Awana Handbook 2014 - 2015

Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed 2 Timothy 2:25

Table of Contents Commander Welcome .................................................................................................. 1

History of Awana Clubs ................................................................................................. 2 Awana MeetingTime...................................................................................................... 2 Our Awana Clubs ......................................................................................................... 3

Awana Calendar ............................................................................................................ 4

Nightly Schedule ........................................................................................................... 5

Schedule Definitions................................................................................................... 5-6

Check InOpening & Closing Ceremony Handbook TimeCouncil TimeGame Time

Awana Awards ........................................................................................................... 6-7

Uniforms, Patches and Jewels

Attendance Awards

Handbook Guidelines ................................................................................................... 7

Club Expectations .................................................................................................... 8-10

Leader Requirements Leader Expectations Parent Expectations Promptness

IllnessInclement Weather

South County Baptist Church Awana Rules ................................................................. 10

Discipline ..................................................................................................................... 11

The Five Count The Three Count

Dues and Material Costs .............................................................................................. 12

DuesHandbook CostsScholarships

Our Awana Leadership.................................................................................................. 13

Commander Welcome !Dear Awana Parents,

! Welcome to the South County Baptist Church Awana Club! We are excited about

having you and your child participate in this dynamic ministry! The Awana ministry has

been around for over 60 years, and provides a combined program of both evangelism

and discipleship for kids through scripture memorization and practical application.

! This handbook provides basic information about our Awana Club. If you have

questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the

Awana leaders. Our Awana staff is composed of volunteers from the church fellowship

who care greatly about the spiritual and social development of our children. Your child

is very special to God and to us!

! Parents, your participation and assistance are very important. Please encourage

your child to attend each meeting, help them to memorize Scripture, and show them

your excitement over their achievements. Your help and encouragement are critical. If

your child has special needs, please communicate with us. One of our goals is to

partner with parents to make a positive and eternal impact in the life of your child. You

are always welcome to observe what is going on in any area of this ministry, especially

during our evening closing ceremonies where we will be recognizing our clubbers’

achievements!

! Again, thank you for entrusting us with your child and we look forward to getting to

know you this year. May God richly bless you and your family!

!In Christ,

Troy Allison

!Pastor to Students and Awana Commander South County Baptist Church

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Awana History Since 1950, Awana has grown from a one-church program into a ministry that includes

more than 6,500 churches in the United States and another 1,300 in more than 80

countries world- wide. Local churches reach hundreds of thousands of young people

every week by using the Awana program. The goal of Awana is to reach boys and girls

with the gospel of Christ and to train them to serve Him.

!The word Awana stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed, and comes from 2

Timothy 2:15.

!“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no

need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

!Awana is a fun and exciting way for children to learn Scripture, and it works! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to acquaint you with the Awana ministry of

South County Baptist Church, and how it can benefit not only your child, but your

entire family!

!Awana Meeting Time !WHEN: Sunday evenings from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Clubbers will check in from 5:00-5:10 PM.

!WHERE: South County Baptist Church 12995 Tesson Ferry St. Louis, MO 63128 314-843-5558 - Church Office www.southcountybaptist.com

!!

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Our Awana Clubs !!!

!!!

Toddlers love having their very own Awana club just like their older siblings! Puggles partners with parents to teach biblical precepts.

2-3 Year Olds

We currently are not offering this program in our church.

Cubbies celebrates the spiritual potential of preschoolers by helping them develop respect for God, His Son and His Word.

3-4 Year Olds

Must be 3 by September 30

Sparks ignites the curiosity of early elementary-age kids to learn about the people and events of the Bible, building a foundation of wisdom for knowing Christ.

K-2 Grades

T&T engages kids by answering their questions about God and the Bible, guiding them through this pivotal life stage to grow in Christ's grace.

3-5 Grades

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Awana Calendar !September September 14 - Awana Kick-Off Night! 5-7 pm Club / Parents are invited to stay for an informational parent meeting. !!October October 12 - Church wide Picnic / Clubbers will be able to recite verses at our Awana Booth at the picnic. October 19 - Cubbies Parent’s Night October 26 - Sparks Parent’s Night !November November 2 - T&T Parent’s Night November 30 - No Awana Happy Thanksgiving !December Dec 14 - Abbreviated schedule for Awana & Christmas Cantata Dec 21 - Abbreviated schedule & Christmas Celebration - Parents invited to attend Dec 28 - No Awana - Christmas Break !January January 4 - Awana Resumes Happy New Year !!!!!

