YMCA Indian Guides Program Offers Quality Family Fun

By Susan Mansfield

Victor Griswold is pictured at last year’s Indian Guides induction ceremony with his sons Kyle, 13 and Sean, 10. Victor was named the 2006 YMCA Adult Volunteer of the Year.

The North Canton YMCA Indian Guides Program is getting ready for the 2007/2008 year and new families are invited to join in the fun and adventure. An organizational meeting and ice cream social will be held on Wednesday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the North Canton YMCA in the multi-purpose room. Anyone interested in learning more about the program is invited to attend
The Indian Guides Program is geared towards parents and children, kindergarten through sixth grade, participating in quality one-on-one activities together. The American Indian theme is used to illustrate respectful and loving interaction between family members as well as other members of the program and community. Groups of between five and ten parent/child pairs form a tribe and select a name. Typically, each parent selects a month, September through May, in which they will plan and host the meeting. In addition to the regular monthly tribe meeting, there are also special all tribe events such as weekend campouts and pinewood derby.
Kathy Yaros, Director of Member Programs at the North Canton YMCA, explains the flexibility of the program. She said, “This program was designed to give parents and their children quality time together. However, we understand how hectic life can be. Therefore, we welcome grandparents, aunts, uncles or another special adult to step in for mom or dad if necessary.”
The basic requirement to join Indian Guides is a member program fee of $40 per parent/child pair. If you are not a member of the YMCA, then the cost to join is $70 per pair. Financial assistance is available and no one is turned away due to inability to pay. There is no fee for ongoing tribe meetings, but some events have a minimal fee to cover the cost.
Indian Guides was founded by Harold Keltner, a St. Louis YMCA Director, in 1926. He had been inspired by the words of a native Indian hunting guide by the name of Joe Friday. Keltner designed a father-son program based on the qualities of the American Indian culture and life: Dignity, Patience, Endurance, Spirituality, Feeling for the Earth and Concern for the Family.
Over the years, new programs were established such as the mother-daughter program called Indian Maidens in 1951; father-daughter groups called Indian Princesses in 1954 and Indian Braves for mothers and sons in the late 1970s. The North Canton YMCA Indian Guides Program is the only one in Stark County and approximately 35 families participated last year.

Kathy hopes more families will get involved in the program this year and emphasized one of the most important parts of Indian Guides. “There’s a lot of emotion and genuine tenderness between the parents and children who get involved in this program,” Kathy said. “A true bond forms and hopefully lasts a lifetime.”
For more information on the Indian Guides Program, please contact Kathy Yaros at 330-499-2587, ext. 138.

YMCA Camp Tippecanoe Family Fun Day

Bring the whole family to the fourth annual Family Fun Day at Camp Tippecanoe on Saturday, September 22 from 9 am to 4 pm. This event is open to the public and a $5 fee per person includes all the activities such as hay rides, pony rides, canoeing, arts and crafts and a chili cook-off.
Horseback riding on the camp’s new trails will also be available at a cost of $40 per rider or $20 if you bring your own horse. Proceeds from the event will support the Partner With Youth Program. Transportation is available from the Canton YMCA by RMS Transportation. For more information or directions please call: 1-800-922-0679 or you may register online @ ymcastark.org.