Y Adventure Guide Program Manual

of the
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Area

Foreword

This manual has been designed to help the Y Adventure Guide Program, parents, and chil-
dren succeed in the Y Adventure Guide Programs, but the program success is not a matter
of mastering the projects and suggestions in this manual. The Y Adventure Guide Program
success is a relationship of communication and love that will last a lifetime. It is hoped that
the resources in this manual will contribute to that success.

Much of the material in this manual has been collected from similar manuals in other parts
of the country. Much of the material has been collected from the personal resources of the
Y Adventure Guide Programs in the Dallas-area. It is hoped that the combination has devel-
oped a manual that is both fresh and helpful.

It is important to remember that this manual is not intended as the last word in ideas or
direction. It is, rather, a springboard for new ideas which you can create on the way to a
lasting relationship of parents and child best described as FRIENDS FOREVER. The Y
USA "Friends Forever" manual is also a great resource for this program experience.

(This catalog may not be reproduced without permission of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas)

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 CONTENTS

STRUCTURE...................................3
GENERAL PROGRAM INFO..................4-10
SAFETY......................................14-17
GAMES.................................................18-27
STORY T E L L I N G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 - 3 5
RITUALS..................................................36-37
RESOURCES...........................................38-42

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 STRUCTURE

PRINCESS EXPEDITION EXPLORER EXPEDITION

CIRCLES CIRCLES
Dads and Daughters Dads and Sons

TERM DEFINITIONS
FEDERATION A group of Expeditions from a single YMCA joining together for events, meetings, etc.
form a Federation.
EXPEDITION A group of Circles joined together for a specific event forms an Expedition.
CIRCLE A gender specific small group of both dads and daughters or dads and sons. This is your home
base for the program. You will share most of your experiences in the program with the other members of
your circle.

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 Program Aims
1. To be clean in body and pure in heart
2. To be friends forever with my dad/son/daughter
3. To love the sacred circle of my family
4. To listen while others speak
5. To love my neighbor as myself
6. To respect the traditions and beliefs of all people
7. To seek and preserve the beauty of Our Creator's
work in forest, field, and stream

Program Motto
Friends Forever

YMCA Adventure Guides is for dads and their children,
kindergarten through 3rd grade. The dad and child attend
all the program activities together. This dad-child pro-
gram's aims, purpose and goals are almost identical to
those used in the former Y Indian Guides program with a
shift to reflect a new direction. Building on the legacy of
past traditions, Adventure Guides will help foster a life-
time of understanding and companionship and strengthen
the relationship between the dad and child.
Our new direction is based on the premise that life is a
journey. The journey anticipates challenges and choices.
Along the way are significant guides. The journey begins
within the sacred circle of family. Dads serve as primary
guides to help their children navigate known obstacles.
Dads entrust their children to other significant guides. It is
an expedition for the ages.
Program Pledge
"We, YMCA Adventure Guides, through friendly service
to each other, to our family, to this Circle (or Expedition),
and to our community, seek a world pleasing to the eye of
Our Creator."
Program Activities
The core of the program is Circle meetings and Expedition
adventures.
- Circle meetings and gatherings-Most Circles meet
monthly in a family home for fellowship, crafts,
stories, and the like
- Expedition adventures-Periodically, Circles come
together for Expedition adventures such as a
parade, party, or campout
- Family-oriented activities-Program activities typi-
cally include games, crafts, songs, stories, skits,
camping, and family adventures

Program Goals Program Structure

- Foster companionship and understanding; set a
foundation for positive, lifelong relationships
between dad and child.
- Build a sense of self-esteem and personal worth.
- Expand awareness of spirit, mind, and body.
- Provide a framework to meet the mutual needs of
dads and children for spending enjoyable, con-
structive, and quality time together.
- Enhance the quality of family time.
- Emphasize the vital role that the dad plays in the
growth and development of a child.
- Offer an important and unique opportunity to
develop and enjoy volunteer leadership skills.
Program Purpose
To foster understanding and companionship between the
dad and child.
Participants are grouped as follows:
- Guide - Father
- Explorer - Child (in some cases girls are princesses)
- Circle - Group of Dads and Guides or Dads and
Explorers (Princesses).
- Guide Expedition - All of the Dad/Guide Circles
- Explorer Expedition - All of the Dad/Explorer
(Princess) Circles
- Federation - the gathering of the Princess and
Explorer Expeditions
Program Leadership
The program is run by YMCA staff members and program
volunteers. Volunteers are recruited or elected by Circle
members and assume a variety of offices and responsibili-
ties for different roles.
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Program Rituals emonies and adventures with other dads and children.
The YMCA Adventure Guides program is based heavily Conducting group exercises in the Circle fosters leader-
on rituals and traditions that bring a sense of continuity, ship, problem solving, group work skill and a sense of
community, intrigue, and magic to the program. These rit- commitment to larger community-all of which reinforce
uals and traditions include those listed here as well as oth- the YMCA's pledge to build strong kids, strong families
ers, depending on each YMCA's choices. and strong communities. You will also participate in larger
- Program names scale activities such as weekend campouts, parties or
- Circle and Expedition property parades.
- Program attire
- Rites of passage The Circle
- Awards
- Ceremonies A Circle is a basic unit of the program. Dads and children
are placed in circles by school and subdivision areas, if
A Compass with four main directional points will be a possible. In general Circles will meet once per month at a
meaningful symbol used in the program: member's home or on the site of a special activity or event.

Schedules many events including campouts, pumpkin

carving, Derby Day, Science Place Camp In, Christmas
parade, etc.

- The Family is True North- the focal point of the

program

- Nature and the camping experience are an

integral part of the program

- The Spirit of the program is experienced through

belonging to a small Community called a Circle

- Fun is the magic of the program

The other points of the compass are the YMCA values of

Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.

As "Adventure Guides", dads and kids will be members

of Circles instead of Tribes. Instead of our chiefs wearing
headdresses, our Navigators will wear compass medallions
and carry honor sticks. We'll also have Base Camps instead
of longhouses.

"Circle" activities will include games, camping trips, cer-

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Navigator Training and Orientation
Do you want your circle to be an outstanding circle?
It is actually quite easy if you do three things:
1. Organize you circle's activities early -- at the
beginning of the year.
2. Establish a "tradition" (structure) for your circle
meetings.
3. Maintain a good set of circle property.
Organize Your Circle
Make a circle activity calendar at the beginning of the year
and stick to it.
- Include all Federation/Expedition events in the
calendar
- Include all your Circle meetings in the calendar.
Schedule your meetings in advance so as to avoid
conflicts (Even though this may seem a difficult
thing to do, it is the best way to ensure success!)
- Include circle outing dates in the calendar
- Assign a family to host each circle meeting
- Assign a family to plan each circle outing
- Assign a Federation/Expedition event "tracker" to
coordinate your Circles participation in each event
- Assign all the other tasks that you know about to
someone
Structure Your Circle Meetings
Circle meetings should be held monthly, typically in the
members' homes. Your circle meetings should be struc-
tured. The basic outline for a good Circle meeting is
simple:
- The Circle Navigator Conducts
Opening ceremony
Treasure collection (This can be assigned to a
treasurer)
Circle song or chant
Feather earning activities
- The Meeting Host Provides
A story
A craft, game or other activity -- dads and
children together
Treats and "free time" (while the dads hold a
short business meeting)
- The Circle Navigator Conducts
The business meeting (while the kids have
treats and play).
The closing ceremony (all members)
Other approaches can work just as well as the outline pre-
sented above. If you have a large circle, you might want to
allocate duties differently.
Some Keys to Successful Meetings
- Dads and children should do everything together
(except the "business" portion of the meeting -
excuse the kids from that)
- Rituals are important
- Each circle's meeting should begin with an open-
ing ceremony and end with a closing ceremony
Make written copies of the ceremonies, pass them
out at each meeting and have the members partici-
pate.
- Business should be kept to a minimum.
Rely on handouts and phone calls. You are at the
meeting to play with the kids - not to talk about
upcoming events. If necessary, have a separate
business meeting once a month.
- Structure makes things easy If the host only needs
to select a story, some treats and a simple activity,
Then there is no real "work".
- Variety can be good but use it sparingly.
Structured circle meetings are at the core of the
program. Special circle activities and outings are a
wonderful enhancement; I strongly encourage
them. But special activities should be scheduled
in addition to the circle meetings, not instead of
the circle meetings.
- Keep things simple
Choose things that the kids can easily do together
with their parent. Choose things that do not
require elaborate plans.
- Maintain a Good Set of Circle Property
6
 Together with your circle "traditions", your circle
property defines your circle's identity. Circle prop
erty is important.
- Property may be accumulated over time.
Be sure you have the basics - a Navigator's Hat
and Staff (Honor Stick), a Drum. Build from
there.
Each year you should try to either add a missing
item or upgrade an old item. Making property is
better than buying property. If you buy an item,
having the circle decorate it.
- Circle property should be a shared activity.
Creating or decorating your property can be a
great activity for one (or more) of your circle
meetings!
- Wear Your Vests
Your Circle Vests are really a key to bringing your
members together.
Encourage everyone to have a vest -- especially
new members because it will immediately make
them part of "the gang". Everyone's vest does not
need to match exactly, but they should be similar.
Vests are easily purchased at minimal cost. Vests
should be worn at all meetings and events.
- Patches might seem unimportant, but the children
love them. Try to get your members to put their
patches on. If members do not sew,perhaps a
member has an older daughter or son who will do
the service for a small fee. Most commercial dry-
cleaners provide sewing services.
- Wear Your Headgear
Each Explorer (Princess) Circle will select a
unique hat for distinguishing and unifying them.
Each Guide Circle will select a unique hat for the
circle based on our new outdoor Adventure theme.
- Carry your Honor Stick
Honor Sticks (formally coup sticks) are an import-
ant way for your child to display their achieve-
ments.
YOUR CIRCLE'S VESTS are full of powerful
MAGIC!
Your vests give your Circle its group identity.
Your vests give your Circle its most basic tradition.
Your vests change newcomers into Circle Members.
Your vests tell personal stories about each member
-- by virtue of the patches that are sewn on. Each
member's vest can be (or should be) a personal
history.
Vests are not just "ceremonial".
A good Navigator will encourage members to wear their
vests at all Adventure Guide functions. Circle meeting?
Wear vests. Campout? Wear vests. Federation event? Wear
vests. Special outing? Wear vests!
Vests are not just for the kids.
Adults and children alike should wear vests. Adults should
set the example. By wearing our vests, we tell our children:
"This is something special! This event is something special
for you!"
Display your patches!
Fabric patches are earned throughout the year by attending
events such as campouts, pumpkin decorating, bowling,
etc. Patches are also earned by community service such as
selling YMCA Christmas trees. The vest is the showcase
for the patches. The patches make the vest special to the
individual. The patches communicate the history of the
individual. If you do not have a sewing machine, many
dry-cleaners will sew on your patches for a modest fee.
Circle vests must be easy to obtain
A good Navigator will make sure that new members can
obtain their vests easily. New members will expect their
Navigator to tell themexactly what to do. The Circle
should have a written page that helps new members order
their vests and/or purchase the materials. The plan should
specify sources, colors and sizes. (Hint: Recommend over-
sized vests for the youngest children; they will grow into
them over their years in the program.) Vests should be rel-
atively inexpensive. A Circle should offer at least two of
the following three options:
1.Make your own vest
2.Have a vest made
3.Purchase a vest
Vest Design
Members of a Circle should all wear a similar vest. A
Circle's vest design should not change from year-to-year.
But new circles will need to create a design. And occa-
sionally, an old design may need to be updated a little.
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Considerations when designing vests
A circle's vest should include decorations that make it dis-
tinctive. Most circles have an "emblem" of some kind.
Keep it reasonably simple. A fully decorated vest should
be easy to create with only modest sewing skills.

