Rochester Elks Lodge # 1091
Youth Camp
MN Elks
Lodges Provide an Experience of a Lifetime for Deserving Youth
Rochester
Elks Lodge #1091 has teamed with 27 other Elks Lodges to provide an experience
of a lifetime for ing youth from Minnesota. On Sunday, July 6 Rochester
Elks members provided a send off for 24 deserving Rochester youth on their way
to Elks Youth Camp on Pelican Lake near Brainerd. Each year the Rochester
Elks sponsor 12 boys and 12 girls (ages 9-13) who are selected from Rochester
schools and the Boys & Girls Club.
The camp opportunity
is fully funded by the Elks and includes bus transportation. The Lodge
Does provided snack packs,
tee shirts, and rain ponchos.
2008 Campers ready to leave for camp
The Elks Youth Camp on Pelican Lake has been in operation since 1956. Elk
members not only fund the camp but also provide the resources and labor that has
developed the MN Elks Youth Camp into one of the nations absolute best state
projects.
The Minnesota Elks Youth Camp was started in 1954
on 16 acres of land on Pelican Lake, which is about 12 miles north of
Brainerd. The camp opened in 1956 and 200 boys enjoyed a 2 week camping
experience. That year Rochester Lodge sent 7 boys to camp.
Over the years the camp has grown to its present size of
270 acres, through purchases and donations to the youth camp
by private
individuals. The camp has over 25 buildings including cabins, dining hall,
staff quarters, and wash houses.
The campis funded by a
$5.00 per member assessment per year from the 27 Elks Lodges in the state, plus
monies from the Elks National Foundation and funds from the Youth Camp Memorial
Fund, which is funded by “Penny a day” and memorial donations, the money is
invested and only the interest is used. Also each lodge pays a camper fee
for each camper they send.
The criteria for sending a
child to Youth Camp is “any deserving young person that would not otherwise have
an opportunity to attend a camp”. The ages are 9 to 13 years of age (no
exceptions). All expenses are paid, including a pre camp physical,
transport- ation to and from camp and all meals. Activities include
archery, arts and crafts, boating, swimming, kayaking, fishing, miniature golf,
climbing wall and meny others. They also have the opportunity to make new
friends. Each session is one week long.
The
campers cannot be children of Elks, but there is one session reserved for our
Elk kids. There is a fee for our kids of $75 for the camping week, and
they must furnish their own transportation.
Each spring
members from all over the state go up to the camp and prepare it for the coming
summer session and each fall they come back again to close the camp for the
winter.
This year Rochester Lodge is sending 24 kids to
camp, 12 boys and 12 girls. They will go to the 5th session, July 19th to
the 25th. If you know of any boys or girls you believe would benefit from
this experience, please fill out the form below or the one in the Courier
and give or send it to the lodge secretary. (Cannot be an Elk's child or
grandchild).
____________________________________________________
Proposal for a Child to Attend Elks Youth
Camp
Youth Camp Wish List For 2009
Child's name ______________________________
Needed:
Male____ Female ____ Age _____
Twin
Sheets
Parent's Name(s) ___________________________
Pillows
Pillow Cases
Address
__________________________________
Blankets
Bath Towels
City
_________________ State __ Zip __________
Large size Life Jackets
Home Phone _______________
If you can donate any of these items
contact Bob Brown
at
289-2956
Proposer's Name ___________________________
