2019-2020 Parent Handbook

South Holly Baptist Church

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Dear Parents,

Welcome to AWANA at South Holly Baptist Church! We are so happy to have you as part of our AWANA family this year. If this is your first time in AWANA or here at South Holly, we are glad you’ve joined us. If you have been participating in AWANA with us for years, welcome back! We consider it an honor & privilege to partner with you to provide for your child’s physical, mental and spiritual growth.

We offer AWANA to children from (Preschool) Kindergarten to 12th grade this year.

Preschool (3-4) K, 1st & 2nd 3rd – 6th 6th – 8th 9th – 12th grades grades grades grades grades

We are so thankful for the opportunity to work with your child(ren) each week in AWANA. We hope that your child enjoys the AWANA program here at South Holly and will stick with it until he or she graduates from High School! If you ever have questions or comments about any aspect of our AWANA Club Ministry, please feel free to call us.

Sean and Jaime Larson, AWANA Co-CommandersCell (951) 283-1253Church (303) 773-1717Emails. . . seanjaime1@yahoo.com

What is AWANA all about?At AWANA we believe that there is no greater calling than being the hands and feet of Je-sus to children. For over 60 years, AWANA has partnered with the local church, both in

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the U.S. and around the world, equipping local leaders and laborers to reach kids with the Gospel and walk with them as they grow to create the church of tomorrow today. The name “AWANA” is an acronym for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed, based on the Bible verse, 2 Timothy 2:15:

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

AWANA’s prayer is that all children and youth throughout the world will come to know, love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Our prayer each year is that we will reach into the surrounding neighborhoods and find children who have not heard the good news that God loves them and sent His Son to die for their sins.

Statistics show that children who participate in AWANA through High School are 3.6 times more likely to read their Bible several times a week, and 92% still attend church weekly or more often. The proven formula of games, Bible memorization and Bible lessons, along with spiritual training from parents, reaps long-lasting results. We are thankful to be able to offer AWANA through 12th grade at South Holly.

Parent support is important:

Please support your child’s interest in the program by helping with his or her memorization and encouraging enthusiasm about AWANA. This handbook is designed to inform you of the various workings of, and activities within AWANA. You always have an open invitation to visit any of our clubs.

In addition, we do various service projects throughout the year to minister to groups who need help. We collect coins for our AWANA missionaries and raise money through a Verse-a-thon for children in developing countries to be able to do AWANA. We are also collecting school supplies for children in underprivileged schools and collecting non-perish-ables (non-glass) food items for the local food banks.

Here is a list of things to help your child(ren) know what to bring each week.

• Bible• Uniform• Handbook • Church Attendance• Participate in the weekly Theme Night. This will also count as a Uniform if they are dress-

ing upThe child(ren) will get extra AWANA Bucks for having all of their things with them.

Registration/Prices

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Although the AWANA Club Program is being provided as a ministry of South Holly Baptist Church, there are expenses we incur that we are not able to meet from our general bud-get. For this reason, we ask that each family who benefits by having children in AWANA helps with expenses contribute by paying AWANA dues:

1. We offer two options for registration: One with a uniform shirt and one without (Scholarships are available for those with special circumstances). Payments for the registration fee can be split in half, if needed. See Registration Form

2. Other activities may have additional costs, but only for those participating in those events.

3. Replacement items and additional items are listed below with cost.

Cubbies ClubCubbies Handbook $12.00Cubbies T-shirt $14.00Cubbies Bag $7.50

Sparks ClubSparks Handbook $12.00Sparks T-shirt $14.00Sparks Bag $7.50Sparks Extra Credit Frequent Flyer Handbook $10.00

Truth & Training ClubT & T Handbook $12.00T & T Uniform Shirt $14.00T & T Sling Bag $9.50

TrekTrek Bible Study $12.00Trek T shirt $16.00Trek Sling Bag $13.50

JourneyJourney Bible Study $20.00Journey T shirt $16.00Journey Sling Bag $13.50

Nightly Schedule

Registration begins at 4:30 each club night. Please have your clubber at the church by 4:40, to allow time for check-in before we start at 4:45.

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Parents are encouraged to return at the end of the night at 6:30pm for the awards presen-tations.

Sparks T & T Trek Journey4:30 - 4:45 Registration Handbook

Time4:45 – 4:55 Opening Ceremony

5:00 - 5:25 Handbook Time

Handbook Time

Handbook Time

Leaders In Training

5:25 - 5:50 Game Time Game Time Large Group Time

Large Group Time

5:50 - 6:20 Large Group Time

Large Group Time

Interaction Time

Interaction Time

6:20 – 6:30 Closing Ceremony & Awards

An AWANA Club Night – Breaking down the Nightly Schedule

Reaching boys and girls with the Gospel of Christ and training them to serve Him is our two-fold purpose. We strive to accomplish our purpose through the three main elements of each weekly club meeting:

Game Time

Individual and team competition takes place through games. As a visitor, you may be on the team of the clubber who brought you. Game time gives the clubber a chance to un-leash his or her energy!

