MOOSEHEART, IL - Football, perhaps more than most team games, creates a certain brotherhood among those who participate in the sport.
And when Troy Meeks put together his "Band of Brothers" football camp, which took place this year at Mooseheart's football stadium on Route 31, the idea was to find a way to connect the brotherhood in which Christians believe, with the teamwork that takes place on a football field -- and to draw connections between ways of acting whether or not one is hitting and tackling or not.

"Brian Smith and myself decided to make this camp," Meeks said. "I have a number of years coaching at the junior high level, and some at the senior high level. We were seeing kids go from junior high to senior high and they were making the wrong decisions. Both of us wanted to create a camp and instill in them that, when they come to the football season, they don't leave their faith at the entrance to the football field."

The camp attracted 53 incoming seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-graders. Most came from Batavia, but other communities were also represented. Six campers came from Mooseheart, which served as the host site for the weeklong camp, which ended June 26.

A number of area high school and middle school coaches helped with the camp, including Mooseheart Head Football Coach Gary Urwiler.

"Our biggest thing is that we're trying to develop these men into followers of Christ," Urwiler said. "We want them to have good integrity, good character and good morals. It's hard today, the things that these kids are faced with. There are many opportunities out there to get into mischief. Hopefully, we're instilling some good character training in them."

The format of the camp bracketed the daily football workouts with an introductory devotional by one of the coaches. That point was reinforced through practice. At the end of each day's session, a guest speaker addressed the campers. Mooseheart Executive Director Scott Hart spoke following the final camp session.

"It's a great opportunity to impart a little wisdom from my years of growing up," Hart said. "Even though I'm only 40, there is still a little wisdom in there, and I enjoy the opportunity to share with them the things that I've learned in my life."

Meeks said the theme for the camp this year was "Humility," and it was something on which the speakers, including Hart, focused in their discussions with the campers.

"They've been focusing on humility and just what does it look like to be a man and walk through life in humility today," Hart said. "It's a chance to share my own personal testimony and how I came to Mooseheart and what God's been able to do with my life. Every day's a gift and we should be thankful for everything we have.
 
"We feel that at Mooseheart, where we are thankful for what the fraternity is able to provide for the kids here. In the same way, these kids should be thankful for what they have. They have their parents here supporting them. The community supports them. A lot of people put a lot of hours in to make a difference in these kids' lives."

Urwiler said the camp's theme and the discussions that took place should resonate with the campers beyond the football field.

"Before anyone can be honored, you have to have humility," Urwiler said. "You have to understand you'll have to work to get to the top and pay your dues. Sometimes the road has a lot of things that you'll have to persevere through."

Meeks said Mooseheart's football facility proved the perfect setting for the camp.  "We were glad Mooseheart was willing to host this," Meeks said. "It added a lot to the program. This is a fabulous facility and it added a lot to the program."

Urwiler was more than pleased to have the camp take place at Mooseheart, and he said he hopes the camp returns in future years.  "It was a great week for people to come out and to get to know Mooseheart a little more," Urwiler said.

Mooseheart Child City & School is a 1,000-acre community and school for children and teens in need of a secure home, located just south of Batavia, IL , between Illinois Route 31 and Randall Road .
  
Founded in 1913, Mooseheart is supported completely through private donations - the great majority of which come from the 1.1 million men and women of the Moose fraternal organization, in more than 1,800 Lodges and 1,600 Chapters located throughout the U.S. , Canada , Great Britain and Bermuda . Moose International headquarters is located on the Mooseheart campus.
  
Since its founding, Mooseheart has operated a complete, accredited kindergarten-through-high-school academic program, plus art, music, vocational training and interscholastic sports. It is an extremely nurturing and student-tailored program, with an average student-teacher ratio of 12-1.
  
Mooseheart students who complete their studies with a 3.0 GPA or better (4.0=A) are eligible for up to five years of annually renewable scholarship funding, covering tuition, room and board in an amount comparable to that required for an in-state student at an Illinois public university.
  
Mooseheart is currently home to nearly 230 students, ranging in age from preschoolers to high school seniors. Applications for admission to Mooseheart are considered from any family whose children are, for whatever reason, lacking a stable home environment. Mooseheart boasts its own U.S. Post Office and a fully functioning branch of Fifth Third Bank.
  
In addition to Mooseheart, Moose International also supports Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community near Jacksonville , FL founded in 1922; and conducts more than $70 million worth of community service programs annually.
    
Founded in 1888, the Moose organization has long offered its members an opportunity to do good for others while celebrating life, with family, social, and sporting activities. For more information on the Moose organization, visit the websites at www.mooseintl.org, www.mooseheart.org ., www.moosehaven.org , or call 630-966-2229.