The Elks and Youth

Of everything that the Elks do, perhaps nothing is more important than their work with the country's youth. The efforts of the Elks on behalf of the young--in Scouting and scholarships, sponsoring athletic and artistic endeavors, youth camps, and drug awareness programs--sow the seeds of accomplishment and commitment that benefit the nation. The work and generosity of the Elks help today's youth become tomorrow's scientists, industrialists, academics, artists, athletes, and much more.

In the 1940s, the Elks made a commitment to "lay a solid foundation for the future; building the moral and physical character of American boys and girls, the leaders of tomorrow." Since then, the Elks have done much to fulfill that self-charged responsibility--and not for fanfare or publicity, but simply because they knew it was the right thing to do.

Lodge Lodge Hosts Cookout for Junior Golfers

On July 15, 2010 the 2010 N.L. Deaver Junior Golf Camp held its closing award ceremony with a picnic lunch at Gypsy Hill Park. Staunton Lodge 351 hosted and cooked hot dogs and hamburgers, provided tee-shirts for the junior golfers and also brought along the Virginia Central District Drug Awareness trailer.

Top Left: Virginia Elks Central District Drug Awareness Trailer. Top right: Drug Awareness Chairman Robbie Miller and son show it’s never too soon to say no to drugs. Bottom Left: Paul Hiveley (left) and Dave Dove Cooking Hamburgers. Botom right: Becky Sutton (left) and Ruth Byrd fworking the chow line.

The Junior Golf Camp is named after N.L. Deaver, a former long-time golf pro at Gypsy Hill Golf Course. N.L. Deaver was instrumental in getting most golfers over 50, who grew up in Staunton, in-volved in golf.

This year 53 junior golfers attended camp. One camper came from Orlando, FL and one came all the way from France.

Special thanks to Drug Awareness and Youth Activities Chair Robbie Miller, David Miller, Tim Welch, Buddy Hutchens, Paul Hively, Joe Mader, Gerry and Becky Sutton, Dave Dove, Ruth Byrd, Gary Bartolacci and Paul and Brenda Hyde who were all on hand helping to make the occasion a success.

Thank you all!

View or Download more pictures of Junior Golf 2010.

Staunton Elks Donate Dictionaries

During May 2010, Lodge #351 donated dictionaries to every third grade student in the Staunton public school system. 210 third graders at A. R. Ware, Bessie Weller, Thomas W. Dixon and T. C. McSwain Elementary School were grateful recipients of dictionaries.

Read what the students think of their dictionaries. ([1] , [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6]

A Special Thank You to Richard Dickerson and Nancy Dickerson for delivering the dictionaries.

Lodge 351 2009-2010 "Hoop Shoot"

This year´s "Shoot" started in late October and ran through February 2010.

Finally, on the third try we were able to conduct our city/county Elks Hoop Shoot. Due to the weather we had two setbacks of our event. We were able to conduct the shoot on February 13th, 2010 at Gypsy Hill Gym. Even with the snow piled all around the parking lot and gym, we had an excellent turnout of youngsters and parents. We had some really good shooters with winners in all six groups.

The next day, February 14th, Rowland Byrd, Paul Hively and I accompanied five shooters to the Central District contest held in Fredericksburg, VA.

Our five local winners shot really well at the district shoot, resulting in two district champions and two runners-up. Our district winners were Bailey Turner of Ladd Elementary School in the 8-9 year old girls division and Joey Thompson of Bessie Weller Elementary School in the boys 10-11 year old division.

We wish them the very best in Charlottesville at the state contest on Sunday February 21st.

Our two runners-up were Jacob Sauder of Ladd Elementary School in the 8-9 boys division and Alexis Deffenbaugh from Wilson Middle School in the 10-11 year old girls division. Austin Meyers of Wilson Middle School also competed at the district level with a fine 3rd place finish.

We had a total participation in our local school shoots of 1796 shooters. There were 956 miles traveled with a total of 297 man hours.

I want to acknowledge all the wonderful help we had during this year´s shoots. Thanks to all listed for making this year’s contest run so smoothly and making my work so easy. Thanks to each and every one of you: Nan and Otis Holley, Rowland and Ruth Byrd, Sharon and Max Hirtriter, Jane Robinson, Emily Harlow, Debs Ryder, Eddie Trott, Joe Mader, Buddy Hutchens, Dan Hutchens, Gary Overstreet, David Byrd, Jeff Byrd, Gary Bartolacci, Roger Baker, Wayne Bradley, Raider Campbell, Paul Hively, Ken Pawlik, Bob Rhea, Gary Swatts, and Tim Welch. Thanks so much to our very own Mayor Lacy King for making the awards presentations.

