The Saga of Two Crows

One of the strongest memories for many Y-Guides and Princesses is the BOOM! as the campfire explodes into flames at the 1st year initiation at Fall Outing at Camp Kanata. The man who makes the BOOOM! is known simply as Two Crows. And he's been making campfires go BOOM! at Camp Kanata and Camp Seagull since 1981. He expects to make his 200th campfire at a Fall Outing in 2010 - with one of his granddaughters there in her first year in the program. He has had two other grandchildren go through the program. Two Crows' real name is Kenneth B. Jackson Jr. He is retired from Nortel, and lives in Raleigh.

How did you get started? Two Crows was a Big Brave with his son, Sleeping Fox, when they came to Fall Outing in 1980 with the Hickory Tribe. The campfire started that year when an arrow was fired into the lake. But there was no BOOM! No flash. "I didn't like the way they did it. There was no BOOM! No nothing."

So what did you do? Two Crows and another dad offered to help at the Fall Outing the next year, in 1981. They filled some balloons with helium and set them off across the lake before detonating them and the campfire. "There was a big bang. When that thing went off, it was something. Pine needles, leaves, everything fell off the trees near the fire."

What makes for a successful campfire? "No one gets hurt and everyone enjoys it. Safety to me is really important. You want something they can remember, a big BOOM!

How long does it take to get one of the campfires ready?"It takes about three hours of work at home. I make my own detonators. It takes about 30 minutes to set it up once I get to Camp Kanata. It takes me all day at Seagull."

Ever have a fire that didn't start? "I had one that didn't light. It went BOOM!, but it didn't light. I walked up and threw a match at it, and nothing happened. I kept getting closer and throwing matches at it. It finally went off and singed my hair. I turned and rolled."

Any other close calls? "I had one that scared me to death one year. The Sachem came across the lake in the canoe with the torch. I had told him, don't get closer than 15 feet to the fire. Then stop and point the torch at the fire. But he kept going. I finally had to set it off before he got too close. But I think it singed the hair off one side of his face. He didn't get so close the next year."

Why do you do it? "Just to make some good memories. This program is worth it. It's the finest organization I've ever been a part of. It's changed lives. It brings a parent and child closer together."

Do you feel like you help make memories? "I hope so. You don't get many chances in this world to make good memories. When you find one, stick with it."

Do you see the looks on the kids' faces when the campfire goes BOOM!? "I've seen some of them cry, but they don't cry long. It shakes them up a little bit. It's safe, but it's a surprise and I know that they won't forget it. Maybe it will make them think twice before doing something like that themselves."

How many more years will you do this? "As long as the good Lord will let me - and my wife. I'd like to do it as long as I can."

FALL OUTING REPORT

Record breaking year starts off with a bang at Camp Kanata

The Arapahoe Nation set all kinds of records at this year's Fall Outings at Camp Kanata.

More than 7,700 dads, Princesses and Guides took place in one of the Fall Outing weekends. The last weekend was the largest crowd in the history of Fall Outings.

There were more than 3,130 feet of torches for three Fall Outing induction ceremonies - surely some kind of record for torch lines.

About 350 Princesses, Guides and their dads participated in the first-ever two-night weekend at Fall Outing. They enjoyed several special activities designed just for them.

And 24 people, including the Nation's Chief and his son (Black Crow and Screaming Hawk) jumped into the lake for a real Polar Bear Swim to earn the coveted gold-plated bear claw!

New tribe names run the gamut from fun to funky...

It looks like we've got some noisy new tribes joining the Arapahoe Nation. Take a look at some of the new tribe names:

There's the Screeching Eagles, the Roaring Cougars and the Chatty Chicks. There are Howling Warriors and Howling Huskies, not to mention Howler Monkeys and Howlin' Coyotes.

There's one tribe that's sure to have the boom box cranked up - BOOM, BOOM, POW.

There are some tribes that seem to want to be loud - but may have difficulty pulling it off. Consider the Barking Butterflies, the Barking Spiders, the Screaming Skinks and the Screaming Ladybugs. What does a screaming ladybug sound like? Can a butterfly bark?

Fortunately, not all of the tribes promise to be so noisy. We have the Cary Wind Whisperers, the Stealth Eagles and the Praying Panthers.

Of course, it's not all about noise with these new tribes.

Some of them are already moving up - we have Rising Suns, Rising Sunshine and Rising Teepees.

And some of them could be dangerous - we have Burning Tomahawks, Fighting Tigers, Fierce Lions, Birds of Prey and a Fire Snake Tribe. We're not sure what to expect from the Rare Purple Bats. Or the River Puppies.

If anyone gets hurt (most likely someone from the Oopsie Daisies), they might want to hang out with the Crazy Squirrels, Silly Salamanders, Silly Rabbits, Wacky Wolves or Wacky Wildebeests. They say that laughter is the best medicine.

There are some traditionalists in the crowd: the ChickaPaws, the Nesohto Nahtanees, Tobacco Trail Cherokees, Sippihaw Warriors and Takoda.

Finally, it looks like it will be a regal group. We have Glowing Princesses and Night Sky Princesses. We have Ice Princesses, Woodland Princesses, Panther Princesses, Peak City Princesses and Pretty Pink Princesses (we're looking forward to seeing the tribe t-shirts on those dads).

We wonder what would happen if the Princess Horses were to get together with the Wake Warrior Princesses.

Finally, in a nod to the dads in the tribe, we have the Princesses & Kings.