!!February February 1 - Souper Bowl of Caring Super Bowl Party & Food Drive February 8 - Valentines Day Cards for Home Bound !March March 28 - Grand Prix !April April 5 - No Awana - Happy Easter! !May May 10 - No Awana - Mothers Day May 17 - Awards Night !!

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Nightly Schedule

!Parents are invited and encouraged to be a part of both the opening and closing ceremonies. !Schedule Definitions Check-in: Parents must escort children to the appropriate check-in table (there will be a

table for each age group) in the multi-purpose room, and check them in with a

secretary.

!Once checked in, children assemble with their age group leaders in the multi-purpose

room. Check-in begins promptly at 5:00 p.m. Early check-in is not allowed since

leaders will need time to prepare for the evening.

Opening Ceremony: Club night begins in the multi-purpose room with the Pledges of

Allegiance (American flag, Christian flag, Bible), the Awana Cheer, announcements and

prayer. Parents are welcome to join us!

!Handbook Time: Bible verses and principles are presented through handbook

instruction. The children are encouraged to study at home, and are given support and

assistance from the club leaders.

5:00 - 5:10 Registration/Check-In Gym (Cubbies, Sparks and T&T)

5:10 - 5:15 Opening Ceremony Gym (Cubbies, Sparks and T&T)

Council Time Handbook Time Game Time5:15 - 5:45 Cubbies (Preschool Area) T&T (Kid’s Area) Sparks (Gym)

5:45 - 6:15 Sparks (Upper Annex) Cubbies (Preschool Area) T&T (Gym)

6:15 - 6:45 T&T (Upper Annex) Sparks (Kid’s Area) Cubbies (Various Locations)

6:45 - 7:00 Closing Ceremony (Gym) Sparks and T&T ... Cubbies will be picked up in their rooms

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• The average child will be adequately prepared for the weekly Awana Club meeting if

they spend 10 minutes daily in their handbook. Help your child develop this habit

early so they will stay on track to complete as much of their book as possible!

• In order to pass a handbook section, the following requirements must be met by all

ages:

• The clubber must pass an entire section (all verses, answers, and word definitions) during one session with no more than two helps.

• Clubbers must recite the reference and the verse. • Clubbers must pass sections in order, unless otherwise noted in the

handbook. • The answers and word definitions can be in the clubber’s own words.

Council Time: Each group meets as a separate club for a time of listening to special Bible messages, and time for praise and prayer. Game Time: Each club will engage in age-appropriate games that teach sportsmanship and the value of working as a team. Closing Ceremony: We will end each club night with announcements and awards. Parents are encouraged to join us as we celebrate our clubbers’ achievements. !

Awana Awards Uniforms: Uniforms can be purchased through the Awana Secretary. Once a clubber

completes their entrance book, they can begin to wear their uniform.

!Patches and Jewels: The following awards should be displayed and worn proudly!

They represent good achievement and spiritual growth in the knowledge of God and

His Word. We encourage all young people to strive for their highest potential! !!

Club For Completing: They Earn:Puggles Just for participating! Stickers and year end certificate!

Cubbies

Apples Acres Entrance Booklet !Completing the AppleSeed Trail !Completing the Honeycomb Trail

Uniform and Handbook and Green Apple and Red Apple Achievement Emblems !AppleSeed Emblem !HoneycombTrail Emblem

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!!!Attendance Awards: For Cubbies, Sparks and T&T, awards are given for Club and/or

Sunday School attendance.

• Sunday School Attendance: A clubber must attend Sunday School or a church service

every Sunday during the half year without missing more than two Sundays.

• Awana Club Attendance: The clubber must attend every Awana meeting with no

more than one absence per quarter.

• The only excused absences are sickness, out of town with the family, or a mandatory

school function.

!Handbook Guidelines

• Sections must be passed in order.

