Nearly 90+ years ago, the Indian Guides and Princess program was started. This Program was based on dignity patience, endurance, spirituality, concern for family, and caring for our planet; but most importantly it focused on building a strong bond between father and child.
The program was initiated by Harold S. Keltner of the St. Louis YMCA as an integral part of association work. In 1926 he organized the first tribe in Richmond Heights, Mo., with the help of his friend, Joe Friday, an Ojibwa Indian, and William H. Hefelfinger, chief of the first Y-Indian tribe.
While Keltner was on a hunting trip in Canada one evening, Joe Friday said to his colleague as they sat around a blazing campfire: “The Indian father raises his son. He teaches his son to hunt, track, fish, walk softly and silently in the forest, know the meaning and purpose of life and all he must know, while the white man allows the mother to raise his son.” These comments struck home, and Harold Keltner arranged for Joe Friday to work with him at the St. Louis YMCA.
Four Feathers Nation located in McHenry County serves Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Cary, Fox River Grove, Algonquin, McHenry, Huntley, Woodstock, Marengo, and Spring Grove.
Four Feathers Nation is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3), dad volunteer-run, Father-child organization.
The Four Feather Nation has been in the Crystal Lake area since the 50s-60’s. A Photo history can be viewed on our Photo Historical page. In 2016 Four Feathers Nation became a private organization and is no longer affiliated with the YMCA.
Guides and Princesses have several events a year:
- Fall, Winter, Spring campouts
- Festival of Lights Parade
- Haunted Trail at the Sage YMCA Halloween event
- Pinewood Derby
- Daddy Daughter Dance
- More events
Event patches are provided for all Guides and Princesses vests.
Four Feathers Nation 