The 75th Cave Degree Weekend will be held September 14-15, 2024 at Yreka #19 and the Pythian Cave, conferred by Richard Brouse Degree Lodge #190.

September features a second degree weekend, which is unusual to say the least. This is being done for a couple of reasons. First, after 4 years without a cave degree, it seemed that there was significant need for live degrees, and not everyone who wanted to participate could safely do so in a single weekend. Second, the August degree weekend conflicted with the schedule for members attending the Sovereign Grand Lodge, and in order to have their involvement, it seemed desirable to have a September option as well.
The degree weekend actually confers all 4 of the primary Odd Fellows degrees. It will begin with a noon meeting of Richard Brouse Degree Lodge #190 at Yreka #19, where first the initiatory degree will be conferred, followed by lunch, and then the first degree at 2PM. We’ll take a longer break until dinner at 5:30, and then at 6:30PM we’ll drive (using private vehicles, not a bus) down to the cave to confer the second degree on all qualified candidates. The following morning at 9am, we’ll hold the ceremony for the third degree, followed by a delicious brunch for those who can stay and enjoy it.
Additionally, for those who have a letter from a legal encampment declaring them elected to membership, Barnes Encampment #77 will confer the Patriarchal degree at the cave on Sunday the 15th. Candidates will depart from Yreka #19 at 1:30PM, and the ceremony will begin at 2. Once again we’ll be using private vehicles.

All Lodges are invited to bring their qualified candidates. A letter under the seal of the Lodge, giving the names of the candidates and the degrees for which they are qualified, should be sent to:
Richard Brouse Degree Lodge #190
c/o Mason Wolf
4956 Rue Le Mans,
San Jose, CA 95136
Alternatively, a letter may be hand-delivered by a member of the Lodge before the Degrees are scheduled to be conferred.
To take the Patriarchal encampment degree, send a letter with the seal of your new encampment to:
Barnes Encampment #77
1035 Emory St
San Jose, CA 95126
You may also hand deliver it during the degree weekend.
There is no charge for the degree work itself, however there is a cost for providing meals, and tickets for each are available for purchase.
If you plan to reserve space at a hotel, we have a block of rooms available at the Best Western Miner’s Inn, which is across the street diagonally from the Yreka 19 Odd Fellows lodge. To reserve with this discount, call them at 530-842-4355 and tell them you’re with the Odd Fellows.
Menu:
Lunch will be hamburgers and hotdogs (the good ones), plus baked beans and chips.
Dinner will be a complete New York steak dinner.
Brunch on Sunday will be waffles, bacon, and eggs.
Catering is being provided by the members of Emerald Bay 50.
You may use the form below to register one or more candidates from your lodge, including yourself.
UPDATE – Registration is now closed, and the form has been disabled. If you plan to attend in person, you may pay in cash for meals, provided there is still food available.