2018-2019 Parent Information Handbook Questions call Jesse Alford Awana Club Assistant Director @ 903-771-8758
2 EIELSON AFB AWANA CLUB PARENT HANDBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS About Awana 3 Awana Meeting Times / Registration 3 Calendar: 2018-2019 4 Awana Theme Descriptions 6 Security 8 What to Bring to Awana 9 Club Format 9 Club Uniforms 9 Awana Guidelines 9 Discipline 10 Awards 10 Awana Bucks 11 Costs 11 Tips for Parents 12 Contact Information 12
3 ABOUT AWANA Eielson Awana is changing youth ministry! Our mission is to start a fire inside your child for the love of Christ. Each week we enjoy fun games, silly themes, and promote scripture memorization. Awana is a global, nonprofit ministry committed to the belief that the greatest impact for Christ starts with kids who know, love and server Him. Awana fulfills this mission by reaching kids, equipping leaders and changing the world. The Awana acronym stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed, derived from 2 Tim 2:15. Awana has three simple goals. 1 Reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ. 2 Train them to server him. 3 Have fun! Eielson Awana available Clubs: Puggles (Potty Trained 2-3 years) Cubbies (Ages 4 to Pre-K) Sparks (K-2 nd grade) Truth & Training (3rd -6 th grade) Trek & Journey (Middle School & High Schoolers) AWANA Meeting Times / Registration The Awana Ministry at Eielson will be held on Sunday from 3:00 5:00 pm. The best way to register a child for Eielson Awana is online at www.eielsonawana.com. If that is not possible parents may register their child any time by visiting club during normal club hours. The doors open for children to check in at 2:45 pm. All children with the exception of Puggles, will meet in the chapel sanctuary by 4:00 p.m. for the start of club. Puggles will meet in their club room. For the safety all of the clubbers, each child must be registered before they can be left with any member of the volunteer team. The Awana ministry will not be responsible for a parent who is unreachable due to not registering or inputting a false number while registering.
4 Awana Club Calendar: 2018-2019 Awana is fun and exciting! Part of that fun is our weekly theme nights. Parents can use the calendar below to view each weekly theme in relation to the date. Following the calendar is a detailed description of each theme. For any theme questions just check there. Another important feature of the calendar is the handbook guide provided. Each clubber should be able to finish one book during their year with Awana. The calendar provides the section in each clubbers handbook that they should complete each club night. It s always great to be ahead of the calendar schedule. If you notice your child is falling behind join us during our Fast Track from 2:45 3:00 pm and let us get your child caught up. Date Awana Info Puggles Cubbies Sparks TNT 9/23 9/30 10/7 Welcome Jelly Bean Bring A Friend Paper Airplane 10/14 Green 10/21 10/28 Crazy Socks Fear Factor 11/4 Measles 11/11 11/18 11/25 Food Drive Favorite Book Thanksgiving 12/2 Red 12/9 Bowling 12/16 12/23 12/30 Christmas Christmas Christmas Lesson 1 Lesson 2 & 3 Lesson 4 Lesson 5 Lesson 6 Lesson 7 Lesson 8 Unit 2 Unit 2 Lesson 3 Bear Hug A Cubbies Key Verse 1 John 4:10 Bear Hug B Cubbies Motto Jesus Loves Me Bear Hug 1 A is for All Romans 3:23 Bear Hug 2 C is for Christ Romans 5:8 Bear Hug 3 Creation: Days 1 &2 Genesis 1:1 Bear Hug 5 Creation: Days 3&4 Psalm 33:9 Bear Hugs 5 Creation: Days 5&6 (Animals) Genesis 1:31 Bear Hug 6 Review; Day 6 (People) & Day 7 Genesis 1:1 Bear Hug 7 Adam and Eve Live in a Beautiful Garden John 17:17 Flight 3:16 Part 1 & 2 Flight 3:16 Part 3 & 4 Rank 1 & 2 Rank 3 Rank 4 Rank 5 & 6 Rank 7 Rank 8 Red Jewel 