Considerations when choosing materials

Vests that are worn at circle meetings, campouts, and
Federation events, will gain "character" -- they will
become a little dirty and tattered.
Therefore, vests should be made from materials that are
sturdy and cleanable. Corduroy, denim, or heavy felt all
work well. Leather may look good, but it is hard to clean
and difficult to work with when sewing on patches and
decorations. The materials you select for both the basic
vest and its decorations should be easily obtained. Many
generations of your Circle will reuse the same design; they
will be frustrated if the materials become hard-to-find.

Make Your Own Vest

Members who are handy with a sewing machine (or who
have a family member that is) often prefer to make their
own vest. This is typically the low-cost approach and often
the highest-quality approach. The circle's Navigator should
provide a pattern (or a sample vest to copy). The Navigator
might offer suggestions for local sources of materials. The
Navigator might maintain a stock of pre-cut decorations
that can be applied by the individual making the vest.

Have Your Vest Made

Some circles have a family member who is handy with a
sewing machine and willing to make vests for newcomers.
This approach may work for a few years, but as a circle's
membership changes from year-to-year, these resources
may disappear. Instead, you might try to find a local seam-
stress or tailor who is willing to make your vests for the
cost of materials plus a modest profit. This is convenient
because the end-result is a fully decorated vest. But this
approach is usually carries the highest cost. Also, quite
often the circle member still must acquire and provide the
fabric(s), so the actual convenience may be diminished.

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9
Job Description for Base Camp Officers
All Officers will be responsible for the following:
- Positions will be held by persons of exceptional
character, motivation and dedication to the YMCA
and it's mission.
- Attend all Base Camp Meetings
- Work closely with YMCA Staff in coordinating
and attending all promotional activities including
but not limited to recruitment of participants, cam
pouts, and Expedition events
- Participate in the Annual Partners Sustaining
Campaign (Leadership role preferred)
- Help develop the YAdventure Guide Program
through implementation of Character
Development and compliance with policies and
procedures
- Accept and promote the purpose and aims of the
YMCA YAdventure Guides Program
- Be a leader by example
- Assist all officers in all activities, and support the
Program Director in all decisions
- Establish effective communication throughout the
Expedition
- Develop positive working relationships with
Navigators
- Accept and complete any other duties that may be
required of them
The following are Specific Job Descriptions
for each office:
Navigator
Leads the Expedition in all events, Leads Base Camp
Meetings at camp, Leads the Camp Fire, Runs monthly
Base Camp meetings, Ensures the integrity of the
alliances of circles comprising the Expedition,
Responsible for handing out attendance awards
Naturalist
Responsible for the building of Camp Fire, Assist
Navigator in conducting Camp Fire activities, Performs
"Magic" at Camp Fire, Chapel, and other events
Compass Bearer
Usually the past Navigator, the wise man of the
Expedition, Leads Expedition in prayer at Base Camp
meetings and other events
Scout
Helps in planning and leading recruiting of new members
and marketing the program.
Log Keeper
Keeps records of Honor Circle Points, Prepares and
maintains rosters and contacts, conducts roll call at Base
Camp meetings, is responsible for communication
Treasure Keeper
Looks after all Circle resources, including the Treasure
Box, drums, talking stick, awards, and other materials.
He keeps record of reimbursements to members from the
Treasure Box for approved expenses from the Outfitter
(Y staff), and collects fees from various Expedition gath-
ers to submit to Y staff or Y office.
Elder
Wise man in Expedition, Ensures program is meeting its
goals and complying with policies and procedures set
forth by governing bodies, Ensures effective communica-
tion throughout the Expedition.
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CIRCLE ACTIVITIES

11
Circle Activities activities. Over time, your Circle and Expeditions will
develop a collection of fun, interesting, and exciting activ-
The YMCA Adventure Guides program has been designed ities. You night consider pooling these ideas and posting
around the primary Compass Points of family, nature, them on a program website or submitting them to your
community, and fun. For each Compass Point, unlimited local YMCA or to YMCA of the USA for future publica-
possibilities are available for parents and children to tions. This is just one of many ways to keep this program
explore ideas and take part in fun activities. In the next alive for years to come.
several sections, we provide you with sample ideas and
activities to use in Circle and Expedition gatherings. Compass Point
You'll find rituals and ceremonies, stories, crafts, songs,
games, adventures, and service projects that have been As you begin planning activities, use the program's
used with success and enjoyment in programs across the Compass Points to guide you.
country. Additional sections cover outdoor camping,
awards, and Family Circle activities to try at home. Strengthen Family
Just being together, focused on one another, and commu-
YMCA of the USA maintains a website at www.ymca.net nicating in new ways is sure to strengthen the relationship
that includes additional activities. If you're feeling between a parent and a child. Family projects (i.e. making
stumped, log on for new ideas. a program vest), family adventure (i.e., YMCA Adventure
Guide night at the pool), and family components in the
Your YMCA Outfitter (program director) has access to the awards program ( i.e. making a meal for family members)
latest activities that appeal to children. Many of the staff are all good ways to build strong families. Explore your
have expertise in camping, school-age child care, youth own family culture, race, and ethnicity (i.e. creating a fam-
sports, and group work. They will be happy to share ideas ily tree and giving a report to your Circle).
with you.
Experience All That Nature Has to Offer
Be better stewards of the environment, practice conserva-
Chart tion strategies, and always recycle. Be better informed
about the plants and animals you share this planet with.
Help them find activities that make constructive use of Ask the YMCA camp staff to do a presentation of this
their time. All kids need access to quality programs and topic. Select Circle adventures that give everyone oppor-
activities that enrich their lives, develop their talents and tunities to find out about wildlife, plants, and the ecology.
interest, and help them develop healthy relationships. Experience the outdoors through hiking, skiing, rock
These can include climbing, and regular campouts. Educate others on the
- Music environmental considerations of the camping experience
- Drama and other arts by following the Leave No Trace principles.
- Sports and hobbies
- Involvement in church, synagogue, temple, or
other religious community. Participate in Community
It's also important that they spend time at home. Begin by building your Circle community. Then develop
community within the Circle. Learn the names and nick-
Hundreds of books on the market are filled with songs, sto- names of your Circle's members, as well as something
ries, and crafts for children. Many websites are also devot- about their character and interests. Elect officers and ful-
ed to keeping youths' activities fresh and interesting. fill all Circle responsibilities to help build community.
Listings of suggested websites appear at end of several
chapters in this part. There's such an abundance of Next, branch out and explore your large community.
resources available in this area that your Circle might even Discover what your community has to offer- this will help
decide to appoint a new position called "researcher" to you plan Circle adventures and decide on Circle or
gather ideas for Circle meetings. Expedition service projects. Participate in community
fairs and parades. Participate in fact finding information
Part of the magic in the program, and the advantage of about the community. Do an Internet search, attend a
being a part of the YMCA movement, us the sharing of museum, or speak to leaders in the community. Explore
12
the culture, race, and ethnicity of your fellow Circle mem-
bers 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 (memorize aims, mottos, and the
program purpose); a commitment to displaying good char-
acter (caring, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, citi-
zenship, fairness); the motivation to learn new skills; set-
ting and achieving personal goals; and taking on leadership
opportunities.

Young people can also develop character through service

to others. This service component has been part of the
YMCA programs for years. Some Circles have made
donations to YMCA World Service, while others have
raised money to support Native American causes, includ-
ing donations to the Sioux Indian YMCA in South Dakota.
The awards system is set up to encourage and recognize
service within the family and the community. For
example, consider completing chores, participating in a
for a charitable cause, or gathering canned goods for a
food drive.

