69.159.16.98 (talk) No edit summary |
m Link to St. Louis, Missouri instead of Saiint L... and/or minor fice using AWB |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
:''Alternate meaning: [[YMCA (song)]]'' |
:''Alternate meaning: [['''YMCA''' (song)]]'' |
||
[[Image:Ymca-logo.gif|frame|right|100px|YMCAs in the United States and Canada use this logo. The three sides of the red triangle symbolize the YMCA mission to "build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all".]] |
[[Image:Ymca-logo.gif|frame|right|100px|YMCAs in the United States and Canada use this logo. The three sides of the red triangle symbolize the YMCA mission to "build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all".]] |
||
The '''Young Men's Christian Association''' (YMCA) is an [[ecumenical]] organization offering programming based on [[Christianity|Christian]] values. Worldwide, the YMCA is organized as a [[federation]] of local associations and national YMCA movements. |
The '''Young Men's Christian Association''' (YMCA) is an [[ecumenical]] organization offering programming based on [[Christianity|Christian]] values. Worldwide, the YMCA is organized as a [[federation]] of local associations and national YMCA movements. Within most countries, the local YMCAs are related primarily in terms of overall strategy and direction only. The organization is truly community-based and staffed and supported by volunteers and local employees. |
||
In North America, the YMCA is sometimes perceived to be primarily a community [[gym|sports facility]], however the YMCA utilizes a broad range of programs such as sports, personal fitness, child care, [[summer camp|overnight camping,]] employment readiness programs, and educational activities as methods of promoting positive values. YMCAs operate in 122 countries worldwide. Individual YMCA programming and mission varies from country to country as a result of the model of local governance adopted by the organization. |
In North America, the YMCA is sometimes perceived to be primarily a community [[gym|sports facility]], however the YMCA utilizes a broad range of programs such as sports, personal fitness, child care, [[summer camp|overnight camping,]] employment readiness programs, and educational activities as methods of promoting positive values. YMCAs operate in 122 countries worldwide. Individual YMCA programming and mission varies from country to country as a result of the model of local governance adopted by the organization. |
||
Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
==History== |
==History== |
||
[[Image:Montreal - YMCA, Rue des Récollets et Rue Sainte-Hélène - 01 - 20050324.jpg|thumb|right|First YMCA in [[North America]] in [[Montreal, Quebec]]]] |
[[Image:Montreal - YMCA, Rue des Récollets et Rue Sainte-Hélène - 01 - 20050324.jpg|thumb|right|First YMCA in [[North America]] in [[Montreal, Quebec]]]] |
||
The YMCA movement was founded in [[London]] on [[June 6]], [[1844]] by [[George Williams (YMCA)|George Williams]] and a group of like-minded [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christians]]. Williams was a [[draper]], typical of |
The YMCA movement was founded in [[London]] on [[June 6]], [[1844]] by [[George Williams (YMCA)|George Williams]] and a group of like-minded [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christians]]. Williams was a [[draper]], typical of the many young men who were being drawn to big cities by the [[Industrial Revolution]]. His colleagues were similarly employed, and they were concerned by the lack of healthy activities for young men in cities such as London. The alternatives were often taverns, brothels, and other temptations to [[sin]]. The "Y" expanded to [[Australia]] in [[1850]]. The first YMCA in [[North America]] was opened in [[Montreal, Quebec]] by the congregation of [[Saint James United Church (Montreal)|Saint James Methodist Church]] on [[November 25]], [[1851]], and the first in the [[United States]] opened on [[December 29]], [[1851]] in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]. |
||
In 1855 delegates from YMCAs convened in Paris, France, where they adopted a common mission for all present and future national YMCAs. The main point of the "Paris Basis" were that no minor disagreement should ever be able to split the movement from its Christian focus. To further enhance this point of view, John 17.21 was adopted as the motto of the organization: "...that they may all be one." The focus of the Paris conference was almost purely individual - to help young men to "build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all". |
In 1855 delegates from YMCAs convened in Paris, France, where they adopted a common mission for all present and future national YMCAs. The main point of the "Paris Basis" were that no minor disagreement should ever be able to split the movement from its Christian focus. To further enhance this point of view, John 17.21 was adopted as the motto of the organization: "...that they may all be one." The focus of the Paris conference was almost purely individual - to help young men to "build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all". |
||
Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
The YMCAs, especially in Western Europe and North America has also used great resources to help build national YMCAs in Eastern Europe with great success. In 2003 a youth convention was arranged in Prague with attendance from almost all countries in Europe to celebrate the healing of the wounds from the "iron curtain". |
