If you like our Awana program…

Parent
Handbook
2014-2015
2 Timothy 2:15
Approved
Workmen
Are
Not
Ashamed
Wakewww.clintonbaptist.org/awana
Forest/Rolesville Campus
13029 Keith Store Road, Wake Forest 27587
www.Crossroads.Org/WFR
A Thank You Note to Parents!
Page 1
Thank you for your willingness to support your
child’s participation in our Awana program! Our
goal is to help you fulfill the Scriptures’ directive to
“train up a child in the way he should go.”
(Proverbs 22:6)
The unique organizational structure, games, handbooks, and
activities of the Awana program work in tandem with committed
adult leaders to support the spiritual growth of children. We hope
your child takes significant strides forward in his/her personal
understanding of Biblical truths.
Please take time to familiarize yourself with the information
provided in this handbook. Any questions, concerns, ideas, or
willingness to help volunteer may be directed to any of the following
people.
2014/2015 Awana Contacts
WFR Commander
Sally Lovdahl
[email protected]
989-992-7134
Cubbies Director
Kelly Haynes
[email protected]
Sparks Director
Paula Batton
[email protected]
T&T Director
Phillip Batton
[email protected]
Crossroads MidEsther Muraguri
Week Coordinator [email protected]
919-981-0222, ext 152
Page 2
Calling all children...
Awana meets on Wednesday
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Table of Contents
Awana Contacts……………………………………………… 1
What is Awana?……………………………………….………3
The Essential Message………………………………………...4
Goals of Awana………………………………………………..5
Nightly Club Schedule………………………………………...6
Registration and Costs…………………………………….......7
Club Rules, Club Discipline…………………………...…..….8
Parent Involvement…………………………………………....9
2014-2015 Calendar………………………………...……10-11
Monthly Contests…………………………………….………12
Special Recognition and Awards…………………………13-14
Guidelines for Memorization…………………………….…..15
Visitors………………………………............................…….16
Awana Store Info….…………………………………………17
Uniform Order Form…………………………………………18
Weather Cancellation Policy
If inclement weather makes it necessary to cancel a club night
or special event, a message will be left on the Crossroads
Fellowship/Wake Forest answering machine and website. On
Wednesday evenings, Awana is part of Crossroad’s
Wednesday Night Life programming and operates under
church wide decisions to close for weather or security
reasons.
What is Awana?
Page 3
Awana is one of our nation’s fastest growing
youth organizations. Awana Clubs are churchbased, community clubs open to all youth and
have children attending from many different
faiths and churches. Our trained, adult Awana
Leadership Team members want to work with
you, the parent, in providing balanced physical, social, mental
and spiritual activities for your child.
The Awana program is centered around a weekly club night,
consisting of three parts. Game Time is packed with exciting
activities that include both team and individual competition.
Handbook Time is a learning and training time focused on the
importance of God’s Word for daily living. Council Time
includes song time, scripture-based devotions, and awards
recognition for individual & group achievement.
The Clubber’s First Night of Awana
Clubbers should be pre-registered online prior to the first night
they attend by visiting http://www.crossroads.org/wfr-awana.
The very first night a child attends an Awana Club, he/she is
given an Entrance Booklet for that age group. This is the first
step in Awana achievement. Each place in the book where the
leader signs is called a ‘section’ & clubbers earn awards for
completing each section. When the booklet is complete, your
child will have earned his club uniform and handbook. If
clubbers complete 2-3 sections per week, they will be able to
finish a handbook for the year and earn special ribbon awards
and/or a trophy. All accounts should be paid up prior to the
dispensing of uniforms, books or awards.
Club Transfers
Clubbers who move to the Wake Forest Awana Club from any
other Awana Club may continue in their existing handbooks
without starting over. Cost for the year will be pro-rated.
Please call Esther Muraguri for details (contact info on page 1.)
