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Elks Seek Even Larger Role In Community

    The Florida Elks has a rich history in the Umatilla area, reaching back decades to it hosting its state offices in the community and operating the Harry Anna Crippled Children’s Hospital.  Today, the state office is housed on the Elks’ sprawling, 400+ acre property west of town, as is the growing camp and special event operations that welcome thousands of people each year.
    Heading into this summer’s camp season, when upwards of 500 youth will convene each week beginning in early June, the Elks have undertaken a series of staffing, program, and facility changes designed to allow for an even higher level of service.
    The Elks have shown to be an active community partner for Umatilla over the years, with the camp hosting events for Umatilla High School - including this year’s upcoming Class of 2025 graduation, Umatilla Middle and elementary schools, and more. Today, leaders say they want to expand their contact with the community even more.
    “We have a lot to offer, and we want to continue to build that relationship,” said Nick Miller, recently named state secretary for the Florida Elks but who has spent recent years building the camp’s operations as its director.
    That role overseeing the camp has fallen to longtime staff member Elliott Gilbert.  Gilbert oversees a sprawling network of cabins and recreational facilities, including pools, a ropes course, gymnasium, trails, and even a large sand pit that is set to be used by a dirt motorcycle training school in the coming weeks.  The desire is to see the camp's many facilities used at a higher rate throughout the year.
    To help handle increased usage, the Elks are currently wrapping up the construction of new, larger kitchen facility next to its large pavilion.  The project is just the latest in an ongoing schedule of improving the camp’s amenities.
    A recent addition to the facility's leadership team is Shawn Grimm, who oversees adult groups, rentals, and the operations at the Smith Center, a conference facility that offers top-flight meeting space with boutique hotel facilities attached.
    “People come from all over,” Grimm says, reminding that while the camp charges for services, it also provides a great deal of support to groups and organizations who might not be able to experience the camp without help.
    “So much of what is charged goes right back to our youth and mission,” Grimm says.
    Gilbert reinforced the desire to see the camp support those needing support, noting the Elks' longstanding relationship with groups like the Children's Burn Foundation, MDA, and more.
    "In a lot of cases, money raised goes right back into sponsoring kids so they can go to camp."
    Among the support programs undertaken by the camp is the annual Military Week, which arrives at the end of July and when the camp brings in adult counselors who are also members of the Florida National Guard to serve children.  The camp brings military families in for free to offer a camp experience and counseling.
    “It’s very popular,” Miller says of that special program, which sees National Guard leaders sign up to serve.  “We get a lot of brass who like to participate.”
    Gilbert said the camp is also seeking to add the support of homeschool families to its slate.
    “In the last year, we’ve been looking to reach into the homeschool arena.”
    Miller said the camp’s operations are well suited to offer mid-week events, and he hopes to see the facility add usage during those periods.
    The upshot?  The Florida Elks commitment to service is bigger than ever, and its Umatilla property offers a broad range of options for families, businesses, and organizations looking for a local facility to experience high-end services. Learn more at www.floridaelks.org/camp.