• Discoveries & Challenges must be done in order.

• Silver & Gold level sections (T&T) may be done at any time.

• If you do not bring your handbook to the weekly club meetings, sections may

not be passed or checked off by your club leader.

• Have your parents initial work done or said at home.

!!

Sparks

3:16 Test !Rank Test !Bible Drills/Activities !Club Attendance

Uniform and Handbook !Rank Patch !Red or Green Jewels !Blue Jewel

T&T

Start Zone !Discovery/Challenge

Uniform and Handbook !Award Badge/Seal

Club For Completing: They Earn:

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Club Expectations Leader Requirements and Expectation: Requirements:

• A leader must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

• A leader must be an active member of South County Baptist Church.

• A leader must have a desire to work with and a compassion for children.

• A leader must have a background check, and be trained in our Safe Church

Policies.

Expectations:

• We expect our leaders to be on time.

• We expect our leaders to be examples by wearing clean, neat uniforms every

night.

• We expect our leaders to follow the rules.

• We expect our leaders to display a proper attitude before the clubbers and

other leaders.

• We expect our leaders to pray for our Club on a regular basis.

• We expect our leaders to realize Awana is not just another program, but it is a

ministry of the church, and a place of service to God. !

!Parent Expectations:

• Always encourage your child. Children have much more fun when Mom and Dad

show interest in their accomplishments.

• Help children to attend Awana every week and to arrive on time, as consistency

builds friendships, achievement, and self-discipline.

• During the week, help your child prepare at least two sections. This will ensure

they will complete their handbook, and will receive their special awards. Plus,

they will qualify for other Awana activities.

• Attend all major events. Parents are always welcome, and are encouraged to

attend special events as a way of showing your support and approval for your

child’s accomplishments.

• Please review the discipline guidelines in this handbook with your child. Awana

has very few rules of behavior, but in order to ensure that all clubbers have an

opportunity to learn and have fun, some rules of behavior will be enforced.

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• Please plan to pick up clubbers promptly after club. (Cubbies should be picked

up in the preschool area, and Sparks/T&T in the gym). Clubbers will not be

permitted to leave the building without an adult to pick them up.

• If your child needs to be excused from participating in Game Time, please send

a note to that effect to their leader; otherwise, they will be expected to

participate with all other clubbers in all activities.

!What We Expect from Clubbers All rules in the Awana clubs are for the safety and well-being of the children and adults

who are participating.

• Check-in with the Club secretary when arriving (failing to do this may cause you

to lose your perfect attendance status).

• All children must attend their age appropriate class (no skipping ahead or

staying behind).

• Follow the instructions of your leaders.

• Move quietly between rooms. Walk, do not run, in the church.

• Stay in your room unless a leader has given permission for you to leave.

• Treat others with respect. No swearing, fighting, hitting or pushing. Keep your

hands, feet and objects to yourself at all times.

• Be responsible. Keep up with your books, uniforms, and awards.

!Promptness: Our time at Awana is valuable. We ask all volunteers to arrive at least five

minutes early each Sunday evening.

• Parents, please check your clubber in between 5:00 and 5:10 PM. Closing ceremonies

begin at 6:45 PM. This is a great time for parents to watch their clubbers receive

awards! Please pick up your clubber by 7:00 PM.

!SCBC Awana Safety and Security • Parents will be given 2 security cards for their child/children. Replacement cards can

be obtained from Troy Allison or Mary Mays.

• The security card must be presented during pick-up by parent/guardian. No one

under the age of 18 is allowed to pick up your child without prior written consent.

• Must show valid picture ID to Commander if security card is lost or forgotten.

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Illness: A child may not attend Awana if they have had a fever or have vomited within

the last 24 hours. If a child appears ill during club, they will be sent home.

!Injury: In the event of an injury to an Awana Clubber during the Awana club time, the

Awana leader(s) who witnessed the incident should first report the incident to their

director and then complete an SCBC Accident Report form. These forms are located in

the Awana Office. Completed forms should be turned into Troy Allison or Mary Mays.

!Missing Child Procedures: • Notify The Awana Commander.

