By Jamie Horowitz, Cherokee Tribe Chief
In Northwest Broward County there are a group of fathers that have spent the year trying to establish a special bond with daughters. These dads are part of the YMCA Seminole Nation Indian Princess Program which fosters unique experiences between dads and daughters. These experiences include monthly meetings, fun events, campouts, and community service. The organization has 13 local chapters, also known as tribes, and over 500 members, the majority of which live in the Coral Springs and Parkland area.
Dads volunteer to organize both the nation and tribal events, all with the goal of encouraging bonding with their daughters and other families. Each tribe becomes a close-knit group, almost like an extended family. Tribal officers organize events for their individual groups. Some tribal activities include dad/daughter soccer games, laser tag, ice cream night, craft night and more.
Nation officers organize events each month. During the school year, there are several campouts including campouts at the Circle F Dude Ranch Campground, Peace River Canoe Trip and Camp Geneva Retreat. In December the nation organizes the annual Dad / Daughter Dance usually held at the Coral Springs Marriott. In March the Indian Princess Programs from across the state gather for the Sunshine State Pow Wow. This May, each tribe organized their own community service event. In June the Nation organized an overnight at the Kennedy Space Center where dads and daughters will campout underneath a Saturn rocket booster.
In Parkland, the Cherokee Tribe is celebrating its 20th year this year. The tribe has grown to over 30 families in the past two years. Their 90 members make it a point to participate in as many national and tribal events as possible. You can also find many of the dads encouraging their daughters at the Dance Theater, local athletic leagues and at our local schools. Two of the dads, David Lotz, and Cary Fronstin sit on the board of SOS Parkland (Secure our Schools).
For more information about the Seminole Nation Indian Princess program please go to www.seminolenation.org.
For more information on the Cherokee Tribe please go to www.mightycherokees.com.
