YMCA of the USA National Council - Articles - Zimbio

3 Teens Drown at YMCA Camp Outside of Chicago

Fri, 15 Nov 2008 21:51:00 GMT

posted by jeffsmith

Three high school students on a leadership camping retreat sneaked away from their camp beds in the middle of the night and drowned early Friday in a river outside of Chicago.

Welcome to our blog about YMCA of the USA National Council

Mon, 8 Aug 2006 19:18:19 GMT

posted by The_Zimbio_Team
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AG Adds Life

Sun, 23 Jun 2008 07:34:00 GMT

posted by djadul
I volunteered to be on the Recruitment Team for the Adventure Guides. I am sincerely passionate about this program, and I know it's in a transition stage right now. We recently had about forty or so members "age out" into Trailblazers, the "older kids" program, leaving the AG slightly bereft of supporters. Those of us who are left are completely still excited and thrilled to be in the program.

I've been in the program long enough to have seen it go from very high to very low in numbers, and that's only a normal, cyclic attrition.

One issue that appears to come up once in awhile is our local YMCA's choice for the program name: Adventure Guides, versus the original Indian Guides. The argument is that Indian Guides has more of a history, and therefore name recognition. A lack of name recognition may be at fault for our low numbers, some say. I disagree and agree.

In a previous post, I had explained my personal preference for the AG name as based on my belief that AG is more accurate. It spells out for all persons, of all cultures what this program is about. With all due respect to its Native American origins, a parent guiding their child through his or her life is not soley a Native American idea. Indeed, all cultures respect a parent who spends extra time with their child, modeling for them, showing them items of interest, and, yes, playing with them. So I disagree with returning to Indian Guides.

I compare the two camps similar to Coke and Diet Coke. Thirty years ago, no one had heard of Diet Coke. But there was a need. Now, Diet Coke outsells Coke, because society has changed in its needs, in what it perceives as important. No, you cannot bring up the New Coke example. That was a change in formula. Diet Coke was a change in the market. I can agree the AGs are currently not well known. But I do not believe it will always be that way.

I think the family market is changing again. There appears to have been a time journaled in popular newsmagazines of a "me" generation, and a success oriented culture, where family creation was being delayed in favor of material success. Currently, newsmagazines are reporting a different trend. There is an increasing interest in flex time, flexible work schedules, adoptive parents being granted paid leave, etc. There is a change in the market today. Adventure Guides is the Diet Coke for us.

The Beginning was Quiet

Mon, 17 Jun 2008 16:32:00 GMT

posted by djadul
I set out a few months ago to develop my daughter's new tribe. I was in effect, daughter-stealing. Rainbow Bunny had been enjoying herself in her dad's father-daughter tribe, but after much discussion, my husband and I decided that a good switcheroo was in order. Especially since my now nine year old son has spent the last four years growing more exasperated with my motherly ways. I needed someone on whom I could work off my parent-guilt, and I glommed onto my daughter. Daughter stealing sounds a little ancient, almost tribal, and therefore... perfectly acceptable.

Recruitment for our program was turning up very few fish. I could easily join another mother-daughter tribe within our program, but after experiencing tribe blending twice now, I can say that nothing beats the magic of building a tribe together. Besides, my daughter is a bit youngish, and, as parents know, not every child wants to be the "baby" in a group.

My hope was fading, until I slipped an article about the group into my daughter' school newsletter. Desperation actually had me interview myself and publish the tiny article.

Near the end of the school year, the phone rang. I never pick up the phone. The phone has become a deadly weapon in the hands of telemarketers and the answering machine my one shield of defense. I got the sweetest message. I learned about a new mom and her interest in the program. You could have been waving raw meat in front of a tiger's cage, I was so pent up with emotion and energy. Perhaps raw meat is not a way to describe a future friend.

After a short introduction at a recruitment session, even more delighted was I when she mentioned a friend. Three! A total of three so far in the tribe! Ideally, six or seven is great, but I could work with three, as for a time in the program, I was a "tribe" of two with my friend Lisa. I also knew of another person who might join, so happily, I look forward to becoming a tribe of four.

The school year wound down to a heart-stopping close and I dialed her number as promised. She replied via voicemail she could meet Thursday. Oh wahoo!

I hope I won't scare her off. This, uncomfortably, was becoming similar to prospecting for dates. Do I push forward? Hold back? Ask about her family? No! Too personal! Too pushy! Smile a lot? A little? I sigh. Just relax. This program will sell itself, because there is nothing like it. Nothing at all.