YMCA programs foster family relationships





By Michael Picarella
pic@theacorn.com

Triunfo YMCA in Westlake Village is asking parents to spend some quality time with their kids. The Y offers three programs that foster understanding and companionship among family members.


The Indian Guide/Indian Princess program, the Papoose program and the Trailblazer program aim to strengthen family life, according to Y officials.


"These three family programs are all about getting parents together with their kids and allowing them a good way to spend quality time together and build lasting, long relationships," said Neil Ticktin, federation chief for Triunfo YMCA’s Indian Guide/Indian Princess program. Ticktin, a Westlake Village resident, has two kids of his own who’ve both participated in the Y programs for a number of years. His son, Jordan, is 9 and his daughter, Erin, is 7.


The Indian Guide/Indian Princess program is geared mostly toward fathers and girls from kindergarten through second grade. (Single moms can also participate in this program, according to Ticktin.) Participants have many activities to choose from, such as camping and roller-skating. All activities offer opportunities for family members to become more caring, responsible human beings.


"My daughter was asked what she liked about the program most," Ticktin said. "She said, ‘I like the arts and crafts and spending time with my dad.’ You know you’ve nailed it when your kid is saying, ‘I’m liking spending time with my dad.’ That’s as good as it gets, at least for me." Ticktin’s son also said he enjoyed spending time with his dad during a river-rafting trip.


"I’d really like to go again," Jordan said.


Ticktin said the Y programs aren’t just great for families but for the adult friendships as well.


"The dads who participate in this program," Ticktin said, "have a tendency to form some really neat lasting relationships with other dads."


The Papoose program, geared for both parents and their pre-kindergarten children, helps young families get an early start on fostering understanding and companionship between parent and child. "The things we do in each of the programs are age appropriate," Ticktin said. "The Papooses will have monthly meetings, they’ll be able to do some arts and crafts and they’ll do (daytime) activities typically. These activities might be a day at the zoo or going to the snow at Fraser Park or something along those lines."


The YMCA Trailblazers program is a continuation for older kids of the YMCA Indian Guide programs. Trail Blazers offers third-to-sixth-grade children more challenging and varied experiences, while teaching leadership and responsibility.


According to Y officials, father/child pairs will be placed in small groups—called clubs—based upon sex, grade, school, geographic area and/or special requests. Single moms can also participate in this program, according to Ticktin. Clubs will meet once a month in a member’s home to plan and organize club meetings. Dads assist in training their children to lead the club and ensure its overall success.


Club meetings consist of planning events, setting goals, collecting dues for outings and activities, and discussing service projects for the community.


Once a month, the Trailblazer Council will host an event for all clubs. These events can include rock climbing, tree planting, bike rides, campouts and water rafting trips.


"The real big goal of these programs is—with today’s jam-packed schedules for the working family—having these kinds of events organized for them ahead of time and knowing that on this date, you’re going to do this with your kid," Ticktin said. "These programs make it real easy to focus on spending quality time with your kids."


The Triunfo YMCA will host three upcoming recruitment nights.


The first is 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thurs., Sept 9 at the El Pollo Loco at Kanan and Lindero Canyon roads in Oak Park; the second is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 18 at the Ralphs market at Westlake and Thousand Oaks boulevards and the third is 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Carl’s Jr. at Kanan Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Agoura Hills.


For more information or to get involved in any of the Triunfo YMCA’s programs, go to www .triunfoymca.org. Or call the Y at (818) 707-YMCA (9622).



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