Foreword
Why do parents and children join Y-Indian
Guide Programs? Is it something magical? Yes, say the many millions of families
who have been involved in these programs for more than 60 years!
It is magic when parents and their children are having fun together-laughing, loving, growing, and learning together. These are memories that will last at least two lifetimes, and they can form a meaningful relationship that can last forever.
But for those who have completed two or
three years of Y-Indian Guide Programs and want to continue, there is a way to
do so - through the Y-Trail Programs, referred to in the Conejo Valley YMCA as
Y-Trailblazers. The Y-Trailblazers make it possible for the parent / child
relationships to continue but in a different way, recognizing the psychological
needs of 9 to 11 year olds. Y-Trail Programs are aimed at helping the developing
child grow toward independence without losing sight of the interdependence of
family members. In these programs the youngsters take on more of a leadership
role and greater responsibility for the programs. Parents who participate learn
to appreciate their own changing roles as their children grow older.
This handbook has been created by
experienced participants in Y-Trail Programs to help group leaders and Y staff
members start and operate their own Y-Trail Programs. After an introduction
explaining the programs, there are chapters on program and group planning and on
child and parent development. These are followed by suggested activities for
group members and their families. Next is an explanation of the national award
system for completing projects in specialized areas of interest and a listing of
the award requirements. The book ends with a short section on the relationship
of the YMCA to the Y-Trail Programs. In the appendix are a helpful sample
planning calendar and a program roster. Hopefully, this handbook will provide
the information needed for many more parents and children to find and enjoy the
fun, closeness, and growth possible through the Y-Trail Programs.
YMCA Trail Programs are a continuation for
older children of the YMCA Indian Guide Programs, which are designed for young
children and their parents. Y-Indian Guide Programs provide small groups of
YMCA Trail Programs have been developed out
of a concern for families. The family is the major support group for most of us:
It is the place where values are developed, where we learn to care and express
love, where we discover our strengths and weaknesses, and where we are accepted
for what we are.
Through Trail Programs, the YMCA provides
opportunities for families to enjoy themselves, to spend quality time together,
and to experience an environment in which parent-child communication and growth
can freely take place. Because strong individuals build strong families, Y-Trail
Programs are designed to concentrate on the relationship between an individual
youth and his or her parents.
For many parents and children, participation
in Y-Trailblazers will follow participation in Y-Indian Guide programs, although
this is not necessary. Y-Indian Guide Programs are a cornerstone of core
programs offered by most Y's for the family with elementary-school-aged
children. Trail Programs focus on strengthening the parent/child teams. The
focus is on children from third-sixth grade with emphasis shifting to the
child's skill development, leadership, and accomplishments with the support of
the parent.
In YMCA programs, our first commitment is
to the personal development of each participant. We seek in all programs to help
participants develop values, improve personal relationships, appreciate
diversity, become better leaders and supporters, develop specific skills, and
have fun.
The following are some of the basic goals
and terms of the Y-Trail Programs:
· The aim of the programs is to enrich the
companionship and relationship of parents and children as they explore their
environment, community, and lives together. · The focus is primarily on children
8 to 11 years of age (third thru sixth graders) and their parents in a team
relationship. If they wish, children may continue participating as they grow
older, even into their teens.
· Membership is open to all children in the upper elementary grades and their
parents. Many will be coming from Y-Indian Guide units. Because the Y-Trail
Programs are an integral part of the YMCA, all members of the programs must also
become members of the local YMCA.
· The group, or club, is the basic organizational unit for Y-Trail Programs.
Each group consists of 6 to 10 parent/child teams, and may be coed, particularly
if the children are younger than 10. Activities appropriate for both boys and
girls, as well as for the parents, are easily planned for this age group. For
programs that include children older than 10, it is recommended that parent/son
and parent/daughter groups be organized.
· The Trail Council is an intergroup organization that supports the program
planning of each group, coordinates special Council events that include all
groups, and establishes sound program practices. Council events provide
opportunities for groups to meet and enjoy activities that are more suited to
large numbers of people.
· Meetings of Y-Trail Programs are usually held twice a month. Most groups have
found that it works best to spend one of these meetings at a member's home and
the other pursuing some activity in the community. Some meetings can also be
held at the YMCA.
· The theme is the central topic around which all activities are developed. The
choice of theme should be based on local members' interests in such things as
space. community exploration, early American history, or camping and out-door
recreation. The theme is determined by the local Trail Council.
