2007 ODD FELLOWS AND REBEKAHS

UNITED NATIONS PILGRIMAGE FOR YOUTH

The Jurisdiction of Texas has set a goal to send 10 students on the 2007 United Nations Pilgrimage which will take place in July 2007.  Last year we had 7 delegates and more participation is needed this year.

The cost of the tour will be $1200 plus the cost of airfare.  To secure a delegate seat, a $600 non-refundable deposit must be paid to the Grand Lodge Office by December 15, 2006.  The tour is open to students who are 16 and 17, who are Sophomores or Juniors in High School.  Students who reach the age of 18 prior to the summer program are not eligible to participate.  Students will be required to submit a current photo, certified copy of their birth certificate, proof of insurance, current physical, and must write a 500 word essay.  Also, students will be required to have a passport.

Please remember the following deadlines:

     December 15, 2006 - $600 non-refundable deposit is due.

     March 15, 2007 - Final payment and all registration documents are due.

For more information about the tour,

check out the new web site of www.unpilgrimage.org

or contact the Grand Lodge Office

at 1-800-299-7438 or through e-mail at gliooftx@nctv.com. 

The following is a report written by Whitney Curtis outlining her experiences while participating in the 2005 Odd Fellows and Rebekahs United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth:

UNITED NATIONS PILGRIMAGE "EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME"

By Whitney Curtis

It has been said that one event can change a life forever.  I was fortunate enough to have just an experience this summer.  This experience came as the result of a "gift" from an organization that I have learned to love over the past few years.  I hope that by sharing my wonderful experience, you will feel proud of your support for the Odd Fellows United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth.

As a young adult, I have been blessed to have traveled many places in my life.  I have been to Hawaii, Colorado, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, Tennessee... the list goes on.  However, the most rewarding trip that I have ever taken was the United Nations Tour this summer.  I had the opportunity to meet young adults from all over the world and make friendships that will last a lifetime.  I was able to personally experience more about our nation's history than most people will experience in a lifetime.  I also learned a great deal about how the United Nations functions while meeting with U. N. officials.  I will never forget my experience of a Broadway Musical, my visit to historical landmarks and my favorite chaperone "Pop" (a.k.a. Shannon).  I never will forget the feeling of discovering some of my own family history along the way.

I was very impressed with the number of U. N. delegates who were sponsored by the Odd Fellows on this trip.  There were 161 young adults from all over the world sharing this experience with me.  I came to know several of them personally through the roommate rotation program that was set up.  Each time we moved to a different hotel I was assigned three new roommates.  I was surprised at how well everyone seemed to get along.  The chaperones did a superb job making everyone feel secure at every stage of the tour.  At no time during the trip did I feel my safety was compromised.  I was also surprised to find that there was a five dollar food allowance for every meal.  This left me more money for souvenirs for myself which was a welcomed surprise.  It was a wonderful feeling to visit Liberty Island, Ellis Island, Gettysburg, Betsy Ross' house, Independence Hall, Benjamin Franklin's gravesite, Liberty Bell, Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Niagara Falls, White House, U. N. Building, Arlington Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, President Kennedy's gravesite, Tiffany & Co., Trump Tower, Broadway, and Time Square.  A person only needs to visit Arlington Cemetery and view all the white crosses to realize that this country has paid a great price for our liberty.  I will cherish forever the feeling I had after seeing the Broadway Musical "Fiddler on the Roof".  I was so ready to become a Broadway Star!  I will also never forget the feeling I had while visiting Ellis Island and seeing my family name engraved on the display showing immigrants who came to America years ago.  Can you imagine trying to experience all of this on a family vacation? 

After visiting the United Nations Building and listening to officials talk about terrorism and seeing first-hand the devastation at Ground Zero, I had a better understanding of the challenges our nation is faced with.  In addition, we were educated on other United Nation programs such as Peace Keeping Campaigns, Children in the Armed Forces, and Humanitarian Assistance Programs.  My favorite seminar was the Children in the Armed Forces because they explained their program to us in great detail.  I came to realize that although we may never realize "World Peace", it is important that we continue to work to improve the character of all mankind.  Otherwise, the world will suffer greatly due to moral decay and the lack of concern for each other.

As you can see, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows is providing a great service to our nation's youth through the United Nations Youth Pilgrimage.  I will always remember the kindness extended to me by your sponsorship.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Athens Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges for your sponsorship and Pasadena Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges for your contributions as well.  I pray that you can continue to raise the funds necessary to keep this program going for many years to come.

Thank you,

Whitney Curtis