13
SAFETY

14
Alcohol Policy
The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas has a policy of no
alcohol on Y property or during YMCA program events.
To put this simply, if any participant chooses to consume
alcohol while on a campout or during another event, that
person may be asked to leave the program. If the YMCA
staff feels that it would be unsafe for the person to drive,
we reserve the right to contact someone to provide a ride
home or to contact the authorities to handle the situation.
Please understand that this rule has been put in place to
help ensure the safety of you and your child and the oth-
ers in the program. We feel very lucky to have your fam-
ily as part of out YMCA family, and hope that the time
you spend as a part of this program will be a rewarding
experience for you and your child. Please don't hesitate
to contact the YMCA staff if we can be of further assis-
tance.
Archery/Riflery Guidelines
The following are the minimum guidelines required for
any riflery/archery activities in the YAdventure Guides
program:
1. Gun & Archery safety rules will be posted at the
range, including a reminder that the parent is ulti-
mately responsible for the child's safety.
2. A volunteer (without their children present at the
range) or YMCA staff person, who meets qualifi-
cations for the Texas Department of Health's
Camping Standards, will serve as a riflery/archery
specialist and range supervisor during
riflery/archery activities.
3. The specialist will conduct a brief safety orienta-
tion to all participants upon their arrival to the
riflery/archery range.
4. Adult participants must supervise their children
while participating in riflery/archery.
5. Any behavior that is deemed unsafe by the spe-
cialist will be grounds for immediate removal
from the riflery/archery range.
6. Only spring loaded BB guns are to be used (no air
rifles).
7. Guns, BB's, bows and arrows will be locked away
when not in use.
8. Eye protection will be used in riflery activities.
9. The riflery/archery specialist will check BB guns
and bows and arrows in and out of the program
lock box, trailer or equivalent.
10. The specialist's primary responsibility is to ensure
the safety of all participants participating in
riflery/archery.
11. As with all activities on campouts, the
riflery/archery program is completely optional.
Commandments of Camping
1. Camp officially opens at 5:00 PM. Anyone plan-
ning to arrive earlier must check with the YMCA
staff.
2. All Guides must check in at the camp office to
insure receiving credit for honor points, schedule
of activities, and tent assignments (check in is
important in the event of an emergency.)
3. Upon arrival at your tent/cabin, check for the fol-
lowing:
A. sufficient number of bunks
B. any damage to tent/cabin (torn canvas,
broken window, water leaks, etc.)
C. any problems you feel should be reported
4. Cars must be parked in the assigned area only.
Do not remove posts to drive cars to tent sites for
loading or unloading. Two wheeled carts are
available for you to use.
5. Do not take bunks from other tents/cabins. You
must check with YMCA staff first.
6. NO ALCOHOL on campout.
7. All explorers/princesses must be accompanied by
a Guide on the fishing pier and boating.
Everyone must wear a proper lifejacket (including
Dads!)
8. Swimming is allowed in the swim area only.
Lifeguards must be present. There will be a
schedule of swim times given at Navigator's meet-
ing.
9. Each circle is responsible for leaving its quarters
and surrounding area cleaner that you found it.
You must have your quarters checked out by a
Base Camp Officer before you may leave camp.
10. One camp-fire per tent/cabin provided there is no
burn ban. The fire must be in the grill provided
and NOT on the open ground.
11. No pets allowed in camp.
Fire Safety
Because of the broad popularity of campfires and the
15
high risks involved, fire safety merits special attention.
While campfires are important to members in continuing
with program traditions, no one wants to honor tradition
at the expense of an injury. Please note that many fire
codes enforced by camps are mandated by state local fire
districts. When camps are enforcing these rules for fires,
they are acting responsibly, obeying the law, whether
they are the law or not, you must learn and follow camp
policies. Here are some guidelines for building safe
campfires.
1. All fires in camp should be confined to predeter-
mined locations- no ground fires.
2. All grills and fire pits must be at least 10 feet
from cabins
3. When possible, experienced camp staff should
assume responsibility for building and lighting
YMCA Adventure Guides ceremonial fires. If
staff is not available, follow a safety checklist to
ensure the fire is built safely. The safety checklist
should follow each camp's fire code policies.
4. If you assign fire building to a Circle, inform
them of all fire building policies. Do not give
special recognition- "honor points" or patches to
the Circle that builds the fire. This has resulted in
big and unwielding fires. In fire building our goal
is safety-we are not trying to impress anyone.
5. Avoid using fire accelerants such as gasoline,
white gas, kerosene, diesel, lighter fluid, fire
works, and black powder. If you must use an
accelerant, do not over soak the wood; use only
enough to slow-start the fire.
6. Use a stick or extension that allows you to light
the fire from a safe distance.
7. Do not ignite a fire in front of a group. The
campfire should be built before members arrive
for campfire activities.
8. Do not allow anyone to sit too close to the fire.
9. Restrict the height of the campfire flames to 4 to 5
feet from the base of the fire. Again, do not allow
fire height to become a contest. We do not want
to teach our children to play with fire.
10. Pick one person in each Circle to be the "ERI"
(emergency response individual) for their Circle,
accounting for everyone and being able and will-
ing to assist. If an accident occurs, a designated
ERI should call help by dialing 911.
11. Stress the importance of campout registration.
You need an accurate list of who is at the cam-
pout and who is not. If someone leaves early, you
need to know. In the event of a major emergency,
you need to be able to quickly identify who might
be hurt.
12. Prohibit the use of flaming torches, including
torch walks. Torches are a major fire hazard and
not worth the trouble.
13. Make sure all hot coals and ashes are placed in a
burn barrel at the end of the weekend.
14. Clarify to everyone that if anyone uses fireworks
or commits another kind of fire violation, law
enforcement will be called.
Supervision and Safety Speaking Points
One of the YMCA's top priorities for participants in the
YAdventure Guide program is the safety of the children
while providing opportunities to strengthen the
parent/child relationship. Diligent efforts are made to
prevent accidents/incidents and child abuse.
While the YMCA staff run the activities and are CPR and
first aid trained, the supervision of the child is in the
hands of the parent. DO NOT assume that because you
are at the YMCA, your child is automatically safe. To
prevent injury/incident, please supervise your child close-
ly.
- Supervise children at all times. Do not allow them
to wonder off away from you and the group.
- Parent should participate with child in activities.
Do not send one or two dads with the rest of the
children to an activity.
- Swim only in designated areas during designated
times. If lifeguards are not available - NO
Swimming.
- Children are not allowed to ride in the back of
pickups, on top of suburbans, etc.
- Campfires and children should be monitored
closely and never left unattended.
- During activities, please follow the safety rules:
i.e., life jackets for ALL, helmets, long pants and
closed toe shoes for horses, hands on supervisions
during archery, riflery and canoeing.
- No alcohol or tobacco use at camp.
- Use caution during inclement weather.
In the event of injury, please locate a Y staff for first aid
and necessary reports.
16
In this day and age, the YMCA acknowledges that child
abuse can happen. The Y makes diligent efforts to pro-
tect the children in its programs.
- Criminal background checks are done on Y staff
and volunteers who work with children.
- Information is provided to parents on how to pro-
tect children
- Staff attend child abuse prevention training at least
once a year.
- Parents are informed of the possible dangers of not
supervision children carefully.
To further protect the children:
- No adult should be one-on-one with a child (other
than their own)
- Kids should be supervised at all times.
- Circles should move together from one activity to
another. Children should be taught safety in num-
bers.
- Children should be taught the importance of
telling someone (a trusted adult) if inappropriate
touching, behavior or invasion of privacy occurs.
- The use of "Y hugs" (side hugs) is suggested for
all adults in Y programs with children.
- The YMCA will report any suspicion of child
abuse. Please refer to the Parent Safety Letter for
more information.
Close and careful supervision is the best pre-
vention of injury or incident.
Special precautions against natural hazards in
the area include:
1. Be aware of any poisonous or dangerous animals
in the area. Snakes, scorpions, bears, mountain
lions, and other wild animals are to be respected
and avoided. Read local literature and follow rec-
ommended guidelines.
2. Do no become an attractive food source for any
wildlife. Store food in refrigerators, pantry,
campsite storage lockers, vehicle trunks,
or in bear-proof containers. Leaving food visi-
ble in a car or leaving a window open is an
invitation for trouble. Absolutely no food in
tents. Do not feed or approach any animal.
Pick up and discard any food scraps or spills.
Avoid meadows and other open areas where
deer or other animals feed in the early morning or
early evening hours.
3. Be aware of natural hazards including bodies of
water, cliffs, dangerous rock outcroppings, frozen
lakes, and streams, and others.
4. Stay on marked trails. Not only does this reduce
impact, it protects all involved and reduces the
risk of getting lost.
Special precautions of Aquatic Safety include:
1. Permit swimming only when a qualified and certi-
fied lifeguard is present.
2. A swim test is recommended for all group mem
bers to assess swimming skill and establish appro-
priate boundaries.
3. All parents must be familiar with rules and regula-
tions in effect.
4. In case of doubt about the safety of a swimming
site, don't use it.
5. Always use the buddy system when swimming in
other then publicly guarded pools, including
beach areas, lakes, streams or rivers.
6. Always follow the instruction of local lifeguards
or authorities.
7. Brief the group on safety precautions, boundaries,
buddy system rules, and emergency signals.
8. All parents are a part of the life guarding effort.
Assign parents to guard shroe areas, in-the-water,
and boundaries. Rotate duties.
9. Play it safe. Make rescue or alert the lifeguard if
you suspect that a person is having trouble. Be
safe rather then sorry.
17
GAMES

18
Games are important because they develop quick thinking, Indoor Games
alertness, and strategy. Games build character by demand-
ing cooperation, fair play, and consideration of others. A These games can be played at meetings, during rainy or
game is also a fun time that aids in directing and correct- winter weather, on camp-outs when there is adequate
ing the attitudes of the participants. space inside, or in other indoor locations. They are easy to
learn and play and can help you get the meeting started.
A game is a serious thing to a child. Most children will
concentrate all their energy and enthusiasm toward the Pick-up-Clouds
game. They will want to know all the rules and details in
order that they might win in any competitive activity. Fun,Materials needed:
character training, skills, physical and mental develop- Large bowl, kitchen spatula, 25 marble size cotton balls;
ment- these can all be the value of a good game. blindfold (optional)
How to play:
Technique Set the bowl on the floor or on a table and scatter the cot-
ton balls around it. At a given signal, either parent or child
Remember the following when planning your games: take the spatula and tries to get as many cotton balls into
the bowl as possible in 20 seconds. For more fun, blind-
Will the game give a feeling of accomplishment to the fold the person trying to get the balls into the bowl.
players? Will the game provide excitement for all players?
Will it teach the children to handle technicalities or Scrambled Birch Bark
mechanics?
Materials needed:
Most of all-Will it be fun? 2 identical newspapers
How to play:
Leading Games: Divide the circle into 2 teams and give each a scrambled
newspaper. The object of the game is to be the first to
Know the game and its rules, requirements, equipment, reassemble the newspaper in the proper order within a
and the area needed to play in. given time limit. Teamwork is needed.

Prepare for the game by providing equipment, setting time Scrambled Shoes
limits, and establishing boundaries.
Materials needed:
Demonstrate the game A shoe from each adult
How to play:
Start with simple games and move on to more complex Place all the shoes in the center of the room and scramble
games. them up. At a signal, the children rush to find their parents'
shoes. The first child to get the shoe back in the parent's
Don't play the game too often or for to long at one time. foot is the winner.

Keep check on the players to see if they are having fun. Alternative: A noncompetitive version of the game is to
see how long it takes the children to get all the shoes back
Have three of four games ready, even if you only plan on to the parents. Repeat to see if first record can be broken.
using two. If one game looks like a "flop", don't be afraid
to change to another game immediately. Rooster Fight

