FOR THE KIDS : Tribal Rhythms : YMCA’s popular groups have only one absolute rule: Parents must participate with their children.

The big braves and little braves gather in a circle, and the official tom-tom beater bangs the drum slowly. Then the chief raises his hand to gain silence.

So begins another meeting of Y-Indian Guides. With more than 2,000 kids and parents involved in “tribes” countywide, YMCA-sponsored Indian groups are enjoying an unprecedented burst of popularity.

“Our program almost doubled in the last year,” said Jim King, executive director of the Simi Valley YMCA. Its appeal, he said, is simple: “Getting parents to play with their children.”

Prospective members can learn more about the program in special gatherings scheduled next month by several local YMCAs.

This isn’t any warm and fuzzy notion of the ‘90s. Indian Guides originated in the 1920s for fathers and sons ages 5 through 8. The aim was to teach children about American Indian culture while strengthening the bond between parent and child.

But it’s not just for dads and sons anymore. Now there is every configuration imaginable: Indian Maidens, for mothers and daughters; Indian Princesses, for fathers and daughters; Indian Braves, for mothers and sons; Trailblazers, for older boys and fathers; Trail Maidens, for older girls and mothers; Trailmates, for mothers and sons or fathers and daughters; and Papooses, for mothers and children 3 to 5 years old.

What sets it apart from other groups like Scouts is that the parent must attend the twice-monthly meetings with the child. In fact, that is the only rule that must not be broken, according to the literature.

“If the parent can’t make it, the kid can’t make it,” King said.

That means a time commitment on the part of the parents--not an easy feat in these hurry-up times. Nonetheless, King has seen his program grow to about 515 kids and parents.

“The program is magic,” he said. “It works.”

King should know. He and his daughter were involved for years in the Indian Princess program. As part of the tribal ritual, the parents and children take Indian names.

“I was Grazing Elk and my daughter was Dancing Fawn,” he said. Each made very close friends from the tribe, he said.

The tribes--no more than eight parents and their children--meet at a member’s home. Usually the hosting child sends out handmade invitations with an Indian theme, such as a colored totem pole. On meeting night, the boys put on T-shirts and vests they’ve decorated with Indian paraphernalia and badges. The girls wear Indian dresses.

At the meeting, parent and child sit together. All the members, little and big, have duties and titles. The Wampum Collector collects “frog skins” and “pebbles” (folding money and coins) from members based on the good deeds they have done during the past two weeks.

As for the evening’s agenda, there might be a story related by Indian Chief, such as the one about how the Indians discovered fire or Aesop’s tale about the greedy dog. Then everyone might converge on the floor for a rowdy game, like the flying feather: Two teams compete to see which team can keep the feather in the air longer.

They also do projects, usually with an Indian theme. Joe Priske of Camarillo and his 7-year-old son Jack have made Indian spears and a tepee-like bank; once they made cupcakes.

Priske, who is involved in real estate, said most of the fathers in his tribe are busy business owners with little time left over after work. The program makes them carve out one-on-one time with their children.

“Without it, it wouldn’t get done,” said Priske, otherwise known as Old Buffalo.

The Priske household is deep into the Indian program. His wife is involved in an Indian Maiden tribe with their 8-year-old daughter, Casey. It’s the same for many families, YMCA directors say.

The annual cost of the the program varies slightly with each YMCA. In Simi Valley, it’s $40 for a parent and child, $50 per family, and $5 for supplies.

During the year, they raise funds by sponsoring such events as pancake breakfasts. That allows them to camp out several times a year and mingle with other tribes. They might go to a Dodger game, have a pine-wood derby where they build little race cars, have a swim party and barbecue, fly kites, or ride bikes. It’s not all Indian-related.

But for those activities that are based on Indian tradition, there is an attempt to be authentic and respectful.

In Camarillo, YMCA Executive Director Sharon Rich said the tribes had a sort-of mentor in Chumash elder Vincent Tumamait, who died this month.

“He taught us songs and stories,” she said. “It’s important that we carry this on with honor and that the children understand it.”

Unlike Scouting in some parts of the county, there are no waiting lists for kids and parents to get into the program.

“We just make more tribes,” she said.

Rich said the benefits from the program go beyond simply building a better relationship between parent and child. They learn to communicate better as the teen-age years approach.

“If the bond is really strong, the child will confide in the parent during those years,” she said.

INDIAN PROGRAMS

Several YMCAs have gatherings planned next month to introduce Indian programs to potential members.

* Camarillo: Sept. 16 for Indian Guides and Princesses and Sept. 23 for Maidens and Braves; 7 to 8:30 p.m. both nights, at Camarillo Community Center, 1605 Burnley St. For information, call 484-0423.

* Simi Valley: Sept. 14 and 22 for all groups, 7 p.m., at McDonald’s Restaurant, 1495 E. Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Call 583-5338.

* Conejo: Dates not final yet. Call 523-7613.

* Ventura: Sept. 27, ice cream social at Arroyo Verde Park off Foothill Road, 2 p.m. Call 642-2131.