Sincerely,
Buck Robinson

(Top Left) Lodge "Hoop Shoot" Chairman Buck Robinson explains rules. (Top Right) Two early leaders at Craigsville Elementary School. (Bottom Left) Contestants warming up. (Bottom Right) Brother Paul Hively with Hula Hoop shows that there really is a "kid in every man."

Drug Awareness Program

The Elks National Drug Awareness Program strives to teach all children and parents about the dangers of illegal drug use and prevent the abuse of legalized and prescription drugs. As the largest volunteer drug awareness program in the United States, the program relies on state, district and Lodge volunteers to promote a drug-free lifestyle. By taking pride in America’s communities and youth, the program takes action against youth drug use through education and inspiration.

Latest News on Elks National Drug Awareness Program.

What do you know? Take the Drug Education Quiz.

Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four in the Elks Drug Awareness Program Video Comic

Elks National "Hoop Shoot" Program

The Elks "Hoop Shoot" Free Throw Contest is the largest most visible of the many youth activities sponsored by Elks lodges. Over 3,000,000 boys and girls ages 8-13 will participate this year. The Elks "Hoop Shoot" has served to highlight the Elks commitment to America’s youth. From the millions of youngsters who participate and advance through the local, district, state and regional competition, six national champions are named – one boy and one girl in each of the three categories: ages 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13. The winners each receive a trophy and their names are inscribed on a plaque at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Parents accompany contestants throughout the competition. The parents of finalists at the state, regional, and national levels attend the competition as guests of the Elks.

The Elks desire through their "Hoop Shoot" program, to provide an interesting, character-building, competitive program for all girls and boys in the contest regardless of their previous athletic competition or abilities. This nationwide, sanctioned program gives these youngsters an opportunity for spirited competition, fine relationships with their peers, and travel statewide, regionally and nationally- at a minimal expense to their parents.

Not only are the participants involved in this wholesome, individual-effort program, but parents, classmates, teachers and community are included.

The "Hoop Shoot" program provides a constructive, character-building experience for young people who participate. This program allows competition with peers, free from outside influence of parents, coaches and teammates. It teaches young people the importance of developing individual skills. In addition to the mental and physical benefits provided by competing in the "Hoop Shoot" program, contestants at various levels of competition receive certificates of participation and achievement. Winners may receive trophies and plaques. The names of the national champions are displayed at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks has always considered the youth of our nation its most treasured national resource. By affording America´s children an opportunity to sharpen individual athletic talents through the largest non-commercial your co-educational sports programs in the nation, we re teaching lessons of self-discipline, respect, dedication, loyalty and individual responsibility. The contestants are better prepared for the challenge of today´s world and tomorrow´s productive opportunities.

The Elks Believe:Yes to the "Hoop Shoot" ---- No to Drugs.

"Hoop Shoot" is a registered trademark of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America.

The Dictionary Project

The Dictionary Project was founded in 1995 by Mrs. Mary French of Charleston, SC. The sole mission of this non-profit organization — which we as Elks, share — is to distribute dictionaries to as many 3rd graders as possible in the 50 United States and our environs. At this point in time more than 9,942,342 dictionaries have been distributed. Varying service clubs were the main thrust of sponsorship.

In the 2004-2005 Lodge year, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks became involved. Dictionaries have been distributed to every State of the Union, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. At this point in time close to 7 million children have received a dictionary thanks to the generosity of sponsors who have participated in the Dictionary Project.

Junior Golf

One of the fastest-growing co-ed sports in America is golf. With young players such as Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie, golf is becoming as popular among boys and girls as soccer. Many high schools now have golf not only as a co-curricular sport, but also as a PE class. Local golf courses are also recognizing the growth and popularity of the sport and are sponsoring numerous programs for young golfers. In recognizing the popularity of this sport among our youth the Elks have introduced the "Jr. Golf" Program as part of our Grand Lodge Youth Activity (GLYA) Program.

Lodge 351 Recognizes Eagle Scout

Camden Kurtz received an American Flag and a Certificate of Outstanding Citizenship on April 20, 2009 from Staunton Lodge 351, in recognition for his achievement of earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Camden is pictured with his sister Bryce, his father and Elk member Troy, and his mother Jacqueline Kurtz.