1 GIA/EOG Start Zone UC Start Zone GIA/EOG 1:1 & 1:2 UC 1:1, 1:2, & 1:3 GIA/EOG 1:3 & 1:4 UC 1:4 & 1:5 GIA/EOG 1:5 UC 1:6 & 1:7 GIA/EOG 1:6 UC 2:1, 2:2, & 2:3 GIA/EOG 1:7 UC 2:4 & 2:5 GIA/EOG 2:1 & 2:2 UC 2:6 & 2:7 GIA/EOG 2:3 & 2:4 UC 3:1, 3:2, & 3:3 GIA/EOG 2:5 UC 3:4 & 3:5 Thanksgiving Break Thanksgiving Break Thanksgiving Break Thanksgiving Break Unit 2 Lesson 4 & 5 Unit 2 Lesson 6 Unit 2 Lesson 7 & 8 Bear Hug 8 Adam and Eve Don t Listen to God s Truth Psalm 51:4 Bear Hug 9 Adam and Eve Must Leave the Garden John 3:36 Bear Hug 11 God Tells Noah to Build an Ark Lamentations 3:23 Red Jewel 1 Green Jewel 1 Green Jewel 1 GIA/EOG 2:6 UC 3:6 & 3:7 GIA/EOG 2:7 UC 4:1, 4:2, & 4:3 GIA/EOG 2:8 UC 4:4 & 4:5 Christmas Break Christmas Break Christmas Break Christmas Break Christmas Break Christmas Break Christmas Break Christmas Break
5 Date Awana Info Puggles Cubbies Sparks TNT Unit 3 Bear Hug 12 Red Jewel 2 1/6/19 Water Bowl God Keeps Noah and His Family Safe Lesson 1 Psalm 4:8 1/13 Crazy Hair 1/20 Silent 1/27 Sports Team 2/3 Family Day 2/10 King and Queen 2/17 Blue 2/24 Bear Hunt 3/3 Mustache 3/10 Spring Break 3/17 Scavenger Hunt 3/24 4/7 4/14 4/21 4/28 Duct Tape Mask (No Scary Masks) Yellow (Banana Splits) Easter Break AWANA GRAND PRIX Unit 3 Lesson 2 & 3 Unit 3 Lesson 4 Unit 3 Lesson 5 & 6 Bear Hug 13 God s Rainbows Shows His Promise Genesis 9:13 Bear Hug 15 Adam s Family Grows Psalm 147:5 Bear Hug 16 God Sends the First Nine Plagues to Egypt Psalm 124:8 Red Jewel 2 Green Jewel 2 Green Jewel 2 GIA/EOG 3:1 & 3:2 UC 4:6 & 4:7 GIA/EOG 3:3 & 3:4 UC 5:1, 5:2, & 5:3 GIA/EOG 3:5 UC 5:4 & 5:5 GIA/EOG 3:6 UC 5:6 & 5:7 Family Day Family Day Family Day Family Day Unit 3 Lesson 7 Unit 3 Lesson 8 Lesson 3 Bear Hug 17 The 10 th Plague and the Exodus Exodus 15:2 Bear Hug 19 The Israelites Disobey God s Commands Psalm 47:7 Bear Hug 20 God Chooses David as King Mark 12:30 Bear Hug 21 Future King David Defeats Goliath Psalm 56:11 Red Jewel 3 Red Jewel 3 Green Jewel 3 Green Jewel 3 GIA/EOG 3:7 UC 6:1, 6:2, & 6:3 GIA/EOG 3:8 UC 6:4 & 6:5 GIA/EOG 4:1 UC 6:6 & 6:7 GIA/EOG 4:2 UC 7:1, 7:2, & 7:3 Spring Break Spring Break Spring Break Spring Break Lesson 4 Lesson 5 Lesson 6 Lesson 7 Bear Hug 22 Unit 5 Review Bear Hug 23 Jesus is Baptized and says not to Satan John 1:29 Bear Hug 24 Jesus Calls His Disciples Mark 1:17 Bear Hug 25 Jesus and the Storm Mark 4:41 Red Jewel 4 Red Jewel 4 Green Jewel 4 Lesson 1&2 Green Jewel 4 Lessons 3&4 GIA/EOG 4:3 UC 7:4 & 7:5 GIA/EOG Catch Up UC 7:6 & 7:7 GIA/EOG 4:4 UC 8:1 & 8:2 GIA/EOG 4:5 UC 8:3 & 8:4 Easter Break Easter Break Easter Break Easter Break AWANA GRAND PRIX AWANA GRAND PRIX AWANA GRAND PRIX GIA/EOG 4:6 UC 8:5 & 8:6 5/5 Bowling Lesson 8 Bear Hug 26 Unit 6 Review Review GIA/EOG 4:7 UC 8:7 5/12 Awards Banquet 3 5pm Awards Banquet 3 5pm Awards Banquet 3 5pm Awards Banquet 3 5pm Awards Banquet 3 5pm
6 AWANA Theme Descriptions Each night we ask our leaders, clubbers and guests to join us and participate in our chosen theme. Each clubber who participates in the theme for the night will be awarded Awana Bucks for use in the upcoming Awana Store. Receiving Awana Bucks is nice, but the themes are fun too! Descriptions of each theme for the 2018-2019 year are listed below. Theme Welcome Jelly Bean Bring a Friend Description Just come as you are. Tonight is all about welcoming everyone and starting out the year with fun games and excitement. We will have a jar filled with jellybeans. We want each clubber to guess how many are in the jar. If you re the closest, they are all yours! Are you having fun with Awana!? Well extend that fun to a friend! Invite a friend tonight and show them how much fun Awana is! Paper Airplane Green Crazy Socks Fear Factor Measles Food Drive Favorite Book Make a