Moose Youth Awareness Program

Youth Awareness Program

The time of year is upon us for State/Provincial Youth Awareness Congresses to

take place. In an effort to assist your fraternal unit in identifying high school

students who may be interested in participating in the program, we are providing

you with a draft press release to be forwarded to your local newspapers, radio

and television stations, as well as instructions to the lodge for follow-up. You will

find the press release and instructions below.

This program can be an incredibly valuable asset to the children of your

community, both those receiving the messages through Moose KidsTalks and

the teenagers participating in the program and competing for an opportunity to

earn a portion of $30,000 in available scholarship money furnished annually by

the Moose Legion. Please promote this program using the tools that are

available to you through the Moose International website and your Association

Youth Awareness Coordinator(s). If you have any questions, please contact the

Activities Department at (630) 966-2214.

Seeking High Schoolers: Moose Youth Awareness Program

Speakers’ Bureau Offers College Scholarships; Encourages Healthy Choices

While some high school students are just getting back into school routines, others have their eyes on

what’s to come. These are the ideal students for the Moose Youth Awareness Program, which gives

participants an opportunity to compete for $30,000 in college scholarship money.

High school students who are interested in public speaking and educating young children on a number of

positive lifestyle topics ranging from bullying to drugs/alcohol are encouraged to participate in the program,

sponsored by the more than one million men and women of the Moose organization. Those interested in

the program should contact their State Youth Awareness Coordinator for information. A list of State Youth

Awareness Coordinators, along with their email addresses, can be found at

http://www.mooseintl.org/portal/pdf/YouthAware/LOOM_Coordinators.pdf.

“Originally designed as a young speakers’ bureau, the Moose Youth Awareness Program has grown over

the past 25 years to become a highly recognized opportunity for students to develop and hone their public

speaking and leadership abilities,” said Scott Hart, CEO, Moose International. “High school students

involved in the program, since its inception, have reached more than 700,000 young children with positive

lifestyle messages,” he added.

In order to participate, students must attend a State Youth Awareness Congress to gain an understanding

of how the program works. During the State Congress, students will identify an issue they want to address

– some base it on direct experiences, such as bullying or child abuse; others see a problem they want to

“fix.” All topics must promote healthy choices in young children ages 4-9.

Students then create their own “Moose KidsTalks” presentations to reach these audiences. Over the next

several months, program participants identify their own speaking opportunities in various clubs and

organizations (i.e., scouting groups, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, classes), and must make three or more

presentations by February, 2014. Students are encouraged to be creative with their presentations, with

presenters often using coloring books, videos, social media, costumes, songs and skits to ensure their

messages resonate with young children.

At the end of February, written reports submitted by those students who have completed at least three

“Moose KidsTalks” are judged by a peer group to determine who will represent the state at the annual

International Youth Awareness Congress, which is held during the first weekend of May. The 2014

International Youth Awareness Congress will be held in Gettysburg, PA.

INSERT LOCAL DETAILS HERE – [for example, “Prairie Lodge #123 is inviting local high school students

to be part of the Youth Awareness Program. To learn more, call 800-22MOOSE, or visit

prairiemooselodge.org}.

“The Moose Youth Awareness speakers are extremely bright, creative individuals. Some of the students

who attend are already leaders in school or community youth programs; some became leaders as a result

of the knowledge and experience they gain from the experience,” explains LOCAL SPOKESPERSON.

Previous “Moose KidsTalks” have focused on a variety of topics, such as drug and alcohol abuse, child

abuse, "stranger danger", bullying and peer pressure, and healthy habits and nutrition. Each year,

approximately 60 students out of approximately 1,000 participants are chosen to attend the International

Youth Awareness Congress. Five winners, selected by their peers, receive scholarships (1st place -

$12,000; 2nd place - $8,000; 3rd place - $5,000; 4th place - $3,000; and 5th place - $2,000). Funding for the

scholarships is provided by the Moose Legion, the Moose fraternity’s Degree of Service. Travel costs

associated with the International Youth Awareness Congress weekend are provided by the men and

women of the local sponsoring Lodges, Chapters and State Associations.

About the Moose

Moose International is an organization of more than one million men and women, dedicated to caring for

the young and old, bringing communities closer together and celebrating life. The Moose organization

maintains approximately 1,700 Moose Centers across the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Bermuda,

providing members with family-oriented social, dining and sports activities. The Moose organization’s main

endeavors include Mooseheart, a residential community and school celebrating its centennial, created for

children whose families are unable to care for them; and Moosehaven, a Florida retirement community for

senior Moose members. Visit www.heardofmoose.org.