And that's exactly why those involved are proud to be celebrating the historic 125th anniversary of the Boys' Brigade this weekend.
Sir William Alexander Smith founded the organisation on October 4, 1883, in Glasgow, as a way of making Sunday school more attractive to boys and young men and to give a structure to its work.
Its object was "the advancement of Christ's Kingdom among boys and the promotion of habits of reverence, discipline, self-respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness".
The famous anchor badge was an early feature along with the motto "Sure and Stedfast" (now Steadfast), adapted from the Bible (Hebrews 6:19) "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast".
From one company in Scotland, it has now grown to become a worldwide movement, working with millions of children and young people at home and abroad – including in Calderdale where it is still thriving today.
"There aren't quite as many youngsters involved as there used to be because there are so many demands on their time," says Lesley Wright, a long-standing official and helper.
"But we still have groups with waiting lists for some of the sections and it's wonderful see generations of families coming through the ranks," she adds.
Lesley – like John Fox , another dedicated Boys' Brigade supporter, is an ex-battalion secretary.
Both of them are also honorary vice-presidents and reveal that the Halifax battalion of Boys Brigade companies also has quite a history – dating back to 1906.
Today there are around a dozen companies meeting throughout Calderdale from Illingworth to Ludden-den Foot, Pellon to Boothtown and Elland to Lee Mount, each of them belonging to a local church.
John is connected to the 5th Halifax company, based at Southgate Methodist Church, Elland and reveals that he first became involved with the Boys' Brigade back in the 1960s.
"It all started when I was a member of the Red Cross and I was often asked to go to the annual camp with the Elland Wesley Church group (now closed), as a first aider," he says.
"Soon I became involved with the Halifax battalion and before long I found myself at a meeting being asked to take minutes. I said yes. Deadly," he laughs.
"That's exactly how it all begins," says Lesley.
"You're asked to hold the end of a skipping rope at one of the gatherings and before you know it, you're in."
Lesley's links began through her father and brother who were both brigade members.
"My father was at Copley in the 1930s and me and my mum would go with them to camp. My dad and brother would be in the tents and we'd stay in a hotel nearby."
Lesley met her husband, the late Harold Wright, through the organisation – he was band master with the Halifax battalion as well as captain at the Fairfield company in Queen's Road.
And her connections have continued ever since. Her partner Colin Walker is also a member; he is captain at New-thorpe United Reform company at Highroad Well.
"There is a bit of a recruiting campaign at the moment because obviously we lose members when they go off to university or families move away, so it would be good to get some more youngsters joining up," says Lesley.
"You don't always get the continuity that we did years ago because families do move about. They don't stay in one place like they used to but it's good to catch up with people later and see how they have turned out. I think the Boys' Brigade is invaluable for the skills it can provide," adds John.
They both flick through albums of old photographs showing brigade members of yesteryear – including impressive acrobatic teams of youngsters, teetering above each other in a precarious tower.
"The smallest boy always went up to the top and he never doubted for one minute that he'd be caught by the others if he fell. Things have changed in that health and safety would never let you do that now," she says.
There are pictures of camp – still a favourite today – bands, parades and, in one album, a tribute to members claimed in the First World War. "The price we paid: Tom Fletcher, Clement Nicholson, Fred Goldthorpe," it reads simply.
Today's Boys' Brigade members enjoy sports, outdoor pursuits and working towards Duke of Edinburgh awards.
"And we have computers now," says Lesley.
"What they learn and what they have chance to do is terrific," adds John, whose son David is an officer and grandson Benjamin is an Anchor Boy with the Elland company.
"My other grandson, Jacob is fed up because he won't be old enough to join until next year."
l For details about the Boys' Brigade, ring Hali-fax battalion president, Janet Mason on 01422 249363.