SPJST YOUTH SECTION

SPJST Summer Camp registration continues through May 15

The deadline for Věstník items is 5 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Send your news and photos to:

SPJST Věstník Editor Melanie Zavodny

P.O. Box 100 Temple, Texas 76503

Email: vestnik@spjst.org

Online: spjst.org/news/submitarticle-photo

Questions? Call 800-727-7578

All fees must be paid by June 1. Fees (except non-refundable registration fees) are refundable until June 6.

SPJST will host one state camp session this summer beginning Wednesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Camp Kubena in Ledbetter, Texas. The session will be open to SPJST members and non-members, pending availability.

SPJST youth members who will be in first through 12th grade as of September 1, 2023, are eligible to attend. Activities will be age-specific for both teens/leaders-in-training and juniors, and programs will run parallel during the camp session.

Registration for members closes when filled or on May 1. Camper slots are first come, first serve and a waiting list will be created, if necessary. The fee for youth members is $335. The fee for youth who have attended at least seven lodge/youth club meetings between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, is $125, which includes a $25 non-refundable registration fee. Fees will be prorated for youth who have attended less than seven meetings.

The camp fee for non-members is $450, which includes a $50 non-refundable registration fee.

Late Registration - May 2 to 15

Late registration is May 2 to May 15. The non-refundable registration fee will increase during this time. Late registration camp fee is $335 for SPJST members (which includes a $50 non-refundable registration fee). The late registration camp fee for non-members is $450 (which includes a $100 non-refundable registration fee). All registration ends on May 15.

Camperships (Camp Scholarships) What are Camperships?

Through the generosity of our donors, SPJST is able to offer camp scholarships (camperships) to individuals and families in financial need. The Campership funds make it possible for children and families to attend camp regardless of their ability to pay.

Donating to Camperships

Will you help us make this the best summer ever for an SPJST camper this year? Lodges and members are encouraged to help youth in need experience a fantastic summer opportunity. There are several ways to give to our campership program: donate online at spjst.org/camp or send your donation to SPJST c/o Summer Camp, PO Box 100, Temple, TX 76503-0100.

Applying for a Campership

Financial assistance is based on the United States poverty guideline. The application form may be found at spjst.org/camp or contact the State Fraternal Director at 254-534-0681. Mail your completed application to SPJST State Fraternal Director, PO Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503-0100. After you have been approved for a campership, you may register online with your financial deposit.

For more information about SPJST Summer Camp, visit spjst.org/camp or contact State Fraternal Director Frank Horak at frankh@spjst.com or 254-7751575, ext. 177 or Fraternal Services Specialist Tammy Martinez at tammym@spjst.com or 254-773-1575, ext. 164.

—SPJST—

District Five youth night at the ballpark May 13 in Sugar Land

Dear Readers,

Are you a fan of our nation’s favorite pastime, baseball?

Come join District Five Youth Club, and enjoy a night at the ball park on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Constellation Field in Sugar Land will open at 5 p.m. Join us for an evening of food and fun. This event is for any youth club member and young-at-heart.

You will receive com plimentary admission into the game and a $15 voucher for food and drinks in the park. A park ing pass will also be in cluded for each family.

Complete the Google form using the QR code on the flyer to sign up. We will no longer take signups after April 18.

Hope to see you there! Go, Space Cowboys!^

Kristen Jones

District Five Youth Counselor —SPJST—

District Six youth to decorate rocks for Camp Kubena April 16 in Victoria

Hello to all of District Six Youth Club Members and Parents!

Our district meeting is around the corner — Sunday, April 16, 2023. It will be held in Victoria, Texas, at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral Center, Saint Gabriel Hall, 1309 East Mesquite Lane. State Fraternal Director Frank Horak will be attending our meeting and will be presenting the upcoming changes to SPJST Youth Program such as service projects, camp, State Youth Showcase, and much more. If you have any concerns about the youth program this is the time to get your questions answered. It will be a very informative gathering that begins at 10 a.m. I strongly encourage the parents of District Six to attend.

The youth are asked to bring a decorated rock for a participation award for the April monthly challenge “Decorate A Rock” for Camp Kubena.

I have also come up with a program that the youth attending will present at the district meeting. I will go over it with you all on that day.

The district is also asking for raffle and auction items to help fund our district meeting expenses. If I may ask, will each family please bring an item suitable for a raffle or silent auction prize?

