My Experience with The YMCA Raggers Program

The Raggers Program is a program I was introduced to at Camp Crosley (link) and at first I was hesitant to join because of its religious background I felt I would be not doing the program justice as I couldn’t fully embrace it’s underlying foundation and the history of the program, despite this I decided to put that aside and I signed up for my first raggers ceremony.

It’s quite basic in how it works. To get your first rag (a blue rag) you need to ask someone who is a blue rag or higher to tie your rag at the ceremony. So I did, and a good friend of my Tyson tied my first rag at the ceremony.

I came across my first challenge when making my goals. The first set of goals to set yourself for your blue rag were to be focused on ‘God, Country and becoming my best self.’ What was I going to do about my goals towards God? Again I questioned whether the program was right for me. I thought about Camp and what Camp meant to me. For me we work on 4 honour traits; caring, honesty, respect and responsibility so I adjusted my goals to fit in with the honour traits at camp.

The program is extremely strong in allowing children to set goals for themselves and being able to achieve them but not only children. I have taken a lot out of the program and I am currently on my third rag. The Brown rag, and I think I will stay there for a very long time with my goals being extremely hard to reach.

After talking to Tyson about my goals and feeling comfortable that the program was a suitable choice I went through the ceremony with some liken to a “cult” like induction but it was very special. When you receive your rag the words spoken by the person tying your rag are the words you remember for a long time and something that will always stay between you and the person who tied your rag.

I want to break down the raggers creed and what it means to me.

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I would be true for there are those who trust me.

Being reliable and true to your word is extremely important because there are people that take you for face value and trust what you say. But it also extends further than that, being true to yourself in the actions you take and how you want to be portrayed. For me it is that person who stands out from a crowd of sheep when they know what they are doing isn’t right when everyone else is to scared to speak up. It’s being a leader and leading by example.

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I would be pure for there are those who care

Being pure can be taken in so many ways and it will have a different meaning for everyone. For me it is being pure in heart and recognising the people that mean the most to you because they do care. A little appreciation goes a long way.

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I would be strong for there is much to suffer

This one speaks to me in a sense that there is going to be heartache and pain throughout your life at some point and this part of the creed reminds me that we are strong enough to face any obstacle. I am not talking about physical strength I am talking about mental and emotional strength, the strength for when you hit rock bottom you can will yourself to get back up and keep fighting.

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I would be brave for there is much to dare.

For me this is about not being scared to take life on, live outside your comfort zone and experience everything life has to offer. Risks are there to be taken, you just have to be brave enough to take that chance and trust the process.

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I would be friend to all the foe-the friendless

I get along with most people I meet and everyone deserves a chance whether they have wronged you in the past or not. Reaching out to those who may not have any friends in their corner or just having a conversation with them and making time can go a long way. Be aware of the people around you and try to see the world from their point of view. You can make a difference with just one conversation

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I would be giving and forget the gift

Giving an expecting nothing in return is the purest form of giving and it makes you feel good about yourself as well. The fact you can make someone smile with an out of the blue surprise or gift is reward enough for me to keep giving unconditionally.

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I would be humble for I know my weakness

No-one is perfect, and it is important that you recognise the areas for self-development. Being humble is admirable trait as no-one likes a gloater.

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I would look up - and laugh - and love - and lift.

This more or less sums up the whole creed. Never look down, keep your head up and be proud of what you have achieved and what you are going to achieve. Laughter is life’s music and don’t ever forget it. Love yourself and the people around you. Love unconditionally. Lift, encourage the people around and you and be that influence that brings everyone’s spirits up.

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Special Thanks to Tyson, Hanna and Jake who tied my Blue, Silver and Brown rags respectively.