Handbook Time

Clubbers will work either in a group or one-on-one with a trained leader to complete sec-tions in the clubber’s handbook. Some sections have items that need to be completed at home. AWANA emphasizes the memorization and understanding of key Bible verses that show how to know God and walk with Him. A series of awards and trophies are given for achievements at every level as clubbers progress.

Large Group Time

Each club gathers together for announcements, music, and most importantly, a practical message from the Bible.

Uniforms

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When the clubber has completed the Entrance Booklet, he/she will receive an official AWANA uniform. Clubbers are expected to wear their uniform each club night. Awards will be placed on an AWANA Sash and will remain at club until the end of year.

** For safety during Game Time, each child must wear athletic shoes.

Handbooks

Each club has their very own handbook. The handbook is a vital tool for your child’s suc-cess in AWANA. It helps them learn about God and it reinforces positive moral standards. Most clubs (with the exception of Sparks) move through their handbooks together.

Here are some things to remember to help your child complete their handbook.

· Sections should be said “word perfect”, with helps (if needed). Special verse stick-ers are available for those children who have learning disabilities.

· No more than two helps per section are given to receive credit. A help is no more than two or three words or hand motion. Clubbers will receive 2 “Help” tickets from their leader, which can be redeemed for a help should the clubber need one.

· Sections are passed when said to an AWANA leader during club times or when special arrangements are made between the leader and child for the purpose of completing a book to receive a year-end award. Leaders should not listen and sign off on sections for their own children

· Help your child to be disciplined by suggesting that they take 10 to 15 minutes a day to work on their handbook. Begin a habit of “quiet time” while your child is young.

· Do your best to explain the meaning of each verse. You will find that your child will memorize more quickly if they understand what they are memorizing. If you want to confirm the meaning either with the “help’s” sections located in your child’s hand-book or with your child’s leader or director, feel free to give them a call. They want to help! Each Handbook Includes digital download.

· Encourage your child to work on at least one section per week. Because our lead-ers are concerned that the clubbers truly understand what they memorize, we want clubbers to practice verses at home during the week. There will be time during club to review sections prior to saying them. The handbooks are designed to be fin-ished in one AWANA Club year, and most of the clubs are on the same section each week. Each handbook typically has 32 sections to complete. Children should work on sections during breaks (fall, winter and spring) so that they can stay on track. Extra credit material is available for those who want an additional challenge!

SECURITY & CHILD PROTECTION

At South Holly Baptist Church, the safety and security of your child is of utmost importance to all of us. Some of our procedures may seem inconvenient, but our priority is taking care of each one of the precious children entrusted to our care.

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For safety reasons, we encourage parents to drop off and pick up their own children inside each week. If a different person other than a parent is picking up the child, please let your child’s Leader or Director know. Certain doors will not be accessible during the club night, so be sure that you are early (or on time) for drop-off.

Each of our trained volunteer Leaders and Directors have been screened, including back-ground and reference checks to ensure the safety of your children. For further information about our policies, please speak with Sean or Jaime or Pastor Sam Farlow.

Theme Nights

Theme nights add fun, and sometimes, competition to a club night. Some nights involve participation from home (dressing up, bringing a friend, etc.) while others are fun themes that will be integrated into a club night. Our club secretary will send a reminder email early in the week, to remind parents and clubbers of the theme. AWANA STORE RETURNS! Below is a list of the theme nights and descriptions:

8/11 School Spirit Night Wear your school colors or school attire and earn points for your team.

Clubbers will go home with a welcome back to AWANA treat!

8/18 Carnival NightFun, food, and games. Invite your friends and anyone who brings a friend

will receive a special prize.

8/25 Rain Gutter Regatta & Water Night Clubbers will race their boats to win the grand prize trophy. Wear your

swimsuit under your uniform and bring a towel, slippers, and super soaker if you have one. We will have outdoor water play during game time. Clubbers will get to throw one water balloon per section passed at the Leader of their choice.

9/2 No AWANA: Labor Day

9/8 Giant NightWe are going big the entire night!

9/15 Pirate NightDress and talk like a pirate to earn points for your team. Who will find the

hidden treasure during our scavenger hunt?

9/22 Fall Cookout & Chili Cook Off NightParents bring your favorite chili to enter in the chili cook-off competition.

Let’s have fun cooking hotdogs and S’mores. Perhaps even a movie on the lawn☺

9/29 Paper Airplane Night

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Bring a paper airplane to club. AWANA shares will be given for best decorated, best looping, straightest, and longest flights. All clubbers

on track in their books will get to dunk the Leader of their choice in the dunk tank.

10/6 Pastor Popcorn Night Pastor will share a lesson during large group time. There will be enough

popcorn to eat and use during game time. Popcorn guessing jar will be located at the sign-in desk!

