Florida Youth Elks Camp Wrap Up from Kathi Miller
A Great Example of our accomplishments by the Vero Beach Elks Lodge. Congratulations to Kathi Miller and all to enable 33 kids to have a great experience.
On June 18, 2017, our Vero Beach Elks Lodge, hosted a light breakfast of juice, fruit, muffins, granola bars and danish for our 33 Vero Beach Elks campers and their parents/guardians, before we began our 2:45 hour bus trip to the Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla, FL. A few campers were forced to cancel at the last minute due to an outbreak of strep throat in Vero Beach. The excited children were well-behaved singing, talking and playing games during the ride and dined on 64 sandwiches of beef bologna, cheese, PB & J, 75 water bottles and lots of snacks. They ate well!
Arriving at camp, each child had their picture taken for identification purposes and had a fun time getting acquainted and playing with some excellent, fun camp staff. After pictures and play, we proceeded to one of the many new recreation halls for track/cabin assignments and to finalize check-in. The Chaperones released our very excited children to the camping staff to begin their camping adventure! The camp staff transported the children's luggage to their assigned cabins and unpacked the contents in each child's personal locker. Any items missing, worn or deemed unsuitable were noted and purchased by the Florida Elks camp staff for the campers to use and take home at the end of camp. This process is all handled privately so as not to embarrass the child. Like Christmas morning, the child will find the newly purchased goodies in their locker! Many parents are grateful to have their child receive much needed clothing, personal items and shoes that they just cannot afford. In addition to the camp experience, this is yet another good deed the Elks provide to these underprivileged children.
On Saturday, June 24th, Elks Chaperones met at our lodge to begin the trip to pick-up our campers. Lunch, water and snacks were again provided to the campers for the ride back to Vero Beach. The general consensus of the campers, THEY HAD A BLAST AT CAMP! Many tried archery for the first time and some carried clever arts & craft projects that they had made. The campers were also adorned with newly crafted beaded bracelets and necklaces. They wore Elks hats, shirts and carried water bottles, all included in the tuition. The children loved their swimming time in one of the two Olympic size pools and the rope and zip-line course was an overwhelming favorite! The days remained rain free but many evenings campfire time was canceled due to storms. The campers were still kept busy with games, singing, snacks, stories, movies and pillow fights!
During the bus ride home, Rich and I sent a text message to all parents/guardians as to our ETA at the lodge to make pick-up go smoothly. Meanwhile, the children ate, napped, shared camping experiences with the Chaperones and serenaded us by singing the new comical and delightful songs they learned at camp. Many campers shed tears that camp was over until next year and some were sad at the realization that they will turn 14 and not be eligible to return to Elks camp next summer. Arriving at the lodge, we were met by a parking lot full of parents eager to see their child and hear about the exciting camping experiences, new friends and personal achievements.
I cannot begin to thank our fantastic Vero Beach Elk volunteers enough! From making lunches and snack bags, greeting the campers for breakfast and check-in at the Elks Lodge, taking the time to Chaperone and the many Elk members that generously donated to make this a camping experience the children will remember for a lifetime. Thank you to our Exalted Ruler, Paul Diaz and to all of our Vero Beach Elks Officers and Members for your guidance and support.
A sincere “Thank-You” to Peggy Bradley, Margaret Hearndon, Michele Klager, Jack “Tex” McClurken, Rich Miller, Marilyn Mulhall, Nancy “HaHa” Seeley, Darlene Short and June Vitti for all of your hard work, dedication and time.
Sincerely, Kathi Miller
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