Y-Guide Y-Princess Y-Papoose
New Participant
Program Handbook
Table of Contents
Part I: The Y-Guide, Y-Princess and Y-Papoose Programs
Philosophy
Y-Guide Program Details
Y-Guides Motto and Aims
Patches and Headbands
Where to Purchase a Vest
History of the Y-Guide Programs
Benediction & Closing
Alcohol Policy
Part II: Award Programs
Award Criteria
First Award
Beaver Award
Additional Patches and Awards
What Does My Program Fee Include
2014-2015 Calendar of Events
Philosophy
In today's world, a child and a father rarely have time together - to talk, to laugh, to really get to know each other
and become friends.
A sage Ojibway Indian once said that "the white man spends time building cities, but the Indian spends time
building men." By “men” the wise Indian meant “Character”. Fathers have an important role in the development of
their children’s character by word and by deed.
That sparked the idea for the formation of a father-child organization centered around American Indian values Dignity, Patience, Endurance, Spirituality, Feeling for the earth, and Concern for the family - the model for the
present YMCA Guides program.
Program Details
Y-Guides is a program designed to bring fathers or special men willing to participate as fathers and children
together to build strong, lasting relationships. They do this by spending quality time together doing fun activities.
The Y Guides program is about building memories.
Fathers with children 3-12 years of age are eligible to participate.
Guides groups are traditionally "Tribes" consisting of 8-12 father/son and daughter pairs. Y-Guides are father/son
pairs and Y-Princesses are father/daughter pairs.
In YMCA Guides, the focus is on the father’s role as a guide in a child’s life.
Fathers lead, direct, supervise, influence, and teach while presenting opportunities for children to explore the
world around them. They lead by example as they set their children on a path through life.
Our program is based on the premise that life is a journey. The journey anticipates challenges and choices.
The journey begins within the sacred circle of family. Fathers serve as primary guides to help their children
navigate known obstacles. It is an expedition for the ages.
Y-GUIDES Motto and Aims
Purpose
The purpose of the Y-Guide program is to foster understanding and companionship between father and child.
Motto
“Pals Forever”
The slogan, “Pals Forever” does not mean that father and child relate to each other as equal, such as two children
who are pals. Rather, it means that father and child have a close, enduring relationship in which there is
communication, understanding, and companionship. The Y-Guide Program encourages such a relationship by
providing a means for father and child to share enjoyable experiences, to observe and learn about one another,
and to develop mutual respect.
Aims
1. To be clean in body and pure in heart
2. To be pals forever with my father/son or daughter
3. To love the sacred circle of my family
4. To listen while others speak
5. To love my neighbors as myself
6. To seek and preserve the beauty of the Great Spirit’s work in forest, field, and stream
Pledge
“We, father and son or daughter, through friendly service to each other, to our family, to this tribe, to our
community, seek a world pleasing to the eye of the Great Spirit.”
Y-Guides Patch and Headband
Meaning of the Emblem
The national emblem of blue, gold, and red represents some of the main points that are stressed in the Y-Guides
Program. The cross-section of an ear of corn symbolizes the goodness of the Great Spirit in the life of the Native
American. The arrowhead is a symbol of typical Native American life. The triangle identifies the organization as an
integral part of the YMCA. The name “Y-Guides” and the father-son relationship are striking display, along with
the slogan, “Pals Forever.”
Story of the Headband
The central theme of the headband is the eye of the Great Spirit surround by the four winds of heaven. The
feathered arrow designs that extend right and left from the central symbol represent the useful services of father
and son. Wherever outstanding accomplishment existed, it was noted by the Native Americans. Its significance
was recognized, often by feathers. The fact that the father-and-son achievements are united in the center of the
design is interpreted to mean that fathers and sons together, under the eye of the Great Spirit, are seeking to help
each other in the services they render.
To the right is the symbol of the mother and home. A line connects the mother symbol with the teepee, or home
symbol. The fact that it is a home symbol is shown by the fire in the teepee. On the left are the symbols of father
and son. The line that joins the two symbols again shows the relationship. These symbols add to the richness of
the central theme, for it is in service to the mother and home that many of the significant achievements of father
and son take place.