10/13 No AWANA: Fall Break

10/20 Bubble NightIs there anything better than a bubble machine? Yes, each clubber will get

their own bubbles.

10/27 Pumpkin Patch Night All things pumpkin: pumpkin decorating, pumpkin bowling, and lots more

pumpkin fun!

11/3 Joseph’s Storehouse Kick-Off NightTeams will bring in non-perishable (non-glass) food items to compete to build the biggest pyramid/storehouse. All donations will be given to the local food

bank at the end of November. The winning team will receive 10 AWANA shares each.

11/10 Boot Camp Night Clubbers wear red, white, and/or blue to earn points for their team. Learn

what it is like to serve in the military from our special speaker. Cammo, MRE’s, and knot tying for all. Clubbers are asked to bring a donation for our support the troop’s box. Bring in a non-perish-able food items.

11/17 Arctic Freeze NightSnow ball fights and a hot cocoa bar are awaiting us all. AWANA shares will

be awarded for the clubber who can wear the most layers. Bring in a non- perishable food items.

11/24 Thankfulness Night & Fall HarvestBring a thank you note to read during our sharing time. Leaders will give

their testimony and clubbers will write thank you notes to share with others. Last night to bring in a non-perishable food items. The winning team will be announced

12/1 No AWANA: Thanksgiving Break

12/8 Cookie Night

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Clubbers will bring in cookies to swap and will also decorate sugar cookies of their own during game time to take home

12/15 Happy Birthday Jesus NightWhich team can wrap the Leader the quickest? Wear red and/or green to

earn points for your team. The grand finale will be our Jesus birthday party.

12/22 No AWANA: Winter Break

12/29 No AWANA: Winter Break

1/5 Silent NightClubber challenge! Clubbers must remain silent the entire night except

during the opening ceremony and when saying verses. During those times, clubbers must whisper. Double AWANA shares will be given to those

clubbers that are the quietest and a silent auction will be held during our closing time.

1/12 Mr. Potato Night-Half Way NightCome learn what type of potato you are and compete in the potato sack race. Kids will decorate potatoes to compete for prizes. It is half way night so all

clubbers on track in their books will get to throw a pie at the AWANA leader of their choice.

1/19 Missions & Pajama NightWear your favorite comfy PJ’s to earn points for your team and hear Rod &

Susan Henderson share about their time in Portugal as missionaries.

1/26 Sports NightCome dressed in your favorite sports or team attire to earn points for your

team. Team sports will be played during game time.

2/2 No AWANA: Super Bowl

2/9 Chocolate NightClubbers will earn Hershey Kisses for each section passed. Since

everything tastes better dipped in chocolate, we will have a chocolate fondue party as well. Chocolate guessing jar will be located at the sign in desk.

2/16 Fashion Disaster NightCrazy shoes, crazy socks, crazy, hats, crazy hair. Let’s just go crazy. Wear

your wackiest/craziness attire to club. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place. All participants will earn points for their team.

2/23 Glow in the Dark/Black Out Night

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Come dressed in black to earn points for your team because it’s lights out all night! Kids may bring a flashlight and each clubber will receive a glow

stick.

3/1 Verse-a-Thon NightCollect those pledges and see how many sections you can pass! Individual

and team prizes per club will be awarded. Double AWANA shares will be given for each section passed. The money collected will sup-port AWANA Go Kids for them to go to AWANA for a year.

3/8 Luck of the Irish Night How much green can you wear?

3/15 No AWANA: Spring Break

3/22 Penny Wars Month Let the war begin. Clubbers will collect coins for three weeks to present to

our AWANA missionaries on April 18th. The winning team will receive a treat.

3/29 Backwards/Reverse NightWear your clothes backwards or inside out to earn points for your team. The

entire night will be backwards fun from end to beginning. Keep bring-ing in coins for the Penny Wars contest.

4/5 Easter Extravaganza NightEaster crafts, Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Egg Roll, and find out which team will

be able to drop their egg from the ladder without it cracking! Last night to bring in coins for Penny Wars. The winning team will be announced.

4/12 No AWANA: Easter

4/19 AWANA Missionary NightOur AWANA missionaries Joe and Jill Cook will present the lesson during

large group time and we will present the money raised from our Penny Wars competition.

4/26 Aloha/Beach NightWear your favorite aloha/beach attire to earn points for your team. An ice

cream sundae bar will be our special treat and clubbers will have a chance to sample some Hawaiian food.

5/3 Mexican Fiesta NightClubbers will get one swing at the piñata(s) for each section passed.

Walking tacos will be served as a special treat.

5/10 Balloon Night

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Clubbers will get to pop a balloon for each section passed. How many AWANA bucks can you win? Balloon decorating, balloon games, and

balloon races.

5/17 AWANA Awards CeremonyCome celebrate the achievements from the past year. An AWANA carnival

or outing will follow (TBD).

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