Mom!
So you're thinking about getting your husband involved in our program and you need some info. You may feel the need to do a little arm twisting, but the results are well worth it:
All Dads interested in joining YGP are invited to attend an informational "Dads Only" meeting in the Fall. They can come with tribes already in place or join a new group forming at the meeting. Dads can find a tribe based on zip code (for ease of meetings) or find friends also interested in joining that evening.
Several great ways to find tribemates:
- school class
- Sunday School class
- Vacation Bible School
- sports team teammates (soccer, baseball, swimming, etc.)
- neighborhood kids
Remember that your child may be spending the next three years or more with these other children, so think your decision through before asking parents. Include your child in the process by asking them who they really like spending time with. Consider that your husband will have to spend that same amount of time with the kid as well. Be considerate of hubby's good intentions and don't saddle him with anyone you would not want to spend time with as well.
And speaking of all that time spending with people: consider the Dad as well. Sometimes personalities clash so be aware of how people work together and plan accordingly. Many tribes come together as strangers and all is wonderful, but sometimes Dads (and their personalities) can stress a tribe out. Think things through.
Tribes work best when the numbers are between seven pairs and nine pairs of Dads/kids. Eight is the magic number. Tribes with eight members strike a good balance on many levels: even amount of twice-monthly meetings fit within the program calendar, easier getting everyone into a cabin at Spring Outing, splitting tribal officer duties, etc. Any number can work of course, but eight works great.
If you have any doubt that this is not the greatest program on Earth, let your eyes do the walking and surf around our site. Look at all the pages: from the outings to the events to the community service projects - the Guides/Princesses program will be a major benefit in your life, your husband's life and especially your child's life. There is nothing more special than the time we as parents spend with our children in their formative years. YGP provides kids the opportunity to expand their horizons, reach new goals, learn new skills and grow through their service to others - all with Dad by their side. How much more special can that be?
We look forward to your husband and child being a part of the YGP family. How-How!
REGISTRATION FORM
Joining program with 2nd or 3rd Grader?
If you are a dad with a rising 2nd or 3rd grader and would like to join the Y Guides and Princesses Program,
we can help. Please email Andrew Crook with the following info: child’s gender, grade and zip code.
We will be able to help provide you with tribes in your area until September 30.
After this date, you will have to wait until the next program year.
The Top Ten Reasons Why Every Mom
Should Get Her Husband Involved In YGP:
10. The joy that replaces the initial fear of having a complete stranger yell "HOW-HOW!"
at your child at the mall because he/she is wearing a Spring Outing t-shirt
9. Pride in that big honkin' triangle magnet on your SUV or van
8. That excitement your Braves feel when they find the perfect patch
they wanted at Tweetsie
7. Think of the great magic tricks and stories your husband will learn!
6. The wonder (ie laughter) of watching hubby "sew" patches on their vests
5. Being called "Big Brave" makes hubby feel "special"
4. First year feather means at least one guaranteed home cooked
dinner by husband & child
3. Spring outing for them = relaxing weekend at home alone for you (maybe)
2. Don't get left out: 12,000+ Triangle folks can't be wrong
1. One of the greatest gifts you'll ever give your child (and your husband)
Making Memories
The following is a speech given at the new dad's meeting for the last several years by former Nations Chief (and longest active Big Brave) Denny "Walking Catfish" Cole:
I’ve been around the Arapahoe Nation for a while, and I was thrilled when I was asked to speak to you about Making Memories with your children. I wore my 1989 spring outing shirt tonight. I have noticed that these old shirts really shrink over the years. I wish somebody would have warned me why I needed to purchased the next larger size !
You’ve probably already heard that you have to wear some silly vests with korny patches, and you might have even heard about the necklace of beads, bear-claws and arrowheads. And yup, they sure are silly if that’s all you see. But when you put them all together, they really add up to a lot more than meets the eye. Each bead represents at least an hour that you spent one on one with your child doing something as a team. And sometimes that bead means a half day, full day or even a weekend. And each patch anchors that memory to a specific time and place where the two of you experienced something unique together, Father and Child. Making Memories.
My father was big on goal setting, so I have always done that with my kids. Each year my child and I would decide what we wanted to achieve. And then it was my job to schedule our time to achieve those goals. So as you move ahead to build on your future with your child, don’t just see beads and patches. See through the eyes of your child and see the memories!
I’d like to share my memories with you tonight:
Beginning in 1987 my 5 year old daughter Stacy and I joined the Tamaya Tribe in the Pawnee Nation in San Jose California. We were Big Turtle and Little Turtle in the YMCA Indian Princess program. Stacy Little Turtle could not attend this evening, so this is my granddaughter Courtney wearing Stacy’s original 1987 Tamaya Tribe Dress.
My family moved here in 1988. Stacy and I joined the Jasmin Tribe in the MIGHTY ARAPAHOE NATION. We became Little Kitty and Walking Catfish. Here is Courtney wearing Stacy’s Indian Princess Jasmin Tribe vest, and my matching vest.
In 1991 my daughter Nikki and I joined the New River Tribe as Shooting Star and Walking Catfish. I would like to introduce Nikki Shooting Star with her Indian Princess tribe vest.
Also in 1991 Stacy and I continued into the YMCA Trailmates program. Our Jasmin Tribe was one of the first tribes to use jackets instead of sashes for displaying our patches. The Jasmin tribe stayed active in Trailmates until Spring 1995. Here is Stacy with her Trailmates Jacket.
In 1995 my daughter Morgan and I joined the Seahawk Tribe as Running Catfish and Walking Catfish. I would like to introduce Morgan Running Catfish with her Indian Princess tribe vest.
In 1994 Nikki and I continued into the YMCA Trailmates program. Our New River Tribe also utilized the jackets instead of sashes for displaying our patches. The New River Tribe stayed active in Trailmates through Spring of 1997. Here is Nikki with her Trailmates Jacket.
In 1998 Morgan and I continued into the YMCA Trailmates program. Our Seahawk Tribe decided to go with some light jackets which proved to be more versatile than the previous baseball type jackets. Here is Morgan with her Trailmates Jacket.
There is a bit more to the story from here. You will notice that Morgan has a very loaded jacket. This happened because my son Bobby was born in 1998, and Morgan’s tribe figured out if they stayed together a few extra years, they could bridge me to when my son Bobby was of age to join the YMCA Guides program. So Morgan’s tribe stayed together through the 10th grade (Spring 2005).
Finally in 2004 my son Bobby and I joined the YMCA Guides Masked Raccoons Tribe as Bobcat and Walking Catfish. I would like to introduce Bobby Bobcat with his tribe vest.
In 2007, Bobby and I continued into the YMCA Trailblazers program. Our Masked Raccoons Tribe also ordered the light jackets. I strongly recommend these jackets for your future Trailmates and Trailblazer tribes because they are much more flexible for Summer and Winter ! Here is Bobby with his YMCA Trailblazer Jacket.
In summary, this is the beginning of my 23rd year in the YMCA programs. We’re all still blessed with good health. And this past weekend we just returned from our white water rafting trip and our annual stay at camp Rockmont. We’ll be planning this year’s meeting subjects and the next wave of patches < of course>!
Thanks for your time. These are my memories and I challenge you all to go start building your memories!
|
