One of One Hundred Fathers

"I have been fortunate to have spent more than 50 years with our program, starting as one of five sons raised in the Indian Guides Program in Downey, California during the 50's, through the raising of my own four children with the Indian/Adventure Program in the 1970's/1990's. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to serve as a Volunteer Staff Member working with the Indian/Adventure Program from 1999 through 2009.

While there are many wonderful parts of our program, unfortunately, there are a few bad practices. By far the most damaging aspects that I have witnessed is also one of the most controversial: the use of intense competition between tribes or circles. I always thought that the competition for the best drum, fastest running circle, or best tribe was just something that we did. However, as I witnessed the disappointment on the smaller children's faces or the sadness in the faces of the newer Circle it struck me that something was wrong with our model, and I had no idea how to fix it. It was not until I was taught a lesson by one of our wisest and kindest fathers, Tom O'Connor.

During the talent show at our Winter Campout, I noticed that when each group walked off stage, they were excited and full of glee. More so than other times, these girls were so thrilled about the song they had just sung in front of the entire nation. I couldn't figure it out until I went to the back of the stage and got the same view as the performing children. It was then that I noticed that Tom O'Connor and his entire group were cheering and applauding for each group as if they were their girls. It was infectious and the other dads joined in. It was at that very moment that I learned a valuable lesson: we should all behave as if each group was actually our group with our children. Clap and cheer for all our children, not just our own. This powerful lesson was not lost on our leadership. We all decided that from this event on, we would treat all children as our own, offering encouragement and praise to all, not just the swiftest or cleverest.

From this revelation, we devised the program that is the centerpiece of our groups: 1 of 100 Fathers. We believe that each father should act as if all the children were indeed their children. In effect, each child would attend an event and be surrounded by not 1, but 100 supportive and nurturing fathers. We will encourage and cheer for all our children if they win an award or put on a skit that we have seen hundreds of times. We ask all our fathers to go by this "Golden Rule" and coach all of our new dads in this practice, to be 1 of 100 Fathers."

- Testimonial by Ken Clark, 1 of 100 Fathers

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Adventure Guides - Dad

   
 

I am a second year scholarship recipient and very grateful to the YMCA for accepting me under the program. I am an older Dad of three and after years of providing for my family I am without a job. I have not had one for over two years. Anything I do find is temporary at best. All of our savings depleted to pay for mortgage and growing family of five. The difficulties of my position transcends all relationships including my most treasured ones, my wife and children. This scholarship program affords me the opportunity to take a break from the pressures and stress of my position and just spend a few hours, or a weekend loving on my family, in this case-my daughter, in the Adventure Guides program.

I am pretty old fashioned and with a girl, it's important for me to have her learn and grow as a nice young lady sharing experiences with other nice young ladies and being watched over by gentleman fathers. When together, we all treat our girls with the utmost respect and courtesies. We share our knowledge and own experiences in a gentle, guiding manner and promote personal dignity, problem solving skills and respect for self. Scholarships such as the one I am in grant me the opportunity to do so. Trips to Irvine Ranch, Catalina, Marston, allow us to teach our girls patience, self control, teamwork, dignity and respect through fun activities and new shared experiences.

As a grateful Dad, I get the opportunity to also give my daughter a break from a financially stressful, albeit very loving, home and do what I think a girl should be able to do in Southern California: Play outside in the fresh air, have really special one on one fun with her Dad, make great friends, learn how to be a good citizen, a great friend and a nice and resourceful young lady. And the Disney Dance is just icing on the cake. After the first one, I made the mistake of telling my wife the truth as I was walking upstairs with my tired girl, now asleep in my arms in her princess dress. My wife asked me how it went. I told her: "It was the best night of my life." My wife just looked at me. Dead stare. And then I understood and said: "...beside our wedding and the birth of our children and..."

But it really was the best night of my life, and my daughter's.

Thank you so much.

Dad
Adventure Guides

Adventure Guides - Dad

   
 

I am a second year scholarship recipient and very grateful to the YMCA for accepting me under the program. I am an older Dad of three and after years of providing for my family I am without a job. I have not had one for over two years. Anything I do find is temporary at best. All of our savings depleted to pay for mortgage and growing family of five. The difficulties of my position transcends all relationships including my most treasured ones, my wife and children. This scholarship program affords me the opportunity to take a break from the pressures and stress of my position and just spend a few hours, or a weekend loving on my family, in this case-my daughter, in the Adventure Guides program.

