AWANA
It is a privilege and pleasure to have your child come to Elim’s AWANA Club. Our desire is for the Clubbers to realize that God loves them and that through His Son, Jesus, He provided salvation and the ability to have a relationship with Him. We also desire for them to know that learning His Word and obeying Him gives them meaningful and rewarding lives. In AWANA, this is accomplished through Bible memory, games, achievements, and fellowship.
AWANA encourages Clubbers to attend their family's place of worship. If you do not have a church, we encourage you to try Elim Baptist Church. We also encourage you to support your child's interest in the program by helping with his/her memorization. Please contact us if you have any questions, or if we can be of assistance to you.
In Christ,
Mark Magnuson
Commander, Elim AWANA Club
Child Safety:
We want to make sure that Clubbers are safe while in our care.
· Each Clubbers MUST be escorted in and out of the building.
· If an alternative adult or family member is going to drop off or pick up your child, PLEASE PROVIDE A NOTE. We understand that a big brother or big sister may drop off or pick up your child; we need to know in advance.
· Please have your child wear tennis shoes (no flip-flops, please), it is a safety issue.
Check-In Procedure:
- Check-in starts at 6:15. Early check-in is not allowed since leaders need time to prepare.
- Each Clubber MUST be escorted into the building.
- If an alternative adult or family member is going to drop off (or pick up) your child, please let us know at check-in.
- All Clubbers must check-in with the secretary each week – located in the foyer.
- Once checked-in, Clubbers MUST be escorted to:
· Cubbies to lower level class room
· Sparks and T&Ts to the Sanctuary.
Pick-Up Procedure:
- Pick-up is at 8:00 p.m.
- Clubbers MUST be escorted out of the building by an adult.
3. Clubber’s pick-up location:
· Cubbies in lower level classroom
· Sparks and T&Ts in the Sanctuary
4. Please provide a note to the secretary at check-in if an alternative adult or family member is going to pick up your child.
Who Can Attend AWANA:
Any child the age of 3 years, until they complete 5th grade:
· Cubbies: Ages 3-5
· Sparks: Kindergarten–2nd Grade
· T&Ts (Truth and Training): 3rd - 5th Grade
Registration for and Cost of AWANA:
· Simply complete a registration card and check-in with the secretary in the foyer on Wednesday night.
· There is no registration or entrance fee, however donations are accepted.
· Children may join AWANA any time during the year.
Illness:
A child may not attend club if they have had a fever or vomited in the past 24 hours. A child who appears to be ill will be sent home.
Discipline:
Clubbers are called to order by use of the FIVE COUNT which is similar to what other scouting clubs use to call children to attention.
If a child is overly disruptive, he/she is put on the THREE COUNT. This is an individual approach in which the child is given two more warnings. If there is a third offense, the Clubbers is removed from the group activity and is taken to be with the AWANA Commander, who will contact the parent. If the offense warrants such discipline, the Clubbers will not be allowed to attend the following club night. We DO, however, want the Clubbers to join us again after the one week's absence!
Attendance:
The Club year is divided into quarters in regard to club attendance. Each Clubber can earn one attendance award each quarter if they miss no more than two nights during that quarter.
Uniforms:
Clubbers will be provided a uniform once they have passed a certain benchmark. The Cubbies and Sparks uniform will be a vest. The T&T uniform will be a t-shirt. If your Clubber is new to AWANA, or was in AWANA last year and is moving to a new group (from Cubbies to Sparks or from Sparks to T&T), a new vest or T-shirt will be provided, otherwise, please use last year’s vest or T-shirt.
· Clubbers need to wear tennis shoes each week (no flip flops, please).
· Uniforms promote pride and uniformity as a group and Clubbers may earn awards for wearing their uniform.
What can I do to encourage my child in AWANA?
· Encourage prompt, consistent attendance. Consistency creates good habits and consistent attendance shows the Clubbers the importance of AWANA.
· For your child's success, it is extremely helpful that each section is reviewed with a parent prior to attending club.
· Pray for and with your child.
· We’d love to have you “shadow” your child on any AWANA Club night.
Club Handbooks: Clubbers have received, or will receive, a handbook that will be used every week. The handbook is a vital tool for your child's success in the AWANA program. It helps him/her learn about God as well as reinforcing positive moral standards.
Clubbers MUST have their Handbook each week at club!
For your child's success, it is extremely helpful that each section is reviewed with a parent prior to attending club. As you help them learn, here are some things to remember:
- Your child will be given no more than two "helps" per section to receive credit. A "help" is 2-3 words to help them finish the verse.
- Sections are passed when they are said to an AWANA leader or listener during club time. An entire section must be done at one sitting.
- Do your best to explain the meaning of each verse to your child. You will find that they memorize more quickly if they understand what they are memorizing.
- If your child has a learning challenge that requires accommodations in order to be successful in AWANA please talk with the Commander and/or the Clubbers' leader. We want to ensure that every child has the opportunity to be successful.
- Each handbook has parental helps and tips for discussion. Our leaders are also available as resources.
If a child is new to the AWANA program, they will receive a small entrance booklet which they must complete before they earn their own handbook and vest or T-shirt. The handbooks are age appropriate.
Awards:
Awards are received in several different ways at Elim’s AWANA Club:
· Patches, stickers and jewels are awarded each week for sections completed.
· Sparks and T&Ts have the opportunity to receive “AWANA Shares” to be used to “buy” items from Elim’s AWANA store two times each month between 8:00 p.m. and 8:10 p.m. AWANA Shares are earned based upon: sections completed, being in uniform, bringing Handbook and Bible, bringing a friend, etc.
· At the end of the year, Clubbers receive awards (ribbons or trophies) for completed handbooks.
Other:
A family friendly soup supper is served at 6:00 p.m., this is open to everyone!
If you have concerns or questions, please contact either the Elim church office at 763.421.8124 or Mark Magnuson, AWANA Commander at 612.270.2171.