Since the beginning of the YMCA Indian
Guide Programs in 1926, a few groups every year have continued the significant
parent/child group relationships initiated with the younger child programs. Such
groups have been called Senior Y-Guides, Y-Warriors, Y-Adventure Guides,
Y-Voyagers, Y-Rangers, Y-Pathfinders, and Father and Son Gra-Y. Based on the
work of several task forces and the field testing of many different models, the
name of Y-Trailblazers was chosen for the program in 1969. As the number of
Indian Guide Programs for younger children grew with the addition of Maidens
(mother/daughter), Princesses (father/ daughter), and Braves (mother/son), so
did the need for older child programs that would follow the pattern of the
younger child programs. In the past several years, many different for-mats and
themes have proved to be successful. This manual is the result of a need to
combine in one resource the best activities, methods, and techniques that have
been used with success in the older child programs during the past years of the
programs' existence.
Trail Programs normally start when a child
reaches 9 years of age, although some children start at 8 years of age. In the
Indian Guide Program, most of the planning and decision making is done by the
parents. Because of the short attention span of children under the age of 9,
activities are many and varied. Most children at the age of 9, however, are
entering a new stage of development, and the Trail Programs are designed to take
advantage of the growth opportunities that exist during this period of life.
One important goal of the program is to
involve the older child in decision making, program planning, and leadership.
Children can be given a primary role in designing the programs and carrying them
out while parents provide important emotional support and help with decision
making and problem solving. Looking at options, considering consequences, making
decisions, and acting on those decisions are skills that children this age can
learn with the guidance of their parents. This learning process also helps older
children to develop and practice the skills of leadership and the social skills
involved in relating to others their own age. Recognizing that older children
are able to assist in the planning but are still willing to accept the
suggestions and approval of adults is crucial to the success of a Trail Program.
The activities of Trail Programs are a bit
different from those of the Guide Programs. Simple camping and outdoor
activities give way to more challenging activities, such as the following:
Cave exploring, Canoeing, Surfing, Gun
safety, Snorkeling, Backpacking, Rock climbing, Horseback riding, Scuba diving,
Snow skiing
Projects involving manual dexterity become
more involved and often take more than one session to complete. The following
list includes possibilities for such projects that are well-suited for group
effort and that are also provided for in the awards program discussed later in
this manual:
Ceramics, Rocket and airplane building,
Photography, Bike repair, Cooking, Clock building, Farming, Sewing,
Cross-stitch, Astronomy
At this age, children usually develop
preferences for specific activities, and Trail Programs allow for this
heightened interest. A broad variety of activities and interests is recommended
for children who are still in their elementary years.
The national emblem for the Y-Trail
Programs uses the colors red, silver, and yellow to denote the warm
understanding, vital sharing, and deep loyalty in the parent/child relationship.
The compass with the Y emblem at its center signifies the ideas and aims of the
"Four Trails" toward which the parent/child companionship experience is
directed: Wisdom, Physical Health, Spiritual Growth, and Service. The border
enveloping the compass portrays the power and the bonds of family support that
strengthen its individual members. Participants in the programs experience the
fun and excitement of exploring new worlds of interest in a spirit of adventure.
From this the emblem developed.
Themes can serve to strengthen and enhance participants' involvement in the program. A theme can become a focal point for developing activities and can provide a variety of experiences. In this section, we present a number of options, and suggest that the Trail Council decide on a theme best suited to its particular program and its members. Changing the theme as children grow older can be a way to maintain children's interest as well as to meet the need for progression in program planning.
Regardless of the option chosen, the theme
can be a stimulus for developing activities. Costuming, crafts, projects, trips,
guest re-sources, special events, and games are examples of the many different
things that can be planned around a chosen theme. Some theme options to consider
include the following:
Recognition is an important facet of the healthy growth of children and parents. Awards, if used in the Y-Trail Programs, should be available to all. They should emphaasize personal growth and achievements, service to others, and full support of the Trail group's activities. They are not a requirement, and many individuals enjoy participating in the Y-Trail Programs without being involved in the awards program. Others find that the awards enhance their experience in the programs.
The best kind of motivation for participation and progressing in a program is intrinsic motivation - that is, motivation that arises when the activity produces inherent satisfaction and when the group provides worthwhile and enjoyable experiences to all its members. Artificial incentives, such as awards, should be minimized so than an award does not become an end in itself. Recognition of an in individual's worth and progress should be shared sincerely and openly by all the parents and children in the group, and should be planned with care. Caution should be exercised against its potential misuse or overemphasis.
(Adapted from the Y-Trail Programs Manual, YMCA of the USA)