The West Virginia Elks Major Project, Inc. is a non-profit Corporation and was established in 1988 to promote the charitable, educational and benevolent activities of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks and the West Virginia Elks Association. It was determined that the West Virginia Elks major project would organize and sponsor camps for individuals who are mentally and/or physically challenged. The individuals who attend our camps normally do not have the opportunity to participate in this type of experience. The special attention we provide our campers as they participate in normal activities give them new exposures that sometimes cannot be experienced at home or school. When surveyed, parents overwhlemingly stated that their child came home stronger mentally and physically, and more enhanced socially. The West Virginia Major Project was later expanded to provide one-time grants for special education teachers to expand their skills in this field. Our camps are held in July each year back to back at the Mercer County 4-H camp located in Princeton, WV. This facility provides a beautiful backdrop for everyone to enjoy while also being close to medical facilities and hospitals that are minutes away. Our children’s camps are always FREE OF CHARGE! Campers attend at no cost to their parents or guardians regardless of their ability to pay. Camp Objectives
Promote a safe, nurturing environment for the campers to enjoy
Encourage independence and resourcefulness when met with controlled challenges
Provide opportunities for each camper to develop worthwhile personal hygienic habits and care of their living quarters as well as help each other in an atmosphere of group living
Help develop physical skills through swimming, competitive games and sports
Channel creativity and individual thinking with daily art and craft projects
Most importantly, offer opportunities for campers to communicate, have fun and make new friends
Camp ActivitiesStarting on Sunday evening, we provide a variety of activities for all campers, including:
Arts and crafts projects
Movies for rainy days
Fireworks for the children’s enjoyment
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 available
Bowling where available
Swimming
Wrestling by semi-pro wrestlers
A party each evening with Karaoke or a DJ providing music to dance the night away
Camp DirectorTaffy Robertson has been involved with the camp for over 25 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in education and psychology, and a masters in special education. She has been teaching over 16 years in all ranges of disabilities along with being a gifted special needs dance class teacher. She has been the best addition to our camp and we are proud of all her dedication to us and the campers. As our Camp Director, each year she designs and schedules camp activities around a theme. In past years, campers have enjoyed the circus, became world travelers, and many other fun and educational experiences, all allowing our campers to have fun while learning about the world around them, and most importantly, learning about themselves. Campers always look forward to evening entertainment where semi-professional wrestlers, Miss West Virginia and Santa Claus may stop for a visit.