Lodge 9, Snook youth restores 1945 tractor; wins awards in San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston shows

Hagan Sebesta of Lodge 9, Snook Youth Club is pictured with his restored 1945 Farmall B tractor. He placed fourth overall at the San Angelo Ag Mechanics Show, placed first in his class at the San Antonio Ag Mechanics Show, and received a blue rosette ribbon at the Houston Ag Mechanics Show.

Please check the agenda for the day’s event in this Vestnik on page 14.

See you all on Sunday, April 16 in Victoria.

Lisa Bubela District Six Youth Counselor —SPJST—

Lodge 25, Ennis Youth Club to host April 14 - 16 garage sale to raise funds for camp

Dear Readers, Lodge 25, Ennis Youth Club met on Sunday, April 2, 2023. After our Mexican food meal, State Fraternal Director Frank Horak updated members of the exciting changes to the SPJST Youth Program. We then had our annual Easter egg hunt.

Garage Sale—April 14, 15, 16

A reminder that we will have a garage sale on Friday, April 14, Saturday, April 15, and Sunday, April 16 to raise money to send our kids to camp. If anyone has a donation, please call me at 469-337-2284.

Next Meeting—May 7

The next meeting will be Sunday, May 7 at 2 p.m. at the hall. See you then!

Fraternally yours, Rita Holland, Youth Leader —SPJST—

Lodge 49, Rowena youth attends school Easter party

Dear SPJST, Today is my last class Easter party at school. Next year, I will be in seventh grade.

This year has been good and fun. We are going to the rodeo on Friday. Then all my cousins will be here on Saturday for Easter.

Cotton Wood, age 12 —SPJST—

Lodge 25, Ennis Youth Club Celebrates Easter

Sunday, April 2, 2023

• Submitted by Rita Holland, Youth Leader

Lodge 49, Rowena youth ready to graduate high school

Dear SPJST,

Today may be my last time running track. It is district, and we have the 4x100 relay today. I hope we advance and keep going. School is getting longer by the days. I’m so ready to graduate.

Tanner Wood, age 18 —SPJST—

Lodge 49, Rowena youth advances to regionals in tennis

Dear SPJST, I made it to regionals in tennis. We leave Easter Sunday, and I play on Monday. I’m excited and nervous at the same time. I hope we do good and keep going. I play boys double.

Hunter Wood, age 17 —SPJST—

Now Hiring! Camp Kubena seeks summer staff

Hey, Everyone!

I am looking for some great people who are 18 years or age and older to work at Camp Kubena this summer and make a little money. We are going to have a fantastic summer camp season. Camp Kubena will provide meals and housing all summer long. Here are some of the details on our open positions:

Seasonal Program Staff

This position is trained in lifeguarding, high and low ropes, shooting sports, and educational programs. Will work directly with youth.

Seasonal Ranger Staff

This position works with a team to perform maintenance and housekeeping duties. Can be cross-trained for program duties.

Seasonal Kitchen Staff

This position works with a team to prepare meals and maintains the dining hall.

Employment dates are May 15, 2023 (start) to August 4, 2023 (end).

Pay Scale

Starting pay, no experience or involvement with SPJST - $300 per week. Experienced lifeguard, participated with SPJST, or other good qualifications - $325 per week.

Kitchen staff start - $325 per week. Experienced kitchen staff or participated with SPJST - $350 per week.

Anyone who reads this Vestnik letter that is hired will receive a $50 sign-on bonus.

Any Camp Kubena staff that refers another employee that gets hired will receive an additional $50 bonus for each referral.

Apply at campkubena.com/jobs

To apply, do one or all of the following:

Complete the online application at https://www.campkubena.com/jobs

Email Rob Clift at robc@spjst.com Call Rob Clift at 979-220-4256

I am looking forward to seeing some SPJST young adults this summer! Rob Clift, Director Camp Kubena 979-220-4256 www.campkubena.com —SPJST—

Lodge 25, Ennis youth member wins huge Easter prize egg

Dear Readers,

Pigs make awesome pets

Oink, oink! Close your eyes and imagine a pig. Where do you see it? Maybe on a farm, rolling around in some mud. But what about on a leash?

Now that might seem silly. And maybe you’re thinking, “But dogs walk on leashes!” True, but recently, more and more people are putting collars (and sometimes sweaters) on pigs.

