The
history of the Al Bahr Shrine Camp goes back almost to the days when roads were
being surveyed and built to
Laguna Junction, Laguna Ranch, and the El Prado Ranger Station. The date
was 1918. When automobiles could finally
make the grade from La Posta to Laguna Ranch, people from San Diego and Imperial
Valley began to lease house-lots from
the Forestry Service. The San Diego Shriners were among the first.
In 1923, the Al Bahr Temple leased a 20-acre tract
from the Forestry Service with a vision of creating a "mountain recreation area"
for its members.
During the early months, a tent city was established to
accommodate the working parties busy constructing a lodge
hall. That hall was completed in 1924, and by 1927, a new club house was
built. Also, Al Bahr leased individual lots
for permanent cabins, which came under Temple jurisdiction but were later
transferred. Through the years, the
camp construction continued. Roads, water sources, campsites, picnic
grounds, and most importantly--a mess hall--all
came came about as the result of volunteer working parties from Clubs and Units.
Folks appreciated their lovely
mountain paradise.
In the early 60's, some of the early Nobles on the Hill
began to dream of a Mt. Laguna Shrine Club. In
June 1963, they went through the camp with a petition requesting authority from
the Temple to establish the new Club.
Forty-two Nobles signed that petition and approval came quickly. The Mt.
Laguna Club first met on July 27, 1963 with Hank
Honack as the first President, and 31 charter members. Since then. members
have organized outings, picnics, and services in the
Lodge Hall, and coupled these events with a constant endeavor to improve on camp
facilities and raise the funds so necessary. Club
membership exploded. Within months it reached 95 and then 100. Today
it includes close to 300 fun loving Shriners.
The Mt. Laguna Club has always cooperated closely with
the Forestry Service, some of whom are associate members,
and has established a neighborly relationship with other activities such as the
CFD, CHP, BSA, and civic and religious
groups. The Club celebrated its 40th birthday in 2003 and has plans for 40
more. It has always been a staunch supporter
of Shrine functions such as Ceremonials, Memorial Day services, Easter
Celebrations, Shrine Week, and the dozens of
activities that bring Shrinedom closer together.
CLICK HERE to see the
Modern Day Al Bahr Shrine Camp.
MEETINGS
4th Saturday of each month at Mt.
Laguna Shrine Camp at 3:00pm.
Activities start on Friday night and last through Sunday morning.