Page 4
The Essential Message
The heart of Awana is the Gospel message –
 Everyone is a sinner (Romans 3:23)
 Everyone deserves eternal punishment
(Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15)
 Jesus Christ, God’s Son, paid the penalty
for our sin when He as crucified on the
cross and rose from the dead (Romans
5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
 If we personalize this awareness and
recognize Jesus Christ as our Lord and
Savior, God gives us the free gift of
eternal life in heaven (John 3:16)
 Salvation cannot be earned by doing
good works (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Awana strongly emphasizes understanding and memorizing
Scripture. Psalm 119:11 says “Thy [God’s] Word [the Bible]
have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”
The Bible teaches that studying Scripture is key to winning the
battle against sin (2 Timothy 2:15). The Word of God is
“quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword”
(Hebrews 4:12). Clubbers often discover later in life that
verses they learned in Awana are valuable in helping them live
Christ-honoring lives.
Goals of Awana
Page 5
1. Present the Gospel message clearly and often.
2. Provide a regular opportunity for loving
believing adults to interact in a personal way with
each child.
3. Explain essential truths of the Bible to deepen
each child’s understanding of God and his Son,
Jesus.
4. Encourage memorization of Scripture for
lifelong recall.
5. Reinforce healthy spiritual behaviors – prayer,
daily Bible reading, service – that will strengthen
a child’s growth in Christ.
6. Create a fun environment which kids look
forward to attending each week, a place they are
excited to bring their friends.
7. Help each child develop strong self-esteem by
learning diligence, self-discipline and the value of
sincere effort.
OUR WEDNESDAY NIGHT CLUB
PROGRAMS
Page 6
(A guide to the names and age ranges of our clubs)
Cubbies
Sparks
T&T Adventure
Preschoolers/ 2 years before
Kindergarten (and potty trained!)
K, 1st and 2nd grades
3rd & 4th grades
AWANA TIME SCHEDULE
6:15-6:29
Check-in
6:30 SHARP! OPENING FLAG CEREMONY (Room 113)
6:35-7:00
Handbook Time for T&T (Room 217)
Game Time for Sparks (Room 113)
7:25-7:45
Game Time for T&T (Room 113)
Handbook Time for Sparks (Room 103/105)
7:50-8:00
Sparks and T&T Awards & Dismissal (Room 217)
Cubbies Awards & Dismissal (Room 110)
Arrival and Dismissal Procedure
Arrival
Parents must identify each child with a numbered
name tag and ensure they are dropped off inside
Room 105 no earlier than 6:15. This applies to ALL
Clubber ages. Please instruct your children that they
cannot leave that room without adult supervision.
Dismissal
Pickup of Cubbies will be in Room 110. Sparks and
T&T will be dismissed from Room 217. Parental
Security Tags must be matched with each child so
please don’t lose them! PROMPT pick-up at 8:00 is
important as many leaders have little children to get
to bed.
REGISTRATION AND MATERIALS COST
Page 7
REGARDING REGISTRATION. . . .
In order to help pay for the many costs of running
an Awana Club, a $45 registration fee is required
per child. This will supply each clubber with an
Entrance Booklet, and when earned, their first handbook.
REGARDING UNIFORMS. . .
Completion of an Entrance Booklet for a particular club earns a
clubber the honor of wearing a uniform. Uniform costs are
listed below and should be paid at the time of initial
registration for the club year.
Cubbies Vest
Sparks Vest
T&T Jerseys
$12.00
$12.00
$15.00
If you did not specify a shirt size for your child when you
completed the online registration, please complete the order
form found at the back of this handbook ASAP. We really like
to be able to award uniforms on the night they earn them, but if
we don’t have the right size available it could take 2-3 weeks to
get it in. If you pre-order, we can be sure to have the right
sizes on hand. Unfortunately, it is too much of a budget drain
to keep a large inventory of uniforms on-hand.
REGARDING AWARD PLACEMENT ON UNIFORM. . .
Each handbook illustrates what the various awards look like
and how awards are to be worn on the Awana uniforms. For
“Instructions on how to attach award emblems to Awana Club
uniforms” visit
https://awana.box.net/shared/static/c63kdnvv04.doc. Direct
any questions to the Club Directors or Commander, or refer to
www.awana.org.
REGARDING LOST AWARDS. . .
Page 8
If awards are lost or misplaced, they can be
AWANA
CLUB RULES
replaced at cost. Please notify your child’s
Club Director or the Commander if
replacements are needed.