They’re still a big commitment, and need lots of outdoor space to play in, but who knows? Your family may be just right for a pet pig. So the next time you’re thinking of an animal friend, remember these reasons why pigs make awesome pets!

Pigs are squeaky clean

We tend to think pigs only hang around in muddy places. But that doesn’t mean they’re not clean animals! Pigs can’t sweat. So on hot days, they roll around in the mud to keep cool. And did you know, pigs can swim and they

Lodge 30, Taiton youth wins awards at Wharton County Youth Fair

Lodge 30, Taiton Youth Creates entry gate in Ag mechanics for County Fair

Hey, SPJST Members. My friend and I made an entry gate for ag mechanics and showed it in our county fair. It was fun to see our design come to life and create it. I’m looking forward to doing it again next year!

Grant Bubela age 17

—SPJST— Grant, right, and friend are pictured behind the gate.

Flower Pretzel Bites

Simple, pretty, and tasty! No-bake and take just a few minutes to throw together. Sweet and salty treats that are bright and cheerful, they are the perfect gift for kids to make for their mom for Mother’s Day, take to their classroom, or just as a fun sweet treat that can easily be made with many different colors of flowers since there are plenty of M&M’s colors. Perfect for any last minute “oops I forgot I’m bringing the dessert” moments!

Selecting Ingredients for Flower Pretzel Bites like it? So that’s another way they can keep clean. When properly cared for, pigs are also free of any funky smells.

● Pretzels – Be sure you get the rectangle shaped pretzels (or mini pretzel twists) so you have plenty of surface area to make the flowers!

Pigs can learn tricks

Grown-ups may not think it’s a cool trick if your pet pig can get into the fridge. But it’ll certainly keep you entertained! Pigs are a lot like dogs. It’s easy to train them to follow commands. And did you know pigs are thought to be about as smart as dolphins? They can learn to roll over and shake a hoof as easily as they can master doors — fridge included.

Pigs are curious

You’ll often see pigs with their snouts to the ground. That’s because they’re always checking out their environment. Just like how dogs sniff everything around them. Pigs rely on their sense of smell to map out their surroundings. And here’s a fun fact — pigs can smell up to 25 feet underground!

Pigs won’t make you sneeze pig wants snuggles because they have some serious communication skills. They can bark, cough, squeal, and even laugh! Okay, it’s an extra joyful squeal that sounds like laughter. But pigs only use it when they’re really happy about something. If a pig considers you their friend, you’ll be greeted with a happy squeal! https://www.cbc.ca/kids/articles/5-reasons-pigs-make-awesome-pets; February 8, 2023 —SPJST—

So the next time you’re thinking you want a cat or a dog . . . maybe you can be best buds with a pig instead!

● If you’re not able to find seasonal Easter M&M’s, regular color M&M’s will work fine; your flowers just won’t be super “springy.”

● White Candy Melts - White candy melts works easiest in this recipe, but if you can’t find them, use white chocolate chips.

Ingredients

42 square pretzels

42 candy melts, white

(1) 10-ounce bag color M&M’s Note: Choose pastel M&M’s if you can find them

Directions

Preheat the oven to 250°F and prepare

Lodge 47, Seaton Youth Club

gives cares shares

Dear Readers,

On March 29, 2023, I showed my goat, Jerry, at the Wharton County Youth Fair. I placed fifth in my class and third in junior showmanship. It was my first year to raise a project, and I had so much fun. I can’t wait to do it again next year.

Grady Lange, age 8

—SPJST—

Ever pet a pig? If you have, you know they’re not as soft as say, a cat. But that’s because they don’t have fur, they have hair. A pig’s hair feels scratchy, but that’s actually a good thing for anyone who is allergic to animals. The bristly hair that pigs have is hypoallergenic (say “hai-poh-al-er-gen-ick”). Meaning it’s unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.

Pigs want to cuddle

Like us, pigs are pack animals. So they crave attention and time with their loved ones. You’ll know when your pet

Youth members Joseph and Jennifer Hoelscher of Lodge 24, Cyclone present 45 soup cans to a representative of Ronald McDonald House in Temple. The soup cans were collected and donated by youth members attending the Lodge 47, Seaton Youth Club meeting.

Lodge 81, Needville; 88, houston youth create art with 100 pennies