Materials needed:
Masking tape, ribbons, safety pins
How to play:
Mark a 4 inch circle with the masking tape. Pin different
colored ribbons to the backs of 2 persons. Turn them to
face each other in the circle. They cannot leave the circle.
19
The object of the game is to be the one who finds out the Paper Cup and Plate Balancing
other person's color first.
Materials needed:
Ghost Guess Paper plates and cups
How to play:
Materials needed: Each parent, taking turns, sit on the floor with feet extend-
One Sheet ed and head back. The parent's child then tries to balance
How to play: as many plates and cups on the parent's forehead as possi-
Divide into teams. One side leaves the room, then sends 1 ble. Start with a plate and then alternate cups and plates.
member back into the room under a sheet. The other side Select someone to keep track of how many cups and plates
tries to guess who it is. Only 1 guess is allowed. If they are balanced before they fall. Once they fall, the parent
are right, then they get a point. If wrong, the point goes to and child reverse positions and balance more plates and
the other team. Hint: Encourage the players to switch cups on the child's head. The team with the most points
shoes, change height by crouching down, or try to look (1 point per plate/cup) wins.
heavier or thinner.
Balloon Volleyball
Crazy Artist
Materials needed:
Materials needed: String, balloon, 2 chairs
Paper, crayons, or markers How to play:
How to play: Divide the room lengthwise and tie a string between 2
Provide each team with a crayon or marker. The object of chairs. Divide the circle into 2 teams that sit on the floor
the game is for the whole team to draw a house on a piece on opposite sides of the string. A balloon is used as vol-
of paper. The catch is that each person can only draw 2 leyball, and the string is the net; not spiking is allowed.
straight lines at a time. The house judged the neatest or All players must remain seated at all times.
best is the winner.
Newspaper Cutouts
Ring Toss
Materials needed:
Materials needed: Newspaper
Clothespins, rubber jar ring How to play:
How to play: Give each parent-child team a sheet of newspaper. Have
Each parent holds a clothespin while his or her child tries each team fold and tear out pieces, making a design. Give
to ring the clothespin with a rubber jar ring. Parents may a prize for the best parent-child design.
move the pin to try to catch the ring.
Flying Feather
Clever Feet Relay
Materials needed:
Materials needed: Downy Feather
2 chairs, 2 pop bottles How to play:
How to play: Parents kneel so that their heads are no higher then their
Set chairs about 3 inches apart. In front of each chair draw children's heads when the children are standing. Players
2 circles about 1 inch apart and 4 inches in diameter. Put face each other and join hand, and the leader throws up a
pop bottles in each circle. downy feather between them. The parent and child, hold-
Divide the circle into 2 teams. 1 for each chair. Have a ing hands at all times, try to keep the feather in the air by
starting line about 10 to 20 inches from the chairs. At a blowing.
signal, the first person from each team runs forward, sits in
the chair, and tries to move the bottle from one circle to the Alternative: Divide the circle into 2 teams. Each team
other using only his or her feet. Once the bottle has been forms a circle, holding hands. See which team can keep
moved and is upright, the person runs back to his or her the feather up the longest.
team and the next person in line goes. The first team to
finish is the winner.
20
Tin Can Toss everyone else's balloon and protect his or her own. Both
bumping and grasping balloons are permissible. The per-
Materials needed: son who keeps his or her balloon the longest wins.
Tin can, nail, plywood board, bottle caps
How to play: Follow the Leader
Nail a tin can onto a board. Have the children toss bottle
caps into the can for points. Set the distance from the can Materials needed:
with one line for the children and another line that is far- None
ther back for the adults. This is a good game to play before How to play:
meetings. The circle group forms a circle with chairs fairly close
together. The circle then chooses a person to be IT; that
Guess Who person leaves the room. After this person leaves, the group
decides upon a person to be the leader. The leader then
Materials needed: begins to make body motions (e.g., slapping hands on
Pictures from magazines, safety pins knees, moving head up and down, moving feet) and the
How to play: person who is IT is brought back into the room.
Cut out animal, buildings, cars, and the like from maga-
zines, and pin the pictures on the backs of the children and The leader must change motions every 15 seconds or so,
adults. By asking questions of the others, parents and chil- and the group must follow. The idea is for the person who
dren discover who or what they are. is IT to find out who the leader is. The followers should
be careful not to give away the leader by looking directly
Potato Bowling at him or her, but rather should look out of the corners of
their eyes or watch someone across from them who is
Materials needed: watching the leader. IT has 1 guess of the leader is each
Newspaper, masking tape, potatoes time the motion changes.
How to play:
Spread a sheet of newspaper on the floor and mark with Do This-Do That
masking tape one line 6 inches away and another 10 inch-
es away from the paper. Children stand at the 6' line and Materials needed:
try to roll a potato so that it stops on the paper. Adults try None
to roll for the 10' line. Each member gets three tries. How to play:
The leader takes a position for directing drill movements
with arms, legs, or body and tells the group to follow him
Eagle Beak's Nose or her whenever a movement is preceded by " Do This" but
not to follow the movement when preceded by "Do That."
Materials needed: The group holds the former position when a "Do That"
Large cloth or sheet with small hole in it command is given. The exercises should be snappy.
How to play:
Hang large cloth or sheet with a small hole cut in it across Alternative:
a doorway. Each parent puts his or her nose through the Substitute the words "Simon says" for "Do This." For
small hole and the children try to identify who the nose example, "Simon says touch your toes." Any command
belongs to. You can also have the parents guess the chil- given with out "Simon says" should not be followed.
dren's identities.
Drum Chairs
Balloon Battle Royal
Materials needed:
Materials needed: Drum, Chairs
Inflated balloons, string, and scissors How to play:
How to play: This is a variation on musical chairs. Substitute a drum
Tie inflated balloons to the waists of the parents and the for music; other wise the game is the same. Set up a line
children. At a beat from the drum, everyone tries to burst of chairs, 1 less than the number of members in the circle.
21
The circle members walk around the chairs to the drum
beat until the beats stops, then all the members scramble
for a chair. The person who does not get a chair is out, and
1 additional chair is removed from the circle. Changes in
tempo and abrupt stops in beat can give the game some
suspense.
Alternative:
Place cards with carious instructions for movements, nois-
es, and so forth on all the chairs. Make sure there as many
chairs as there are members. When the drum stops, each
person takes a seat and then does whatever the card says to
do. (e.g., push-ups, jumping jacks, duck walk, animal
noises, ect.). No one is eliminated from this game.
Almond Race
Materials needed:
2 bowls of almonds, 2 nut-crackers, 2 chairs
How to play:
This is a relay race using a bowl of almonds and a nut-
cracker. Divide the circle into two teams. Place a bowl of
almonds and a nutcracker on each of the chairs at the other
end of the room. At a signal, the first person in each line
races to the bowl, shells a nut, eats it, and then returns to
tag the next person in line. The first team to get through
the line with each member's having shelled and eaten a nut
wins.
Magic Noise
Materials needed:
None
How to play:
A person is chosen to be IT and goes out of the room. The
group selects an object and hides it around the room. It
returns to the room and starts to search for the object, get-
ting clues from the buzzing of the circle. The farther he or
she is from the object, the softer the buzz; the nearer, the
louder the buzz.
Keen Eyes
Materials needed:
None
How to play:
Divide the circle into 2 teams. The teams start out by fac-
ing each other in straight lines. Each team studies and tries
to memorize how members of the other team are dressed.
The teams then go into separate rooms, and the members
rearrange their appearance by moving, changing, or swap-
ping articles of clothing. For example, they might
exchange vests, untie shoes, or put them on the wrong feet,
or remove glasses. The teams then get together again.
Each person on the team takes a turn pointing out some-
thing different about any member of the opposing team. A
scorer keeps track of the right and wrong observations.
Balloon Relay
Materials needed:
Balloons, 2 chairs
How to play:
Blow up enough balloons in advance so there is 1 for each
person. Place the chairs at the end of the room. Line up
the players in 2 lines for relays. Give each player a blown
up balloon.
At the starting signal, each player in turn runs to the chair
and breaks his or her balloon by sitting on it. When the
balloon is broken, the player runs back to the line and tags
the next person. The first team to break all of their bal-
loons wins.
Ring on a String
Materials needed:
Strong string or twine, ring or washer
How to play:
Use a string long enough to make a circle that all the mem-
bers of the circle can hold on to at the same time. Choose
1 person to stand in the center of the circle formed by the
rest of the group. Pass the string around tom form a circle
on the inside of the group circle.
The person in the middle closes his or her eyes while the
ring is placed on the string and passed from person to per-
son. If the string is held tight enough, the ring cannot be
seen. The person who is in the middle opens his or her
eyes and has 3 guess to find out where the ring is. If the
person finds the ring, he or she trades places with the per-
son who has it. If the person does not find the ring, anoth-
er player is chosen to stand in the middle of the circle.
Dog and Bone
Materials needed:
Object to used as bone
How to play:
Choose one person to be the "dog". This person is blind-
folded and seated on a chair with his or her back to the oth-
ers. The object of the game is for someone to sneak up to
the "dog" and place any object (the bone) under the chair
without being heard by the "dog".
22
If the "dog" hears someone, he or she shouts "bow wow" This is My Nose
and the person who is caught returns to his or her seat.
Anyone who places the bone without being caught Materials needed:
becomes the "dog". None
How to play:
Balloon Rocket Contest The leader stands in the center of the circle of players. He
or she spins around and then stops in front of 1 person,
Materials needed: points to some part of his or her own body, and calls it by
Balloons and markers the name of the another part. For example, The leader
How to play: says, " This is my nose," pointing to a knee. The person
Each person chooses a balloon and marks it with his or her addressed has 10 seconds to point to the part of his or her
initials. All line up on one side of the room with a deflat- body named and call it by the name of the part to which the
ed balloon in hand. Each person then inflates the balloon, leader pointed. In response to the same example above,
holding the open end tightly. On a signal, all balloons are the person says,"This is my knee," pointing to his nose. If
released at once. The person whose balloon travels the far- the person does not do this by the count of 10, he or she
thest is the winner. becomes the leader.

Ditto
Materials needed:
None
How to play:
The circle sits in a circle. One person starts by making a
particular motion such as clapping. The person to the right
immediately makes the same motion. The next player con-
tinues the motion until everyone around the circle is doing
it. Once the motion has completely rounded the circle, the
leader changes the motion to start a new one going around
the circle.
Ping-Pong Blow
The Boiler Burst
Materials needed:
None
How to play:
Everyone in the group except the storyteller sits on a chair
in a circle. The storyteller stands in the center of the circle
and starts a story. Somewhere in the tale this person says,
"The boiler burst," at which point everyone must change
seats while the storyteller tries to get a seat. The person
left without a chair becomes the next storyteller. He or she
can either start a new story or continue where the previous
one left off.

Materials needed: 7-Up

Table, Ping-Pong ball
How to play:
Divide the circle into 2 teams, placing 1 team of adults and
children on each side of the table. Place a Ping-Pong ball
in the center of the table. The object of the game is for
each team to blow the ball off the table on its opponent's
side. Only blowing is permitted; hands must be kept out of
play. Each time the ball goes over the opponent's side of
the table, the other team scores 1 point. Set a total of 5, 7,
or 10 points as the winning score.
Materials needed:
7 erasers or other objects
How to play:
Choose 7 or fewer people to be IT. The leader asks every-
one else to sit down, close their eyes, and put their heads
down. Those who are IT quickly tiptoe around, placing the
7 objects in front of 1 or more persons.
When all objects are placed and the 7 players have
returned to the front of the group, the leader calls, "7-Up."
All those with objects in front of them stand up. The
leader then asks those standing to identify, one at a time,
who gave them the object. IF they are correct, they change
places with the person they identified and become part of
the IT group. If they are wrong, they sit down. When all
have guessed, those who are IT pick up the objects and the
game begins again.
23
Pantomime
Materials needed:
Wristwatch or stopwatch slips of paper, 2 pencils
How to play:
Divide the group into 2 teams. Each team selects 4 or 5
popular songs and writes each name on a slip of paper. A
person on one team draws one of the slips, then has 2 min-
utes to act out the name of the song for his or her team to
guess. The person may not sing it or say any of the words.
The team may ask only those questions that can be
answered by yes or no by the person acting out the name.
The two teams take turns acting out the song titles until all
of them have been solved. The team that ook the least
amount of time to guess the songs titles wins.
his or her chart places a colored square over it. The leader
continues to draw until at least 1 player covers all the
names in a row, either vertically, horizontally, or diago-
nally, as in bingo. When this happens the winning player
shouts "Name Bingo!"
To play again, players simply clear their charts and the
leader puts the name slips back into the box.
Alternative:
During the name-collecting period, have the members
write down not only the person's name but also 1 particu-
lar thing about him or her. This activity helps each person
to remember the others and may initiate later conversa-
tions.

Name Game Bingo
Materials needed:
1 ruled chart for each player, 1 pencil for each player, slips
of paper for the names, bowl or box, colored construction
paper squares or popcorn kernels.
How to play:
Name Game Bingo is a handy way to introduce people to
one another and to speed the learning of each other's names
during the first circle meeting. You can play the game
with as few as 9 and as many as 40 members.
Have each person write or print his or her name on a small
slip of paper, which is collected and put into a box or bowl.
Then give a sheet of paper(81/2 x 11) to each participant
that has been divided into squares, at least 1 for each of the
people attending.
Scavenger Hunt
Materials needed:
None
How to play:
Divide the group into 2 teams. Each team forms a circle,
and a leader stands between the circles at an equal distance
from each. The leader calls for an article such as a comb,
belt, penny, white shoe, green shoe, and so forth. The
adult or child who finds the article hands it to the player
next to him or her, thus passing it around the circle so that
all players handle it. When the article returns to the first
player, he or she hands it to the leader. The team that gets
the article to the leader first scores 1 point. Play to a many
points as you wish, or set a goal of 7 points for the winner.

All the players, armed with their charts, go around the

room asking for the other players' first name. They write
or print these ont heir charts in any box, obtaining as many
different names as there are squares. (Unless the number
of squares matches the number of players exactly not
everyone's name will be on every chart) Allow adequate
time for this name collecting. The whole idea is for group
members to get to know one another. When the name col-
lecting is completed, hand out colored construction paper
squares to each person. Each square should be the size of
1 square on the chart. (You can use popcorn kernels
instead)

When the charts and colored squares are ready, the leader
draws out one of the slips from the box and calls out the
name written on it. The person whose name is called iden-
tifies him or her self. Any player who has that name on
24
OUTDOOR GAMES
These games are great for outdoor fun, and they teach chil-
dren and parents teamwork, coordination, and new skills.
Use them on camp-outs, at meetings held during warm
weather, on weekend trips, or during any other time when
the circle is outdoors.
Treasure Hunt
Materials needed:
Objects to serve as treasure, paper, and markers.
How to play:
Form teams of 3-5 members each name each team. Write
each team's name on a piece of paper, and put the names in
a hat. Each team draws 1 name from the hat so that there
are pairs of teams. First the teams each decide on a "treas-
ure" and have 15 minutes to hide it. They then create a
treasure map to give to their partner team to help them find
the treasure. When each team has hidden its treasure and
created a map, the leader gives the signal and the great
treasure hunt begins. Set a limited time to find the buried
treasure.
Steady Head Race
with one foot touching the line. The leader calls either
"Crows" or "Cranes." Member of the team called must try
to get to their goal line before being caught by pursuing
members of the other team. If they are caught, they
become members of the opposing team. Play continues
until only 1 team remains.
Steal the Moon
Materials needed:
Handkerchief or other article
How to play:
Form 2 lines about 15' apart. Both lines should have equal
number of players. Number the members of each line
from left to right, and have them face each other. Draw a
small circle in the center between the 2 team, and place a
handkerchief or other article in the circle. The leader calls
out a member rush toward the circle.
The object is to grab the handkerchief or article first and
make it back to your own line without being tagged by the
other player. Two points go to the team if the play gets
back without being tagged; 1 point is given to each team if
the player get tagged. The leader can call more then 1
number.

