YMCA Adventure Guides

What is the Adventure Guides?
The Adventure Guides is a YMCA program that evolved from the “Indian Princess” program.  Originally designed in the early 20th century as a program to foster stronger bonds between fathers and daughters, the Indian Princess program was rooted in Native American traditions and heritage.  More recently, the YMCA recognized the need to expand the program and include mothers and sons.  Now, various combinations (e.g., mother-daughter, father-son, father-daughter, family, etc.) flourish in the Adventure Guides program.  At its core the Adventure Guides program is still true to its roots in that it encourages parent-child interaction and bonding.  Children between the ages of 3 and 10 are ideal for the program, but in the Southington-Cheshire program, we offer the older children and their parents the opportunity to participate in the Trail Blazer program.

How is the Adventure Guides program organized?
The guiding principles of the program are established at the national level, and the organizational structure of the local programs is identical.  Locally there is a Federation, which is the entire Adventure Guides program membership.  The Federation is comprised of “circles”, which are generally based on similar parent-child pairings (e.g., father-daughter, family, etc.), geography or some other common characteristic.  The local Executive Council organizes the circles in its Federation. 

What is the Executive Council and its role?
The Executive Council (EC) is comprised of parent volunteers in the following roles:

  • Federation Navigator – The leader of the Federation.
  • Compass Bearer – Similar to a vice president.
  • Scout – Responsible for recruitment, new member orientation, and circle organization.
  • Log Keeper – Keeps minutes of EC meetings.  In the Southington-Cheshire program, the Log Keeper also distributes our monthly newsletter.
  • Treasurer – Maintains financial accounts and provides financial reporting.
  • Web Spinner – In the Southington-Cheshire program, the Web Spinner maintains our web site (http://www.sccyguides.org/). 
  • Circle Navigators – These are the leaders of the individual circles.
  • Elders – Former Federation Navigators who share guidance and experience.

In addition to the parent volunteers, the EC also includes YMCA Outfitters, who are YMCA staff.  The Outfitters are liasions between the EC and Southington-Cheshire YMCA leadership.

The EC meets monthly to share activities among the circles, set direction for the Federation (including planning various Federation events like campouts), and ensure the integrity of the program.

How do the individual Circles operate?
Circles hold monthly meetings, rotating the meeting venue among the circle members’ homes.  In addition to monthly meetings, circles also organize monthly outings, such as hikes, bike rides, bowling, roller skating, etc.  The Federation also schedules monthly events, and in the Southington-Cheshire program, we also take advantage of Y events geared toward families, such as family swim nights and holiday parties.

Wow!  That sounds like a lot, but my kids are involved in sports and other activities.  Can I fit it all in?
Yes.  The beauty of the Adventure Guides program, especially in Southington and Cheshire, is that it’s organized and run entirely by parent volunteers who are in the same boat.  We understand multiple commitments among multiple children, and we understand that other events sometimes (often?) conflict with Adventure Guides events.  Certainly, we encourage parents to attend the many Adventure Guides events, but we also understand that it’s virtually impossible to do so.  For circle meetings and events, the parents involved have full control over their own schedule, so as conflicts arise, they work together to find meeting and outing dates amenable to all.  Still, that is sometimes impossible and people may need to miss the occasional meeting or outing.  We understand.

How do circle meetings work?
Circle meetings follow the same structure:

In the Southington-Cheshire program, circles may tweak the format.  For example, some circles may include an opportunity for each child to share something of interest to him or her or highlight a good deed he or she performed recently.  Some circles collect a small monetary donation at each meeting and contribute the total donations collected to a charity at the end of the school year.

I noticed some of the returning members wearing vests.  Some of the children have feathers and patches on theirs.  Do children earn awards and is the vest required?
Yes and yes.  You may have noticed the Eagle patch and feather awards on some children who have been part of the program for a number of years.  As the YMCA transitioned from the Indian Princess program to the Adventure Guides, the symbols changed, too.  Instead of the Eagle patch and feather awards, we now use a Compass with compass point awards.  Generally, compass points are awarded for various educational, athletic, artistic, and community service achievements.  Children start by earning their first awards by presenting their vest and reciting the program aims, slogan, and pledge.  After earning these first awards, children can earn additional awards. 

How do I sign up?
To sign up for Southington-Cheshire Adventure Guides program, please visit or call the front desk at either location and tell them you want to register for the Adventure Guides program.  You must register with the YMCA for this program.

How much does it cost?
For full members, the program is included in your YMCA membership.  For program members, there is a $25 program fee.

How do I learn which circle I’ll be assigned to?
Someone on the EC will contact you after you’ve registered to discuss circle assignments with you.  We’ll actually call first to solicit your preferences and discuss various options with you before suggesting a circle to you.  From there, the Circle navigator will contact you with details about the next meeting or outing.

What if I still have questions?
You can always contact the front desk in Southington or Cheshire with questions.  If the front desk staffer is unable to answer your question, he or she will refer you to one of the YMCA Outfitters.  You’re also welcome to contact one of the EC members.  A list of EC officers is posted on our web site (http://www.sccyguides.org/).  Click on “Contact Us” at the top of the page.

 

Adventure Guides Principles

The Aims

  1. To be clean in body and pure in heart.
  2. To be friends forever with my dad/mom/son/daughter.
  3. To love the sacred circle of my family.
  4. To listen while others speak.
  5. To love my neighbor as myself.
  6. To respect the traditions and beliefs of all people.
  7. To seek and preserver the beauty of our Creator's work in forest, field, and stream.

Slogans

"Pals Forever" or "Friends Always"

Pledge

"We, YMCA Adventure Guides/Explorer, through friendly service to each other, to our family, to this Circle/Expedition, and to our community, seek a world pleasing to the eye of our Creator."