2010/2011 Parent Handbook
The ABC’s of Being an Awana Parent
Be sure to say "I love you" to your child each day
Attendance/Check-in
In order to ensure your child’s safety and track your clubber’s Awana shares, all clubbers must check-in before entering the Family Life Center. Check-in begins at 6:15 and ends at 6:45.
If your clubber arrives after the Opening Ceremonies have begun at 6:30, we ask that they wait quietly outside the door until the flag ceremony has been completed.
It is important that your children attend Awana Club each week. Your encouragement in this area will help them succeed in consistently working through their handbooks. To earn quarterly club attendance awards, a clubber may have no more than one unexcused absence or two excused absences.
Awana Pledge
I pledge allegiance to the Awana Flag
Which stands for the Awana Club
Whose goal is to reach boys and girls
With the gospel of Christ
Awana Shares
Clubbers can earn Awana shares each night at club. These shares can be spent at the Awana Store which is held twice per club year.
At Check-In the following items can be earned:
Attendance – 1 point
During Handbook Time the following items can be earned:
Each Section Recited (no more than 2 helps) – 1 point
Club Costs
Clubbers earn the right to purchase a uniform after they complete their Entrance Book. All Uniforms are $11. Clubbers can wear their uniforms as follows: Cubbies = 2 years, Sparks = 3 years, T&T Adventure = 2 years, and T&T Challenge = 2 years.
Clubbers earn the right to purchase a handbook after they complete their Entrance Book. All Handbooks are $9. Clubbers need a new handbook each year.
Club Names
Cubbies = Three to five years old (potty trained and entering Kindergarten no later than Fall 2012)
Sparks = Kindergarten, 1st grade or 2nd grade
T&T Ultimate Adventure = 3rd grade or 4th grade
T&T Ultimate Challenge = 5th grade or 6th grade
Clubber Expectations
1. Clubbers are expected to wear their uniform every Wednesday. Uniforms instill a sense of belonging and inspire clubbers to earn patches and awards. Awards can only be given out to clubbers who are wearing their uniform and only clubbers wearing their uniform will be selected to participate in the flag ceremony.
2. Clubbers are expected to participate in all segments of the night. Opening Ceremonies, Game Time, Handbook Time and Council Time are all important parts of Awana. Allowing clubbers to sit-out can have a snowballing effect! If your child cannot participate in Game Time because of an injury or illness please send a note or talk to his/her leader.
3. All clubbers must wear shoes suitable for running and jumping during Game Time – it gets fast and fun!
4. No food, drinks, candy or gum during club unless in a party atmosphere. All candy treats given at the end of Game Time or the end of club are to be placed in the pocket and eaten at a time instructed by the parents
5. No running anywhere except on the game square during Game Time
6. Miss, Ms., Mr. or Mrs. must be in front of every leader’s name when a clubber mentions or calls for the leader. This instills proper respect for authority. The leaders will introduce themselves using the name they want to be addressed with. When in doubt, have your clubber ask.
Discipline and Rules
The word discipline has the same root meaning as disciple, which means learner or follower. This root meaning implies a leader-follower relationship in which the follower learns proper conduct. The purpose of discipline is to teach acceptable behavior, not merely a set of rules. To discipline is to teach or mold, resulting in a joyful, well-adjusted individual. On a different scale, discipline results in an organized, smooth-running club.
In Awana, discipline is positive. Instead of emphasizing punishment or misbehavior, positive discipline encourages good behavior through rewards. Clubbers quickly learn that conforming to club standards is in their best interest. For example, awarding points to the Game Time team that lines up the quickest encourages other teams to line up quickly as well.
Entrance Booklet
Handbook Sections
Learning Scripture is vital to the Awana experience, so this is the part of the evening where there is one-on-one time with leaders.
Clubbers are expected to complete at least one section per night during handbook time. Please do all you can to help your child be prepared to pass at least one section per evening. If necessary, leaders will work individually with clubbers who need help to recite at least one section.
In order for clubbers to complete their handbook in one year (32 club nights) they must complete an average of two sections per night.
Clubbers may not recite more than three sections per night. This allows time to discuss the meaning of the verses and also ensures there is time for all clubbers to learn and discuss their verses. The Awana emphasis is not rote memorization, but rather comprehension and life application!
A section must be passed in its entirety at one sitting (unless otherwise noted in the clubbers handbook). Clubbers may not recite one verse and then look at the book before saying another verse in the same section. The clubber must recite the reference with the verse. The listener may give only two “helps” per section.
A “help” is defined as any clue that the listener gives to the clubber that assists them in the recitation. As you help your children study or listen to them, we suggest that if they hesitate you ask them if they want a “help”, and then give the help. This practice will help your children keep up with the number of helps they are getting.
History of Awana
Meetings
Awana meets on Wednesday evenings beginning with our Awana Kick-Off on August 25, 2010, and ending with our Awards Ceremony on May 18, 2011. There are five evenings with no club (11/24, 12/22, 12/29, 3/09, and 4/20). A weekly calendar will be handed out on the first night of club or can be printed out anytime by clicking on the Calendar link located on the left side of this page.
Nightly Schedule
During the night Cubbies remain in their room (Y-102) for the entire evening, while Sparks and T&T clubbers move between three areas:
Handbook Time (hallway around outside of Family Life Center) – clubbers work with their leaders to recite memory work they have learned at home.
Council Time (Heritage Sanctuary) - as a group, clubbers meet for worship, Bible-based instruction, testimonies and prayer.
Game Time (Family Life Center) – clubbers compete in age appropriate, high energy games played on the Awana Square.
Opening Ceremonies
Opening Ceremonies take place around the Awana Game Square located in the Family Life Center. Ceremonies begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and end at 6:40 p.m. During this time Sparks and T&T clubbers meet together for prayer, singing, announcements, flag salutes and handbook award presentations.
Parents
Parents are always welcome at club. Come stay for a little bit in the beginning, come a little early for pick-up and catch your clubber at the end of their evening, or feel free to stay for the whole evening. Clubber Awards are given out right after the beginning flag ceremony. Please remember to encourage your children as they work on their handbooks at home and share about the evening’s events - children learn more and have much more fun when Mom & Dad show an interest in their accomplishments!
Registration
Every child must register in order to participate in Awana Club. The registration form includes contact information as well as medical and emergency contact information.
Our prayer is that all children would be able to participate in Awana. If for any reason the costs involved would prevent your child from attending, please speak to Barb Kotila. We have payments plans available as well as funds for scholorships.
The Five-Count
The Five Count is used any time during a club meeting when clubbers are getting out of control or when their attention needs to be refocused.
The person in charge will count to five slowly and loudly to be heard by all. Clubbers are to line up straight and silently on their team lines with their arms crossed, or sit quietly in their seats with their arms crossed. Line up points may be awarded for the team that is first to line up.
The Three Count
We love visitors and welcome your child to bring his/her friends and neighbors. On the first visit, your child’s visitor can attend the club of your child. If a visitor comes back for a second and third visit they should attend the proper club for their age or grade. After the same child has been to club for three visits, the parents need to come to club to register their child and purchase the items necessary for their child to become a permanent clubber.
Weekly Themes