodge or Eastern Star Chapter for a period of no less than twelve months.

The Paradise Park Masonic Club was established in 1924 for the purpose of providing a residential and recreational area for Master Masons, Easter Stars, and their families. The Paradise Park Masonic Club is governed by a five member Board of Directors elected by the membership. All prospective members must appear before the Board and be approved for membership before the member can take possession of the improvements. The park is closed to the general public.

In addition to its beautiful outdoor setting, Paradise Park Masonic Club has other amenities for Park social activities or the personal use of Park members including: Social hall, tennis courts, picnic areas, shuffleboard courts, swimming areas in the San Lorenzo River, various playgrounds for children, volleyball courts, and barbecue areas. These facilities are protected by the Park's own volunteer fire brigade. The grounds, water lines and recreational facilities are maintained by a full time maintenance crew.

This Masonic recreation area is on the site of an early-day sawmill, and the first paper pulp mill in California. The pulp mill ran only from 1860 until 1862, when a flood wrecked the flume that supplied water to the operation. Three years later the California Powder Works built a plant on the same site to make blasting powder for the new Central Pacific Railroad's construction. Its grinding wheels were driven by water from a 1,300-foot tunnel that tapped the river farther upstream.

Dupont took over the powder company, which had produced the world's first smokeless powder, and shut down the plant in 1916, leaving only a covered bridge, a tunnel that once housed the grinding wheels' drive shaft, some foundations and the name Powder Mill Flat.

The office of Paradise Park Masonic Club, prominently marked with a Square and Compass, is located in a house originally built for the Superintendent of the California Powder Works, Bernard Peyton. Peyton ran the California Powder Works for many years, living in the house: Peyton's son developed a formula for smokeless powder, which was a major advance in warfare since it did not give away the location of soldiers using it.

A few miles downstream from Felton the Paradise Park covered bridge spans the river in the summer home colony of the Masonic Park, which adjoins the southern edge of Henry Cowell Park. The bridge was built in 1872 to serve a gunpowder works, carrying a railroad as well as wagon traffic to and from the powder mill. The 180-foot white covered bridge is unique: Five-foot overhanging portals distinguish it from all other covered bridges in the state; it has the only remaining examples of once-popular diamond-shaped windows; and no steel tie rods (metal tension rod that supplements wooden posts and diagonals) were used in its construction. It is the only covered bridge in the county still used daily for both pedestrians and vehicles, and is the only one in the west protected at both ends by fire hoses. A new tin roof and occasional painting have served to keep it in good repair ever since the railroad tracks were removed during World War I. Special arrangements can be made to see the landmark covered bridge through Paradise Park Masonic Club.

Besides the covered bridge, Paradise Park Masonic Club is dotted with other remnants of its past as a powder mill, including the underground drive shaft tunnel that originally held metal drive shafts that transmitted water power to the grinding wheels above ground. This tunnel is now the basement of a summer home in Paradise Park Masonic Club. Other remnants are "U" shaped concrete bunkers that were once powder-grinding buildings: They were built in that configuration to direct the force of any accidental blast away from other bunkers.

No good camp ground should be without a ghost story: An unusual feature of Paradise Park Masonic Club is the reputed ghost of the "White Lady" who believers say still floats along the road from the cemetery to Paradise Park Masonic Club. Purportedly she is the ghost of a young mail-order bride from Massachusetts murdered in her wedding gown by her drunkard husband at their small home on the Ocean Street Extension in 1877. It is surprising that the ghost story connected with Paradise Park Masonic Club is not related to the tragedy that occurred April 26, 1898 when the California Powder Works suffered an enormous explosion that shattered windows three miles away in downtown Santa Cruz. The blast is believed to have killed at least twelve, though no exact death toll was ever determined: Nine of the dead, all Irish, were buried under a single marker in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Paradise Park Masonic Club no longer offers camping or rentals. It is restricted to Masonic/Eastern Star residential use with about one-third of the membership maintaining a year round presence and approximately two-thirds maintaining a vacation and/or week-end presence. Qualified Masons or Eastern Stars interested in Club memberships may inquire at: Paradise Park Masonic Club, Inc., 211 Paradise Park, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-7003; (831) 423-1530, fax (831) 423-2806.

Odd Fellows (and Masons) Recreation Club in Guerneville, CA

General Store & Restaurant Building

The Odd Fellows Recreation Club in Guerneville, CA (Sonoma County), is a private organization, with no affiliation with either the Odd Fellows or Masonic Grand Lodges. Visitors to the club must be sponsored by a club member in good standing. Since 1956, the recreation club opted to extend their membership requirements and admitted Freemasons and Eastern Star members in good standing, in addition to Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. This decision was based on a survey that had indicated that 75% of the clubs membership belonged to both fraternities.

