In 1923, ahead of many fraternals, Degree of Honor established a Juvenile Department not only to insure members’ children, but to impart the teachings of fraternalism, patriotism, and civic responsibility. For almost a century, youth involvement has remained a core part of Degree of Honor’s fraternal mission.
Girls’ Clubs
In keeping with Degree of Honor’s strong tradition of women’s advancement, Girls’ Clubs were a defining feature of Degree of Honor in the 1920s and ‘30s.
A predecessor of Degree of Honor’s Juvenile Clubs, Girls’ Clubs empowered young, unmarried Degree of Honor members to socialize, practice Degree of Honor rituals, and conduct service activities.
The presence of Girls’ Clubs was brief but influential; among their contributions to Degree of Honor were the sponsorship of the Degree of Honor Summer Camp and the establishment of the Degree of Honor Educational Loan Fund, which enabled thousands of Junior Members to pursue higher education.
Juvenile Clubs
Degree of Honor Junior Members, aged 16 and under, were encouraged to join specially-chartered Juvenile Clubs which encouraged youth to be helpful, kind, courteous, and honorable.
Through monthly meetings that acclimated Junior Members to Degree of Honor ritual, the Clubs were instrumental in carrying forward the teachings and rituals of Degree of Honor lodges nationwide.
Service Cap System
From the late 1920s throughout the 1960s, the Service Cap System inspired innumerable acts of fraternalism, patriotism, and civic responsibility from thousands of Degree of Honor Junior Members nationwide.
The Service Cap System was a special program within Juvenile Clubs, through which Juniors aged 8-16 were encouraged to perform acts of service and civility in their communities.
For their good works, Juniors earned merit stripes, which they proudly displayed on their red and white Service Caps.
Degree of Honor Summer Camp
By far, one of Degree of Honor’s most coveted fraternal benefits was its summer camp along the beautiful shores of Lake Minnetonka, not far from its headquarters in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Degree of Honor’s Girls Clubs sponsored the Camp’s opening season, and were crucial to its establishment.
For a nominal fee – or by earning their stay through selling insurance — members were invited to spend a week or two at Degree of Honor Summer Camp.
Between the 1920s and 1930s, Degree of Honor members of all ages and from across the United States filled the camp to share the company of their fellow fraternalists.
