It has been said that the Rag / Leather Program has never been adequately explained to anybody who has not received a Rag or Leather.

Perhaps the most valid reason for this is that the Spirit of the Rag is deeply personal — it represents a private partnership between an individual and his God.

It is known that many boys and girls return home from camp with their Rags and Leathers and do not tell their parents anything about them, probably because they can’t. Even adults who have been raggers for many years are unable to interpret their feelings about the Rag.

The ceremonies, which are simple and dignified, are so highly inspirational and emotion-charged that individuals can’t find the words to express their experiences.

But despite the deeply personal aspect of the Rags and Leathers, there is a meaningful and enduring fellowship among recipients — one that is most often expressed in the Raggers’ handshake, which is not unlike some fraternity handclasps.

It is, however, a fellowship that is rarely expressed in words. Each Rag and Leather bearer knows the other has accepted the same challenges they have and that they are trying to meet them. Beyond that its meaning again becomes personal. *

Usually in a YMCA camp or on a caravan trip the Rag / Leather Program is first explained when the group is at the campfire. Directors will tell of its history and of Tom Caldwell and some of the men who followed him.

Sometimes in attempts to interpret its meaning they will tell about the times when they received their first Rags. All people are invited to participate in receiving a Rag or Leather.

If someone expresses interest, they are given what is called a study card, which by means of passages from the Bible, poems and quotations explains the challenge of the Rag or Leather.

There follows a counseling session with someone who has recieved that Rag or an adult with the future leather bearer during which the challenges, requirements, history and spirit of the Rag / Leather Program are reviewed.

What is it about Rag and Leather ceremonies that so deeply affect both youth and adults?

It has to do with people carefully considering the challenges of the Rag and Leather, accepting them and working on those challenges they have set.

It has to do with a setting of natural beauty, a setting created by God, not man. It has to do with dedicated leadership. When someone the recipient admires ties the Rag or Leather around their neck and whispers words of welcome and encouragement, that person is sharing with them what is often one of the most emotional moments of their life.

And it has to do with God and a person's religion.

Requirements and ceremonies for the steps of the Rags and Leathers differ, although the counseling and goal setting remain important factors. One would think that having been through one or more steps of the program, the person would tend to be less emotionally involved. The opposite is true. The continuity, the fellowship that comes from it, and the progressively deeper and more meaningful challenges have driven boys and girls and men and women to seek and accept the next steps year after year until they have become White Raggers.

The Challenges of the Leathers are:

• Triangle - to grow in body, mind and spirit.
• Square - to grow in body, mind, spirit and friendship.
• Circle - to expand their circle of concern.

The Challenges of the Rags are:

• Blue — loyalty to God, Country, one’s best self and the Raggers’ Creed.
• Silver — acceptance or rededication to, the Christian way of life or spiritual growth.
• Brown — Christian service.
• Gold — understanding and concern for others.
• Red — sacrifice of time, talent, and personal will.
• Purple — excellence and noble living in all Christian service opportunities.
• White — life of Full-Time Christian Service.

Together they constitute the Spirit of the Rag...the striving of individuals, each seeking God’s Will and His Way for themselves.

The Ragger and Leather bearer doesn’t always succeed in living up to the challenges of their Rag and Leather, but they try. And because they do try, they are better people.

* It has also made for a fellowship among YMCAs, one that has given an added element to the lofty purposes which bind Associations together.

** Although each ceremony differs, the procedure for each of the other steps of the Rag is very much the same, except that the need for detailed explanations diminishes as a youngster gets older and moves into further steps of the Program...and the counseling and commitment is intensified.