Campanelli YMCA Adventure Guides Mustang Expedition in Schaumburg, Illinois

YMCA Adventure Guides is a program offered in YMCAs across the country designed to strengthen the relationship between father and son.

Adventure Guide members participate in small groups called Circles, which usually consists of five to ten father-son teams. The Circle meets once a month in the member's homes on a rotating basis or other arranged locations. Meeting dates, times and activities are determined by the Circle to fit into everyone's schedule. Circle meetings provide a forum for spending time together, telling stories, playing games, making crafts and other activities.

Currently, there are four Circles, the Diamondbacks, Hawks, Mighty Phoenix, and Rough Riders that form the Mustang Expedition. The Circles elect a Trailmaster and other officers, who meet each month at a Longhouse meeting to exchange ideas and plan events in which all Circles may participate. Then the Circles join together each month for one of the planned outings or events. See the Schedule for this year's activities. The Mustang Expedition Longhouse meetings are conducted at 7:30 PM on the 3rd Thursday of each month during the school year at the Campanelli YMCA in Schaumburg. All Circle members are welcome to attend.

Companionship is the purpose of Adventure Guides program and participation is rewarded not only by the quality time spent together but also with patches. For participating in a monthly Expedition outing or event, both father and son earn a patch. These patches can be proudly displayed on their Adventure Guide "brag vest" worn at any Expedition event. In addition to the patches, points are awarded to the father/son pair for participation in each Expedition outing as well as the father's attendance at each Longhouse meeting. At the end of the year, an additional patch is awarded to the participants that accumulate a certain amount of points. Other patches and awards can be earned during specific events or by memorizing and reciting the AIMS to an Expedition officer.

If you and your son(s) are interested in joining or would like more information, please contact the Campanelli YMCA through their website at www.campanelliymca.org or via phone (847) 891-9622.