The YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth offers a wide variety of programs that focus on building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. All programs are based on our YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. YMCA activities include those for every generation of the family from youth sports to seniors' water aerobics.
The journey of a family is written by experiencing life together at the YMCA.
Want to connect with your kids?
Start with the YMCA Adventure Guides and Princesses program and make treasured, lifetime memories together!
The YMCA Adventure Guides and Princesses is a father-child program for ages 5 through 12. It is designed to help foster a lifetime of understanding, relationship strengthening and companionship between father and child. Every month, each father-child pair will have the opportunity to take part in an event hosted by the YMCA.
Events include*:
Mountasia
Camp Carter
Parade of Lights
Stock Show Parade
Pinewood Derby
Daddy/Daughter Dance
And much more!
*These events are held in addition to monthly circle meetings and
activities and require additional fees.
Download a registration form, print it out, and bring it to the Airport Area YMCA to sign up!
Know someone that would enjoy this program? Pass this flyer on to a friend!
What is YMCA Adventure Guides and Princesses?
YMCA Adventure Guides and Princesses is a program offered in YMCAs across the country designed to strengthen the relationship between a father and a child. Included here is detailed description of the program purpose and elements.
Why does YMCA Adventure Guides and Princesses exist?
During their elementary school years, children learn rapidly, becoming much more aware of the world around them. During this time, children tend to see their parents as guides, teachers, and heroes. They start to understand that parents protect and nurture them. Ideally, during this period, we learn how to talk with our children more than at them. A strong relationship is based on our ability to ask open-ended questions that help our children think and move beyond simple yes or no responses. During these years, we strive to invite our children to accept challenges and opportunities, celebrate accomplishments, and face fears.
Who participates in YMCA Adventure Guides and Princesses?
YMCA Adventure Guides and Princesses is designed for fathers (or other significant adults in children's lives) and their children ages 5 through 12. An adult and child must attend program activities together. In YMCA Adventure Guides and Princesses, the parent is the Guide, and the child is the Explorer.
What do YMCA Adventure Guide and Princesses participants do?
The YMCA groups father-child pairs into "Circles" that meet on a regular basis in each others' homes, usually biweekly or monthly. Occasionally, several Circles come together to participate in larger activities such as campouts, parties, or parades. These outings are called Expeditions. The core of the YMCA Adventure Guides and Princesses program is these Circle and Expedition meetings and adventures. Typical activities include ceremonies, games, crafts, songs, stories, skits, and outdoor pursuits such as camping, hiking and swimming.
What are the YMCA Adventure Guides and Princesses Compass Points?
The program focus is on the adventures of a father and child and of their Circles and Expeditions. At the forefront of the program are the Compass Points, which give members a sense of direction and an inspiration for activities. These points are broad enough in scope to allow for variety and creativity in designing activities.
The four main direction points on the compass are the essential components of the program:
• The Family is True North---the focal point of the program.
• Nature and the camping experience are integral parts of the program.
• The spirit of the program is experienced through belonging to a small Community, the Circle.
• Fun is the magic of the program.
The YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility make up the other directional points. Along the journey, adults should teach and demonstrate these values as well as give children many opportunities to practice and celebrate them. Adults should also point out and discuss with children any behavior that is inconsistent with these values. Initially, these four values provide guidance in helping children select activities, make decisions, and choose appropriate courses of action-both in the program and in their lives. As children grow, these values become their own internal compass.
YMCA Mission: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.