Commemorative Plaque

The Odd Fellows Recreation Club had its start when a group of Odd Fellows purchased for $500 a 90-day option to buy 217 acres of land near Hilton on the Russian River from the Fairfax Lumber Company. They exercised the option on May 16, 1928, buying the property for $67,500. The syndicate purchasing the property chose to incorporate as the Odd Fellows Recreation Club with A.D. Ketterlin, Jessie M. Jackson, George F. Hudson, John Haylett, W.F. Norman, A.J. Lamb, E.J. Guidotti, and C.H. Towle serving as directors. The first officers were: President, A.D. Ketterlin; Secretary, C.H. Towle; Treasurer, George F. Hudson.

Memberships were initially issued for $100 each under the terms of $25 down and $12.50 every six months thereafter until paid off. In mid-1928, the memberships were increased to $125 down and $25 every six months.

The corporation initially drew lots for the purpose of fixing the position of each of the 1,100 cabin sites. There were 572 subscribed members participating in the drawing.

The size of the Odd Fellows Recreation Club was increased in 1939 with the purchase of an additional 119 acres adjacent to the original 217 acres. The cost of this addition was $8,500.

Today, the club consists of a total of 336 acres which includes a campground, recreation vehicle parking and camping area, and twelve rental cabins. Members and guests have for their use a store, adult recreation building, teenage recreation building, outdoor stage, baseball field, tennis court, other amenities and conveniences. Additionally, there is access to Odd Fellows Beach on the Russian River for swimming and water sports. Some memberships are for sale: The homes are unsecured property. The membership retains the ownership of the land and all recreation facilities.

Sunrise on Odd Fellows Beach

For camping and cabin rental information you can call (707) 887-2027 or write to: Odd Fellows Recreation Club, P.O. Box 707, Guerneville, CA 95446-0707.

Al Bahr Shrine Mount Laguna Shrine Camp at Mt. Laguna, CA

The Al Bahr Shrine (Ancient Arabic Nobles of the Mystic Shrine or A.A.O.N.M.S.) leased seventeen acres in the Cleveland National Forest from the Forest Service in 1921 for a private Masonic campground. The area, known as the Al Bahr Mount Laguna Shrine Camp is located approximately sixty miles east of San Diego. The camp is situated on Mt. Laguna at the 6,000 feet. It is nestled among oak and pine trees with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the desert to the East. From the camp, you can even see the Salton Sea in Imperial County.

Mount Laguna Shrine Camp is available to all Shriners, Masons, and affiliated Masonic bodies, their families, and their guests.

The outdoor opportunities offered by Mt. Laguna Shrine Camp are great: The camp has a full functioning R.V. camp with water and electrical hook-ups, and also has cabins and dormitories for families or groups. Tent spaces are also available. All campers have access to bathroom and shower facilities. Additionally, everyone can enjoy a large, centrally located picnic area and children's play ground.

Another striking feature is the large Lodge Hall, constructed in 1925 of native materials. The Lodge Hall has log framing and a massive stone fireplace. It can be used for parties, meetings, weddings, or any kind of function from small to large. Large groups can make use Mt. Laguna Shrine Camp's modern dining hall, which accommodates up to 160 diners at a time. The dining hall features a full kitchen with a steam service line. There is also an underground BBQ pit capable of cooking up to 2000 pounds of beef at one time!

Contact: Al Bahr Shrine Camp, P.O. Box 67, Mt Laguna, CA 91948-0067 Phone: (619) 473-8009.

Sciots Tract at Twin Bridges, CA

Sciots Camp was organized in 1921 by Masons belonging to the Sacramento Pyramid No. 3, Ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots (AEOS) at Sacramento, CA. The Sacramento Pyramid No. 3, had been organized on November 27, 1905, and just sixteen years later set out to provide its members with a haven from the summer heat of the Sacramento Valley. From the signing of a lease with the U.S. Government Forest Service on October 17, 1921 it served as a camp site. A club house was built in 1925. The Sciots made Sciots Camp available to Masons and their families, and it became very popular among the Jobs Daughters, Rainbow Girls, and DeMolays who frequented the Sciots Camp on weekends and held many evening dances.

In succeeding years, camp sites gave way to cabin sites, and two guest cabins for short term rental use ($5/week in 1935): Early cabin owners at Sciots Camp included, E.P. Dell, M.H. Bremser, C.L. Shipley, H.J. Gelling, Wm. Hintze, J.G. Harbinson, Moise Roos, C.C. Warden, Fred Burn, George Born, J. Rushing, Ashley Pearson, Ollie Mapes, Louis Saporiti, H. I. Mason, George Coale, John S. Brooks, A.G. Wilson, Orrie York, G.L. Stiver, George M. Jennings, M.R. Ehrer, A.W. Nelson, C.A.Henderlong, Harry Byram, George Winslow, Harold Birch, Otto F. Link, Dr. C.S. Gray, Cliff Smith, Dick Gilette, Tom Hague, and Dr. H.H. Look (the later of whom donated '49er relics to make to what became known as the San Souci Museum at Sciots Camp). In 1938, the wives formed the Cabinettes Club

