Moms, are you looking for an activity for your husband and your rising 1st grade son or daughter to get involved? An activity where they can do things together, share new experiences, create memories and strengthen their relationship? I want to suggest the YMCA Guides and Princesses program.

No gift that fathers give their son or daughter will mean as much them as the time that dads spend with them.

I'm the 2007-08 Nation Chief of the Y-Guides & Princesses program for the YMCA of the Triangle and have two children in the program - Aaron, age 12 ("Tough Bull") and Ashlyn, age 8 ("Fuzzy Kitty"). I was fortunate enough to be in "Indian Guides" with my father in Charlotte when I was young. I could not wait for my children to be old enough to be able and join, so they could have some of the same experiences I did with my father.



The YMCA of the Triangle is proud to have the largest father-child program in the U.S. The Y-Guides / Princess program serves over 12,000 dads and children throughout Wake, Durham, Johnston, and Lee counties. Collectively, these tribes form the Arapahoe Nation, which has served over 25,000 families since it’s inception in 1968. In 2007 alone, we added more than 150 new tribes with over 1,500 first year participants.

The YMCA Y-Guides and Princess programs are for boys and girls in the first through third grades and their dads. Tribes are composed of 7-10 fathers and their sons or daughters. Tribes meet twice a month in a member’s home, complete with fun activities including stories, songs, crafts, games and tricks. In addition, tribes organize monthly outings such as camping, hiking, community service, swimming and roller skating. Each child works with their dad to earn feather patches for their vest.



Highlights of the year include the dramatic campfire induction ceremony at Fall Outing at Camp Kanata, Polar Bear swims, Winter Inning - an entertainment show at Memorial Auditorium, Kite Day, Park Clean-Up Day and of course Spring Outing - a 3-day, 2 night weekend at Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer in Arapahoe, NC. At Spring Outing, you get to live in cabins with your tribe and enjoy activities like archery, bb-guns, canoeing, riding the zipline, riding the JoyBoy, looking for sharks teeth, scavenger hunts, eating with 500 of your closest friends in the mess hall and of course the Saturday night campfire, complete with songs, ghost stories and a few incredible surprises!

I know dads are busy with work and other commitments, but for only two hours a month, dads can make an investment in the relationship with their child that will pay off 100 fold. Program dues are $90 per pair for non-members of the YMCA, $65 per pair for members of the YMCA, and $25 for each additional child in the program. This is not a drop-off program, nor a program that spends time selling products. The program is completely focused on the father-child relationship.

Sound interesting? Want to know more? I invite all dads with rising 1st graders to come to a Dads Orientation meeting.

For Wake County dads (Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest and surrounding communities):

2008 Wake Y-Guides & Princesses Dads Orientation Meeting
Tuesday, September 9th, 7:00 p.m.
McKimmon Center, NC State
1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, 27695

The YMCA is really excited about expanding into Durham this year!

For dads who live in Durham:

2008 Durham Y-Guides & Princesses Dads Orientation Meeting
Tuesday, August 19th, 7:00 p.m.
Hope Valley Country Club
3803 Dover Road, Durham, 27707

At the orientation meetings, dads can learn more about the Y-Guides & Princesses program. We'll watch some cool videos and hear some incredible testimonials about the program. At the end of the meeting, dads will be matched up by zip code to form new tribes. Dads can also come to the meeting with their tribes already formed.

I love this program and there's no doubt that it's brought me closer to my son and daughter. The shared experiences that I have with my children in this program will be with us forever.

Have questions? I'll be glad to answer any that you may have. You can contact me at (919) 239-4352.

Check out my Triangle TRACKS Photo Album of pictures from Y-Guides & Princesses.

Watch a Year in Review Video about Y-Guides & Princesses.

You can check us out online at www.arapahoe-nation.org.

How-How!