Circle Meetings

All members of the YMCA Adventure Guides program participate in small groups called Circles. A Circle usually consists of 7 to 10 father–child pairs, which take turns meeting in each others’ homes regularly throughout the school year for program activities. Circles also hold father-only meetings, during which fathers plan for future Circle meetings as well as Circle adventures out in the community. A typical circle meeting contains any or all of the following.

1. Opening ritual. The opening ritual of a Circle meeting tells all members that they are now moving into a special place, an imaginative place, where Circle rules guide behavior. The ritual might include one or all of the following:

• Circle song

• Fathers & Children sitting together

• Opening thought or prayer

• Flag salute

• Reciting the program aims - see them here

• Sample Opening Ritual:

Navigator:  “All members young and old of the ________ Circle will now come to the Circle.”

Junior Host:  (Beats the Circle drum once for each father and child member present.)

Navigator:   “We give thanks for this home and the _____ (hosts) who have shared it with us tonight.”

Members:  “We give thanks!”

Navigator:  “____ (Junior Host) will now lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.”

Junior Host:  (Leads pledge.)

Navigator:  “Members, what is the purpose of the ___Circle?”

Members:  "To foster companionship of father and child.”

Navigator: "What are the aims of the ___ Circle?”

Members:  “To be clean in body and pure in heart.
To be friends forever with my dad/mom/son/daughter.
To love the sacred circle of my family.
To listen while others speak.
To love my neighbor as myself.
To respect the traditions and beliefs of all people.
To seek and preserve the beauty of our Creator’s work in forest, field, and stream.”

Navigator:  “May this night be a blessing to all who are with us and those who are not be kept safe as well”

2. Roll call, field reports, and collection of dues. Reporting from members allows each father and child an opportunity to speak in front of the group. Usually members tell about a family activity, outing, trip, or accomplishment that has occurred since the last meeting. Roll call provides an opportunity for members to check in and say, “I’m here!” Many Circles decide that at each meeting a small amount of money should be contributed by each young member to the Circle Treasure Box.

3. Business discussion. Only essential items of interest to both children and fathers should be covered. You can deal with other topics at father-only meetings. The purpose of the business discussion is twofold: (1) to help children understand that good planning is a part of creating positive experiences and (2) to empower our children to take part in the activities of the Circle. The business portion of the meeting should include the following:

4. Leader Lines. The Navigator might tell a story (or call on the Storyteller to tell one), recognize rites of passage or accomplishments of Circle members, talk about the season of the year or a special event or day coming up, or pose questions focusing on one of the program aims.

5. Activity. The meeting host or an assigned Circle member presents the game, craft project, or other activity involving fathers and children participating together.

6. Refreshments. The meeting host provides simple refreshments (usually no more than two items) to be served by the host father and child.

7. Closing ritual. The Navigator calls the Circle back together for the closing ritual. This marks the end of the meeting; after saying goodbye, all members should leave without dawdling.

Sample Closing Ritual:

Navigator:  “All members, young and old, of the ___ Circle will now return to the circle for our closing.” (The Navigator may offer some very brief words of reminder and thanks.)

“Great Creator of the Universe, guide us until we meet again.”	(Start with arms and faces upraised and lower as the prayer is recited until arms are joined in circle.)
“And now… May our Great Father in Heaven Be with you… For today And forevermore.”	(pointing to the ground) (arms raised with hands drawing small circles) (pointing to other members of the Circle) (pointing to the ground) (shooting an arrow into the sky)

Printer friendly sample agenda (37 kb PDF - requires Adobe Reader)

 

 

Naming Ceremony (formerly the Induction Ceremony)

Selecting a nickname is an important part of the program. A ritual where we retire the Circle members’ given names and begin using their nicknames is ceremonious. The ceremony can be elaborate or as simple as this. “Dan, the YMCA Adventure Guides program recognizes the value of creating a program identity. What name have you selected as your program nickname?” (Dan answers). “From this point forward, you will be forever known as [program nickname] by the fellow members of the [name] Circle. Log Keeper; please record [Dan’s program nickname] into our [Circle name] logbook.”

 

 

 

East Hampton Adventure Guides Induction Ceremony (364 kb PDF - requires Adobe Reader)

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 Page Last updated September 17, 2007
 

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Disclaimer:  This site is not an official YMCA web site.  The East Hampton Adventure Guides is not affiliated with any Native American Indian nation.  The views and opinions expressed on this web site do not necessarily reflect those of the YMCA or any Native American Indian nation.  It was created solely for the purpose of promoting the YMCA Adventure Guides program among its members at the Northern Middlesex (Connecticut) YMCA. Although we strive to verify the contents of this site, accuracy of the submissions cannot be guaranteed since in some instances, information is received by secondary sources.