The year was 1945; the war with Japan was in its last throes; gas rationing was still in effect’––when out of the west, the wild news camp, far flashing on wings of flame––’, the Canalino Lodge No. 90 was inviting all of the lodges in Area U to a fellowship conference to be held in Santa Barbara during the Easter Holidays.
Area U in those days, included almost all of Region 12. Mr. A.R. Groenink, then Scout Executive of Mission Council in Santa Brabara[sic], was the Area U Advisor[sic]. Under his leadership, the lodges of the area sent representatives from as far away as Arizona to this first Area Fellowship Conference.
The conference was such a success that it became an annual affair.
Ernie Houston, then Chief of the Spe-Lei-Yai[sic] in Glendale, was elected the first Area U Conference Chief.
Soon Area U became too large and unwieldy, and was divided. Area 12-A was comprised of all the lodges south of Santa Barbara. It once again became evident that the area was too large, and last year Area 12-A was reduced to consist of the lodges in San Diego County, Orange Empire, Northern Orange County, Riverside County, Old Baldy, Arrowhead Area, and Grayback Area Councils.
Thus, on friendship’s trail, firm bound in brotherhood, we carry on.
The following appeared in the 1956 Area 12-A Conference Booklet
