Gateway to the Future Standing on the Foundation of the Past
Promoting the principles of friendship, love, truth, faith, and charity
-13029c5.jpg/:/)
ODD FELLOWS AND REBEKAHS PILGRIMAGE FOR YOUTH
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs have sponsored and supported the Pilgrimage For Youth annually since 1949. This unique educational program brings high school students from around the world to study and participate in discussions concerning world affairs, as well as making new and lifelong friends.
For information about our program contact Leonard Bolton, Executive Director, Pilgrimage for Youth at (304) 550-9434.
Important Updates to 2026 Tour
- Passports will not be required for the 2026 Tour. (still required for Canadian students)
- We will not be requiring Out of Country insurance for this year's tour. (still required for Canadian students)
2026 Tour Info
It is once again time to start the selection process for delegates that will be attending the 78th
Pilgrimage for Youth Tour. The tour dates are July 17th to July 30th and begin and end in Philadelphia.
The cost for this year’s tour will be $2,100.00.
This year we had 91 delegates representing 23 jurisdictions. The speech contest winner this year was Vena Fryer from California, who will receive a $2,000 scholarship. There was a tie for second place, Christian Evans from Delaware and London Summers from Colorado. Both will receive a $1,000.00 scholarship. Congratulations to all scholarship winners!
The Pilgrimage for Youth board met on August 17th, 2025 in Charleston, WV and set the dates of July 17th to July 30th for the 2026 tour. We will be starting our tour later this year due to the World Cup being held in New York City. The following details were approved:
- Delegate fees will be $2,100 for the 2026 tour. The total cost for this year was $2,769 for each delegate. The difference in cost is made up through generous donations from our lodge's individuals and sponsors. A huge thank you to all that support our program.
- All fees are to be made at one time instead of in two deposits.
- All delegates must start the tour on the beginning date and stay with the tour until it's end date.
- Tour leader fees have been set at $400 dollars and due on November 1st, 2025.
- All delegate fees and applications will be due on February 1st, 2026.
- Staff and Tour Leader applications are due November 1st, 2025.
- Delegates must be 16/17 years old and have at least one year of high school remaining to be eligible.
- The itinerary will be available on the website once all details have been confirmed.
All applications, payment forms and donation forms can be downloaded from here.
All fees, applications and donations are to be sent to:
Leonard Bolton, Executive Director
6223 Six Mile Road
Danville, WV 25053
Inquiries may be obtained from:
IOOF Pilgrimage for Youth
6223 Six Mile Road, Danville, WV 25053
Phone: (304) 550-9434
Email: pilgrimage@ioofpilgrimageforyouth.com
2026 Delegate Application Forms and 2026 Tour Leader and Staff Applications are available now!
Download online or contact Leonard Bolton, Executive Director, (304) 550-9434.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) will not discriminate against any individual based on disability. The I.O.O.F. will make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures when such modifications are necessary to afford its services and facilities to individuals with disabilities, unless the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of its services. The I.O.O.F. will not exclude any individual with a disability from the full and equal enjoyment of its services and facilities, unless the individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or him/herself, that cannot be eliminated by a modification of policies, practices, or procedures or by the provision of auxiliary aids or services. The I.O.O.F. will not exclude any individual from the full and equal enjoyment of its services and facilities because of the individual's association with a person with a disability.
Any individual may request a modification in policies, practices, or procedures or the provision of auxiliary aids or services by contacting I.O.O.F.
Non-Discrimination Policy Request
422 N. Trade Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101-2830.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Pilgrimage for Youth is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs Pilgrimage for Youth Program are wholly owned programs of The Sovereign Grand Lodge Independent Order of Fellows.
Tentative Schedule for 2026 Tour *
July 17 — Arrive in Philadelphia
July 18 — Tour Philadelphia travel to Corning, NY and overnight
July 19 — Tour Corning Glass Factory and Museum, travel to Buffalo and overnight
July 20 — Tour Goat Island and Niagara Falls (maid of the Mist) lunch and travel to Boston and overnight
July 21 — Tour Freedom Trail and other Historical places in Boston. Laundry night
July 22 — Continue tour of Boston and depart for NYC
July 22 - July 27 — Activities and tours in NYC along with speech workshops and Speech Finals.
July 27 — Tour DC monuments
July 28 — Tour Smithsonian Museums, White House and Capitol Buildings
July 29 — Tour Arlington Cemetery and Changing of the Guard. Depart for Philadelphia and farewell dinner hosted by NJ lodges.
July 30 — Delegates depart for home
* = A detailed itinerary will be uploaded when it is finalized after the first of the year.