Materials needed:
1 empty can for each player Pass the Grapefruit(or Orange)
How to play:
Give each player an empty can. At the start of the race, the Materials needed:
players balance the cans on their heads. Without using Grapefruit or orange
their hands, players must walk to the finish line with the How to play:
cans still balanced on their heads. If a can drops off, the Form two circles. Choose 1 person to be the leader in each
player must start over. The race can be an individual, circle. The leader from each team is given a grapefruit or
team, or relay event. large orange. He or she passes the fruit to an adjacent
player without using the hands by placing the fruit under
Crows and Cranes their chin and holding it there by clamping down with then
chin. The fruit is passed from player to player around the
Materials needed: circle. If the fruit is dropped it goes back to the leader and
Flour for marking a playing field the game starts again. Alternate parents and children, try-
How to play: ing to place parents next to their own sons or daughters.
Divide the players into 2 teams. The "Crows" and the
"Cranes." Mark a field of play in the following manner:
Nail Driving Relay
A = Crows' Goal line
A' = Crows' starting line Materials needed:
B = Cranes' goal line 2 hammers, nails, and 2 blocks of wood
B' = Cranes' starting line How to play:
Insert chart here Divide the group into 2 teams, and give each team a block
of wood in which an equal number of nails have already
The members of each team line up on their starting line been started. Give the first player on each team a hammer.
25
On a signal, the player hits the nail, but is allowed only 1
blow. After 1 hit, he or she passes the hammer to the next Crawler Tag
player, who also hits the nail with only 1 blow. The team
continues to pass the hammer around until all the nails are Materials needed:
driven into the board. Only nails driven in straight count, None
so encourage the players to continue even if the other team How to play:
drives in all their nails first. Mark a large circle. One person is IT. None of the play-
ers can leave the circle. The tagger must crawl on all fours
Over-Under Relay to catch another player. Once tagged, the player also
becomes a crawler. Play continues until all are crawlers.
Materials needed: Encourage the taggers to use teamwork.
Object (beanbag, basketball, etc. ) to be passed
How to play: Glue Tag
Divide the circle into 2 teams. Alternate the parents and
children in each team in a straight column, one behind the Materials needed:
other. The first player hands the object over his or her None
head to the player behind him or her. The second player How to play:
passes the bag or ball through his or her legs to the third This is a conventional tag game except that the boundaries
player. The team members continue over- and -under of the game are marked and any player who is tagged
passing until the bag or ball reaches the last player. That sticks to the tagger by hanging on to him or her.
player runs to front of the column and starts the relay all Eventually all players are stuck to the tagger like glue.
over again. Play continues until all players are back in Team-work by the glued players helps trap those who are
their original order. The first team to finish wins. You can not yet stuck.
also play the game by passing overhead only or under
only. Sardines

Duck, Duck, Goose Materials needed:

None
Materials needed: How to play:
None One player hides while the rest of the players come togeth-
How to play: er in an informal group and count to 100. When the count-
The group sits in a circle. Choose 1 person from the group ing is done, they set out to hunt. When 1 player finds the
to be IT. He or she runs around the outside of the circle hider, the player secretly joins the hider and both hide from
tapping each player on the head and saying "duck" until he the rest of the group. This continues until all the players
or she picks 1 players and says "goose." The one who is are hidden with the original hider and are packed in like
called "goose" jumps up and chases IT around the circle. sardines. When the last hunter discovers the spot, the
If he or she makes it back to the open space without being games starts over and the first finder becomes the hider.
tagged, then the other player becomes IT and starts the
game again. If IT is tagged, then the other player sits down Call Ball
and IT begins again.
Materials needed:
Shadow Tag Volleyball ( or similar ball)
How to play:
Materials needed: All players are in a circle around 1 player in the center who
None is holding the volleyball. The center player throws the ball
How to play: high into the air and calls out another player's name. The
One person chases the other players. This is similar to player whose name was called then must catch the ball
conventional tag, but instead of tagging another player, the before it bounces more than once. If the player does, he or
person who is IT must step on that person's shadow. she replaces the caller. If not, the same caller repeats.

26
 streets.
Stalking (Blind man's Bluff)

Materials needed:
Blindfold
How to play:
A player who is IT is blindfolded and placed in the center
of a circle formed by the rest of the circle. The object is to
sneak up and touch the center player without being caught.
This can be played while sitting or standing. Anyone
caught trying to the blindfolded player switches places
with him or her.

Bull in the Ring

Materials needed:
None
How to play:
Players form a circle. One player, the "bull", is in the cen-
ter. Players hold hands and form a ring around the "bull".
The "bull" tries to break through the circle by rushing,
lunging, or pulling at it. He or she cannot duck under the
circle. If the "bull" escapes, the players chase the "bull".
Whoever catches him or her becomes the next "bull".

Alternative:
Whoever lets the "bull" escape becomes the "bull".

I Spy (Hide-and-Seek)

Materials needed:
None
How to play:
One player, chosen as IT, shuts his or her eyes and counts
to 100 at a chosen base, such as a tree. The other players
run and hide. After reaching 100, IT shouts, "Here I come,
ready or not. All around the base are IT!" The player then
tries to find the hiders. On spotting one of the players, he
or she shouts, "I see (person's name)," and tries to beat the
hider back to base. The person who is IT must call out cor-
rectly the name of the person hiding or the hider gets home
free. The first player caught is IT the next time.

Street and Alleys

Materials needed:
Whistle
How to play:
Choose 2 players, one to be the runner and the other the
chaser. All other players, in rows facing the front, stand in
parallel lines with arms outstretched so as to touch hands
on either side of them. This makes a series of aisles or
27
STORYTELLING

28
Stories are used in The YMCA Adventure Guides program of the great story:
in many settings, including meetings, campouts, adven-
tures, and car trips. Stories are both enjoyable and educa-
tional-they can convey a lesson and encourage questions
more effectively than more direct methods. In this section
you'll learn more about the benefits of storytelling, best
practices for presenting stories that engage and entertain,
some sample stories, and sources to check for story ideas.
Benefits of Storytelling
We use stories to communicate information and ideas. In
stories, words create pictures in the minds of The YMCA
Adventure Guides that, when combines with a moral or
value, make the concept easier to grasp and remember. If
the storyteller is successful, great stories are remembered
and repeated.
Successful storytelling within a YMCA Adventure Guides
program produces the following results:
- Creates a common focus for the group and a
sense of togetherness
- Raises questions for group discussion
- Promotes The YMCA Adventure Guides aims,
objectives, and purpose
- Keeps special details about the program's tradi-
tions alive and ever present
- Educates participants on other cultures
- Gives adults and children time in the spotlight to
shine, exercise their creativity and imagination,
develop confidence and public speaking skills,
share a part of who they are and what they believe
in, and make a point.
- Creates a feeling of low-stress enjoyment
- Makes memories that last
Storytelling Tips
Before telling any story, ask yourself these three questions:
1. What do I want people to feel after they hear my
story?
2. What do I want people to remember from my
story?
3. What do I want people to believe as a result of
hearing my story?
Once you know what your purpose is, you can begin to tell
a memorable story. Settle the audience and set up the
story. Devise a strategy to keep the group focused, use
an opening question, a prop, a calming song, or creatively
dive into the story such as a way that all eyes and ears are
on you. Consider these factors that contribute to the telling
- Plot- has one central plot in your story, and keeps
it simple.
- Characters- Create (or portray) interesting and fun
characters. What do they look like? How do they
sound? What are their mannerisms and motives?
Be descriptive-use a lot of adjectives. People need
be able to visualize.
- Action- People like action, lots of it. Use a lot of
action verbs. Suspense, not knowing what is going
to happen next, is a particularly powerful form of
action. Some of the action should keep listeners
on the edge of their seats.
- Props- Use props, puppets, and costumes to add a
focal point, color, a sense of anticipation, and
character to your story.
- Involvement- Get listeners involved by asking
them to make sounds that coordinate with the
story, pantomime a part of the story, or finish a
line or two.
- Timing- Keep your stories short. Most stories
from folklore run fie or seven minutes.
- Fluency- Practice telling your story several times
before telling it to an audience. Memorize the
sequence of events. Don't memorize the words or
you'll lose your spontaneity.
- Creative license- Feel free to "bend" a story a little
to make it more colorful or suit a particular audi-
ence, but be true to the story's key facts and mes
sages.
- Passion- Be dramatic, create a sense of anticipa-
tion, and most important, never tell a story you
don't enjoy telling.
- Listening- Listening to stories teaches you a lot
about the world and people around you. You'll
hear stories as you talk to people, helping you
build your own repertoire of stories.
Story Ideas
Here are some examples of stories you will enjoy telling
and Circle members will enjoy hearing.
Three Soul Bears
Once upon a time in a nursery rhyme there was 1, 2, 3
bears. One was a mama bear, one was a papa bear, and one
was wee bear. One day they went a walkin' in the deep for-
est talkin', and along came a girl with golden curls. She
knocked on the door (make a knocking sound three times).
Nobody there, so she walked right in, and along came the
3 bears. "Someone's been sittin' in my chair," said the
mama bear (sing in a high voice) "Someone's been sittin' in
29
my chair," said the papa bear (sing in a deep voice). "Hey,
Mama, see bear," said the wee bear (sing in a wee voice),
someone's been sittin' in my chair, woow!" "Someone's
been eatin' my porridge," said the mama bear. "Someone's
been eatin' my porridge," said papa bear. "Hey, mama,
see bear," said the wee bear, "Someone's been eatin' my
porridge woow!" Someone's been sleepin' in my bed,"
said the mama bear. Someone's been sleepin' in my bed,"
said the papa bear. . "Hey, mama, see bear," said the wee
bear, Someone's is sleepin' in my bed woow!" Goldie
Locks woke up and broke up the party, Bye, bye, bye, bye,
said the mama bear. Bye, bye, bye, bye, said the papa bear.
Bye, bye, bye, bye, said the wee bear. And that is the story
of the three soul bears.
Hills of Life
Often a simple discussion can be inspirational. Talk first
of climbing hills-tell of great high mountains, such as
Whitney (14,495 feet). Talk about how hard it is to hike
up the mountain but how much fun it is to look down from
the top. Talk about hiking up a hill as a Circle someday
soon. Tell how Jesus used to hike everywhere he went,
and when he wanted to talk to a lot of people he'd climb up
on a hill so they could hear him. And he walked from town
to town with friends. And every once in a while he'd hike
up a hill to think about what he wanted to do. He walked
with his cross up a hill called Calvary. Ask, can anyone
tell me this story from the twenty-seventh chapter of
Matthew or read it? How can Jesus help us climb our hills
of life? What good habits help us to climb on the upward
way?
how long it took him to catch them. "Not very long,"
answered the fisherman. "Well, then, why didn't you stay
out longer and catch more?" asked the tourist. The fisher-
man explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet
his needs and those of his family. The tourist asked, "But
what do you do with the rest of your time?" "I sleep late,
fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with
my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my
friends, play the guitar, and sing a few songs'I have a full
life." The tourist interrupter, "I have an MBA from
Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing
long every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch.
With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. With
the extra money the large boat will bring, you can buy a
second one and a third one and so in until you have an
entire fleet of trawlers. "Instead of selling your fish to a
middle man, you can negotiate directly with the processing
plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then
leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los
Angeles, or even New York City. From there you can
direct your huge enterprise!" How long would that take?"
asked the fisherman? Twenty, perhaps 25 years," replied
the tourist. And after that?" Afterward?" That's when it
gets really interesting," answered the tourist laughing.
"When your business gets really big you can start selling
stack and make millions!" "Millions? Really? And after
that?" After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny vil-
lage near the coast. Sleep late, play with your children,
catch a few fish, take a siestas with your wife, and spend
your evenings enjoying friends." How do our members
balance work and family?

