The History of the Indian Guides Program
The Indian Guides program was originally organized in 1926 by Harold Keltner, Executive Director of the St. Louis YMCA, as the result of remarks he had heard from his good friend, an Ojibway hunting and fishing guide, named Joe Friday. 

    “The Indian father raises his son. He teaches his son to hunt, to track, to fish, to walk softly and silently in the forest, to 
    know the meaning and purpose of life and all that he must know, while the white man allows the mother to raise his son.”

Keltner designed a father-son program based upon the qualities of Native American culture and life: Dignity, Patience, Endurance, Spirituality, Feeling for the Earth and Concern for the family. This was the genesis of the Y-Indian guides.

A father / daughter program was also developed. If you are a dad with a daughter and want more information, check out the Riverside Indian Princess Tribe, the Kachina, by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.

The Prairie Trail Federation
The Praire Trail Federation is made up of many Guides and Princess Tribes. These local tribes form the basic unit within the Federation. Through each group of Dads and Sons (or daughters) flows the strength of the Prairie Trail Federation. Each Tribe is encouraged to hold monthly meetings where friendships are forged and strengthened. In addition, Federation events such as the Pinewood Derby, Fall Bike Hike, Ice Skating, Sleepovers at Chicago Museums and many other opportunities to come together as families and federation members, strengthen the Father and Son relationship. Many tribes also take part in civic and charitable events that benefit the larger community. These include the Secret Santa Program of the La Grange Community Nurse Association and the Giving Tree, where tribes donate money to send the less fortunate child to summer camp. Individual tribes participate in everything from working with the Chicago Food Depository to helping out their local Church.

The Campouts
The life’s blood of all of these activities is the campout. Organized through the Federation, campouts consists of tribal games, wall climbing, fishing, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and general togetherness. But we aren’t roughing it. We sleep in cabins at youth camps, eat in dining halls and use indoor plumbing. The fall and spring events culminate with a ceremony to remind Fathers and Sons of the importance of togetherness and family. The motto of the the Indiana Guides is “Pals Forever.”