For more information on joining the Manikiki Nation email us:
Joining guides is simple. You just start coming to the events -never any obligation to continue. If you like the guides you will then get assigned into a tribe (a group with 5-10 families) and continue from there. If interested, email our Nation Chief: Kurt Leibensperger at kurtleib@hotmail.com or fill out the form below and get ready to make some memories with your son(s). We will then give you more information on the next event.
Frequently Asked
Questions about joining Indian Guides:
What is Indian Guides anyway?
Indian Guides is a YMCA based father-son organization with a Native
American
theme. Boys and their fathers are grouped into small "tribes" of 10
to 20 people, and participate in various activities that serve to help
strengthen the bond between fathers and sons.
Isn't using the term "Indian" disrespectful to Native
Americans?
Native American culture and traditions are a central theme of the
Indian Guides
organization. One of the founders of Indian Guides was an Ojibway
Indian who
observed that young boys in our American culture often lack direct
guidance and
instruction from their fathers. The Indian Guides organization uses
Native
American titles such as "chief", "tribe" and "medicine
man" out of respect for the Native American culture that inspires our
organization to be good teachers, guides, and role-models for our sons.
For
more info on how our organization got started, see our Indian
Guides History page.
How old does my son have to be to join?
Indian Guides is open to boys between the ages of 5 and 12. A child can
only
join the Indian Guides program along with their father or other adult
sponsor.
An adult sponsor can be an uncle, grandfather, or other male caregiver
depending on the family circumstances.
What region do you serve?
The Manikiki Nation serves the Portage Lakes area of northeastern Ohio.
Specifically, the communities of Green, Manchester, Coventry,
Springfield, and
Canal Fulton. We do have a few members from Barberton, Jackson, and the
city of
Akron, but because of the proximity of events that we participate in,
if you do
not live in the Portage Lakes area, you may want to contact your local
YMCA
about the availability of an Indian Guides program in your region.
How much does it cost?
The Indian Guides program is a fun, educational, and enriching
experience for
both fathers and sons. We strive to keep our costs and expenses at a
minimum,
but as with any "extra-curricular" activity, there are some inherent
costs involved. The yearly YMCA-required fee is $47 for a father + 1
son.
Additional sons are $10 each. This covers the cost of receiving our
monthly Smoke Signals
newsletter as well as insurance liability
coverage. Please note however that if you are a member of any
Akron-area YMCA,
then this fee is waived entirely!
In addition to this yearly fee, there are fees for many of the monthly
Nation
events that we hold. We do hold an annual reverse raffle fundraiser
every year,
where a large portion of our Nation budget is raised. This budget
subsidizes
many of the monthly events. So, for example, one month you may get to
go
bowling for free, then the next month perhaps tickets to an Akron U
football
game may be $5 each. The most expensive of these monthly events are the
bi-annual campouts (approx $110 for father/son), and there is a
requirement
that all members assist in the annual fundraiser, but generally our
events are
very affordable.
What kind of activities can I expect?
Every month there will one Nation event scheduled. In addition, many
individual
tribes plan their own meetings, events, and service projects. We
attempt to
schedule a variety of fun and educational events every year. As an
example, here
are some past events:
|
MONTH |
EVENT |
|
January |
Akron U Basketball |
|
February |
Bowling |
|
March |
Pine Car / FASCAR Derby |
|
April |
Late Night Swim / Overnight –Green Y |
|
May |
Spring Campout – Camp Y-Noah |
|
June |
Akron Aeros Baseball – family event |
|
July |
Family picnic – Akron FOP lodge |
|
August |
USS Cod Tour |
|
September |
Fall Campout – Camp Fitch |
|
October |
Sluggers & Putters |
|
November |
Akron U Football game |
|
December |
Father/Son Banquet –Guys Party Center |
Is there anything like this for girls?
Yes, there are a couple of programs for girls.
One is Indian Princesses, for girls age 5 through 11 and
their fathers. It
is a new
organization, and is very similar to the Indian Guides program. Please visit the Iroquois Nation
Website for more
information
There is also an Indian Maidens program for girls and their mothers. This program is sponsored through the Firestone YMCA; please call them at 330.724.1255 or visit the Akron Area YMCA Website for more information