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Youth Committee

Submitted by Site Administrator on Fri, 2006-06-23 20:12. [ ]

R.·.W.·. Cary Cohn, Chairman

Building Character, Compassion, and Confidence

Welcome to the Masons Youth Committee. One of the primary reasons men become Masons is to give back to the community in a meaningful way - and what better way than to get involved with youth? Masons teach youth the value of donating time, and role modeling moral, ethical behavior. As a Mason you’ll be shaping the character of tomorrow’s leaders.

An overview of the Committee, its goal and its current membership is available here.

Our Youth Committee is dedicated to recognizing the efforts of today’s outstanding young men and women - as well as the Masons who serve them. There are a variety of statewide programs and awards, including:

We also have many suggested activities for youth in your local communities, including:

Lodge Programs

  • Annual “Father and Son” or Family Dinner
  • Invite DeMolay, Constellation, Rainbow, and Triangle to conduct Family Night programs
  • Take kids to a Shrine Circus
  • Host an Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween party, or Holiday Party for underprivileged children
  • Hold a school talent show in your Lodge hall

Activities

  • Organize a Bicycle Rodeo
  • Coach a sports team, and have your Lodge or District underwrite the team’s uniforms and equipment
  • “Keep Kids Safe Day,” Child ID and car seat training
  • Conduct essay contests in local schools
  • Permit youth to use your Lodge rooms for meetings - Scouts, DeMolay, etc.
  • Invite youth in for Lodge clean-ups and reward them with lunch

Activities with Masonic Youth

  • Visit children’s hospitals, VA hospitals, or shut-ins
  • Involve in reading programs for the elderly or the blind
  • Adopt a highway
  • Help a day care center
  • Provide holiday gifts for needy children
  • Organize collection drives for clothes, coats, books, eyeglasses, etc.
  • Volunteer at soup kitchens
  • Develop recreation or environmental projects
  • Support Meals on Wheels or similar groups (with time and money)

Financial Support

  • Support Masonic Youth Organizations through the Masonic Brotherhood Fund
  • Donate money or materials to youth summer camps and day care centers
  • Provide assistance to local Scout troops; basketball, soccer, hockey, lacrosse leagues; or 4-H clubs
  • Create high school and college scholarships
  • Donate funds to the homeless, especially families with children
  • Sponsor a child at Camp Turk
  • Sponsor a high school “drug-free” graduation party
  • Challenger donations for Little League

Fundraising Projects

  • Work with youth to raise funds for local chapters of the Red Cross, March of Dimes, Cancer Societies, Cerebral Palsy, Salvation Army, hospitals, ambulance corps, Ronald McDonald Houses, etc. Also consider financing the signage for Drug-Free zones, defibrillators for ambulance corps, and bulletproof vests for local police forces.
  • Host potluck dinners, spaghetti suppers, or pancake breakfasts
  • Solicit donations of equipment for local schools, hospitals, handicapped children, etc.
  • Sponsor a Sports Night, and send donations to the Police Athletic League

We would like to know what youth activity your Lodge may be involved in. To report your District's or Lodge's involvement with youth click here.

Frank M. Totton Essay Contest

The Endowment Fund of the Fifth Manhattan District sponsors this contest, which committee members judge. This year’s theme is “What am I most thankful for?” The contest is open to any high school senior who is the child or grandchild of a Master Mason or a member of their extended family, and who anticipates entering an accredited college in the fall of 2009. Essays must be between 200 and 350 words, and should not include the author’s name on the front page. They must be accompanied by the Secretary’s signature and Lodge Seal. The awards are: $1,500 for first place; $1,000 for second; $750 for third; $500 for fourth; $350 for fifth; $250 for sixth; and $100 for seventh through tenth. To download an entry form, click here.

Masonic Girl Scout Award

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. The Masonic Girl Scout Award recognizes this achievement. For more information and an application form, click here.

Masonic Eagle Scout Award

This distinctive and prized award is bestowed upon Eagle Scouts in recognition of their dedication to Scouting pursuits and achievement. The recipient receives the bronze citizenship medal approved by the BSA National Council, a commendation from Grand Lodge and a letter from the Grand Master. The award was created through the influence of M.·.W.·. and Honorable Judge Charles W. Froessel, Grand Master, 1944-46, who was an avid Scouter all his life. For more information and an application form, click here.

Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award

This national recognition is approved by the Boy Scouts of America, and honors outstanding service to youth through a connection with the Scouts. It may be presented to any Master Mason who has made significant contributions to youth through Scouting. The recipient must be a currently registered Scouter, and display outstanding commitment to the Scouting program. The criteria for the award are work accomplishment and dedication, rather than a specific number of years. The award itself includes a certificate and Masonic neck medallion and knot patch to be worn with a Scout uniform. For nominations click here.

General Douglas MacArthur Youth Award

This award is presented to non-Masons, men, women or organizations, for their “exemplary and voluntary” community service to youth. This award promotes our interest in the youth of our communities. Download a nomination form.

Grand Lodge Service to Youth Award

This award is presented to Masons for their “exemplary and voluntary” community service to youth. This award promotes our interest in the youth of our communities. Download a nomination form.