Awesome Otters welcome Moose into their fold - and their wigwam

Moose joined the Awesome Otters, a third-year Princess tribe, for an open house in a pretty cool wigwam they built during a recent Fall Outing at Camp Kanata.

Moose is seen here with Naomi (Tiger Lily) and Claire (Bright Moon). The other Awesome Otters who helped build the wigwam are Erin (Prancing Unicorn), Bea (Blue River) and Lauren (Dancing Butterflly).

Guides/Princesses build people

Thanks largely to pledges from 250 Guides and Princesses tribes made at three Fall Outings, the Arapahoe Nation raised almost $90,000 this year for the YMCA's We Build People campaign. That money will send amost 600 kids - who otherwise could not afford to go - to Y camps in the next year. Almost 100 tribes pledged $500 per tribe to qualify for the Loyal Order of the Moose designation.

Thanks to all who contributed, and wear those We Build People patches proudly on your vests. Your generosity will make sure that other kids get to have the sort of fun that you have already enjoyed this year at Fall Outing.

Guides & Princesses get into the spirit of the holiday season

Marchers make merry at Raleigh Christmas parade

Most Christmas parades have marching bands, reindeer and, of course, Santa Claus.

The annual Raleigh Christmas Parade had the added bonus of a Moose, a Brown Bear and a Golden Otter - not to mention almost 100 2nd-year Big Braves, Guides and Princesses.

Moose, Brown Bear and Golden Otter - along with Nation's Chief Black Crow - led an impressive Arapahoe Nation contingent that marched the 1.4-mile parade through downtown Raleigh.

Several of the Princesses and Guides fueled up on Krispy Kreme doughnuts and hot chocolate in the staging area on St. Mary's Street before the parade began.

Once the parade got underway, the Guides and Princesses were a festive sight in their vests, red shirts and Christmas hats and antlers. The Arapahoe Nation contingent tossed cheerful How How's and Christmas red fireballs to the crowd. Many parade watchers were excited to respond with a "How How" of their own.

As the group made its turn onto Fayetteville Street, it had to pause for a commercial break from the action on WRAL-TV. When the commercials were over, the broadcast returned to find the Y-Guides and Princesses waiting for them. ...................................................................... Happy Holidays!

All aboard the Santa Express Train for a magical holiday trip

Children and adults alike will enjoy this holiday experience as Pullen Park is festively decorated with thousands of lights and transformed into a winter wonderland. Guests will experience the Santa Express Train, an adventure through acres of holiday magic ending with a meeting with Santa himself at the North Pole. The evening will also feature carousel rides, holiday entertainment, concessions and more.

Dec. 10 is Y-Guides night, come out to see Moose, Otter and Brown Bear. You will also get a holiday patch for attending! Ticket info

Experience a Cole Family Christmas extravaganza

Former Nation Chief Denny Cole had a bright idea. WIth 96 control channels, over 3000 feet of wire and about 18,000 lights, Walking Catfish has created the first house in Cary featuring synchronized lights and music.

Running nightly about 6pm until 9pm (and maybe later on weekends), the light show will run through New Years Eve (weather permitting).

The home is located at 308 Crimmons Circle (off Cary Parkway about a half mile west of Kildaire Farms Road). Be sure to give Walking Catfish a big "How-How!" and "Merry Christmas!"

YGP and the Great Spirit of Christmas help those in need

The Guides and Princesses program has always served the community, and this holiday season please remember those less fortunate. There are many opportunities for families and tribes to give back to their community. Whether it's Toys for Tots, Raleigh Rescue Mission or a charity of your choosing, please consider helping out where and whenever possible. Head to the service page for more info.

Moose honored as The N&O"Tar Heel of the Week"

He rarely misses a chance to give a shout-out to his beloved Wolfpack, but Matt "Moose" Strickland recently was honored as the "Tar Heel of the Week."

Moose was the subject of a profile in The News & Observer, focusing on his leadership of the Y-Guides and Princesses program.

Some of the article's revelations:

Get ready for Winter Inning! It'll "blow" you away...

There's still time to get tickets for the Winter Inning, which promises a lot of family fun with John Cassidy's "BalloonFREAK" show.

Cassidy blends stand-up comedy, magic and balloon twisting in a show that will be entertaining for kids and adults. He holds several world records for balloon sculpting, including the record for most balloon sculptures in one hour - 654.

Guides and Princesses are welcome to invite moms, brothers and sisters to one of three shows (11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m.) at Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium. More details are available on the home page.

And, yes, there will be patches.

Chief Black Crow challenges everyone to know North Carolina

Nation's Chief Black Crow has come up with Chief's Challenge for the coming year that will hit close to home - a test of how well Braves and Princesses know NC.

Chief Black Crow is a North Carolina native, but recogizes that many of the Braves and Princesses - and their Dads - have moved to North Carolina from somewhere else. This year's Challenge will give natives and newcomers alike a chance to learn a little more about the state they call home.

For these and other questions, visit the Chief's Challenge page on the nation's web site and print out a copy of the Chief's Challenge checklist. Fill it out and turn it in at Spring Outing for a special Chief's Challenge patch.

© 2009 ..YMCA of the Triangle Y-Guides & Princesses Program
801 Corporate Center Dr., Suite 118 Raleigh, NC 27607
Phone: (919) 719-9694 ....... E-mail: matt.strickland@ymcatriangle.org

And now, may the Great Spirit make the sun rise in your heart! How-How!