Far to the right are symbols of day and forest. Far to the left are symbols of mountain, lake, field and stream, with
the moon for night. Here again, these symbols tend to enrich the central theme, giving broader scope to services
by centering the efforts on father and son in village and community life as well as “in forest, field, and stream.”
Y-PRINCESS Patch and Headband
Meaning of the Emblem
The national emblem is red, gold and blue to represent the friendly parent-child relationship of the Y-Princess
Program. The crossed arrows of friendship and two red hearts of love and understanding are symbols emphasizing
the slogan along the border. The central figures, hand in hand depict meaningfully the focus of the Program. The
YMCA emblem identifies basic orientation toward the YMCA.
Story of the Headband
The central theme of the headband is the sign of the Great Spirit with crossed arrows of friendship and circled
heart of love on either side. Father and daughter are symbolized next to the grouped teepees, which indicate
happy work in the community, and a single teepee, which denotes happy work in the home. The trees, water, and
grass exhort the wearer to see and preserve the Great Spirit’s beauty in forest, field and stream.
Y-PAPOOSE PROGRAM
Y-Papoose Emblem
WHERE TO PURCHASE A VEST
www.craftkits.com -Suede leather vests available in Child and Adult sizes as well.
Comes Assembled $32.50/Child $38.00/Adult
www.cowcatchers.us-­‐ Comes assembled Paul Beverly -­‐PS Its Leather – (local) 804 502-­‐2504 Paul works out a workshop at his home. The vests are not assembled and must be laced together. His home is located near Staples Mill and the 64 exit.
The vest is an optional program item for participants but most tribes wear them. Please check with your Tribal
Leadership to learn their tribal vest traditions. Little Braves, Princesses and Big Braves use the vest to display
their program patches such as the Nation & Program patches purchased from the YMCA as well as their Longhouse
chevrons, Longhouse Awards, Award Patches (Beaver, Cougar, Bear & Buffalo) and specialty patches. The top part
of the back of the vest is usually reserved for a graphic that communicate the Princess’s, Little Brave’s or Big
Brave’s name.
Please contact the Y-Guide Programs Office if you have any further questions or concerns about the vest.
Benediction
May the peace of the forest,
The song of the birds, The inspiration of the hills, The warmth of the sun, The strength of the tree, The fragrance
of the flowers, The joy of the wind, And the calm of the lake, In all of which is the Creator of all good things, Be in
our hearts today and always.
Closing
“And now may the Great Spirit of all Great Spirits be with You and You and You and You . . . and You for now and
ever more.”
And now may the Great Spirit of all Great Spirits, Move right hand in a circle, in the air, overhead Point with right finger to members of your tribe. Pull back imaginary bow. and ever more. Release imaginary arrow.
Be with you, you, you and you, For now, THE HISTORY OF Y-GUIDES, Y-PRINCESS AND
Y-PAPOOSE PROGRAM
How the Y-Guides Program began:
The first Y-Guides programs were developed to support parents' vital roles as teachers, counselors, and friends to
their children. Harold S. Keltner, St. Louis YMCA Director, initiated the program as an integral part of association
work. In 1926 he organized the first tribe in Richmond Heights, Missouri with the help of his good friend Joe
Friday, an Ojibway Indian, and William H. Hefelfinger, Chief of the first Y-Guides tribe. Inspired by his experience
with Joe Friday, who was his guide on hunting and fishing trios into Canada, Harold Keltner established a program
of parent-child experiences that now involves over 200,000 children and adults annually in the YMCA.
Joe Friday planted the seeds for this program during a hunting trip he and Mr. Keltner took to Canada. One
evening, the Ojibway said to his white friend as they sat around a blazing campfire: "The Indian father raises his
son. He teaches his son to hunt, to track, to walk softly and silently in the forest, to know the meaning and
purposes of life and all he must know, while the white man allows his mother to raise his son." These comments
struck home and Harold Keltner arranged for Joe Friday to work within the St. Louis YMCA.
Joe Friday spoke before groups of YMCA boys and their fathers in St. Louis and Mr. Keltner discovered that
fathers, as well as boys, had taken a keen interest in the traditions and ways of the American Indian. At the same
time, Harold Keltner, being greatly influenced by the work of Earnest Thompson Seton who was a great lover of the
outdoors, conceived the idea of a father and son program based on the strong qualities of American Indian culture
and life — dignity, patience, endurance, spirituality, harmony with nature, and love of the family circle. Thus the
first Y-Guide program was born over 80 years ago and was celebrated in 2006 by a commemorative patch.
