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Sierra
Expedition - YMCA
Adventure Guides
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Circle Meetings
Circle Meetings:
Each circle usually has a monthly meeting, lasting 1½ - 2 hours.
Each circle meeting has a host Father/Son, and the meeting usually
takes place at the host family's house. Each family will receive a book
from the YMCA which includes suggested programs for circle meetings.
The following is a typical meeting -- each circle can determine
what works best for them.
- Navigator calls
meeting to order.
- Navigator starts the
meeting with a ritual. (See here for
an example ritual)
- Log Keeper takes
roll and reads minutes from previous meeting.
- Treasure
Keeper collects circle dues, perhaps $2 for each son and $3 for
each dad. These can be used for special projects, a party, a
community
project, etc. To simplify the circle meeting, and/or avoid
scrounging for cash, some circles may collect all money at the
beginning of the year, or have each host pay for their own craft.
This is up to the circle.
- Each Explorer stands
up, says his circle name, and gives a “scouting” report for the month:
- A good deed they
have done, and/or
- An activity, project
or event they have done with their father/family.
- Navigator announces
upcoming expedition events, YMCA news, etc.
- Plans are reviewed for the
next meeting.
- Host
introduces the night's craft, which is supplied by the Host.
Crafts
include anything that can be completed in ~30 minutes, or which can be
completed in a couple of circle meetings. Examples include:
- Construction of
decorations or projects for an expedition event
- Making bead or
leather projects
- Planting seeds for a
home garden
- Map reading
- Host provides and
serves refreshments.
- Host or circle
members tell a story, usually with a moral, and/or sing songs.
- Navigator leads
closing ritual.
- Meeting is adjourned.
See
the individual circle pages
for additional
information about the specific practices of the various circles.