• Allow the staff to follow through with locating the child. Your job is to return to your

club group or assignment, and care for those children. Never leave children

unattended.

!Inclement Weather: Awana will be cancelled if the roads become hazardous late in the

afternoon. Be sure to check our website, www.southcountybaptist.com, before heading

out, or feel free to contact the commander for more information.

!!South County Baptist Church Awana Rules

1. Show respect for the facilities, God’s Name, and God’s Word at all times.

2. Show respect for God-given authority at all times.

3. Have a loving, positive, Christ-like attitude towards other Awana clubbers and

leaders at all times.

4. Respect church property and the property of others.

5. Remember that God wants you to be a leader, and that you lead by example.

6. Participate in all club activities: opening ceremony, game time, handbook time,

council time, and closing ceremony.

7. No running in the building at any time except during Game Time.

8. Clubbers should wear casual clothes and tennis shoes to club. Dress shoes and

sandals are extremely dangerous during game time.

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Discipline Discipline is the process of teaching acceptable behavior and self-control. The SCBC

Awana Club has two main methods of enforcing discipline on club nights:

In the event discipline is required, we have two procedures that will be used by all

clubs—the 5-count and the 3-count. The 5-count is for all clubbers, while the 3-count is

for an individual clubber.

5-count When a leader needs the clubbers to be still and quiet, he/she will count from 1 to 5.

All clubbers need to stop talking immediately, and be still. Clubbers who are not quiet

by the count of 5 run the risk of missing part of game time.

3-count If a child is disrespectful, or is disruptive to the club, the following procedure will occur:

• A “1” count will be given for the first offense.

• A “2” count will be given for the second offense, and the child will be counseled

by a leader outside the club room and then returned to club.

!• A “3” count will be given, and the child is taken by the leader to their parent or

guardian. If this occurs, contact between parents and the Club Director is

necessary before the next club meeting for the child to return to club.

• If the clubber has to be taken to the parent a second time, they risk missing the

next two club meetings, and a parent needs to meet with the Club Director and

Awana Commander to discuss returning to club.

• If a clubber is removed from club a third time, they will not be allowed back into

the program for the remainder of the club year. !

It is our prayer that no situation will have to be resolved in this manner, but in fairness to all clubbers and leaders, the above will be enforced as necessary. !!!

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Dues and Material Costs Dues collected help provide the funds needed to cover partial cost of awards and

other materials for Awana Clubbers. !Dues

$10 per child.... $30 family cap !Handbook Costs

$10 per book !You will need a new Handbook if:

-  you are starting club for the 1st time.

-  you are entering a new club. (ie: Cubbies to Sparks or Sparks to T&T)

-  you are entering 5th Grade in the T&T program.

-  you completed your handbook the previous year.

-  you are a Cubbie (Cubbies need a new book each year). !Uniform Costs

The Awana uniform lets others know you are a member of our club! You’ll want to buy

it as soon as you complete the entrance requirements for club membership so you will

have a place to display your awards. The cost of each uniform listed below is the actual

catalog price.

• Puggles T-Shirt ($10.00)

• Cubbies Vest ($10.00)

• Sparkies Vest ($10.00)

• T&T T-Shirt ($14.00/$15.00) All items are available for purchase from one of our club secretaries. CLUBBERS MUST WEAR TENNIS SHOES EACH CLUB NIGHT IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN GAME TIME! Scholarships We will work with parents on any of the costs if it presents a difficulty. Our goal is to

have any child who wants to participate in Awana not miss out due to financial

considerations. If the cost is a hardship for your family, please feel free to speak to our

club secretary or commander. !

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Awana Leadership Awana leaders are committed people trained to provide your children with the best

club experience possible. If you have any questions, issues or concerns don’t hesitate

to contact your child’s director or our Awana Commander.

!!Pastor Dr. John M. Childers jchilders@scbcweb.com !Pastor to Students and Awana Commander Pastor Troy Allison troy@scbcweb.com !Secretary Mary Mays !Council Time Director Adam Allen !Game Time Director Jeremy Slatton-Director Phil Spears Co-director Ed Powers Co-director !Cubbies Director Christina Powers !Sparks Director Heather Allen !T&T Director Jennifer LeGrand

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