All children attending our Awana Clubs are expected to abide
by the following rules:
1. Wear sneakers to play games safely.
2. Gum, food and drink are to be enjoyed before and after
Club.
3. Treat others and church property respectfully.
4. Abide by leader instruction during Club.
5. Clubbers must never leave an Awana meeting room
without leader permission.
CLUB DISCIPLINE
The fun, quick-paced environment of an Awana evening is
designed to help clubbers stay focused easily. In addition, high
standards of behavior are maintained for all activities so
disorderliness can be minimized. To maximize everyone’s
enjoyment Awana uses two discipline techniques to maintain
order:
5-Count:
The 5-count is used by all leadership and simply
involves counting to 5 to give clubbers notice of
the immediate need for quiet in order to refocus
their attention.
1-2-3 Rule: The 1-2-3 rule allows clubbers three
opportunities to understand that Club Rules
must be followed if they are to be allowed to
enjoy participating in Club Activities. Clubbers
will be advised by their leader, the Club
Director or the Commander if they have
violated a Club Rule. Parents will be notified if
an offense has occurred a second time.
Clubbers will be suspended from Club for two
weeks if the offense occurs three times.
Following the suspension, Clubbers are
welcomed back to Club if they agree to abide by
Club Rules in the future.
Page 9
PARENTS,
YOUR INVOLVEMENT IS NEEDED!
Moms and Dads, you are essential in helping
your child to get the most enjoyment and
fulfillment out of club. Please use the
following checklist as a guideline.
1. Register on-line IN ADVANCE of the first night of Awana Club
each year. Knowing our numbers early really helps us plan for
sufficient help and supplies.
2. Please make sure you give us a cell phone number that you will
have with you during the club time. Also, please give us an
email address that you check regularly.
3. Please Volunteer to help. Many hands are needed either
weekly, bi-weekly or once a month.
4. Encourage your children to attend Awana every week.
Consistency helps your child to excel, and he/she is also a
member of a color team that depends on your child’s
participation.
5. Make sure they wear their uniform each week. Clubbers will
be recognized each night for their achievements, but handbook
awards cannot be given out if the clubber is not in uniform.
6. Be sure they arrive in time to be on their color line at 6:30!
Promptness helps our program to keep on track.
7. Help your child to accomplish 1-2 sections each week. This will
help keep your child motivated and insure they will receive their
award for finishing the book.
8. Pick up your children promptly at 8:00. If you desire to see them
receive any awards, you may come at 7:50.
9. Always encourage your child. Children have
much more fun when Mom and Dad show interest
in their accomplishments.
Page 10
2014/2015 AWANA CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
10
Awana Begins!
17
24
Wet, Wild n’ Wonderful Night
OCTOBER
1
8
15
22
29
NOVEMBER
5
12
19
26
Awana Store Night
BARF Night!
(Operation Shoebox Supplies Sent Home)
Awana Store Night
Operation Shoebox Theme Night
NO AWANA—Happy Thanksgiving!
DECEMBER (No Awana Store this month)
3
10
Decorate your Leader Theme Night
(Mystery Presents Contest ends)
17
NO AWANA -–Merry Christmas!
24
NO AWANA—Merry Christmas, again!
31
NO AWANA—Happy New Year!
JANUARY
7
14
SAT 18
21
SUN 25
Awana Store Night
Family Skate Date @ Jellybeans
Uniform Inspection Night
SALT Leaders Meeting!
28
Light the World Theme
Night
Page 11
FEBRUARY
4
11
Awana Store Night
18
25
Chew-Chew Theme Night
(Lollipop Frenzy Contest Ends)
MARCH
4
11
18
25
Awana Store Night
Affliction Theme Night
APRIL
1
8
15
22
SUN 26
29
NO AWANA—HAPPY EASTER!
Awana Store Night
Uniform Inspection Night
SALT Leaders Meeting!
Topping it Off Theme Night
(Sundae Spectacular Contest Ends)
MAY
6
13
Last night to say sections!!
AWANA CLOSING PROGRAM…
AND AWARDS Family Event!!
