Pre-Boomer Musings

Boy Scouts celebrate their 100^th anniversary this year.  The YMCA, which is 160 years old, is now “the Y” and there is a new logo to support the change.  Many New Seniors grew up as members of one or both of these organizations, but today each is scrambling to enlist participants, raise funds and remain relevant in this ever-changing world.

Image via Wikipedia

For most of its hundred years, the Boy Scouts enjoyed continued growth and the nation’s respect for teaching boys how to be self-reliance, perform good deeds and serve God and country.  National membership has declined since 1973 when enrollment was nearly 5 million to less than 3 million boys today.  Some of this is due to negative press and lawsuits surrounding the organization’s banning of openly gay leaders and excluding atheists and agnostics from its ranks. 

As more minorities become Scouts, the move from rural and suburban troops will be commonplace.  Nonetheless, the tradition of the Scout’s Oath and the organization’s mission are not likely to change.  For those of us who were scouts (Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cubs and Boy Scouts), it’s comforting to know we can still trust the leaders to teach and guide young people to value, pursue and practice those things that have made America great.

The YMCA has its own unique set of issues with which to deal.  Although the term ”Y” was always used as the fast and easy way to refer to the Young Men’s Christian Association, it also referenced other similar organizations.  There was the YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) and many eastern cities had the YMHA (Young Men’s Hebrew Association) as well.  But the re-branding of “the Y” is being pushed forward by the YMCA and leaves the other “Ys” to formulate their own message or possibly join them down the road in some kind of combined effort. 

After all, the full names have little resemblance to what they stood for in the beginning.  “Young” still applies as a core emphasis, although people of all ages can join and take advantage of the facilities and programs.  “Men’s” has its place as does “women’s” (especially where room rentals are involved), but some YMCA’s and YWCA’s have merged for economic reasons even though they remain separate entities.  And, usually, both facilities offer something for the opposite sex, including coed classes.  “Christian” has been de-emphasized over the years to the point where it is almost irrelevant to the name.  And, “Association” is simply another way of saying organization. 

So, under the circumstances, “the Y” is probably a good choice.  Its focus is to extend ‘the Y’s” reach into communities through youth development, improving the nation’s health and well-being and provide support to neighbors.  These are worth goals, but many New Seniors will remember “the Y” as the place we first learned how to swim.  This single accomplishment went a long way in giving us confidence in our individual abilities, and aided us in tackling more difficult tasks in the future.  Therefore, no matter what they call it, this is how we’ll always think of “the Y.”        

Tags: America // Add Comment »