Continuing a community service begun over five years ago, Davis Encampment #21 announced today that it has provided $100 scholarships to 85 children from 39 local families. These scholarships enable the children to register for classes provided by the City of Davis Parks and Recreation staff. The classes include swim lessons, dance, week-long summer camps and family summer swim passes.
The Davis Encampment has adopted as one of its missions to facilitate and fund summer programs and summer camp experiences for children.
“We are so pleased to be able to give these families and children the opportunity to enjoy a summer experience,” said Sharla Cheney, a member of the Davis Encampment and coordinator of the scholarship program. “We wish to thank the wonderful City of Davis Parks and Recreation staff – and in particular, Administrative Operations Supervisor Christina Wood – for their work in helping families choose classes and register their children. We could not have done this without their cooperation and willingness to help.”
Davis Encampment #21 is part of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Davis Odd Fellows were chartered in 1870, and the Davis Encampment received its charter in 1955. The Davis Odd Fellows offer four degrees to its members – the Initiatory Degree, the Degree of Friendship, the Degree of Love, and the Degree of Truth. The Encampment provides three advanced degrees of Odd Fellowship for its members – the Degree of Faith, the Degree of Hope and the Degree of Charity. Members of the Encampment are permitted to wear the purple and gold fez. There are 116 Odd Fellows Lodges in California, but only 11 Encampments, including Davis Encampment #21.
Funds for the 85 scholarships were raised through a combination of donations from members, the Odd Fellows Bingo Committee, the Odd Fellows Music Committee, Santa, and a $1,000 community donation.
The deadline to apply for scholarships in 2017 has passed and no further applications can be considered for this year. However, the Davis Encampment hopes to continue the program in 2018.
“Some of the children in our scholarship program come from families who might not be able to afford the summer experience,” said Cheney. “We would like to help as many children as we can to experience the joys of a summer program, including summer camps.”
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