I am pretty old fashioned and with a girl, it's important for me to have her learn and grow as a nice young lady sharing experiences with other nice young ladies and being watched over by gentleman fathers. When together, we all treat our girls with the utmost respect and courtesies. We share our knowledge and own experiences in a gentle, guiding manner and promote personal dignity, problem solving skills and respect for self. Scholarships such as the one I am in grant me the opportunity to do so. Trips to Irvine Ranch, Catalina, Marston, allow us to teach our girls patience, self control, teamwork, dignity and respect through fun activities and new shared experiences.

As a grateful Dad, I get the opportunity to also give my daughter a break from a financially stressful, albeit very loving, home and do what I think a girl should be able to do in Southern California: Play outside in the fresh air, have really special one on one fun with her Dad, make great friends, learn how to be a good citizen, a great friend and a nice and resourceful young lady. And the Disney Dance is just icing on the cake. After the first one, I made the mistake of telling my wife the truth as I was walking upstairs with my tired girl, now asleep in my arms in her princess dress. My wife asked me how it went. I told her: "It was the best night of my life. "My wife just looked at me. Dead stare. And then I understood and said: "...beside our wedding and the birth of our children and...."

But it really was the best night of my life, and my daughter's.

Thank you so much.

Dad
Adventure Guides

Faith - Adventure Guides

   
 

Adventure Guides is so important to me because I get to go camping with my daddy. It is also special to me because I am able to spend time with my daddy. I learned a lot of different things with my dad. I have got to go places I've never been before. This program has changed my life forever.

Faith
MISSION VIEJO FAMILY YMCA - ADVENTURE GUIDES

Adventure Guides - Anonymous

   
 

I would like to say that YMCA has been very supportive of my family on the past two and half years that my daughter has been attending. I have been fortunate enough to be able to utilize YMCA financial assistance for families with low income. I am a full-time single mother and a graduate student and If it wasn't for the financial assistance through YMCA, I would not have been able to afford paying for my daughter's before and after school program in such a healthy, academically driven, and safe environment YMCA has to offer. I truly appreciate the financial and emotional support YMCA had been offering to me during the times that I have been working really hard to make a better and more stable life for my small family. I hope that I will be able to give back to our society and to be impact-full on people's lives once I am through with my educational endeavors.

Anonymous
Adventure Guides

Julie Nichols - Adventure Guides

   
 

Some of my best memories as a child was being a part of the YMCA. My dad and I was a part of Adventure Guides and those memories will stick with me forever. I loved going camping with my dad and sister. Now I am working at the Y at a child care site and I'm looking forward to impacting kids the way I was positively impacted as a child. I have been inspired to make a difference.

Julie Nichols
ADVENTURE GUIDES

Anonymous - Adventure Guides

   
 

A few years back I started in the Y-Guides program, now called Adventure Guides, with my older son, James. I am now in the program with my second child, Grant, and look forward to doing the same with my daughter, Julia, next year. This program has provided us with bonding experiences that are immeasurable. I remember initially thinking that I don't need a program to help me spend time with my kids; however, Adventure Guides has allowed us to do some incredible things- Surf Camp, Catalina Island, spending the night inside the aquarium exhibit at Sea World, etc. What makes this program so great is that the entire purpose is to provide a bonding experience with you and your child, not send them with a "den" parent to a meeting or camp site. A week doesn't go by where one of my kids reflects back on one of the great things we've done with Adventure Guides, asking when we get to go again. I am grateful for these memorable experiences, and look forward to many more over the next few years.

Anonymous
LAGUNA NIGUEL FAMILY YMCA - ADVENTURE GUIDES

Gene Hernandez - Adventure Guides

   
 

My fondest memories of my youth are YMCA memories. My dad and I were in the YMCA Indian Guides Program. We spent quality time together at Camp Oaks and tribe meetings. I will always cherish those memories with my dad, who has since passed away.

Gene Hernandez
YORBA LINDA/PLACENTIA FAMILY YMCA