(Awana Store Open)
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Page 12
MONTHLY CONTEST
DESCRIPTIONS
(For Sparks and T&T Only)
AWARD AT END
OF CONTEST
(Must be at club this
night to redeem)
Mystery Presents
November
through
December
Four enticing presents are up
for grabs (2-Sparks, 2T&T)! For every two
sections in one night, your
name goes in Box 1. For
three or more sections in one
night, your name goes in
Box 2. Winners names will
be drawn at random Dec 17!
One name will be
drawn from each box
and that clubber will
win that mystery
present!
Merry Christmas!
Lollipop Frenzy
January
through
February
Reach for that goal of
finishing your handbook! Try
extra hard this month and get
an opportunity every week to
win a prize. Everyone who
says 2 sections or more each
week can pull a lollipop from
the lollipop tree to keep. If it
has a colored tip, ….a prize is
yours!
Everyone who says 12
or
more
sections
TOTAL gets one more
opportunity to pull a
color-tipped lollipop!
Sundae Spectacular
March
through
April
Will a little sugar n’ spice
entice you to keep
memorizing? A multitopping dish of ice cream
will be yours for a job well
done! Start with a plain dish
of ice cream and add a
different topping for every
three sections you’ve said
during March and April.
(They don’t all have to be
said in one night!)
We’ll send a picture to
local papers of the
clubber with the most
toppings and maybe
you’ll be ‘famous’!
Special Recognitions and Awards
Club Attendance
Page 13
Quarterly Club Attendance Awards will be
given to each uniformed clubber who
regularly attends Awana according to the
following guidelines.
Each clubber is
allowed two excused absences per quarter.
The parent can either send in a signed note
identifying the reason for the absence or
speak with the clubber’s leader directly.
Sickness, vacation, school conflict or a
sports team conflict are examples of an excused absence. Club
Attendance awards are a special recognition for consistent
attendance, therefore, no exceptions will be made for more
than 2 excused absences. In addition, no unexcused absences
will qualify.
1st quarter:
2nd quarter:
3rd quarter:
4th quarter:
Sept 10 to Oct 29
Nov 5 to Jan 14
Jan 21 to March 11
March 18 to May 13
Week-End Age-Appropriate Class Attendance
Semi-annual Week-end Age-Appropriate Class Attendance Awards
will be given to each uniformed clubber who regularly attends a
weekly age-appropriate class at the church of their choice. Each
clubber is allowed 4 excused absences per half. No unexcused
absences will qualify. Prior to the end of each half, each clubber will
need an Attendance Verification Form signed by a parent to be
considered for qualification.
1st half:
2nd half:
September 19 to January 14
January 21 to May 10
Page 14
Uniform Inspection Award
The Awana uniform is a very important part of the Awana
award structure. To reward clubbers for wearing their uniform
properly, inspection dates are January 21 and April 22! Check
the following to see if your clubber is ready for inspection:



Does your child have all the awards he/she has earned?
Are all awards properly displayed?
Is the uniform clean and neat?
A special award goes to all those who qualify.
Clubber of the Year Award
A Clubber of the Year Award will be given to the qualified
clubber in Sparks and T&T.
These are very special
commendation awards for outstanding Awana clubbers and
will only be awarded if merited. The following criteria will be
used in the selection process:
Basic Requirements:




Quarterly attendance awards earned
Uniform consistently worn with awards up to date
and properly placed
Consistently ON TIME
Prepared each club night
Additional Considerations:




Attitude/Conduct/Example
Finished Handbook
Willingness to help others learn verses
Consistent Cooperation
Awana Guidelines
For Scripture Memorization
Page 15
• The sections that entail Scripture memorization
require the clubber to recite each verse word for word
(including the reference) with no more than two
“helps.” A “help” is a word, phrase, or gesture that
prompts the child’s memory. No “helps” are allowed
during the review sections.
• The “two helps” guideline is for each section, not
each part of a section. All the verses in a section
must be recited in one sitting for a leader signature.
• It is important to hold high expectations for
clubbers attempting to memorize verses. The goal is
to imbed the Scripture in their mind forever. In
addition, kids feel a greater sense of achievement if
they exercise effort in meeting their goal.