The YMCAs, especially in Western Europe and North America has also used great resources to help build national YMCAs in Eastern Europe with great success. In 2003 a youth convention was arranged in Prague with attendance from almost all countries in Europe to celebrate the healing of the wounds from the "iron curtain". |
||
Today, YMCAs are present in 119 countries. The present president is Caesar Molebatsi from South Africa, and Bartholomew Shaha of Bangladesh is Secretary General. |
Today, YMCAs are present in 119 countries. The present president is Caesar Molebatsi from South Africa, and Bartholomew Shaha of Bangladesh is Secretary General. |
||
The activities of the YMCA can be divided into four categories: |
The activities of the YMCA can be divided into four categories: |
||
Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
The first YMCA was very much concerned with [[Bible]] study, although the organization has generally moved on to a more holistic approach to youthwork. Around six years after its birth, an international YMCA conference in Paris decided that the objective of the organization should become "Christian discipleship developed through a programme of religious, educational, social and physical activities" (Binfield 1973:265). More recent objectives as found on the YMCA UK website include no reference to [[disciple]]ship. |
The first YMCA was very much concerned with [[Bible]] study, although the organization has generally moved on to a more holistic approach to youthwork. Around six years after its birth, an international YMCA conference in Paris decided that the objective of the organization should become "Christian discipleship developed through a programme of religious, educational, social and physical activities" (Binfield 1973:265). More recent objectives as found on the YMCA UK website include no reference to [[disciple]]ship. |
||
=== |
===Parent/child=== |
||
[[Image:WeekleyYMCA.JPG|thumb|The Weekley Family YMCA in the [[Braeswood Place]] neighborhood of [[Houston, Texas]]]] |
[[Image:WeekleyYMCA.JPG|thumb|The Weekley Family YMCA in the [[Braeswood Place]] neighborhood of [[Houston, Texas]]]] |
||
In the US, the YMCA parent child programs (originally called YMCA Indian Guides, Princess, Braves and Maidens) have provided structured opportunities for fellowship, camping, and community-building activities (including craft-making and community service) for several generations of parents and kids in kindergarten through third grade. |
In the US, the YMCA parent child programs (originally called YMCA Indian Guides, Princess, Braves and Maidens) have provided structured opportunities for fellowship, camping, and community-building activities (including craft-making and community service) for several generations of parents and kids in kindergarten through third grade. |
||
The roots of these still vibrant programs stem from similar activities dating back to [[1926]]. Notable founders of YMCA Indian Guides include Harold Keltner, a [[ |
The roots of these still vibrant programs stem from similar activities dating back to [[1926]]. Notable founders of YMCA Indian Guides include Harold Keltner, a [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]] YMCA director, and indirectly, Joe Friday, an [[Ojibwa]] hunting guide. The two men met in the early 1920s, when Joe Friday was a speaker at a local YMCA banquet for Fathers and Sons that Harold Keltner had arranged. Today, Joe Friday and Harold Keltner are commemorated with patch awards honoring their legacy which are given out to distinguished YMCA volunteers in the program. |
||
YMCA Indian Guides participants historically took pride in cultivating respect and honor for [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] culture. Responding to a number of variables, including making the program more culturally sensitive and attracting a broader audience, in 2003 the program evolved into what is now known nationally as "YMCA Adventure Guides," "Trailblazers" is the YMCA's parent/child program for older kids. |
YMCA Indian Guides participants historically took pride in cultivating respect and honor for [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] culture. Responding to a number of variables, including making the program more culturally sensitive and attracting a broader audience, in 2003 the program evolved into what is now known nationally as "YMCA Adventure Guides," "Trailblazers" is the YMCA's parent/child program for older kids. |
||
Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
===Physical fitness=== |
===Physical fitness=== |
||
[[Basketball]], [[volleyball]], [[swimming pools]], and [[racquetball]] were all developed by YMCA instructors. |
[[Basketball]], [[volleyball]], [[swimming pools]], and [[racquetball]] were all developed by YMCA instructors. It is very common for YMCAs to have [[weight room]]s, along with facilities for playing various [[sports]]. |
||
Up until the YMCA became co-ed in the early 60s, men and boys, including the swimming instructors, swam nude. The original reason cited for not allowing swimsuits in the pool was that the cotton or even older wool swimsuits would clog up the filtration system. At that time, male-segregated nudity was very common in the locker rooms while showering or while swimming in male-only high-school swimming classes. It was understood that there was nothing wrong or sexual about males seeing other males while naked. Females were never allowed to be present in such a setting.[http://faculty.plts.edu/gpence/html/nudism.htm] |
