Inc.Children Camps

The West Virginia Elks Major Project, Inc. is anon-profit Corporation and was established in1988 to promote the charitable, educational andbenevolent activities of the Benevolent and Pro-tective Order of the Elks and the West VirginiaElks Association. It was determined that the WestVirginia Elks major project would organize andsponsor camps for individuals who are mentallyand/or physically challenged.

The individuals who attend our camps normallydo not have the opportunity to participate in thistype of experience.

The special attention we provide our campers asthey participate in normal activities give them newexposures that sometimes cannot be experi-enced at home or school.

When surveyed, parents overwhlemingly statedthat their child came home stronger mentally andphysically, and more enhanced socially.

Our Major Project was later expanded to provideone-time grants for special education teachers toexpand their skills in this field.

West Virginia Elks Major Project,

Our camps are provided at two (2) separate loca-tions to accommodate the entire state. The North-Central camp is at camp Muffly 4-H Camp nearMorgantown, WV and the South Camp is locatedat the Mercer Count 4-H Camp just outside ofPrinceton, WV.

Since both 4-H camps are located just outside ofthe city limits, medical facilities and hospitals areonly minutes away.

Our children’s camps are always FREE OFCHARGE! Campers attend at no cost to their par-ents or guardians regardless of their ability to pay.

WHO IS ELIGIBLEWHO IS ELIGIBLEWHO IS ELIGIBLEWHO IS ELIGIBLEWHO IS ELIGIBLE

Each camp is a one-week experience for individu-als eight (8) years old or older. They shall be diag-nosed as having a mental or physical disability ora combination of disabilities..

Family members may visit anytime and may evenvolunteer to help during their stay.

The number of campers is determined by the camphousing availability, the availability of staff and bythe Camp Director.

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVESOBJECTIVESOBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

• Our intent is to promote a safe, nurturingenvironment for the campers to enjoy.

• To develop an awareness of the camper’s

potentials as they relate to their disability andto make them cognizant of the maximumuse of their abilities and minimize theirdisabilities.

• To encourage independence and re-sourcefulness within their limitations.

• To provide opportunities for eachcamper to develop worthwhile personalhygienic habits and care of their livingquarters.

• To help develop physical skills such asswimming, competitive games andsports.

• To channel creativity and individualthinking with daily art and craft projects.

• To provide an opportunity which encour-ages them to help each other in an atmo-sphere of group living.

• Most importantly, to provide opportuni-ties for campers to communicate, havefun and make new friends.

ABOUT THE STABOUT THE STABOUT THE STABOUT THE STABOUT THE STAFFAFFAFFAFFAFF

The West Virginia Elks Major Project board of di-rectors chooses the Camp Director based on his/her individual’s skills, training, practical experi-ence in special education and a proven ability/desire to work with the physically and mentallychallenged.

The Camp Director and the Board of Directorschooses the councelors and staff based on theirskills, training, experience and an untiring desireto help these special children.

The entire staff volunteers their time, energy andexpertise to this great cause. They are dedicated,sensitive, and aware of the special needs of ourcampers. Most of them are CPR certified, somehave medical training, and some are trained life-guards.

All medications are locked and in a secure place,under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse24 hours a day. The nurse administers all medica-tions and monitors the well being of the campers.

Lifeguards are on duty during all swimming activi-ties.

MEALMEALMEALMEALMEALSSSSS

A meals service coordinator developes and orga-nizes meal service procedures for the camps. Aprofessional staff, catering to the special dietaryneeds and food allergies, prepares all meals. Weprovide (3) meals and (3) snacks per day for allcampers and staff.

AAAAACTIVITIES FOR THE CAMPERSCTIVITIES FOR THE CAMPERSCTIVITIES FOR THE CAMPERSCTIVITIES FOR THE CAMPERSCTIVITIES FOR THE CAMPERS

Starting on Sunday evening, we provide a varietyof activities for all campers. Examples of theseactivities are:

• Arts and crafts projects.• Movies for rainy days.• Fireworks for the children’s enjoyment.• Karaoke and DJs provide music to dance

the night away.

• Cookouts.• Indoor and outdoor games.• Visits from the local fire departments with

equipment.• Visits from college or semi-pro athletes.• Trip to semi-pro baseball games when avail-

able.• Bowling where available.• Swimming.• Wrestling by semi-pro wrestlers.• A party each evening.

Each evening has a different theme – carnival, MardiGras, Halloween, talent show, etc.

We end the week with a Friday night awards cer-emony and a Christmas party including a visit fromold Saint Nick with presents for all of the campers.

WHEN IS THE CAMP HELD?WHEN IS THE CAMP HELD?WHEN IS THE CAMP HELD?WHEN IS THE CAMP HELD?WHEN IS THE CAMP HELD?

The North-Central Camp is always held the last fullweek of June at Camp Muffly 4-H Camp and theSouth Camp is always held the last full week of Julyat the Mercer County 4-H Camp.

Camper applications are available from your localElks Lodge starting on February 1 each year.

MORE INFORMAMORE INFORMAMORE INFORMAMORE INFORMAMORE INFORMATION ATION ATION ATION ATION AVVVVVAILAILAILAILAILABLEABLEABLEABLEABLE

For more information or to obtain a camper applica-tion, contract your local Elks Lodge. There aretwenty-three (23) local Elk Lodges in West Virginiaand all are listed in your local phone book. If an ElksLodge is not in your immediate area, please contactWilliam Malloy at 304-422-8129 or Richard Romino

at 304-363-2292 for more information.Please consider making a tax deductible contribu-tion to this worthy cause. Simply fill out the at-tached contribution form and mail today. The chil-dren and the West Virginia Elks Major Projectsthank you.

Wes

t Vir

gini

a M

ajor

Pro

ject

s C

ontr

ibut

ion

Form

Nam

e __

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__

Add

ress

: ___

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__

City

/Sta

te/Z

ip__

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

___

Am

ount

of C

ontr

ibut

ion

$__

____

____

____

____

____

_

Mai

l To:

W

est V

irgi

nia

Maj

or P

roje

cts

Attn

: Nea

l Mic

hael

s

2

27 S

outh

Wel

ls S

tree

t

S

iste

rsvi

lle, W

V 2

6175

Please, Help Send Us To Camp