YMCA Camps

[CAMPFRIEND]

I just want to see if anyone worked for the YMCA and if so does your camp have the Raggers/Leathers program?

[daisy]

I work for the Y, but I've never heard of that program. What is it?

[CAMPFRIEND]

It's a goal setting program. I will post more later.

[Skater Bubbles]

I work for the Y and we have Rags and Leathers. It's a big thing at my camp, we made a new raggers point last year and I helped- It was A LOT of work, but it's really cool and it's worth it cause it's a great program.

[CAMPFRIEND]

I love to see how many camps have the program. What Rag do you have Skater Bubbles?

[Skater Bubbles]

Ya umm none, I love the program, but it doesn't really fit with my religious beleifs so I haven't worked toward any rags.

[CAMPFRIEND]

How did they have you work on Raggers point?

[Skater Bubbles]

What do you mean how?

[who_stole_my_loofa]

I think she means what tasks did you complete to help the process.

What are raggers and leathers

[CAMPFRIEND]

It has been said that the Rag Society has never been adequately explained to anybody who is not a Ragger.

Perhaps the most valid reason for this is that the Spirit of the Rag is deeply personal — it represents a private partnership between an individual and his God.

It is known that many boys and girls return home from camp with their Rags and do not tell their parents anything about them, probably because they can’t. Even adults who have been Raggers for many years are unable to interpret their feelings about the Rag.

The ceremonies, which are simple and dignified, are so highly inspirational and emotion-charged that individuals can’t find the words to express their experiences.

But despite the deeply personal aspect of the Rag, there is a meaningful and enduring fellowship among Raggers — one that is most often expressed in the Raggers’ handshake, which is not unlike some fraternity handclasps.

It is, however, a fellowship that is rarely expressed in words. Each Ragger knows the other has accepted the same challenges he has and that he is trying to meet them. Beyond that its meaning again becomes personal. *

Usually in a YMCA camp or on a caravan trip the Rag is first explained when the group is at the campfire. Directors will tell of its history and of Tom Caldwell and some of the men who followed him.

Sometimes in attempts to interpret its meaning they will tell about the times when they received their first Rags. All non-Raggers in Camp are invited to accept the challenge of the Blue Rag.

Youngsters are told they should give it serious thought and, if they are interested, to make it known to their cabin leader or to the director himself.

If a youth expresses interest, he is given what is called a requirement card, which by means of passages from the Bible, poems and quotations explains the challenge of the Blue Rag.

Generally, it is not required that the prospective Ragger memorize the card, only that he understand it. He must, however, memorize the Raggers’ Creed. If there are things on the card he doesn’t understand, he is encouraged to ask for help.

Many directors ask youths to use the thoughts on the card as a basis to list ways which they can improve their own lives and thereby to set for themselves some personal goals.

There follows a counseling session with an adult during which the challenges, requirements, history and spirit of the Society are reviewed, Then in groups of about ten the youths are blindfolded and led to Raggers’ Point for the tying ceremony, usually at dusk. **

What is it about Rag ceremonies that so deeply affect both youth and adults?

It has to do with a youth carefully considering the challenges of the Rag, accepting them and then telling a Ragger he has made the decision.

It has to do with setting some personal goals for himself.

It has to do with the unknown. Youngsters are led blindfolded by people they trust to a new, lofty experience.

It has to do with a setting of natural beauty, a setting created by God, not man. It has to do with dedicated leadership. When an adult whom a youngster loves and admires ties the Rag around his neck and whispers words of welcome and encouragement, that adult is sharing with him what is often one of the most emotional moments of his life.

And it has to do with God and a youth’s religion. ***

Requirements and ceremonies for the other six steps of the Rag differ, although the counseling and goal setting remain important factors. One would think that having been through one or more steps of the Rag, the camper would tend to be less emotionally involved. The opposite is true. The continuity, the fellowship that comes from it, and the progressively deeper and more meaningful challenges have driven boys and girls and men and women to seek and accept the next steps year after year until they have become White Raggers.

Here are the challenges of the Rag:

Blue — acceptance of the Raggers’ Creed.
Silver — to follow Jesus and His Way of Life.
Brown — leadership among youth the Ragger’s own age.
Gold — concern for the welfare of all people everywhere.
Red — commitment to Christian leadership and humility.
Purple — a challenge to lead the best life.
White — commitment to lifelong Christian work with youth.
Together they constitute the Spirit of the Rag...the striving of individuals, each seeking God’s Will and His Way for himself.