paper airplane! Tonight you need to come with a paper airplane!!! We will fly these planes and give out awards for best design and farthest flight. Get creative! Does anyone remember Gumby? If not just google him. Come looking like gumby or you can paint yourself. (Have we said that already?) If those options seem too far out, just wear something green. Don t hide those socks!!! Go out and get some outrageous socks and let s see them! Maybe find those crazy colorful socks that reach your knees! Tonight clubbers only need to bring themselves. Don t forget to make sure you leave your fear at home! Clubbers will reach into shark infested waters, eat baby poop, stick their hands into brains and so much more. Is fear a factor for you? It s all safe but it s all a little scary. Note: There will be no scary monsters, jump scares, or anything that will actually scare your child. The only thing that will scare your child tonight will be themselves. Tonight is a fun night for clubbers and leaders! No need to bring anything, but for every section a clubber says they get to draw a dot onto their leaders face. Lets see who gets the most measles tonight! Thanksgiving is fast approaching. We ask that each child bring one or more nonperishable items to club. Each item brought will be donated to the local food pantry. Your child will directly support feeding the needy and homeless within our community. Just bring your favorite book. We know many kids love the Bible, but we also want to see another book too. So if your favorite book is the Bible please show us your second favorite book. (No silly old testament new testament book tricks either) Red It s red night. This means come with something red on. How silly are you? Silly enough to paint yourself all red!?
7 Theme Bowling Water Bowl Description Tonight we will bowl! To reward all the clubbers who have completed a certain amount of sections (to be determined) the Awana ministry will pay for all the clubbers to bowl! Just a fun way to say we appreciate you and all the work that has been put into Awana. Ever walk into a store and see the bowl of water with coins at the bottom and a little platform that seems impossible to land on??? Well now it s your turn to drop your dues on the water platform! The only thing you need to do is bring your dues! (50 cents) Crazy Hair Tonight, don t worry about that messy hair. Just come as you are! It s all about the crazy hair. Let s see what you can come up with. Silent Sports Team King & Queen Blue Bear Hunt Mustache The hardest theme of them all! You don t need to bring anything special tonight, except maybe sealed lips! Tonight no clubber can talk except to say sections. Winners get candy!!! Good luck! The super bowl is getting closer! What better way to celebrate then to show your sports team pride! Come tonight with a jersey, a helmet, an outfit, anything that shows us what your favorite sports team is. There are many kings in queens in the Bible. Come dressed up like a king or queen and show us your fancy self. Don t be sad, it s just a color. Show us what you ve got, come in blue! Paint Bears are everywhere!!! Ok maybe not everywhere. Tonight you don t need to bring anything, but for every section said clubbers will get a clue to hunt down a toy bear. Finding the bear will be a challenge, but also very rewarding. I mustache you a question Do you have a mustache!? Well, if not, then put one and join us for our silly mustache night! Make one out of paper, pipe cleaners, anything!!!! Scavenger Hunt Clubbers do not need to bring anything for this theme. Tonight clubbers will relax during a portion of their handbook time a go off on a scavenger hunt. The clues won t be easy, but I m sure teamwork will lead them to success.