The Dog and His Reflection How the Camel got His Hump
A dog, to whom the butch had thrown a bone, was hurry- Now this tale tells how the Camel got his big hump.
ing home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he In the beginning of years, when the world was so new-and-
crossed a narrow footbridge, he happened to look down all, and the Animals were just beginning to work for Man,
and see himself reflected in the quite water. But the greedy
there was a Camel, and he lived in the middle of the
dog thought he saw a real dog carrying a bone much big- Howling Desert because he did not want to work; and
ger than his own. If he had stopped to think, he would besides he was a Howler himself. So he ate sticks and
have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his thorns and tamarisks and milkweed and prickles, most
bone and sprang at the dog in the river- only to find him- scruciating idle; and when anybody spoke to him he said,
self, seconds later; swimming for dear life to reach the "Humph!" Just "Humph" and no more. Presently the
shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as stood Horse came to him on Monday morning, with a saddle on
sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realizedhis back and a bit in his mouth, and said, "Camel,"
what a stupid do he had been. "Camel, come out and trot like the rest of us." "Humph!"
Be grateful for what you have. If you get greedy, you said the Camel; and the Horse went away and told the
might end up with nothing at all. Man. Presently the Dog came to him, with a stick in his
mouth, and said, "Camel, " Camel, come and fetch and
The Fisherman and the Tourist carry like the rest of us." "Humph!" said the Camel; and
A boat docked in a tiny fishing village. A tourist compli- the Dog went away and told the Man. Presently the OX
mented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked came to him, with a yoke on his neck, and said, "Camel, "
30
"Camel, come and plough like the rest of us." "Humph!"
said the Camel; and the Ox went away and told the Man.
At the end of the day the Man called the Horse and the Dog
and the Ox together, and said, " Three, " Three, I'm very
sorry for you (with the world so new-and-all); but the
Humph-thing in the Desert can't work, or he would have
been here by now, so I am going to leave him along, and
you must work double-time to make up for it." That made
the Three very angry (with the world so new-and-all), and
the they held a palaver, and an indaba, and a punchayet on
the edge of the Desert; and the Camel cane chewing milk-
weed most scruciating idle, and laughed at them. The he
said "Humph!" and went away again. Presently there came
along a Djinn in charge of All Deserts, rolling in a cloud of
dust (Djinns always travel that way because it is Magic),
and he stopped to palaver with the Three. "Djinn of All
Deserts," said the Horse, "is it right for anyone to be idle,
with the world so new-and-all?" "Certainly not," said the
Djinn. " Well, said the Horse, "there's a thing in the mid-
dle of your Howling Desert Pand he is a Howler himself)
with a long neck and long legs, and he hasn't done a stroke
of work since Monday morning. He won't trot." "Whew!"
said the Djinn, whistling, " that"s my Camel, for all the
gold in Arabia! What does he about it?" "He says,
"Humph!" said the Dog; "and he won't fetch and carry.
"Does he say anything else?" "Only 'Humph!'; and he
won't plough," said the Ox. "Very good," said the Djinn.
"I'll humph him if you will kindly wait a minute." The
Djinn rolled himself up in his dustcloak, and took a bear-
ing across the desert, and found thet Camel most scuciat-
ingly idle, looking at his own reflection in a pool of water.
"My long and bubbling friend," said the Djinn, " what's
this I hear of your doing on work, with the world so new-
and-all? "Humph!" said the Camel. The Djinn sat down,
with his chin in his hand, and began to think a Great
Magic, while the Camel looked at his reflection in the pool
of water. "You've given the Three extra work ever since
Monday morning, all on account of your scruciating idle-
ness," said the Djinn; and he went on thinking Magics,
with his chin in his hand. "Humph!" said the Camel. "I
shouldn't ay that again if were you,'' said the Djinn; " you
might say it once too often. Bubbles, I want to work." And
the Camel said " Humph!" againl but no sooner had he said
it than he saw his back, that he was so proud of, puffing up
and puffing up into a great big lolloping humph. "Do you
see that?" said the Djinn. "That's your very own humph
that you've brought upon your very own self by not work-
ing. Today is Thursday, and you've done no work since
Monday, when the work began. Now you are going to
work." How can I," said the Camel, " with this humph on
my back?" "That's made a-purpose," said the Djinn, "all
because you missed those three days. You will be able to
work now for three days without eating, because you can
live one your humph; and don't you ever say I never did
anything for you. Come out of the Desert and go to the
Three, and behave. Humph yourself!" And the Camel
humphed himself, humph and all, and went away to join
the Three. And from that day to this the Camel always
wears a humph ( we call it "hump" now, not to hurt his
feelings); but he has never yet caught up with the three
days that he missed at the beginning of the world, and he
has never yet learned how to behave.
The Frog Prince
One fine evening a young princes put on her coat and
shoes, and went out to take a walk by herself in the woods.
When she came to a pool of water with a rose in the mid-
dle of it, she sat down to rest a while. Now she had a gold-
en ball in her hand, which was her favorite toy; and she
was always tossing it up into the air and catching it again.
After a time she threw it up so high that she missed catch-
ing it as it fell, and the ball bounced away. It rolled along
the ground until at last it fell down into the pool. The
princess looked into the water after her ball, but it was very
deep, so deep that she couldn't see the bottom. She began
to cry and said, " If I could only get my again, I would give
all my fine clothes and jewels, and everything that I have
in the world." While she was speaking, a frog put its head
out of the water and said, "Princess, why do you weep so
bitterly?" "Ha!" she said, "what can you do for me, you
nasty frog? My golden ball has fallen into the pool." The
frog said, " I don't want your jewels or fine clothes; but if
you will ove me, and let me live with you, and eat from
your golden plate, and sleep on your bed, I will bring you
your ball again." "What nonsense!" thought the princess.
"He can never even get out of the pool to visit me, but he
may be able to get my ball. I will tell him he can have
what he asks." So she said to the frog, "Well, if you bring
me my ball, I'll do all you ask." Then the frog put his head
down and dived deep under the water; and after a little
while he came up again with the ball in his mouth and
threw it on the edge of the pool. As soon as the princess
saw her ball, she ran to pick it up. She was overjoyed to
have it in her hand again that she never thought of the frog,
but ran home with it as fast as she could. The frog called
after her, " Stay princess, and take me with you as you said
you would!" But she did not stop to hear a word. That
evening, just as the princess had sat down to dinner, she
heard a strange noise - tap, tap-plash, plash- as if some-
thing were coming up the marble staircase, and soon after-
ward there was a gentle knock at the door, and a little voice
cried out and said: "Open the door, my princess dear, Open
31
the door to your true love here! And mind the words that
you and I said. By the fountain cool, in the greenwood
shade." Then the princess ran to the door and opened it,
and there she saw the frog, whom she had quite forgotten.
At this sight she was frightened. She slammed the door
shut and as fast she could she came back to her seat. The
king, her father, seeing that something has frightened her,
asked her what was the matter. "There's a nasty frog," she
said, "that lifted my ball for me out of the pool this morn-
ing. I told him that he should live with here, thinking that
he could never get out of the pool; but there he is at the
door, and he wants to come in." While she was speaking
the frog knocked again at the door, and said: "Open the
door, my princess dear, Open the door to your true love
here! And mind the words that you and I said. By the foun-
tain cool, in the greenwood shade." Then the king said to
the princess, " As you have given your word you must
keep it, so go and let him in." She did so, and the frog
hopped into the room-tap, tap-plush, plush from the bot-
tom of the room to the top, until he came up close to the
table where the princess sat. "Please lift me upon your
chair," he said to the princess, "and let me sit next to you."
As soon as she had done this, the frog said, " Put your plate
nearer to me, that I may eat off of it." This she did, and
when he had eaten as much as he could, he said, " Now I
am tired. Carry me upstairs and put me in your bed." And
the princess, though very unwilling, took him up in her
hand and put him upon the pillow of her own bed, where
he slept all night long. As soon as it was light the frog
jumped up, hopped downstairs, and went out of the house.
"Now, then," thought the princess, "at last he's gone, and
I won't be troubled with him anymore." But she was mis-
taken, for when the night came again she heard the same
tapping at the door, and the frog came once more and said;
"Open the door, my princess dear, Open the door to your
true love here! And mind the words that you and I said. By
the fountain cool, in the greenwood shade." And when the
princess opened the door the frog came in, and slept upon
her pillow as before, until the morning broke. And the
third night he did the same. But when the princess awoke
on the following morning she was astonished to see,
instead of the frog, a handsome prince, gazing on her with
the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen and standing at
the head of her bed. He told her that had been enchanted
by a spiteful fairy, who had changed him into a frog until
some princess should take him our of the pool, and let him
eat from her plate and sleep upon her bed for three nights.
"You," said the prince, "have broken her cruel spell, and
now I have nothing to wish for but that you should go with
into my father's kingdom, where I will marry you and love
you as long as you live" The princess, you may be sure was
not long in saying "YES" to all this, and as they spoke a
brightly colored coach drove up, with eight beautiful hors-
es decked with plumes of feathers and a golden harness.
They then took leave of the king and got into the coach
with eight horses. Full of job and merriment, they set out
for the prince's kingdom, and there they lived happily ever
after.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their
names were-Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter. They
lived with their mother in a sand-bank, underneath the root
of a very big fir-tree. "Now, my dears," said old Mrs.
Rabbit one morning, "you may go into the fields or down
the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden: your
Father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs.
McGregor. Now run along, and don't get into mischief. I
am going out." Then old Mrs. Rabbit took a basket and her
umbrella, and went through the wood to the baker's. She
bought a loaf of brown bread and five currant buns.
Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, who were good little bunnies,
went down the lane to gather blackberries. But Peter, who
was very naughty, ran straight away to Mr. McGregor's
garden, and squeezed under the gate! First he ate some let-
tuces and some French beans; and then he ate some radish-
es. And then, feeling rather sick, he went to look for some
parsley. But round the end of a cucumber frame, whom
should he meet but Mr. McGregor! Mr. McGregor was on
his hands and knees planting out young cabbages, but he
jumped up and ran after Peter, waving a rake and calling
out, "Stop thief!" Peter was most dreadfully frightened; he
rushed all over the garden, for he had forgotten the way
back to the gate. He lost one of his shoes among the cab-
bages, and the other shoe amongst the potatoes. After los-
ing them, he ran on four legs and went faster, so that I
think he might have got away altogether if he had not
unfortunately run into a gooseberry net, and got caught by
the large buttons on his jacket. It was a blue jacket with
brass buttons, quite new. Peter gave himself up for lost,
and shed big tearsR but his sobs were overheard by some
friendly sparrows, who flew to him in great excitement,
and implored him to exert himself. Mr. McGregor came
up with a sieve, which he intended to pop upon the top of
Peter; but Peter wriggled out just in time, leaving his jack-
et behind him. And rushed into the tool-shed, and jumped
into a can. IT would have been a beautiful thing to hide in,
if it had not had so much water in it. Mr. McGregor was
quite sure that Peter was somewhere in the tool-shed, per-
haps hidden underneath a flower-pot. He began to turn
them over carefully, looking under each. Presently Peter
sneezed- "Kertyschoo!" Mr. McGregor was after him in no
32
time. And tried to put his foot upon Peter, who jumped out
of a window, upsetting three plants. The window was too
small for Mr. McGregor, and he was tired of running after
Peter. He went back to his work. Peter sat down to rest; he
was out of breath and trembling with fright, and he had not
the least idea which way to go. Also he was very damp
with sitting in that can. After a time he began to wander
about, going lippity-lippity-not very fast, and looking all
around. He found a door in a wall; but it was locked, and
there was no room for a fat little rabbit to squeeze under-
neath. An old mouse was running in and out over the stone
door-step, carrying peas and beans to her family in the
wood. Peter asked her, the way to the gate, but she had
such a large pea in her mouth that she could not answer.
She only shook her head at him. Peter began to cry. Then
tried to find his way straight across the garden, but he
became more and more puzzled. Presently, he came to a
pond where Mr. McGregor filled his water-cans. A white
cat was staring at some gold-fish, she sat very very still,
but now and then the tip of her tail twitched as if it were
alive. Peter thought it best to go away without speaking to
her; he had heard about cats from his cousin, little
Benjamin Bunny. He back towards the tool-shed, but sud-
denly, quite close to him, he heard the noise of a hoe-scr-
r-ritch, scratch, scratch, scritch. Peter scuttered under-
neath the bushes. But presently, as nothing happened, he
came out, and climbed upon a wheel-barrow and peeped
over. The first thing he saw was Mr. McGregor hoeing
onions. His back was turned toward Peter, and beyond
him was the gate! Peter got down very quietly off the
wheelbarrow, and started running as fast as he could go,
along a straight walk behind some black-currant bushes.
Mr. McGregor caught sight of him at the corner, but Peter
did not care. He slipped underneath the gate, and was safe
at last in the wood outside the garden. Mr. McGregor hung
up the little jacket and the shoes for a scarecrow to fright-
en the blackbirds. Peter never stopped running or looked
behind him till he got hom to the big firtree. He was tired
that he flopped down upon the nice soft sand on the floor
of the rabbit-hole and shit his eyes. His mother was busy
cooking; she wondered what he had done with his clothes.
It was the second little jacket and pair of shoes that Peter
had lost in a fortnight! I am sorry to say that Peter was not
very well during the evening. His mother put him to bed,
and made some chamomile tea; and she gave a dose of it
to Peter. "One tablespoonful to be taken at bed-time."
But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail had bread and milk and
blackberries for supper.
What's Wrong?
There's something-peculiar going on. The river's still
there, but it might be gone for all the use it seems to be the
red and white cattle. Look! There go three, down to the
bank to get a drink. But they aren't drinking. They only
blink on a puzzled way. And the horses, too. Hear them
stamp and neigh, and see them go trotting away and away!
Here comes a rabbit- he bumped his nose! He's hopping
away on his chilly toes. The turtles are gone. They've dug
down deep. And the bear's rolled up in a furry heap-dream-
ing of spring and hives of honey. The birds are going. But
the blue jay cries, "There's something funny!" Surprise!
Surprise! The rivers not running! The river's not wet-a
bump on the beak is all you get when you go to drink!
What can it be? The blue jay cries, "What's wrong with the
river?" Dear me! Dear me! Do you know what's wrong? I
think I do! Put on your cap and your mittens too. Put on
your very warmest clothes and wrap a muffler around your
nose! Open the door and we'll go outside.. to the frozen
river.. make a slide!
King of the Forest
Long before the forests knew the footsteps of any man, the
squirrel was the king of all the woods. Among the beasts
he was ruler. He was a magnificent animal. Larger then
the largest lion, stronger then the strongest buffalo, swifter
than the swiftest deer, wiser than the wisest owl. Yes,
indeed, he was truly a ruler. Because of his position he
was admired by all the beasts of the forest. For many years
the squirrel rules well, but the time came when he became
so impressed with his authority that he thought of no one
but himself. He no longer rules unselfishly, but grew in
selfishness and cruelty. As time passed, his vanity and
cruelty became unbearable. Animals who had once loved
him now hated and feared him. The fear and hatred for the
squirrel grew until the animals felt it necessary to call the
meeting of all the beasts of the forest. At this meeting a
prayer was made to the Great Spirit for help. Hearing the
prayer of these worried beasts, the Great Spirit came to
earth in the guise of an animal and called upon the squir-
rel. He found the squirrel mean and ugly, and so exercis-
ing his magic power, he assumed godly form, and standing
before the squirrel who cowered at this display of power.
The Great Spirit told the hugh king that he was no longer
worthy to rule over the beasts fo the forest and that because
of his selfishness and cruelty he must be punished. With
the warning, the Great Spirit cast a spell over the squirrel
and the once towering king became so small that the Great
Spirit could hold him in one hand. Picking up the now ter-
rified animal, the Great Spirit threw him high into the
trees, saying, "Henceforth you shall spend your days in the
trees. No longer will you have your kingly roar, but shall
chatter in a harmless voice." A new king will be named-
33
one who shall be kind and wise and humble; who will brush." The father then said, "You say you made these
remain unselfish and gentle despite his authority and yourself, but I think that more then 100 people helped you.
strength. With this, the Great Spirit vanished, leaving It took lots of hardworking men to cut down the tree and
behind the small, shy animal we know today as the squir- haul them to the mill. Another group of men delivered the
rel. wood to the lumber yard where the wood was purchased.
You used a knife and hammer which started out as ore in
Coyote and the Fox the ground. Miners had to dig it up and put it on to cars
One day Coyote was going out hunting, so he picked up which were pulled by engines to the steel mills. Here it
his bow and quiver. In his quiver he put five arrows, than was made into many useful tools like a hammer and a
he started out. The day was hot, and Coyote is always lazy knife. Still other people helped ship these articles. Others
anyways, so when he came to a nice large shade tree he sold it to the stores, and another force of people helped
thought he would lie down awhile. He threw down his bow make the glue you used. Varnish was also manufactured
and quivers and stretched out under the tree. Coyote was as were the nails which hold your bookends together."
lying there looking up through the branches, and who do When the father had finished talking, the son was aston-
you think he saw? A great big fox. "Oh!" said Coyote, ished and said- "I never knew that we depend so much
"but I am lucky. I did not have to go hunting. I just came upon other people for help.. I'll never again say I made it
out here a laid under a tree and there is my supper right all by myself." The father said, " Let us remember that do
over my head. Indeed I am lucky. Besides a good supper not live unto ourselves. In order to live happily and suc-
there is a fine fox skin up there for me." "Oh, well, I guess cessfully, we must all learn to cooperate with our fellow-
I am just about the luckiest one in our tribe, and besides men. We need other's help and they need ours. Let's
being the luckiest in the tribe I am the best marksman, too. appreciate the millions of people who help make our
When I aim my arrows I never miss." "Just to prove it, I clothes, prepare our food, build our houses, our churches,
am going to take my five arrows and I will put the best schools, and the many playthings we enjoy. Let us also
arrow right here in the ground beside me, then I'll shoot give thanks for the blessings we enjoy."
one to the North, one to the South, one to the East, and one
to the West." So he did-he shot all of his arrows away but Stretching the Truth
one. He picked up the arrow he had put in the ground and One night Little Otter rushed into the tepee and said excit-
said, " Now this is the arrow I am going to kill the fox with.
edly, " Mother, I just saw a thousand deer in the meadow."
But really, I am so good at shooting I don't even have to Mother said, " Are you sure? Did you count them?" OIt was
shoot with my hands. I am going to shoot this arrow with so dark I couldn't count them. I think there were at least a
my toes." All this time the poor fox was sitting up in the hundred." Mother said, " are you sure, my son?" "Well, I
tree listening to Coyote tell how good he was at shooting, know there were at least ten," said Little Otter, you did not
and he was nearly frightened to death. In fact, he was count the deer, how do you know?" Little Otter became
trembling so he nearly fell out of the tree. Coyote picked impatient and said, " Well, I know there were two deer
up his arrow, placed it between his toes, then aimed it veryanyway' a big buck and a small one." The Chief of the
carefully through the branches, then let it fly. But some- tribe had listened to the conversation. He said, "Little
thing happened and the arrow did not hit the fox. So, when Otter, I want to tell you a story. When I was a young brave
the fox discovered he had not been shot, he jumped out of I was in the habit of stretching the truth because I had not
the tree and ran away. When he had gone a safe distance learned the importance of being accurate. In my tribe, the
he called back "Well, next time Coyote, don't be so sure of Okeewa, I was responsible for keeping track of the food.
yourself- and don't be so boastful." As animal meat, herbs, roots, berries, and other foods were
brought to me; I would store them in the ground and cover
The Book Ends them well. One day Big Chief Kiyi came to me and asked
One day a young boy brought home from school a pair of if there was plenty of food for a big tribal feast and cere-
bookends that he had made at school. He said, "Father, I mony. In haste I took a quick glance at the food which was
made them myself. No one helped me." Now the father stored away in the ground. I did not take time to count the
wished to teach his son a lesson. He said, "My son, you say number of carcasses of deer, or any of the other food sup-
you made these all by yourself? What are they made of?" pliesR instead I became careless and took a chance in
The son replied, "They are made of wood, paint, glue, reporting what I saw at a quick glance. I reported to the
nails, and varnish." The father then asked, "What tools did Chief that there was plenty of food. When the day of the
you use?" the son said, "I used a saw, knife, hammer, and big feast came I very much embarrassed to find there was
34
a big shortage of food and that many of the squaws and lit-
tle braves and papooses and warriors would not have
enough to eat. The Chief was very angry, as were many of
the braves. Had it not been for a quick thinking Watosa
got on his Pinto horse and galloped away in a cloud of
dust. Soon he returned with his arms loaded with food as
well as large bags of food thrown over his horse. He had
borrowed much food from a nearby tribe, promising to pay
back what he borrowed. To teach me a lesson, the Chief
had required me to hunt many days for deer, as well as
other foods. From that day on I made up my mind to be
more accurate and never, never, to stretch the truth or
exaggerate.
Little Flying Cloud
Little Flying Cloud didn't lead a very happy life because he
couldn't run fast, he couldn't shoot very well with a bow
and arrow, he was a pretty poor hunter. This was
because his father had been killed while hunting buffalo
many seasons ago and couldn't teach him these things.
Other sons made fun of him, teased him, never invited
him to play games or hunt in the forest with them. But
they became curious because Little Flying Cloud would
slip out of the village and be gone most of the morning or
afternoon many times. They followed him one day to his
hidden cave and, from hiding watched him play with sev-
eral chipmunks and rabbits that had tames. They came out
of hiding and asked Little Flying Cloud to them how to
tame the wild animals and make them friends. This he did,
and he became very popular with others because they dis-
covered that he knew much more about the small animals
of the forest than they did. They, in turn gave him special
lessons in swimming, and how to shoot a bow and arrow.
Now Little Flying Cloud was very happy and was the best
liked little brave in the village.
- Can you think of other kids in class at school who
don't have much fun? Why don't they? Can you
help them? How?
- Is there some boy or girl who lives near you who
doesn't have a dad? Could one of your dads bring
him or her along as a second "child" ? If so, how
could we help him or her have fun in our Circle or
help him feel at home?
- Who can we think of who might enjoy being invit-
ed to join our Circle? How can we get them to the
next meeting? Who will visit them to invite them?