In 1964, the Sciot's Camp had grown to such an extent that the members decided to form their own Pyramid. On October 10, 1964, Sciots Camp Pyramid No. 11, A.E.O.S., also known as the "Thunder and Lightening Pyramid," was instituted: It held its first major Ceremonial on August 14 and 15, 1965: Pyramid No. 11, initially met only during the summer months. In 1974, the U.S. Forest Service notified the Sciots Camp Cabin Owners Association that their permit would not be renewed if the Sciots Camp continued to restrict membership to Masons: The members voted to retain the Masonic membership requirement, petitioned Congress, but the effort was unsuccessful and in 1975 the by laws had to be changed to accept non-Masonic members into what then became known as Sciots Tract. In 1975 additional requirements imposed by the Forest Service led to the discontinuation of camping at Sciots Tract after the 1975 season. Despite the changes that occurred over time, like all Masonic Sciots, the motto was and continues to be "Boost One Another." The outdoor recreation area established by Sacramento Pyramid No. 3, A.E.O.S., continues to live up to the Sciots motto.

The Masonic founders entered the lease with the Forest Service on October 17, 1921. The Sciots Tract is located at between 5,600 and 6,000 foot elevation in the Eldorado National Forest in central California. The Sciots Tract contains a total of seventy-seven cabins. Forty-eight of the cabins in Sciots Tract have a preliminary historical rating between 4-6 in a survey conducted by Eldorado National Forest.

Additional amenities include: The owner built 50 foot by 80 foot clubhouse (built 1924/1925) with full kitchen and deck; lending library; laundromat for the cabin owners; state of the art year round water supply; picnic area with benches, approved fire safe barbecue, and children's playground complete with flush toilets; two mile hiking loop; fire fighting stations; oxygen stations; and a network of well maintained safe roads. These roads include a "highway safe" metal bridge across the American River and a foot bridges across Strawberry Creek and Cody Creek.

The Sciots Tract cabin owners host a variety of fun activities that contribute to the camaraderie all enjoy, including: Sunrise breakfast on top of the mountain or in a meadow; potlucks; brunches; meetings; a bean feed; an Independence Day picnic; a spaghetti dinner; a pizza party; a tri-tip barbecue; weddings and anniversary parties for the cabin owners and neighbors. Many people outside of Sciots Tract attend the 4th of July picnic celebration held in the picnic area. The tract supplies the hot dogs, hamburgers and all the fixings. Cabin owners provide salads, casseroles and wonderful desserts. There are games for the children, horseshoes and lots of fun enjoyed by all ages. It is an "All American" celebration.

Another amenity of Sciots Tract is the ice cream store located in the club house where volunteers from among the cabin owners scoop ice cream from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday evenings during the Summer months. From the clubhouse deck, ice cream lovers can enjoy their treat, the mountains, and company of friends and neighbors until after dark.

The Sciots Tract is managed by an association. Cabin owners assist in the upkeep of the association's tract, including roads, water system, facilities, river and stream keeping, and clearing the forest of debris and identifying dead trees for the forest service. The Sciots Tract also uses its spacious club house to sponsor the annual Northern Sierra Summer Homeowners Association meeting.

Sciots Tract is not currently open for camping. For information about membership contact Sciots Tract, PO Box 937, Twin Bridges, CA 95735.

National Camping Travelers - The Masonic Family Camping Club

A camping club exists for Master Masons and their families called the National Camping Travelers, Inc., (NCT). Unlike the foregoing Masonic recreation areas and/or Masonic parks, the NCT makes use of public campgrounds around the country. The NCT was founded by the late Bro. Myron Fox and twenty-one other Masonic families in 1966 at Gettysburg, PA. The founders believed that a camping club for Master Masons and their families would be an added opportunity for fraternal fun and fellowship. The idea has since grown across the continental United States and Canada.

Membership only requires that you are a Master Mason in good standing in a Lodge of which its Grand Lodge is recognized by the other Grand Lodges of the United States of America, Canadian Provinces and Mexico. Annual membership dues are $25 for one family unit consisting of the husband, wife, and all children to the age of twenty-one. A new member initiation fee is $5.00. Dues are also paid to the local Chapter or if a member-at-large, an annual at-large fee is an additional $10.00. (National dues are pro-rated TO $12.50 for new members who join between January 1 to June 30.)

The basic unit of the NTC is the Chapter, each of which normally schedules a monthly campout within their region. When the weather does not cooperate, the Chapters will plan dinner meetings or "camp-ins." During the winter months, the sunbelt Chapters are very active. Annual national camp outs are also held.

Each local Chapter is led by a Master of Travel (MOT), Wagon Master, Secretary-Treasurer, Chaplain, Safety Director and the Chapter Trustees. Between the Chapter Officers and the National Officers, there are, in many cases, a State or Provincial Director and a District Director. A District is usually composed of about four (4) States and/or Provinces. For members with young children, there is the YNCT (Youth of National Camping Travelers). They have their own elected Officers and have an enjoyable time at all the scheduled Campouts and Rallies.

For more information on the NCT activities in California, contact NCT California State Director, Erwin "Ole" Olson, 5275 Gilmore Rd, Pollock Pines, CA 95726, (530) 644-3361.