YMCA Adventure Guides: Compass Points
As you begin planning activities, use the program’s Compass Points to guide you.
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Strengthen Family |
Strengthen Family
Just being together, focused on one another, and communicating in new ways is sure to strengthen the relationship between a parent and a child. Family projects (e.g., making a program vest), family adventures (e.g., YMCA Adventure Guides night at the pool), and family components in the awards program (e.g., making a meal for family members) are all good ways to build strong families. Explore your own family culture, race, and ethnicity (e.g., creating a family tree and giving a report to your Circle).
Experience All That Nature Has to Offer
Be better stewards of the environment, practice conservation strategies, and always recycle. Be better informed about the plants and animals you share this planet with Ask the YMCA camp staff to do a presentation on this topic. Select Circle adventures that give everyone opportunities to find out about wildlife, plants, and the ecology. Experience the outdoors through hiking, skiing, rock climbing, and regular campouts. Educate others on the environmental considerations of the camping experience (follow the Leave No Trace principles as described on page 83).
Participate in Community
Begin by building your Circle community. Then develop community within the Circle. Learn the names and nicknames of your Circle’s members, as well as something about their character and interests. Elect officers and fulfill all Circle responsibilities to help build community.
Next, branch out and explore your larger community. Discover what your community has to offer—this will help you plan Circle adventures and decide on Circle or Expedition service projects. Participate in community fairs and parades. Participate in fact-finding information about the community. Do Internet searches, attend a museum, or speak to leaders in the community. Explore the culture, race, and ethnicity of your fellow Circle members and others in your community. You can capitalize on the YMCA as an international organization by exploring your global community. The International Department at the YMCA of the USA has materials to help you achieve this goal.
Have Fun
The games, songs, stories, campfires, ceremonies, and so on all contribute to a sense of magic and of fun, but what’s most important is that you learn to have fun with your son or daughter.
Character Development Values
Activities focusing on character development can round out the program. Promote a sense of honor and respect for the program’s origin (memorizing aims, mottos, and the program purpose); a commitment to displaying good character (caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility); the motivation to learn new skills; setting and achieving personal goals; and taking on leadership opportunities.
Young people can also develop character through service to others. This service component has been a part of YMCA programs for years. Some Circles have made donations to YMCA World Service, while others have raised money to support Native American causes, including donations to the Sioux Indian YMCA in South Dakota. The awards system (see page 91) is set up to encourage and recognize service within the family and the community. For example, consider completing chores, participating in a walk for a charitable cause, or gathering canned goods for a food drive.