The Ragger doesn’t always succeed in living up to the challenges of his Rags, but he tries. And because he does try, he’s a better person.

Therein lies the meaning of the Rag.

* It has also made for a fellowship among YMCAs, one that has given an added element to the lofty purposes which bind Associations together. An example of this fellowship is illustrated by the fact that funds for this booklet were contributed voluntarily by numerous individual Raggers and by Associations in the Pacific Southwest Area Council of YMCAs.

** Although each ceremony differs, the procedure for each of the other steps of the Rag is very much the same, except that the need for detailed explanations diminishes as a youngster gets older and moves into further steps of the Society...and the counseling and commitment is intensified.

*** There are some Raggers who do not consider the ceremonies “secret.” There are others who would object to a detailed description of the ceremonies. The authors have deferred to the latter group.

[Skater Bubbles]

OK at my camp we aren't so in depth woth the program, i mean we have it and all but it's not like something that people don't tell others about or anything.

[CAMPFRIEND]

I think that it's different pending what camp you work for. This is some info that I got of a web site!

[drink the wild air]

Ya umm none, I love the program, but it doesn't really fit with my religious beleifs so I haven't worked toward any rags.

I don't know how the program works at your camp but at ours you dont have to be Christian to do it. I am not and I have my purple. I tailor each one to my own beliefs. And I have done that for a lot of campers that I have counseled for their rags, and they have been of every religion. Some of the ceremonies even have seperate sections to read if the recipient is Chrisitian or not. It had a Christian basis but a lot of the goals and messages it sends can fit into whatever you believe: like service to your country, respect and understanding of others, service, etc.

Anyways, just thought I would share cause it has definitely changed my life drastically.

[campCardinal]

I work for a Y Camp but we do not have this program.

[CAMPFRIEND]

I work for a Y Camp but we do not have this program.

It's a great program for both campers and staff. You sould talk with your director about it. I am sure theie are a few of us who could help you out if you camp is intrested!

[Melk]

I heart the ragger program. This summer me and another staff member were incharge of the program and I had a lot of fun doing it.

[campCardinal]

Currently our camp is going through a lot of program change, so I don't think it would be a good time to introduce this program, simply because I don't think it would be done well. As I said, we're in the process of changing a lot of things about our camp- and we're facing a lot or resistence from older staff. I think it would be hard to get everybody on board for this program when they're still upset about the changes. But maybe in a few years.

[CAMPFRIEND]

What ever we can do for the program. Just let me know.

[johnnyboy73]

I just want to see if anyone worked for the YMCA and if so does your camp have the Raggers/Leathers program?


Yes, I am being counseled for my White rag this comming Summer. I have been involved with the Rags Program since 1985 (Blue Rag).....Unless someone experiences a Rag Ceremony, it is hard to explain.

[drink the wild air]

Yes, I am being counseled for my White rag this comming Summer.


Congrats. Thats totally awesome!

[who_stole_my_loofa]

whats the leathers part??

[CAMPFRIEND]

Yes, I am being counseled for my White rag this comming Summer. I have been involved with the Rags Program since 1985 (Blue Rag).....Unless someone experiences a Rag Ceremony, it is hard to explain.

I think that is when I got my blue rag. Good luck with you white rag! I know that it's ment a lot in my life!

[CAMPFRIEND]

whats the leathers part??

The leathers program is for the younger kids. They have goal that work with Mind, Body and spirit. It's to help campers get ready for the raggers program. The younger campers love it. They get to be like the older kids!

[Andri]

Hi All,

I am not a camp staff but this was one of the few places I found anyone discussing the ragger program. I went to a Y camp one year (1990) and received my blue rag. I still have a framed copy of the raggers creed I made to remind myself and now my family is considering going to Y family camp this summer. I am trying to see if the program is ever held during family camp sessions, assuming of course the camp participates in the Ragger program normally.

If it matters, the camp we are looking at is a full session (week) and is the same camp I received my blue at.

