spjst summer camp: what is it, and who can participate? All eligible and qualified SPJST youth are entitled to attend camp with expenses paid in equal proportion from the district’s annual camp fund. If camping facilities are limited and elimination is inevitable, the seniority of youth club members will have first consideration. The DYC will notify all leaders at least 15 days before camp what extra costs to expect per camper.
What is it? SPJST provides summer camping for its youth members. Youth camp funds come from an annual allocation by the SPJST Board of Directors. Each of the seven SPJST districts across the state attend camp.
Who can participate?
Camp Sessions
Camp is provided on the basis of participation in SPJST activities. Pending that the qualifications are met, summer camp is available to all SPJST certificateholding youth members. Campers must also be in good standing with SPJST. The grade of the youth in the current school year will be the recognized grade level.
Junior Camp Kindergarten through 7th Grade Leaders-in-Training (LIT) Camp 8th Grade through 11th Grade
SUMMER CAMP
Eligibility Qualifications for youth to attend SPJST camp are based on the previous youth year (January 1 to December 31, 2021). To be eligible to attend camp at no charge, youth members must attend seven out of 12 youth meetings or seven out of 12 adult lodge meetings if the lodge does not have a youth club. Youth members are requested to also attend a majority of the youth activities in the youth club or lodge. Youth (previous member or new certificate) who do not meet the above qualifications may attend camp for a prorated fee determined by the SPJST Home Office. These funds will be submitted to the State Fraternal Director.
General Camp Policies
The Vice President of Communications and the State Fraternal Director have jurisdiction over all phases of the SPJST Youth Program. The SPJST Rules of Conduct for Youth Activities and SPJST Grievance Guidelines at Youth Activities are in effect at all SPJST youth activities. All the rules pertaining to camp, including the guidelines, have been approved by the Executive Committee. The rules are clear, and there should be no question as to who is in charge of the planning and arranging for each camp session.
Must be a member by May 31 of the current youth year in order for youth to be eligible to attend camp for a fee. This rule also applies to those campers who will be paying to attend camp.
Camp Program and Schedule
Each camper must submit an online application to the State Fraternal Director no later than June 7. These applications are available through the SPJST website. No one may attend SPJST Camp without a completed SPJST Eligibility Application on file for the current year.
A schedule of a balanced program of recreational and educational activities will be provided by the camp. This will include swimming, crafts, sports, and if possible, horseback riding. Special activities for teenagers will be included, if possible. The ages of the children will be considered when scheduling physical activities.
If a youth member with special/medical needs attends camp, the youth must be accompanied by an adult family member of the same sex and with a current SPJST life insurance certificate in force.
All district camps will have a universal theme, craft, and activities/games.
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