35
RITUALS

36
Sample Opening Ritual Example 2 (Requires a Circle Candle)
Navigator: " All members young and old of the Navigator: "All members young and old of the
___________ Circle will now come to the ___________ Circle will now come to the
Circle." Circle."
Junior Host: (Beat the Circle drum once for each parent Treasure Keeper:
and child member present) As we gather tonight, we recognize the
treasure that each brings to the Circle and
Navigator: "We give thanks for this home and the light our Circle candle to signify our unity
_______(hosts) who have shared it with us and friendship."
tonight." Navigator: "_______(Junior Host) will now lead us in
the Pledge of Allegiance."
Members: "We give thanks!"
Junior Host: (Leads Pledge.)
Navigator: "_______(Junior Host) will now lead us in
the Pledge of Allegiance." Navigator: "Who would like to recite the first aim of
____ Circle?" (Calls on young member to
Junior Host: (Leads Pledge.) recite the first aim and continues through
all seven aims, being sure to give each
Navigator: "Members, what is the purpose of the young member an opportunity to speak.)
_________ Circle?"
Sample Closing Rituals
Members: "To foster companionship of parent and Navigator: "All members young and old of the
child" ___________ Circle will now return to the
Circle for our closing." (The Navigator
Navigator: "What are the aims of the __________ may offer some very brief words of
Circle?" reminder and thanks)
Members: (Recite closing prayer, blessing, poem, or
Members: "To be clean in body and pure in heart thought. Some examples are included
To be friends forever with my here)
dad/mom/son/daughter. I. "Great Creator of the Universe,
To love the sacred circle of my family. guide us until we meet again."
To listen while others speak. (start with arms and faces upraised
To love my neighbor as my self. and lower as the prayer is recited
To respect the traditions and beliefs of all until arms are joined in circle)
people. II. "And now (Pointing to the ground)
To seek and preserve the beauty of our May our Great father in Heaven
Creator's work in forest, field, and (arms raised with hands drawing
stream." small circles)
Be with you (pointing to other
Navigator: "May this night be a blessing to all who members of the circle) For today
are with us and those who are not be kept (pointing to the ground) and
safe as" (or other short prayer). forevermore (shooting an arrow
into the sky)
III. "We honor our families (arms
around shoulder of parent or child)
Our friends of today (arms around
shoulders in the circle)
Our many tomorrows together
(arms upraised)
Under God's guidance and direction"
(arms lowered)
37
RESOURCES

38
Story Resources
Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul and other Chicken Soup stories are also ideal. Another standby is Golden Nuggets by Jim Shoel.

