One way to get younger members involved in service clubs is to start them as children, according to a local club member.

"All of the Masonic organizations, they are just wonderful organizations for all ages of young men, young women to start out in, from the ages of 10 to 11 and something they can be involved in throughout their lives," said Rapid City resident Nancy Miles. Miles belongs to the Golden Leaf chapter of Eastern Star, a fraternal branch of the Masons organization for women and men.

Eastern Star offers a number of charitable projects for education and children in the community.

She said her daughter, Morgan Von Haden, got an early start in Masonic activities and still participates in assisting younger women in the club.

Young men can start in Masons by becoming a DeMolay, and young women can get a head start on being in Eastern Star by starting as a member of Job's Daughters.

Being involved at a young age gives the children a better chance of continuing with the clubs when they are older, Miles said, because they start by doing a number of "fun" projects.

Job's Daughters members must be related to a Mason to join, Miles said, although young men don't have to be related to a Mason to become a DeMolay.

She said prospective members can call a local Masonic Center for information about how to join.