2019 CAMPS
First camp: July 17 - 21, 2019
second camp: July 22 - 26, 2019
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
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.
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
- 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
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.