Up until the YMCA became co-ed in the early 60s, men and boys, including the swimming instructors, swam nude. The original reason cited for not allowing swimsuits in the pool was that the cotton or even older wool swimsuits would clog up the filtration system. At that time, male-segregated nudity was very common in the locker rooms while showering or while swimming in male-only high-school swimming classes. It was understood that there was nothing wrong or sexual about males seeing other males while naked. Females were never allowed to be present in such a setting.[http://faculty.plts.edu/gpence/html/nudism.htm] |
||
===Education=== |
===Education=== |
||
Many [[college]]s and [[university|universities]] owe their creation to the YMCA. [[Springfield College]] was founded in 1885 as an international training school for YMCA Professionals, while [[Sir George Williams University]]—one of the two schools that eventually became [[Concordia University]]—started from night courses offered at the Montreal YMCA. |
Many [[college]]s and [[university|universities]] owe their creation to the YMCA. [[Springfield College]] was founded in 1885 as an international training school for YMCA Professionals, while [[Sir George Williams University]]—one of the two schools that eventually became [[Concordia University]]—started from night courses offered at the Montreal YMCA. |
||
[[Northeastern University, Boston]] began out of a YMCA in [[Boston]], and [[Franklin University]] began as the YMCA School of Commerce. |
[[Northeastern University, Boston]] began out of a YMCA in [[Boston]], and [[Franklin University]] began as the YMCA School of Commerce. |
||
Line 52: | Line 52: | ||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
* |
*[[YWCA]] |
||
* |
*[[YMCA Youth and Government]] |
||
* |
*[[Jewish Community Center]] |
||
* |
*[[92nd Street Y]] |
||
* |
*[[Backpacking (United States)]] |
||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
Line 68: | Line 68: | ||
*[http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/ymca.html YMCA and the Gay Subculture] |
*[http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/ymca.html YMCA and the Gay Subculture] |
||
[[Category: |
[[Category:1844 establishments]] |
||
[[Category:British charities]] |
[[Category:British charities]] |
||
[[Category:Diver training agency]] |
[[Category:Diver training agency]] |
||
[[Category:International nongovernmental organizations]] |
|||
[[Category:Non-aligned Scouting organizations]] |
[[Category:Non-aligned Scouting organizations]] |
||
[[Category:1844 establishments]] |
|||
[[de:Christlicher Verein Junger Menschen]] |
[[de:Christlicher Verein Junger Menschen]] |
||
[[es:YMCA]] |
[[es:YMCA]] |
||
⚫ | |||
[[fr:Young Men's Christian Association]] |
[[fr:Young Men's Christian Association]] |
||
[[id:YMCA]] |
[[id:YMCA]] |
||
[[it:YMCA]] |
[[it:YMCA]] |
||
⚫ | |||
[[ja:キリスト教青年会]] |
[[ja:キリスト教青年会]] |
||
⚫ | |||
[[pl:YMCA]] |
[[pl:YMCA]] |
||
[[pt:Associação Cristã de Moços]] |
[[pt:Associação Cristã de Moços]] |
||
[[ru:YMCA]] |
[[ru:YMCA]] |
||
⚫ | |||
[[sv:KFUM]] |
[[sv:KFUM]] |
||
[[zh:基督教青年会]] |
[[zh:基督教青年会]] |
Revision as of 23:10, 8 March 2006
- Alternate meaning: '''YMCA''' (song)
The Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is an ecumenical organization offering programming based on Christian values. Worldwide, the YMCA is organized as a federation of local associations and national YMCA movements. Within most countries, the local YMCAs are related primarily in terms of overall strategy and direction only. The organization is truly community-based and staffed and supported by volunteers and local employees.
In North America, the YMCA is sometimes perceived to be primarily a community sports facility, however the YMCA utilizes a broad range of programs such as sports, personal fitness, child care, overnight camping, employment readiness programs, and educational activities as methods of promoting positive values. YMCAs operate in 122 countries worldwide. Individual YMCA programming and mission varies from country to country as a result of the model of local governance adopted by the organization.
History
The YMCA movement was founded in London on June 6, 1844 by George Williams and a group of like-minded Evangelical Christians. Williams was a draper, typical of the many young men who were being drawn to big cities by the Industrial Revolution. His colleagues were similarly employed, and they were concerned by the lack of healthy activities for young men in cities such as London. The alternatives were often taverns, brothels, and other temptations to sin. The "Y" expanded to Australia in 1850. The first YMCA in North America was opened in Montreal, Quebec by the congregation of Saint James Methodist Church on November 25, 1851, and the first in the United States opened on December 29, 1851 in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1855 delegates from YMCAs convened in Paris, France, where they adopted a common mission for all present and future national YMCAs. The main point of the "Paris Basis" were that no minor disagreement should ever be able to split the movement from its Christian focus. To further enhance this point of view, John 17.21 was adopted as the motto of the organization: "...that they may all be one." The focus of the Paris conference was almost purely individual - to help young men to "build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all". Throughout the 20th century it became evident in the member countries that YMCA would be an organization of both genders. The name, however, has naturally prevailed, being a strong brand name. In some of the member countries the YMCA was the first national organization to adopt a strict policy of equal gender representation in commitees and national boards. An example is Norway in 1880.
