The Elks National Hoop Shoot

A Free Throw Program for Youth Ages 8-13

The Hoop Shoot is free to all participants and provides youth an opportunity to compete, connect and succeed.
See if this program is avaiable in your area by contacting the local lodge near you.

Path to victory

Local

Hoop Shoot contests begin with local Elks Lodges. Any Eligible youth may compete in one Lodge contest per season. Local contests are typically held between the months of September and December each year. Contact an Elks Lodge near you!

District

After winning a Lodge Hoop Shoot contest, local champions move on to compete at the district level. District contests are coordinated by District Hoop Shoot Directors and generally occur between the months of December and January. If you are a District Champion and need more information on your district contest or District Director, email the Nevada State Hoop Shoot Director, Steve McBride.

State

At the state level, Hoop Shoot contestants compete for a chance to become the number one free-throw-shooter in their home state! For questions regarding your State Hoop Shoot contest, email the Nevada State Hoop Shoot Director, Steve McBride.

Regional

The Regional Semi-Finals are some of the most exciting Hoop Shoot contests of all! 288 state champions compete in 12 different cities across the country for a chance to win the opportunity of a life time - a trip to the Hoop Shoot National Finals in Springfield, Mass. For questions regarding a Regional Hoop Shoot contest, email the Area 7 Regional Hoop Shoot Director Larry Torres.

National Finals

The Hoop Shoot National Finals are held annually in Springfield, Mass., home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Finalists compete on the campus of Western New England University in the heart of Springfield. In the end, one boy and one girl from each age-group will win a national title and will have their names permanently inscribed at the Basketball Hall of Fame. The 2014 Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals will take place April 10-13, 2014.

Click here for Elks National Hoop Shoot Site

Soccer Shoot

Soccer is one of the fastest growing youth activities in the country. The Elks Soccer Shoot Program is geared to coincide with this sport phenomenon. From toddlers to teens, in our large urban centers to our small suburban settings, soccer is becoming the sport of choice for our youth. This program is the kind of sporting event to help keep our youth focused and away from undesirable activities.

The Elks Soccer Shoot program consists of two different contests that test different level skills at different ages. A "Five Goal Contest" consists of a series of five goals, decreasing in size from 48 inches to 17 inches. The age groups that use these goals are divided into two categories, U-8 contains all ages seven years old and younger, and U-10 group contains ages eight and nine. The contest is open to boys and girls who shoot separately. The U-8 contestants kick from 15 feet from the face of the goal, while the U-10 contestants kick from 18 feet from the goal.

The Grid Goal Contest consists of a full-size goal sectioned off so points can be scored when the ball is kicked into certain sections. The age groups that use this goal are U-12, which contain the ages ten and eleven, and U-14, which contain ages twelve and thirteen. The contest is open to both boys and girls and they shoot separately.

The Elks Soccer Shoot Program is a terrific program for our youth, the future of our country. See if this program is avaiable in your area by contacting the local lodge near you.

Click here for Elks National Soccer Site

Antlers Program

The newest program in Elkdom is an old one! Yes, it is the Junior Elks Program called "the Antlers." It is a chance for young people in our communities to get involved with the Elks in the many service-related projects our Lodges sponsor.

The program was initially organized in the late 1930's and went well for several years as an active arm of the Elks. However, by the 1960's interest in the program had waned and was ended. Recently, a few Lodges have restarted the program with great success.

The Antlers of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America has as its major objective the following:
   • To quicken the spirit of American Patriotism
   • To teach respect for parents and love of home
   • To inculcate the fundamentals of good citizenship
   • To aid in a worthy cause
   • To establish foundation of character
   • To promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members
   • And to respect the conviction of others in the matters of worship and religion is true Americanism

Membership in the organization is open to any individual who has passed their twelfth and not yet reached their twenty-first birthday, who is a citizen of the United States of America, of good character and who believes in the existence of God.

Click here for Elks National Antlers Site

Elks & Scouting

Mission Statement

The objective of this committee is to provide a safe meeting environment for the Troops/Units in our local Lodges, and provide the Troops/Units with the kind of support these Troops/Units need to be successful!

The Marvin M. Lewis Award

The Boy Scouts of America established the Marvin M. Lewis Award in 1998 in recognition of the Elks' significant contributions to Scouting and the development of America's youth.

The Grand Lodge invites all local Lodges to nominate ONE candidate for the award. Candidates must have the recommendation of their local Lodge and their local Scouting Council to be eligible. Each year four (4) Elks will receive Marvin M. Lewis Awards, which consists of a medal and ribbon, a framed certificate, a lapel pin and a square knot.

When selecting their candidate, Lodges were asked to consider Elks who:
   1. Have brought Scouting to more youth.
   2. Have assisted local Elks lodges in forming Scouting units.
   3. Are fully trained in the skills of Scouting and are outstanding role models.
   4. Have contributed significantly to Elks and Scouting by bringing the two movements together to serve the community.
   5. Have offered Scouting to all youth regardless of race, creed, or income level, and has been instrumental in organizing Scouting units, especially in inner-city or other low-income communities.

The awards will be presented at the Grand Lodge Convention. Application forms may be obtained from the Grand Lodge Youth Activities Committee Scout Contact, from any state Youth Activity Chairman, or by clicking the link below.

Click here for Elks & Scouting Site