On June 23, 2019, our Vero Beach Elks Lodge hosted a Meet & Greet including a light breakfast of juice, cereal, fruit, granola bars and muffins for our 32 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. From our original 40 campers at the May 1st deadline, last minute cancellations were due to family or agency/court complications or interventions. We took pictures as a souvenir that was printed and mounted to give to each child on the return trip, said our “see you later” goodbyes and began our bus ride to the campgrounds. The excited children were well-behaved watching a video, talking and playing games and dined on a variety of sandwiches, 75 water bottles and lots of snacks. They ate and drank well!
Arriving at camp, each child was escorted by our Elk Volunteers through registration and given their cabin assignments then on to the regulation size gym getting acquainted with other campers and playing with the fun camp staff. Our Chaperones released our very excited children to the camping staff to begin their camping adventure! The camp staff transports the camper and their luggage to their assigned cabins, make-up bunks and to unpack the luggage to store in each child’s personal locker. Any items missing, worn or deemed unsuitable is noted by the camp counselor 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 discretely 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 sneakers that they cannot afford. In addition to the camp experience, this is yet another good deed the Elks provide to these underprivileged children.
On Saturday, June 29th, 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, ELKS CAMP IS AWESOME! Many tried archery, boating, rope climbing and other sports for the first time. Most of the campers carried clever arts & craft projects including newly crafted beaded bracelets and necklaces. At camp, the children are given camp Elks hats, shirts and 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 are always an overwhelming favorite! The days remained rain free but some evenings campfire time was canceled due to storms. The campers were still kept busy with movies, 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 Trustees, Officers and Members for your guidance and support.
A sincere “Thank-You” to our Lunch Crew and Chaperones: Franci Glatz, Terry & Ray Ketcham, Pat Diaz, Rose Tufano, Les & Brenda Owen, June Vitti, Kay & Mike Campbell and Rich Miller for all of your hard work, dedication and time. I couldn’t do this without YOU!
Fraternally, Kathi Miller, Lodge Secretary & Camp Chairman