In 1973 the "Kampala principles" were adopted, reinforcing the policies of the YMCAs, but stating what had become obvious in most national YMCAs, that a global viewpoint was more necessary, and that in doing so, the YMCAs would have to take political stands, especially so in international challenges. At the world conference in Germany in 1997, the "Challenge 21" was adopted, giving even more focus to the global challenges, like gender equality, sustainable development, war and peace, fair distribution and the challenges of globalization, racism and HIV/AIDS. All these topics are viewed as challenges against the will of God.
The YMCAs took a firm stand in the global fight against Apartheid and also in the situation in the Middle East. At the world conference in Oaxtepec, Mexico in 2002, a strong call for a peaceful solution to the crisis was adopted.
The YMCAs, especially in Western Europe and North America has also used great resources to help build national YMCAs in Eastern Europe with great success. In 2003 a youth convention was arranged in Prague with attendance from almost all countries in Europe to celebrate the healing of the wounds from the "iron curtain".
Today, YMCAs are present in 119 countries. The present president is Caesar Molebatsi from South Africa, and Bartholomew Shaha of Bangladesh is Secretary General.
The activities of the YMCA can be divided into four categories:
Spiritual
The first YMCA was very much concerned with Bible study, although the organization has generally moved on to a more holistic approach to youthwork. Around six years after its birth, an international YMCA conference in Paris decided that the objective of the organization should become "Christian discipleship developed through a programme of religious, educational, social and physical activities" (Binfield 1973:265). More recent objectives as found on the YMCA UK website include no reference to discipleship.
Parent/child
In the US, the YMCA parent child programs (originally called YMCA Indian Guides, Princess, Braves and Maidens) have provided structured opportunities for fellowship, camping, and community-building activities (including craft-making and community service) for several generations of parents and kids in kindergarten through third grade.
The roots of these still vibrant programs stem from similar activities dating back to 1926. Notable founders of YMCA Indian Guides include Harold Keltner, a St. Louis YMCA director, and indirectly, Joe Friday, an Ojibwa hunting guide. The two men met in the early 1920s, when Joe Friday was a speaker at a local YMCA banquet for Fathers and Sons that Harold Keltner had arranged. Today, Joe Friday and Harold Keltner are commemorated with patch awards honoring their legacy which are given out to distinguished YMCA volunteers in the program.
YMCA Indian Guides participants historically took pride in cultivating respect and honor for Native American culture. Responding to a number of variables, including making the program more culturally sensitive and attracting a broader audience, in 2003 the program evolved into what is now known nationally as "YMCA Adventure Guides," "Trailblazers" is the YMCA's parent/child program for older kids.
In some programs, children earn patches for achieving various goals, such as completing a designated nature hike or participating in Y-sponsored events. A typical, suburban Indian Guide meeting was parodied in the Bob Hope/Lucille Ball comedy of 1960, The Facts of Life. More recently, the continued popularity of the YMCA I-Guides is seen in the 1995 Chevy Chase/Farrah Fawcett comedy, Man of the House, wherein a campout takes place complete with the dads and kids addressing one another by their program names in patch-covered vests, wearing headdresses, singing songs, and roasting marshmallows around a campfire.
Physical fitness
Basketball, volleyball, swimming pools, and racquetball were all developed by YMCA instructors. It is very common for YMCAs to have weight rooms, along with facilities for playing various sports.
Up until the YMCA became co-ed in the early 60s, men and boys, including the swimming instructors, swam nude. The original reason cited for not allowing swimsuits in the pool was that the cotton or even older wool swimsuits would clog up the filtration system. At that time, male-segregated nudity was very common in the locker rooms while showering or while swimming in male-only high-school swimming classes. It was understood that there was nothing wrong or sexual about males seeing other males while naked. Females were never allowed to be present in such a setting.[1]
Education
Many colleges and universities owe their creation to the YMCA. Springfield College was founded in 1885 as an international training school for YMCA Professionals, while Sir George Williams University—one of the two schools that eventually became Concordia University—started from night courses offered at the Montreal YMCA.
Northeastern University, Boston began out of a YMCA in Boston, and Franklin University began as the YMCA School of Commerce.
The YMCA pioneered the concept of night school, providing educational opportunities for people with full-time employment. Many YMCAs offer ESL programs, alternative high school, day care, and summer camp programs.
American high school students have a chance to participate in YMCA Youth and Government, wherein clubs of kids representing each YMCA community convene annually in their respective state legislatures to "take over the State Capitol for a day." YMCA Youth and Government helps teens learn about and participate in civics in a real-world setting.
The Archive of the YMCA is housed at the University of Birmingham Special Collections.