Welcome

Welcome to the official Web site of the Santa Clarita Valley YMCA Y-Guides of the mighty Alliklik Nation. We are proud to have over 400 families participating in this rewarding program.

The Home of the Alliklik Nation Web site was created to inform Alliklik members of Nation events and activities, to tell the world about the mighty Alliklik Nation and the Y-Guides program, and to network with other Y programs around the country.

What is the Y-Guides program?

The Y-Guides program has a long history of providing elementary school age children and their parents with opportunities for fun times, learning, and mutual understanding.

The Y-Guides program is for parents that want quality, planned, one-on-one time with their children. Membership with the Santa Clarita YMCA is open to every parent with a child kindergarten to third grade, or fourth to eighth grade for Y-Trailblazers.

Participation in activities by both parents and child is a vital part of the Y-Indian Programs. Parent and child share in events, games, crafts, outings, and campouts. The parent observes their child's relationship in the group, and see the child's strengths and needs, affording a basis for helping the child to grow. Likewise, the child observes the parent in action with other parents and kids. This provides the child with an important role model.

The Fun Starts Here

The Y-Guides Program is action oriented. Members develop their own tribal programs, elect their own officers, take turns hosting tribal meetings, and conduct the business of the tribe.

Tribes meet for campouts and family outings; visit historical sites and fire stations; take hikes to parks, zoos, and farms; plan family picnics; and volunteer for community service projects. Participants learn about Native American people - their culture, their customs, crafts and games, and seek to bring new understanding and appreciation of the Native American's heritage and contributions to our nation.

Craft projects include construction of tribal property such as drums, headbands, and vests. Tribes may also have campfires and hold induction ceremonies that emphasize the importance of the parent/child relationship.

In addition to the activities of the tribe, the Alliklik's participate in various Nation events throughout the year. Nation events include four seasonal Campouts at various YMCA camps and private campgrounds, Pancake Breakfast, Christmas Program, Pinewood Derby, Family Events and participation in the 4th of July Parade.

But best of all, the Y-Guides program is just plain fun for both you and your child!

Benefits

Through the Y-Guides program, the YMCA provides the following benefits to both parents and children.

• Foster companionship and understanding and set a foundation for positive, lifelong relationships between parent and child.
• Build a sense of self-esteem and personal worth.
• Expand awareness of body, mind, and spirit.
• Provide a framework to meet a mutual need of spending enjoyable, constructive, and quality time together.
• Enhance the quality of family time.
• Emphasize the vital role that parents play in the growth and development of their children.
• Offer an important and unique opportunity to develop and enjoy volunteer leadership skills.
• Opportunity to meet other families with children the same age.

Organization

Parents and their children form tribes. Tribes contain anywhere from eight to twelve families. One parent is selected as tribal chief, and the various tribal positions are delegated to the parents and kids. The tribe schedules monthly meetings and special events or trips. Parent and child attendance together is mandatory for participation in activities.

There are over 40 tribes participating in the Y-Guides program throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. Tribes are typically organized based on school location although a few tribes draw from throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.

Alliklik Nation - Y-Guides program for families with children in the Saugus Union School District, Sulphur Springs School District and Castiac Union School District. Click here to join.

Nun-Pa-Wa-Pa Nation - Y-Guides program for families with children in the Newhall School District. Visit the Nun-Pa-Wa-Pa Nation Web site for more info.

The Longhouse is the council organization that supports the program planning of the tribes and Nation, coordinates Nation events, and establishes policies and standards. Council members are elected from tribal volunteers each year. The Alliklik Nation Longhouse Council includes a Nation Chief, Assistant Nation Chief, Sand Painter, War Chief, Sachem, Medicine Man and Web Spinner.

The YMCA also offers programs for older children and thier parents. The Y-Trailblazers is for children in 4th thru 8th grade.