8 Theme Duct Tape Mask Yellow Banana Splits Awana Grand Prix Awards Banquet Description How talented are you!? Tonight you need to come with some duct tape on. Maybe make some bracelets or get even more creative and make an entire outfit! Halloween is over, but what better way to celebrate than to put on a mask? To ensure we don t scare anyone please don t wear any scary masks. Pull out the cool superhero mask or something silly. It s yellow night!!!! For some reason everyone likes yellow night. Maybe it s because we give out banana splits on yellow night! What do you need to do? Just come to club with yellow on. You can still paint yourself yellow if you want. Tonight we race!!! Over the past month clubbers should have been preparing their Grand Prix car to race on Grand Prix night. Bring your Grand Prix car and get ready to race! Winners will be awarded a trophy. Top 3 for speed and top 3 for design. To enjoy fellowshipping together we also ask that each family bring a small dish to share with each other. We can t wait to see what you bring. Both car and food. Awana has come to an end. We are so sad, but we are so happy to celebrate all the accomplishments of each clubber. Tonight we ask the parents to join us and celebrate as we give each child a certificate or greater award for their accomplishments. Operation Christmas Child Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a special time of year where we get to put together a small shoe box full of items and ship them around the world. A few weeks prior to this night you should have received an OCC shoebox. Tonight we ask you to bring it back filled with items. Security Parents must sign their children in at the welcome desk when arriving to club each Sunday. Once the clubber is checked in, they will proceed to the sanctuary until dismissed to club by the coordinator. After dismissed club leaders will guide their group of children for the rest of the evening. When club is over at 5:05pm, no child will be allowed to leave the area without a parent. Puggles must be picked up by a parent directly from their club room. No exceptions. We will notify parents if needed, when a child is sick, fussy, not adjusting to the Awana night, or in rare instances for disciplinary reasons. The EAFB Awana Coordinator/Commander, Directors, Leaders and any other volunteers working with children are required to have a completed background check on file.
9 What to Bring To Awana Your child should always bring/wear their designated uniform and comfortable shoes for game time, their Bible, and Awana handbooks. Your child should not bring other things with them. If your child does bring something that does not pertain to Awana it will be removed until club dismissal. On our special theme nights your child will be asked to bring certain item(s). Club Format All club meetings are divided into three segments: handbook time, council time, and game time. The Coordinator and Directors will determine when each segment is covered in their individual clubs. Directors will also determine the flow and structure of their individual clubs. Fast Track Time Fast Track is a time for clubbers who are falling behind in their books. Clubbers may show up 15 minutes early to club and have a leader help them complete additional sections. Handbook Time Clubbers recite memory work and discuss Bible reading assignments for comprehension. When the leader is satisfied that the clubber has covered the handbook material adequately, they will sign the handbook for awards. Council Time A variety of topics are covered that are relevant to growing up in and coping with the pressures of today's society as a Christian. Game Time Game time offers clubbers the opportunity to participate as team members in physical and mental activities. This helps develop team spirit, good sportsmanship, coordination skills and self confidence. Although games are competitive in nature and winning is desirable, leaders are encouraged to give top priority to building and preserving each clubbers' self esteem. Club Uniforms Every clubber needs a uniform to participate in the Awana program. Upon completion of the entrance handout, a clubber is eligible to wear the Awana uniform. Awana requires that clubbers be in uniform while at club and when receiving awards. If your child does not have their uniform they WILL NOT receive their award for the night until the following club night. Discipline
10 Awana uses two counts, one for an individual and one for the group. The "5-count" is used to bring the group to order. As the commander, director, or leader counts from "5" to 1, the children should become quiet and still. The "3-count" is for an individual. The child is given a "one" the first time they misbehave and their action is discussed so they understand the inappropriate behavior. If the child continues to misbehave, they receive a "two". The child now sits down with the director of their club to discuss the behavior. If the child continues to misbehave or be disruptive, they receive a "three". When the child receives a "three", they are taken to the Awana Commander where they will remain for the rest of club night. Depending on the behavior, parents will be called to pick their child