TUXIS
Encyclopedia
TUXIS was a boys’ program similar to the Scouting
movement promoted by Canadian
Protestant churches. There are a number of variations of what the acronym "TUXIS" is said to stand for. Most commonly, it is said to stand for "'you' ('U') and 'I' in 'T'raining and 'S'ervice with Christ ('X') in the centre." Another similar meaning was "Training Under Christ In Service".
was one of a number of organizations that developed various programs in response. These programs usually incorporated the YMCA philosophy based upon the "fourfold" development of the physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being of the person, based upon : "And Jesus
grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God
and men." These programs met with varied success.
One of the strongest proponents of boys’ work programmes within the YMCA was Taylor Statten, a Boer War
veteran. In 1912, Statten became the Boys’ Work Secretary on the national YMCA executive. Borrowing from both Canadian and American
YMCA programs, and aspects of the Boy Scouts, Statten established the Canadian Standards Efficiency Training (“C.S.E.T.”) program, a system of graded tests where boys passed from one level to the next. These standards were borrowed from the "fourfold" philosophy.
Under the C.S.E.T. program, TUXIS was established for boys aged 15 to 17. A similar program called “Trail Rangers” was developed for boys aged 12 – 14. A parallel program was established for girls, called the Canadian Girls in Training
(CGIT). The TUXIS program included midweek activities of Sunday school classes, outdoor activities, and community service. Camping was a significant activity and component of the TUXIS program.
Soon after its creation, the YMCA joined with a number of Protestant churches to establish the National Boys’ Work Board. However, the YMCA decided to focus on its other programs, and the National Boys’ Work Board came under the control of the Religious Education Council of Canada (REC). The United Church of Canada
came to be the dominate the Boys’ Work Board and the TUXIS program.
The TUXIS movement enjoyed success in the 1920s and 1930s. In the early 1920s, the TUXIS movement brought about the establishment of a number of Canadian Youth Parliaments. The onset of World War II
stifled the organization and development of TUXIS. By the end of the war, the TUXIS movement had diminished, and the National Boys’ Work Board was in a weak state of affairs. The program went into decline in the post-war years. By the 1970s, the TUXIS movement was essentially finished. The CGIT program continues to operate in nearly all provinces. The word “TUXIS” survives as a vestigial part of the name of the TUXIS Parliament of Alberta
.
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
movement promoted by Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
Protestant churches. There are a number of variations of what the acronym "TUXIS" is said to stand for. Most commonly, it is said to stand for "'you' ('U') and 'I' in 'T'raining and 'S'ervice with Christ ('X') in the centre." Another similar meaning was "Training Under Christ In Service".
History
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a “boys’ work” movement developed in response to the need for activities for young men who worked by day but were idle by night. The YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
was one of a number of organizations that developed various programs in response. These programs usually incorporated the YMCA philosophy based upon the "fourfold" development of the physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being of the person, based upon : "And Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
and men." These programs met with varied success.
One of the strongest proponents of boys’ work programmes within the YMCA was Taylor Statten, a Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
veteran. In 1912, Statten became the Boys’ Work Secretary on the national YMCA executive. Borrowing from both Canadian and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
YMCA programs, and aspects of the Boy Scouts, Statten established the Canadian Standards Efficiency Training (“C.S.E.T.”) program, a system of graded tests where boys passed from one level to the next. These standards were borrowed from the "fourfold" philosophy.
Under the C.S.E.T. program, TUXIS was established for boys aged 15 to 17. A similar program called “Trail Rangers” was developed for boys aged 12 – 14. A parallel program was established for girls, called the Canadian Girls in Training
Canadian Girls in Training
Canadian Girls in Training, or CGIT, is a church-based program for girls and young women aged 11 – 17 throughout Canada.The group was founded in 1915, as an alternative to the burgeoning Girl Guides movement. Initial support was provided by the YWCA, along with the Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian,...
(CGIT). The TUXIS program included midweek activities of Sunday school classes, outdoor activities, and community service. Camping was a significant activity and component of the TUXIS program.
Soon after its creation, the YMCA joined with a number of Protestant churches to establish the National Boys’ Work Board. However, the YMCA decided to focus on its other programs, and the National Boys’ Work Board came under the control of the Religious Education Council of Canada (REC). The United Church of Canada
United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
came to be the dominate the Boys’ Work Board and the TUXIS program.
The TUXIS movement enjoyed success in the 1920s and 1930s. In the early 1920s, the TUXIS movement brought about the establishment of a number of Canadian Youth Parliaments. The onset of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
stifled the organization and development of TUXIS. By the end of the war, the TUXIS movement had diminished, and the National Boys’ Work Board was in a weak state of affairs. The program went into decline in the post-war years. By the 1970s, the TUXIS movement was essentially finished. The CGIT program continues to operate in nearly all provinces. The word “TUXIS” survives as a vestigial part of the name of the TUXIS Parliament of Alberta
TUXIS Parliament of Alberta
The TUXIS Parliament of Alberta is one of a number of provincial model youth parliaments that has its origins in the "boys work" movement of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. TUXIS originally met under the name “Alberta Older Boy's Parliament”. The Alberta Older Boy's Parliament added...
.