I know the Purple and White rags are only for adults (due to age limits) but I don't remember ever knowing if the only way to contiue that far in the program was to some back as a counsler and I haven't been able to find anything about that anywhere.

thanks for your help!
Andri

[CAMPFRIEND]

I think that it depends on the camp when they are running the program. I think that it's great that you want to move uo to your next rag. I would send an e-mail to the camp as well to see if they are still doing the program!

[Melk]

I'm getting my red rag this summer...I'm super excited for it.

[CAMPFRIEND]

Who is left at camp with a red rag?

[Melk]

Who is left at camp with a red rag?

no one really.... but Kyle said he is going to be around so I asked him at the last reunion.

[Lilbit88]

Raggers has played a huge part in my life. Without it I do not think I would still be here. Raggers has saved me from who I was becoming. My goal is to eventually get my White rag...I am Gold now. I've tried to describe what it means to me several times before and each time I fail, I never seem to find the right words and only those who are in the program seem to understand. Those who have counseled me will forever hold a special place in my heart. I will also never forget the lessons I have learned. Each of my study guides are in my wallet and have been taped and retaped several times from reading it so much!

[johnnyboy73]

I just want to see if anyone worked for the YMCA and if so does your camp have the Raggers/Leathers program?


I am currently still with the YMCA of Orange County in Mission Viejo, and I am a Purple Ragger. I am being counseled for my White Rag. I got my Purple in 1990, and I have not decided to take the Leap of Faith. I will be getting my Rag at YMCA Camp Oakes in Big Bear on July 26th. I am so excited, and nervous about taking on such a Big Job for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to teach his children for a Lifetime Commitment. Please pray for me, my name is John.

I am a huge advocate for the R&L Program, and I get frustrated when Adults take the ceremonies lightly, and I let it be known without any hesatation. I hope that you are as deeply moved by the Program as I am. Please feel free to talk to me any time about the program.



God Bless,



John

[drink the wild air]

John - thats way awesome. I have my purple rag also. I agree that it is definitely life changing and amazing. It has been a very big part of my life (both at camp and out of). We also make a point at our camp of taking the program seriously, I think it makes a big difference. Everyone really respects it. Congrats on the White Rag and I hope your ceremony is great!! Peace.

[rock-it]

I love the rag program! I've been a ragger since '97 (got my blue at 14), and even though I haven't worked at Y-camp for a while (this will be my second non-Y summer in a row:(), my red rag hangs proudly in my bedroom to remind me of my priorities. The program has made a huge impact on my life over the years, particularly at camps that take it more seriously.

I've never been too keen on leathers, though, because most of my younger campers have wanted leathers as a status symbol because they just didn't understand the whole goal-setting thing. Of course, there have been a few who comprehended what it is all about, but most of my little girls just want them to show off. I don't feel like rewarding that attitude sets them up for the rag program particularly well, so I end up telling them very gently that they need to set a goal they can work on before I will let them "have" a leather. It ends up being more trouble than it's worth, because they get a ton more out of the rag program at age 12.

[CAMPFRIEND]

John,

Good luck with your white rag. It's also great to see that you are getting back into camping!

[boilerswim7]

oh man, melk! just when i thought i was as cool as you, you go and move up a rag... ;) good luck (and congrats on achieving some big time goals)

[Melk]

ummm clearly you are still just as cool as me. Dont worry nato.

[Melk]

bump!

[shandaddict]

I am a ragger and am glad to have found this thread. We have the Rag and Leather programs at our camp. I have my red rag and my triangle leather.

Does anyone else also have the Leather program at their camps??

[CAMPFRIEND]

I am working on getting the leathers program going at my new camp. We work with campers age 5-10 so after they leave camp I want to make sure that they keep going. I am working on the camp that we send the campers to to make sure that they run the program!

[Shandchik]

I am currently a gold ragger at my camp. This year I am going to get my red rag. I definately love this program. It means a lot to me and a lot to other people at my camp, so I know exactly what you are talking about. We try to keep the ceremonies and such a secret as well... however we cant help the occaisonal run-on to Ragger's Point. Some of our adventure camps have stubled onto it. We had leathers, but we focus more on raggers now. I give major props to any raggers and to any non raggers, its an amazing experience that I have found...really can change a person's life forever.

[CampFreak]

I have my red rag, It really seems that our raggers program is slowing down a lot due to the lack of returning staff with higher rags, ex: we have two counselors with red then all of the other's currently have blue and or are trying for their silver later in the summer