Music Resources
Also check with your YMCA Program Director or the children's music section of your local library or music store. Here are some other helpful websites:

www.geocities.com/EncahntedForest/Glade/8851/- Becky's Campfire Song Book. Filled with old familiar tunes.

http://www.pbskids.org/zoom/sitemap/ - PBS Kids site is filled with songs, activities, discussion topics, and more for kids and parents

www.bookloons.com/HandHTML/WeeLoons/camping.html - A great camping song.

Game Resources
For more ideas for games check out YMCA Family Time or Holiday Games and Activities, both available from the YMCA Program Store. Or check out the
YMCA Internet site at www.ymca.net. Many of the games you played when you were young still appeal to kids today. Take time to reminisce and introduce
some of your favorites, or check out these websites for more ideas.

http://www.gocampingamerica.com/kidspages/campinggames.html - This site offers lots of fun and games to do while camping.

http://www.bonus.com/ - This site offers games, sports, "new fun", brain games, and all sorts of family fun.

http://www.gameskidsplay.net/ - You'll find descriptions and rules for over 250 games. No Board games here!

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/- This site offers kids' games and activities for math, reading, language arts, social studies, and science.

http://www.headbone.com/ - This site is all about kids, including games and interactive fun activities.

Crafting Resources
YMCA preferred vendors, such as S&S Craft, have catalogs filled with ideas for arts and crafts projects. A magazine such as Family Fun is also a great
resource. Check with your YMCA Program Director; the day camp and school age care staff will likely have lots of ideas and resources. The YMCA
Internet site (www.ymca.net) is a place for program participants to share their best craft ideas from around the country. Finally, a trip to your local library or
an Internet search can yield a wealth of resources and projects that appeal to young people. Here are two particularly great websites:

http://www.auntannie.com/ - Look here for craft projects for all occasions.

http://www.parenthub.com/fun/crafts/ - Look here for links and resources for crafts and family fun for both children and adults.

Camping Resources
While camping, its fun to put on skit for each other or to tell jokes. Try these websites for ideas for skits and jokes you might enjoy:

http://www.scoutorama.com/contents.skits.cfm - This Scout site has several skits for around the campfire.

http://www.pbskids.org/zoom/playhouse/remindmeplease.html - This site contains plays that parents and kids can perform live around the campfire.

http://www.scatty.com/jokes/holiday/camping_jokes.html - Look here for category jokes for around the campfire.

http://www.macscouter.com/Skits/ - This site contains skits for around the campfire or even circle meetings.

39
Appendix B
Ask your YMCA for any resources they might have or suggest for expanding your YMCA Adventure Guides experience. There might be a library of
resources available to you. If you need more, this appendix contains resources for YMCA Adventure Guides program participants. All websites in this appen-
dix were current as of May 2003.

Checkout what other YMCA Guide Programs are doing. Log onto www.google.com or another search engine and type in YMCA and Guides or YMCA and
Adventure Guides. You'll find a wealth of information at your fingertips.

These are websites we recommend for finding fun things for kids to do, information for parents, and fun family activities.
http://www.popcorn.org/index.cfm - Learn the science and history of popcorn. Includes activities for kids and teaching tips for adults.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/ - Learn the science of cycling- from wheels and gears to aerodynamics.
http://www.ushistory.com/cool.htm - You'll find cool, stories, music, and music videos about U.S. history.
http://www.ty.com - This is the official home of Beanie Babies' ( in several languages). This site includes message boards, a trading board, and fun activi-
ties.
http://www.usgs.gov/education/index.html - For K-12 education. Explore things on, in, around, and about the earth, such as land, water, plants, animals, and
maps.
http://www.tuuorials.com/ - This site lists tutorial courses for purchase, for business skills and computer literacy courses to foreign languages.
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/ - Check out this learning center for young astronomers( a service of NASA).
http://www.learnthenet.com/english/index.html - This is a website dedicated to helping you save time and money when roaming through cyberspace.
http://www.sln.org - The Science Learning Network PSLN) is an online community of educators, students, school, science museums, and other institutions
demonstrating a new model for inquiry science education.

Links for Parents

http://www.dvorak.org/home.htm - You'll find links to various sites on the Web, including search engines and computer support, entertainment, and travel.
http://www.at-la.com/@la-kid.htm#org - This site ahs links and directories to national organizations, child welfare services, educational resources and more.
http://www.surfline.com/home/index.cfm - The most comprehensive surf-related website on the Internet, including streaming video, shopping, and surf fore-
casts.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/ - World news daily on the net.
http://www.barbecuen.com/ - Everything about outdoor cooking.
http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/ - The official site of American Treasures of the Library of Congress. Exhibits the most rare and most significant items
from American history.
http://www.webopedia.com/ - This is dictionary and search engine for computer and Internet technology.
http://itprodownlaods.com/ Find software and tools available for downloading to your computer.
http://www.npr.org/ - This is the official site of the National Public Radio, with music, transcripts, and hourly news.
http://www.free-n-cool.com/ - You'll find thousands of free items, from product samples and clothing to electronics and online games.
http://www.vmyths.com/ - Learn about computer virus myths, hoaxes, and urban legends. Includes a list of computer virus hoaxes.
http://www.disasterrelief.org/ - This site is dedicated to worldwide disaster aid and information.
http://www.familyeduacation.com - Includes parenting advice, newsletters, and message boards.

Family Fun Activities

http://family.go.com/crafts/ - Look here for great ideas for family fun, crafts, party planning, recipes, childrearing advice, and more.
http://www.grandoperahouse.org/familyfun/familyfun.html - Go here for links to fun sites for kids, education and art sites, and web guides and homework
helpers.
http://www.internetforfamilies.org/fun/ffun.htm - Look here for games, activities, coloring and activity pages and newsletters for Christian families.
http://www.tcpnow.com/legacy/familyfun.html - This site has specially selected activities just for families, including children, parents, and grandparents: fami-
ly trees, history, stories, scrapbooking, photos, and more. From the Parenting Coalition and Generations United.
http://www.communitycorner.org/English/Home_Family/fun_activities.htm - Here you'll find many activities that adults and kids can do together.
http://rachelkeller.homstead.com/art_familyfun.html - Look here for activities for bringing family members together. Crafts, recipes, short stories, filed trips,
and more.
http://www.marsbrightideas.com/school/family/index.jsp - Go here for ideas and cookie recipes fro all occasions. From Mars, Inc., online games and e-cards.
http://www.internetfamilyfun.com/games.htm - You'll find lots of internet games, word searches, quizzes, and crossword puzzles for the whole family to do
together.
http://www.kidzsnow.com - Check this one out for winter activities for the entire family. Also contains resort information, winter gear, gift guide.
http://www.funattic.com - Here are dozens of ideas and instructions for card games, ball games, tag and relay games, plus classroom activities.
http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/treehouse.htm - This site contains ideas for traditional crafts, projects, recipes, and learning fun.
http://va.essortment.com/budgetfunactiv_ruam.htm - Look here for fun but frugal activities for families.
http://www.ancestry.com - Tells you how to research your family tree. Includes message boards, famous family trees, and links to historical records and cen-
sus reports.
http://humor.about.com/cs/familyfun/ - Find jokes, riddles, cartoons and activities suitable for the entire family.
http://www.familyedge.com - This is an educational website for families with children. Provides individualized learning and customized feedback for parents.
http://www.angelfire.com/md2/moodyfamily/fun.html - Includes links to over 100 simple and inexpensive family activities, plus crafts and craft recipes.
http://gorp.com/index.html - Contains infomration on outdoor recreation and active travel specials and packages.
http://www.geocities.com/fort_deposite/FamilyFunCenter.html - Go here for links to sites for crafts, stories, games, drawing instruction, and more.
http://busyparentsonline.com - You'll find articles, tips, and information for busy families-with message boards, shopping information, and a link to the online
magazine.
http://www.simplemom.com/sys-tmpl/activities/ - Try this site for fun, free ideas to eliminate boredom. Includes links to more frugal family activities.
http://www.parent-talk.com/familyfun/ff_landing.html - Contains games and activities, party planner, craft ideas, and games.
http://www.funbrain.com/word.html - Includes games for children from preschool to teens, teacher resources, and tips for parents for becoming more involved
with their children's education.
http://www.thefamilycorner.com/dir/Family/Kids/ - Contains coloring pages, kids' recipes, grown-up crafts, outside activity ideas, kids' crafts, and party ideas.
http://www.kingdomquest.com/joeog/link2.htm - Look for seasonal, indoor, and outdoor activities for the whole family, plus links to education, entertainment,
and parenting sites.
http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/ - This is a fun and easy way to teach and learn nutrition. Includes menus, recipes, and games.
http://pbskids.org - Here are links to children's shows on public television. Includes activities, behind the scenes information, games, and stories.
http://www.donnasday.com/donna/creativefun/activities.shtml - Go here for inexpensive creative projects for parents and kids to do together. 40
http://www.kidsday.net/going_on/overseas.asp - You'll find out about National Kids Day events form all over the world.
http://www.parentcenter.com/ - Includes parenting, education, health, and activities.
http://www.abctooncenter.com/adventur.htm - This is an adventure theme park on the Web, with games and activities.
http://geoparents.com/directory/Home_and_Living/Activities/Printouts/ - Go here for parenting support, message boards, and health and home information.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/teamupbooklet.pdf - Includes nutritional guidelines and activities for the family; provided by Team Nutrition, a
USDA/public school nutrition education programs.
http://www.amazingmoms.com/index2.htm - Here are lots of bright ideas for busy families, including crafts, cooking, play, and links.
http://www.nmbenterprises.net/kids/ - This is an excellent rain forest adventure program with coloring pages, game and movie reviews, and free lesson plans
for teachers and parents.
http://www.kinderart.com - Find art education for kids of all ages. Includes art history, architecture, drama, sculpture, and more.
http://www.toottoot.com/sites.htm - This colorful site is dedicated to children's stories and pictures.
http://www.cartooncritters.com/links.htm - You'll find coloring pages, activites, puzzles, music, jokes, and more.
http://www.looklearnanddo.com/ - This is a series of books and projects combining history, fantasy, and science.

41
 FIELD TRIP SUGGESTIONS
Dallas Arboretum 214/327-8263
Dallas Aquarium 214/670-8443
Dallas Famers Market 214/339-2806
Dallas Horticulter Center 214/428-7476
Dallas Nature Center 972/296-1955
Dallas World Aquarium 214/720-2224
Dallas Zoo 214/670-5656
Ft. Worth Nature Center 817/237-1111
Ft. Worth Zoo 817/871-7050
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center 817/897-2960
Heard Wildlife Sanctuary 972/562-5566
Legends of the Game Baseball Museum 817/273-5099
Samuel Farm 214/670-7866
Science Place/IMAX 214/428-5555
Science Place/Planetarium 214/428-5555
South Fork Ranch 972/442-7800
Studios at Las Colinas 972/869-3456
Tarantula Train 817/625-7245
Texas Motor Speedway 817/215-8565
Texas Wildscape Farm 972/296-5086 www.wildvision.info

RESOURCES
Texas Parks & Wildlife www.tpwd.state.tx.us/nature
Outdoor Kids Network (Texas Parks & Wildlife)
Dallas Child Magazine (Its FREE and available at most grocery stores)
Family Fun Magazine
Ranger Rick
Kids Day(Dallas Morning News)
Local Libraries
County Horticulture Agents
FamilyFun.Com www.familyfun.com
Hobby Lobby (or any craft supply store)
Bass Pro Shop (for vests)

42