Glowing Stones
As dads gear up for the Tribe Formation Meeting at the start of a new Y Guides year, meeting other dads and beginning the one-on-one journey with their child, it can be difficult to think past the first year in Y Guides. Dads may wonder where the journey will take them and whether it is possible to keep the magic of Y Guides alive forever. Will they be able to continuously prioritize meaningful time with their child, even as their child takes on the teenage years and enters college? Well, we have a story that provides proof that you can be part of Y Guides for as long as you want to be!
Twelve years ago, Steve "Stepping Stone" Motter decided to check out the "Indian Princess thing" in hopes of determining what it was all about. He admits that after hearing a bunch of "How Hows", seeing grown men in leather vests and taking a risk to meet new dads, his initial thoughts were, "what the heck is this crazy club." Twelve years later as he reflects on his time with his daughter, he cherishes every moment and reminds other dads that "you can't turn back the clock from those first special years that you form a bond that will never be broken." He encourages dads to leave the "Dad coolness" at the door, and to be a kid for your kid!
The tribe, Glowing Stones, first started Y Guides in 2004 and they still have record of their first Tallykeeper report when the "secret wiggles of princess fingers" voted for the winning tribe name that would follow this group of dads until they were sending their daughters off to college. It is remarkable that so many traditions have endured for twelve years and the tribe has consistently gone above and beyond to make a collective impact in the community. Glowing Stones has completed over one-thousand volunteer hours in the past couple of years alone. One traidition that persists each year is standing outside Walmart in the bitter cold, handing out candy canes and caroling to collect money for the Salvation Army. The tribe also has commited many hours to giving back to Y Guides through serving on the Long Bow Coucil. At Spring Outing in particular, the tribe continues the tradition of working canoes on a third year raft race weekend, shouting "boats that don't float."
We asked three of the girls to reflect on their time in Y Guides (one of the princesses is away at Bootcamp) before they head off to begin their journey in college; their responses are below.
The best advice/wisdom your dad has imparted upon you?
Elizabeth Motter: Dad helped grow my love for volunteering, encouraging me to always give back to others. Through our participation in Long Bow Council, I'm able to volunteer for a program that had such a big impact on my life.
Rebecca Matthews: My father has always led by example and I carry his words of wisdom, "Even when scared, you should try new things."
Ashley Hewitt: I have learned that giving back to your community by volunteering not only benefits others, but helps me to consistently grow.
What lessons have you learned through your time in Y Guides?
Elizabeth Motter: The time you have in Y Guides goes by quickly; don't be afraid to try new things! Embrace the small moments and traditions because those are the things you will remember the most.
Rebecca Matthews: I have learned that I am a capable person through my time volunteering. I've also learned a lot about friendship and how it can endure despite only seeing each other a few times a year.
Ashley Hewitt: I used to be the one riding in the back seat kicking my dad's chair the whole ride to Camp and now I get to be the one that drives us there.
Rebecca fondly remembers her overactive imagination, which was her worst enemy after campfirs stories at Spring Outing. In her first year, her dad let her stay in the loud guy's cabin after campfire because she was too afraid to go to sleep. The next year, dad stayed behind from the campfire, which she recalls as "just one concrete example of my father supporting me, and being there for me when times were scary." Times are about to get scarier as Rebecca and the rest of her tribe head off to college, but they are comforted by their memories and the knowledge that their dads are supporting them and waiting for them when they need to lean on dad again.