The rise of the family YMCA following World War II, the genuine need of young girls for their personal growth, and
the demonstrated success of the father-son program nurtured the development of YMCA parent-daughter groups.
The mother-daughter program, once known as Y-Maidens, was established in South Bend, Indiana in 1951. Three
years later, father-daughter groups now known as Y-Princesses emerged in Fresno, California. In 1980 the
National Longhouse recognized the former Y-Braves program for mothers and sons, completing the four
combinations in the Y-Guide Programs.
The Y-Papoose program for pre-school children and their fathers is another logical extension of the Y-Guides
program and it was sparked by a real-life need. A Y staff member in Orlando, Florida had an older daughter in a YPrincess tribe. Each month, when he and his older daughter went to tribal meetings, the younger daughter — a
preschooler — began to cry. She couldn't understand why there wasn't a special time for her. In asking around, the
Y staff member found that there were other families who had the same problem. It was easy to find enough
parents to put together the first Y-Papoose tribe.
These programs have evolved over the years to allow today's fathers and their children to take part in many varied
and enriching experiences and show respect to the American Indian culture upon which the program was modeled.
The current Y-Guides, Y-Princess, and Y-Papoose programs still strive to foster a lasting bond between father and
child and create an experience that lasts a lifetime!
The Indian Theme as a Contribution to the Program
The strong qualities of the American Indian culture of which Joe Friday spoke-dignity, patience, endurance,
spirituality, feeling for the earth and concern for family-have become the cornerstone of the Y-Guides, Y-Princess
and Y-Papoose Programs. These values permeate the purpose and the aims of the program and form the
foundation upon which activities are planned. Costuming, crafts, stories, ceremonies and many other areas of the
Indian culture are attractive to fathers and children alike.
The Need for Authenticity
Current involvement of the American Indian community in the planning and development of the programs and their
reference materials have done much to preserve authenticity. However, program participants must constantly be
aware of the American Indian culture and take precautions not to abuse it. We need to avoid ‘Hollywood
stereotypes’ and check the accuracy of what we depict through brochures, costuming events, and the general
portrayal of the American Indian. There are ample resource materials available for this purpose in libraries and the
internet. Most American Indian Tribes will provide information and histories upon request.
SPECIAL COMMUNICATION: ALCOHOL POLICY
Policy
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted at Y-Guide, Y-Princess and Y-Papoose events. This prohibition is in effect
both on and off YMCA property and it includes Tribal, Nation and Federation meetings and events. Alcohol should
not be associated with Y-Guide, Y-Princess and Y-Papoose programs in any way.
Message
Support for the values and policies of the Y-Guide, Y-Princess and Y-Papoose program is an honor system that
each participant must choose to commit to and encourage others to support. There are many reasons that alcohol
is inappropriate at Y-Guide, Y-Princess and Y-Papoose events. The following are examples:
1. The YMCA of Greater Richmond does not approve the use of alcoholic beverages at YMCA-sponsored events.
2. The Tuckahoe YMCA Y-Guide/Y-Princess/Y-Papoose Program mission is to foster deeper relationships between
fathers and their children. Alcohol plays no role in accomplishing that mission.
3. All of the locations in which we camp (Westview on the James, Camp Whitehall, Christopher Run, Small Country
Campground and Camp Hanover) prohibit alcohol on their premises. The YMCA depends on access to these
facilities for many programs. Our Y-Guide/Y-Princess/Y-Papoose programs need access to these camps for
longhouses. Violation of their rules could jeopardize this access. The Y-Guide/Y-Princess/Y-Papoose Programs
has lost access to camping facilities for inappropriate behavior in the past. Our actions affect programs beyond
our own.
4. Alcohol use at longhouses threatens the safety of our children. An accident or injury demands the clearest
judgment in order to properly respond. For that situation to turn tragic because of alcohol use would be
unbearable, beyond any liability or rules issues.
