YMCA Adventure Guides

Friends Forever

YMCA Adventure Guides is a parent-child program designed to help foster a lifetime of understanding and friendship and to strengthen the relationship between children and parents.

As "YMCA Guides" and "YMCA Explorers," parents and kids explore adventures of fun, learning and mutual understanding.

The immediate gain is evident - spending time together - but the long-term gains are even more significant. Not only will you build a solid foundation for a friendship that will last a lifetime, but you'll also be helping to build and develop a set of skills and memories that your children will carry with them through adolescence and into adulthood.

What does the YMCA Adventure Guides program do?

As a member of YMCA Adventure Guides, you will have the opportunity to develop a stronger relationship with your child by joining a unique "Circle" with whom you'll participate in activities like games, camping trips, ceremonies and family adventures. You and your child will take a journey of discovery and learning. Throughout this journey the Adventure Guide compass points - family, nature, community, fun and the YMCA character development values - will provide a sense of direction and inspiration for activities. As a member, you will be able to participate in larger scale activities such as weekend campouts, parties or parades. Conducting group exercises in the Circle fosters leadership, problem-solving, group work skills and a sense of commitment to larger community - all of which reinforce the YMCA's pledge to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

YMCA Adventure Guides:

• fosters a companionship and understanding and sets a foundation for positive, lifelong relationships between parent and child
• builds a sense of self-esteem and personal worth
• expands awareness of spirit, mind and body
• provides the framework to meet a mutual need of spending enjoyable, constructive and high-quality time together
• enhances the quality of family time
• emphasizes the role that parents play in the growth and development of their children
• offers an important and unique opportunity to develop and enjoy volunteer leadership skills

Available at: Camp Chingachgook, Southern Saratoga County, Greater Glenville, and Guilderland.