 Children who truly struggle with
Page 16
memory work will discreetly receive
special consideration from their leader. However,
even children with learning difficulties are often able
to become very successful memorizers with positive
support and practice. We encourage adults (both
leaders and parents) to avoid creating a handicap of
too-low an expectation as much as too-high an
expectation.
Bringing Visitors
Your clubber’s handbook may contain an
evangelism requirement that asks them to bring a
visitor to Awana. There are 2 options for
fulfilling this requirement:
1. Bring the appropriate aged visitor to
Awana
2. Bring the visitor with you to church on the
weekend
If your child invites a friend to one of these
activities and the friend is unable to attend, please
have them try again. If your child extends three
invitations but none of them work out, we will
accept their good-faith efforts and give credit for
completing the section. Parents should note the
names of the people your child attempted to bring
on the appropriate page of his/her handbook
along with the date of each request.
Visiting children are required to be signed in at
the Crossroads Kids Welcome Desk by the parent
or responsible adult before heading to an Awana
classroom. If you are transporting another
person’s child to Awana, please bring the
following information with you:
Child’s name
Parent’s name
Parent’s address
Parent’s email
Parent’s emergency number
Your name and cell phone number
Page 17
AWANA
STORE
The purpose of using Awana Bucks as an incentive
measure in Awana is multifaceted:
1. Rather than giving out weekly candy bites we
want the children to have the opportunity to earn
better prizes for all the effort they put forth.
2. The use of Bucks teaches financial responsibility
(not loosing them), as well as the benefits of
delayed gratification.
3. Historically, they have proved to be an effective
incentive measure to encourage scripture
memorization, a major goal of Awana.
Awana Store Nights are generally on the 2nd club night
of each month that Awana is in session (exceptions are
noted on the club calendar.)
At the direction of each Club’s leadership, Clubbers will
have about 5 minutes to shop on store night. The
following rules apply:
1. Purchases are not returnable.
2. Prices are firm and there is no credit—if they
don’t have enough bucks they will need to earn
more and buy the item the next month.
3. Clubbers can save their bucks as long as they
wish. The best prizes are available for savers!
Page 18
Uniform Order Form
Uniforms are ordered as needed and orders can take 2-3 weeks for
delivery. Orders will be accepted in advance of your child passing
his or her Entrance Booklet. However, the uniform cannot be
awarded until the Entrance Booklet is completed.
Name:_______________________________Grade:____________
(One child per form, please)
Date:_____________________________
Uniforms should be ordered big enough to allow for shrinkage!
Please circle the desired size:
Club Shirt
Sizes Available
Cost
Cubbies S(4) M(5)
L(6)
XL(8) 2XL(10)
$12.00
Sparks S(6)
L(10) XL(12) 2XL(14)
$12.00
T&T
M(8)
Teen Small (30” chest)
Teen Medium (34” chest)
Teen Large (36” chest)
Adult Small (38” chest)
Adult Medium (41” chest)
$15.00
Please advise if you
Have paid on-line at registration
Are attaching a check for the correct amount.
Thank You!
(Please tear out and give to Welcome Desk person at Club Sign-in)
Page 19
Uniform Order Form
Uniforms are ordered as needed and orders can take 2-3 weeks for
delivery. Orders will be accepted in advance of your child passing
his or her Entrance Booklet. However, the uniform cannot be
awarded until the Entrance Booklet is completed.
Name:_______________________________Grade:____________
(One child per form, please)
Date:_____________________________
Uniforms should be ordered big enough to allow for shrinkage!
Please circle the desired size:
Club Shirt
Sizes Available
Cost
Cubbies S(4) M(5)
L(6)
XL(8) 2XL(10)
$12.00
Sparks S(6)
L(10) XL(12) 2XL(14)
$12.00
T&T
M(8)
Teen Small (30” chest)
Teen Medium (34” chest)
Teen Large (36” chest)
Adult Small (38” chest)
Adult Medium (41” chest)
$15.00
Please advise if you
Have paid on-line at registration
Are attaching a check for the correct amount.
Thank You!
(Please tear out and give to Welcome Desk person at Club Sign-in)