Four Reasons to Love Fall

 by Jenna Johnson

Elks Scholar Fellow

 Although no one wants to see summer go, here in the scholarship office, we’ve been excitingly anticipating the change of season because we’ve been hard at work planning several Elks scholar service opportunities for coming months. Fall is filled with good things—from football to pumpkin flavored everything, but most importantly, there are lots of Elks scholar opportunities to get involved in that you won’t want to miss out on! Check out the calendar of events below. 

1. While August has probably brought days of back-to-school shopping, reconnecting with friends and trying to figure out how late you can wake up and still make it to your first class on time, it has also brought the anticipation of another Elks Scholar Service Trip! The application for the Winter Scholar Service Trip in Dallas is now posted and will remain open until October 15. If you’re an Elks scholar, 18 or older, I encourage you to click here to apply to be one of the 20 Elks scholars serving individuals who experience hunger and homelessness in Dallas from January 8-14. It will be a week of learning about important societal issues, forming lasting friendships with fellow Elks scholars, and exploring a new city. If you’re curious about what these trips are all about, click here to watch a recap video from the Chicago Summer Service Trip. 

2. And although September may mean packing up the summer clothing, and anticipating a much needed three-day weekend to recover from your first few weeks of classes, it also means Elks Scholar Meet-Ups are back! My co-worker, Maryann Slater, and I will be traveling to University of Wisconsin on Friday, September 23 to have a meet-up with some of the 26 Elks scholars on campus. The Madison Lodge No. 410 has graciously offered to host us for dinner, and we’re looking forward to a great evening of connecting and conversing. Click here if you’re interested in hosting an Elks Scholar Meet-Up on your campus. We’d love to provide you with resources, and we’ll reimburse you up to $10 per Elks scholar in attendance. It’s the perfect opportunity to try out a new restaurant while also meeting fellow Elks scholars who may become fast friends! 

3. In October, take a quick break from planning out your winning Halloween costume and apply for the Spring Elks Scholar Service Trip! The application will be posted on October 31, and the quicker you apply, the more likely your chances are of spending spring break serving the community of New Orleans. Not sure if this opportunity is for you? Click here to watch a short video of past trip participants explaining why you should attend. 

4. Last, but not least, the first-ever Elks Scholar Service Days will be occurring November 18-20 across the United States. In honor of National Family Volunteer Day on November 19, we encourage all Elks scholars to serve with their Elks family sometime over the course of the weekend. All you have to do is pick a project you’re passionate about and involve Elks scholars on your campus. Maryann and I will be traveling to New York City to serve with Elks scholars attending universities in the area on November 18, and we’d love to be one group of many! Take a moment before Thanksgiving break to pour back into your community, and express your thanks for the many ways people have poured into you as an individual. We know Elks scholars are known for their willingness to serve communities of all kinds. 

So as you head back to campus and start planning out your semester, take a moment to incorporate one or more of these exciting Elks scholar opportunities into your schedule. You won’t regret it, and you might discover a few more reasons to fall in love with fall!