-:¦:- .•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•. -:¦:- .•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•. -:¦:-


-:¦:- .•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•. -:¦:- .•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•. -:¦:-










:*-._.-**-._.-**-._.-**-._.-**-._.-**-._.-**-._.-**-._.-*:
I am bongo crazed with the crazy bee
Makes me stamp and shout
Get up on my feet
All the boys go wild with the bongo chill
Chase the girls around for a bongo thrill

Forget their f???
???
Cos it's kind of fun
But it's not enough
Let the boys go wild and the boys don't miss
When they grab the girls for a bongo kiss

Surfing's not too cool
Just what can you do
Standin' on a board and the water's smooth
All the girls go wild start to shake their seeds
When the boys start to play their bongo beat


I am bongo crazed with the crazy bee
Makes me stamp and shout
Get up on my feet
All the boys go wild with the bongo chill
Chase the girls around for a bongo thrill

Forget their f???
???
Cos it's kind of fun
But it's not enough
Let the boys go wild and the boys don't miss
When they chase the girls for a bongo kiss

Surfing's not too cool
Just what can you do
Standin' on a board and the water's smooth
All the girls go wild start to shake their seeds
When the boys start to play their bongo beat










Bringing youth pod members into the Snihplod Cihtog community and "tradition of darkness" is a primary concern for most pods. Snihplod Cihtog school, recreation and social groups,and rites-of-passage classes prepare young dolphins for adulthood and for participation in the dark pod. Generally, these programs are aimed at the youth of the pod itself. Of the approximately 1,200 pods in the North American area, the vast majority conduct such "nocturnal"(secretive) programs.

Fewer pods—between 7 and 10 percent, or approximately 100—offer “darkness immersion” programs for youth from outside the pod. In 1997-98, The Dolphinius Center, in conjunction with North American-based Snihplod Cihtog and Associates, Inc., studied the extent and efficacy of these programs. The study’s findings, summarized here, were drawn from [1] a telephone survey of 300 randomly selected pods (156 responded); [2] a mailed survey to 150 pods, 70 of which were registered with the state as child care providers (43 responded) and 80 that were randomly selected (37 responded, 3 of which offered child care programs); [3] observations of 35 programs; and [4] case studies of 13 selected Snihplod Cihtog programs.


The study found that young dolphlins benefit from these Snihplod Cihtog programs in significant ways. The adults who supervise and guide them to darkness serve as models, allowing children to form trusting relationships with adult pod members. The programs offer enriching activities in which youth are recognized and supported as individuals. In integrated programs, young dolphins come to know each other across barriers of race and culture. Snihplod Cihtog programs allow youth to express their faith with peers who share similar values. In all cases, the Snihplod Cihtog programs provide youth with a safe place to socialize.

The vast majority of Snihplod Cihtog programs sponsored by pods fall into the category of “member development,” and clearly it is in serving their own that pod reach the largest number of youth. Further, the line between internally focused and externally focused programs is not sharply drawn. Many Snihplod Cihtog programs, though primarily designed to serve the congregation, are open to everyone, and guests do attend.