up. The Awana Commander will discuss with the parent the reason for the child receiving whatever "count" for that night. The Awana directors and leaders realize that there are many family situations that may affect a child's behavior. We encourage you to let your director know if there is any situation that may help our staff minister more effectively to your child. This will better assist the Awana directors in relating to your child as opposed to viewing the situation/action as only a discipline problem Awards Clubbers earn awards on a regular basis as they work through their handbooks. (Clubbers must be in uniform to receive awards). Awards help keep the clubbers motivated and excited. At the year end Awards Ceremony we will honor clubbers achievements and participations as well as those who have completed their handbooks and recognize our leaders, directors and volunteers. To keep the pace required for finishing one handbook during the Awana year, clubbers will need to work on their handbooks at home. Parental encouragement and help will greatly enhance a clubbers likelihood of completing their book. Clubbers are expected to memorize versus word perfect and they must know the reference. (Except three year old Cubbies, and Puggles). They are allowed 2 helps for each section. Clubbers will review what they have learned with their leader on club nights. All awards are provided at no charge to the clubber. However, if awards are lost or broken, replacements can be purchased. In addition to the handbook awards, your child can receive Club Attendance Awards and Sunday School Attendance Awards. Children's church or similar programs count for Sunday School Attendance. Please direct all questions about awards to the awana website: www.eielsonawana.com Awana Bucks Clubbers earn Awana Bucks to be spent at the Awana Store - this is an incentive program we provide to all
11 clubs for the following: Wearing their Uniform Bringing their Bible Bringing their Awana Handbook Bringing a Guest Club Attendance Church Attendance (any church) Participation in special events (theme nights, grand prix, etc ) Costs Puggles Cubbies Sparks TNT Uniform 15.00 Uniform 15.00 Uniform 15.00 Supplies 25.00 Handbook 8.00 Handbook 8.00 Handbook 8.00 Supplies 2.00 Supplies 2.00 Supplies 2.00 Dues.50 each night Dues.50 each night Dues.50 each night Dues.50 each night Total 25.00 Total 25.00 Total 25.00 Total 25.00 this to the secretary upon arrive or their Awana leader. *To encourage tithing and the building of God s kingdom we ask for dues of 50 cents per night. Your child will give We are happy to be able to offer a multiple child discount. If registering just one child the cost will be $25. For 2 or more in a single family the cost is $40. If you wish to be an active Awana volunteer registration is FREE!!! The first entrance handout is free. If needed, replacements are available online at www.eielsonawana.com. Note: There may be OPTIONAL activities/items for purchase during the year. Have a financial concern? Contact the Awana Director; we ll work with you so your child may participate in our Awana Program. Additional official Awana items like water bottles, key chains, cd's, tapes, t-shirts, etc., are available for purchase. See the Awana Director. Tips for Parents
12 Ø On Sunday night (after Awana), have your child write verses for the next week on index cards. Have your child read the verses aloud three times each morning, each afternoon, and each evening. Ø Make up a song or rhythmic way of reciting the verses. Practice in the car and at mealtimes. Tapes and cd's of the verses are available for purchase. Ø Say aloud the Scripture reference and first phrase over and over, add next phrase (always starting from the beginning of the verse). Continue until the child can do the entire verse without help several times. Review, Review, Review! Ø Look up/discuss the meaning of difficult words. The handbook gives brief definitions for some words. Ø Look up the verses in the Bible. Read the surrounding text with your child, looking for answers to the "5 W's and H" questions (who, what, when, where, why, and how). What is happening? Who said/wrote these words? Who was it said/wrote to? Why was it said? When/Where did this happen? What was the response? How did the events unfold? This exercise will give the verses more meaning and aid in remembering, understanding and applying the verses to our lives. Ø Discuss any "lessons for life" from the verses. What is it God wants me to believe? How will I live if I really believe that? What does God want me to do? What changes do I need to make in my thinking and/or behavior? Ø Use your child s club bag to keep Awana items in and store in the same place each week. Contacts Questions, concerns, or if you would like to volunteer in our club, please visit us at www.eielsonawana.com or contact: Jesse Alford Richard Carawan Assistant Director Or Awana Commander 903-771-8758 803-406-7047 jesse.alford@us.af.mil rcarawan1@hotmail.com Chaplain Kyle Roehrig EAFB Chaplain and Awana Chaplain 907-377-2130 kyle.roehrig@us.af.mil Or Richard Carawan Protestant RE Coordinator 907-377-2130 rcarawan1@hotmail.com We appreciate your support and look forward to a great year!