Are you involved
with a YMCA that puts the “C” in your YMCA programs? Or are you
interested in making the “C” stronger at your YMCA? There are two
programs that can help you do just that.
For 36 years the
YMCA Christian Leadership Conferences have strengthened day and resident camp
leaders, child care
workers, YMCA staff and volunteers in
their roles as YMCA leaders. During a weekend training event, workshops are conducted on a variety of leadership
subjects which may include the YMCA Rag/Leather Program, the “C in the YMCA”, devotions, storytelling, prayer,
discipline, chapel, the YMCA mission, YMCA Character Counts Program and much more. A
Christian atmosphere is projected without preaching a particular doctrine.
Participants work in a variety of settings with trained adult facilitators and
YMCA staff. Sharing Christian values and the YMCA Mission in all YMCA programs
is emphasized. Since the first YMCA Christian Leadership Conference in 1974 the
program has grown and now includes conferences from coast to coast. Over 2,000
participants attend each year that in turn touch over 500,000 lives in YMCA
programs annually!
For over 96
years, the YMCA Rag / Leather Program
has been an effective tool in promoting one on one counseling and personal
growth. The program is designed to help people take a closer look at themselves
in relationship to their own strengths and weaknesses, religious beliefs and relationships that surround
them. It provides an opportunity to promote positive growth. YMCA's use the Rag
/ Leather Program as a tool to encourage quality time between staff and
members, counselors and campers.
Growth in spirit, mind and body is
incorporated into the program. This program also falls in line with what YMCA's
strive to accomplish through their mission. Each Rag and Leather has a specific
challenge and is accompanied by a personal goal developed by the individual.
Participation in the program is enhanced by the use of tradition, resource materials and one-on-one sharing
sessions.