No one wants to become an alcohol policeman; however, we have to be accountable for our actions and there must
be consequences for those who cannot or will not support this policy. The YMCA cannot afford to lose access to
community facilities because of the actions of a few program participants. Please start with your tepee and tribe
and, for the benefit of all, do not allow abusive actions or attitudes to spoil the Little Braves’, Princesses’ and
Papooses’ memories of events. That will help us all become “Friends Always and Pals Forever.”
AWARD CRITERIA
Awards
Patches are awarded at five levels: Chipmunk, Beaver, Cougar, Bear and Buffalo. Each award has mandatory tasks.
Each award (except Chipmunk and Beaver) also provides a selection of tasks from which Braves and Princesses
choose to complete an award’s requirements.
Awards are earned in succession. Each tribe’s Tally Keeper captures the Braves/Princesses’ progress on a tally
sheet. Upon completing the requirements for an award the Tally Keeper retains the tally sheet as part of the tribal
records.
Every completed task represents a success to be celebrated. We recognize achievement of individual tasks by
presenting the Brave or Princess with a token that can be displayed. The token is a patch. Each brave and princess
may choose from one of two patch options for the Beaver, Cougar, Bear & Buffalo Awards. The 1st option is the
traditional circular award patch and the 2nd option is the new progression patches that have been individually
designed for each of the aforementioned awards. Individuals who opt for the new progression patch and who would
also like the received the traditional patch upon completion of the tasks may purchase the traditional patch for
$4.00.
Guiding Principles
In a modern society there are many distractions for both children and parents. The Y-Guide/Y-Princess/Y-Papoose
Program is an opportunity to put distractions out of our lives and create lifetime memories with our children.
The tasks for earning awards should foster parent-child interaction, be fun, demonstrate important values, and
strengthen the lifetime bonds we are forging. The tasks required to earn awards are to be accomplished by the
children. A parent provides the minimum necessary guidance for the child to fulfill a task.
All activities, except for activities demonstrated to a tribe, will be reported back to the tribe. “Reported Back”
means the children (not the parents) describe to the tribe what they did, how and where they performed the task,
and what they learned. Some activities will be accomplished as a group, making it difficult for each of the child to
make a unique contribution to the reporting. In these cases we ask that tribes be imaginative and find a way for
each child to participate in the reporting.
Visual aids are encouraged for all presentations to tribes whenever possible.
Activity Categories
Activities are divided into eleven categories represented by feathers on the first Beaver patch. The categories are
(1) Arts & Crafts, (2) Camping, (3) Family & Home, Citizenship, (4) Native American, (5) Nature,(6) Service to Others,
(7)Spiritual, and Virginia History,(8) Physical Fitness, Safety & First Aid.
Additional Awards and Patches
Lance Award Program Patches
Longhouse Patches (Longhouse Award, Honor Tribe, White Buffalo) and Chevrons
Longhouse Activity Patches (Canoeing, Fishing, Archery, Hiking)
Tribal Leadership Patches (Sachem, Chief, Medicine Man, Tally-Keeper, Wampum Bearer)
Tribe Activity Patches (Community Service, Rockwall, Skating, Bowling, Golf)
Tribe Spirit Patches
Tribe Participation Patches
Event Patches (Fantastic Friday, Father-Daughter Dance, Pinewood Derby, Federation Pow Wow)
FIRST PATCH
Beaver Award
Eagle Feathers Progression Patch
Beaver Award
Category
Task
(1) Arts & Crafts
Complete three (3) Native American theme handicraft projects with your dad. Present
(2) Camping
the crafts before your tribe..
Camp-out overnight. Report back to your tribe.
(3) Family & Home
Plan, Cook and Clean up a dinner that you prepare for your family. Report back to your
(4) Native American
tribe.
Tell a Native American tale before your tribe.
(5) Native American
Memorize and recite before your tribe the real and Y-Guides names of Little Guides
(6) Service to Others
Memorize and recite before your tribe the six Y-Guide Indian Program aims.
Recite before your tribe from memory and using hand signs the Y-Guide Prayer (And Now, May
the Great Spirit…)
(7) Spiritual
Prayer (‘And now, May the Great…
(8) Physical Fitness
Hike two miles with your dad. Report back to your tribe.
1
2
3
4
7
5
8
6
Why is there a Y-Guides Program Fee and how is the fee used?
The Y Guides Program fee helps to cover costs inherent in running the Y Guides Programs. Though no list can be
all inclusive, here are some examples of what your program fees do and do not cover.
•
•
•
•
•
Meeting places within the Tuckahoe YMCA (reserved first come, first
served; sign-up starts at New Chief’s Meeting for the upcoming year
starting in September; many tribes reserve a specific room, day, time, for
example the Clubhouse the 2nd Sunday of each month from 2-4 p.m.)
Tribal outings at the Tuckahoe YMCA swimming pool (must be coordinated
through Y-Guides Program Coordinator)
One tribal Rockwall climb with rock wall patch (must be coordinated
through Y-Guides Program Coordinator and during normal rock wall
operating hours)
Fall and Spring Longhouses complete with Y Staff and volunteers to assist
our Nation and Tribal Chiefs; canoes, archery, Apple Hour, assistance with
ceremonies
Many patches, chevrons, awards and game beads
o
•
•
•
•
As examples: Award Patches (Chipmunk, Beaver, Cougar, Bear,
Buffalo, Lance Award), Longhouse Chevrons, Longhouse Award,
Longhouse Bulls Eye or Catch a Fish, Order of the White Buffalo,
Honor Tribe, Fantastic Friday, Federation and Nation and Tribal
leadership patches
Special events like Fantastic Friday, Pow Wow, Pinewood Derby and
Father Daughter Dance
Communications like the Smoke Signal and Straight Arrow, and website
and emailed information
Chiefs’ orientation and clinic training (you don’t have to be a chief to
come to clinic training; clinic training will cover important topics like how
to hold a greet meeting, awards, projects, events, and recruiting and
retention)
Y Staff to assist year round with a variety of program requirements and
activities and with communications
Program Fee Does Not Include
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Costs associated with monthly meetings and activities
Longhouse camping fees assessed by campsites, or longhouse supplies or
equipment outside canoe and archery equipment
Vest and start up patches or game bead spade
Father Daughter Dance Admission
Pinewood Derby Registration
More than one tribal Rockwall climb
Certain patches such as tribe based patches or certain activity patches
2015-2016 Tuckahoe Federation Calendar
July 1, 2016 New Nation Chief should reserve Fall Longhouse site
July 15, 2015 Registration opens for 2015-2016 Program year
Fall 2015 Longhouses Blue= Guides Pink = Princess
September 12, 2015 – Mattoponi Nation & Cherokee Nation
September 19, 2015 – Iroquois Nation & Pamunkey Nation
September 26, 2015 – Delaware Nation & Mohegan Nation
October 3, 2015 – Navajo Nation & Powhatan Nation
October 10, 2015- Columbus Day (4 day weekend)/ Swap date
October 17, 2015 – Monacan Nation & Shawnee Nation
October 24, 2015 - Tutelo Nation Camp- in (Tuckahoe YMCA) – also available
for one make-up or if one Nation would like to switch from your September or
October 2015 dates – first come first served, on request, if still available.
November 7, 2015 Federation Pow Wow Camp Thunderbird, Chesterfield VA
January 1, 2016- Pinewood Derby Registration opens
January 22, 2016- Fantastic Friday” Nation Spirit” Competition
January 31, 2016- Pinewood Derby Beginners Workshop- Cherokee Nation Hosts Derby and
conducts Workshops.
February 20, 2016- Father Daughter Dance- Delaware Nation Picks Theme/ Decorates for Dance.
February 28, 2016-Pinewood Derby Beginners Workshop
April 3, 2016- Pinewood Derby, Test Track open April 2, 5:00pm.
Spring 2016 Longhouses
April 8-10, 2016 Delaware Nation/ Shawnee Nation
April 15-17, 2016 Mattaponi Nation/ Mohegan Nation
April 22-24, 2016 Monacan Nation/ Pamunkey Nation
April 29-May 1, 2016 Cherokee Nation/ Powhatan Nation
May 6, 2016- Mother’s Day Weekend
May 13-15, 2016 Iroquois Nation/ Navajo Nation
May 20-22, 2016 Tutelo Nation/ Swap date
May 27-30, 2016- Memorial Day Weekend
*Hosting the Father Daughter Dance and Pinewood Derby will be rotated each year to
give each Guides Nation and Princess Nation opportunity to share serving the
Federation.