2016 – 2017 PARENT HANDBOOK

Leading Children to KNOW, LOVE, & SERVE Jesus Christ

WELCOME TO AWANA AT PBC

Welcome! We are so excited to have you in the PBC AWANA Club!

This AWANA Parent Handbook is designed to introduce you and your child(ren) to the PBC AWANA Club and provide important dates and communication. AWANA stands for “Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed”, from 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth.”

Our prayer is that your child(ren) will come to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. We look forward to working together with you to achieve this goal. Thank you for entrusting your child(ren) to our care as we encourage them in their study and memorization of God’s Word. AWANA teaches teamwork and cooperation among clubbers, and also strives to enhance a child’s self-esteem through awards and recognition.

To help your child grow in these areas through AWANA, please:• Encourage your clubber to come each week in uniform with his/her Bible

and AWANA handbook!• Help your clubber learn their handbook sections each week!• Show an interest in your clubber’s achievements!• Be on time!

If there is anything I can do to help or encourage you or your children, please let me know.

Cornelia FinkbeinerAWANA Director

You will make new friends, play exciting games, enjoy challenging contests, earn awards, and learn important things. Below is a list of our clubs:

• Cubbies (3 - 4 Year Olds): Cubbies celebrate the spiritual potential of preschoolers by helping them develop respect for God, his Son, and his Word.

• Sparks (K - 2nd Grade): 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.

• Truth & Training (3rd - 6th Grade): T&T engages kids by an-swering their questions about God and the Bible, guiding them through this pivotal life stage to grow in Christ’s grace.

Our prayer is that all children & youth throughout the world will come to know, love, & serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

Meeting TimeWednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 PMCheck-In begins at 5:50 PM

OUR AWANA CLUBS

The security and protection of your children are of great importance to PBC and the AWANA leadership. Parent(s), Legal Guardian(s), or responsible party must check-in and check-out clubbers at the designated areas each week. Please do not allow your child to linger unattended in the patio and classrooms before AWANA starts.

Cubbies will stay in the same room for the entire time. The leaders will guide Sparks and T&T clubbers to each segment of the club night.

Each AWANA leader has completed a Volunteer Screening Application in order to be able to work with clubbers. All leaders will be wearing nametags and uniforms to help easily identify them as AWANA leaders.

Check-in Check-out

CUBBIES A-14 A-10

SPARKS A-14 A-14

TRUTH & TRAINING A-14 C-5

CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFETY

DESCRIPTION OF CLUB SEGMENTS

Opening Ceremony All clubbers will be on their color lines by 6:00 PM. The AWANA flag will be presented; clubbers will remain standing during the pledge, reciting of AWANA verse (2 Tim 2:15), and opening prayer.

AWANA Flag Pledge I pledge allegiance to the AWANA flag, which stands for the AWANA Clubs, whose goal is to reach boys and girls with the Gospel of Christ and train them to serve him.

AWANA Verse 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of Truth.”

Club Segments There are three different segments for each club. Each segment runs 30 minutes:

• Handbook Time is when clubbers recite the sections they have learned to their leaders. It is also a wonderful opportunity for leaders to teach clubbers the meaning of the verses they have memorized. Two “helps” per section (not verse) = “one or two word hints”.

• Large Group Time is when the clubbers hear a biblical message and Gospel presentation. Clubbers are challenged to accept Christ and grow spiritually.

• Game Time is a fun time for all clubbers. They participate in games just for their age level for fun, to develop good sportsmanship, and to encourage clubbers to work as a team.

GUIDELINES AND CONDUCT

In order to have a safe, enjoyable, and orderly environment, our club has established these guidelines. Please read and discuss the AWANA Code of Conduct with your child(ren).

AWANA Code of Conduct 1. I will treat everyone with courtesy and respect.2. I will treat personal and church property with respect.3. I will create and maintain a positive and safe environment.4. I will come to AWANA prepared for learning.5. I will act responsibly and accept consequences for my actions.6. I will help everyone in AWANA feel capable, connected, and contributing.

AWANA Club Rules 1. Walk at all times (except during games). 2. Remain with your leader at all times during club. 3. Remain in the church building at all times. If you need to leave early, the parent

must sign the child out.4. Wear your complete AWANA uniform with all awards. (Uniforms and

handbooks will be given to clubbers after they have completed the entrance booklets; most likely on the 2nd or 3rd week of club.)

5. For fun and for your safety, you must wear tennis shoes. There will be running during Game Time.

AWANA 5-count is used to get all clubbers’ attention. The director or leader who is in charge will begin to count aloud, slowly from one to five. When clubbers hear this count begin, they should immediately be quiet and give their full attention to the one in charge.

AWANA 3-count 1-count: Verbal warning from leader2-count: Verbal warning from director3-count: Parents will be called and clubber will be sent home. You may return to club the following week when clubber is ready to respect club rules.

SEPTEMBER7 Leader Training (No AWANA)14 Leader Training (No AWANA)21 Club Starts - Week One28 Regular Club Night

OCTOBER5 Regular Club Night12 Regular Club Night19 Regular Club Night26 Regular Club Night

NOVEMBER2 Regular Club Night9 Regular Club Night16 Regular Club Night 23 No Club (Thanksgiving) 30 Regular Club Night

DECEMBER7 Regular Club Night14 No Club (Christmas Break)21 No Club (Christmas Break)28 No Club (Christmas Break)

JANUARY4 No Club (Winter Break)11 Regular Club Night18 Regular Club Night25 Regular Club Night

FEBRUARY1 Regular Club Night8 Regular Club Night15 Regular Club Night22 Regular Club Night

MARCH1 Regular Club Night8 Regular Club Night15 Regular Club Night22 Regular Club Night19 Regular Club Night

APRIL5 Regular Club Night12 No Club (Easter Break)19 Regular Club Night26 Regular Club Night

MAY 3 Regular Club Night

10 Awards Night

Meeting TimeWednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 PMCheck-In begins at 5:50 PM

CALENDAR 2016 - 2017

AWANA Shares can be earned as follows:2 Shares Arriving with Book and uniform OR5 Shares Arriving with EVERYTHING (Handbook, Bible, Uniform) and ON TIME1 Share Memorizing All-Group Bible Verse2 Shares Winning Team from Game Time1 Share Completing a section/badge in Handbook1 Share At leader’s discretion

AWARDS AND SHARES

Team CompetitionEach night of club there is a separate team contest. Every clubber is placed on one of 4 teams: Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow. These teams may be changed periodically during the year. The color team will earn points during Game and Large Group times. The winning team will be announced at the end of each week and a prize awarded.

AwardsEach AWANA Clubber has the opportunity to earn exciting awards. These awards can be worn on the uniform. Awards may only be given when a child is in uniform. These awards should be displayed and worn proudly. They represent good achievement and spiritual growth in the knowledge of God and his Word. We will encourage all young people to strive for their highest potential. Each child works at his/her own pace and will be guided and helped by a caring leader.

AWANA SharesEach week the clubbers have the opportunity to earn AWANA Shares that they can “spend” at the AWANA store. This is to encourage children to give their full participation at the club. The store will open twice during the AWANA year. This is to encourage children to shop for items to give away as Christmas presents, and for Mother/Father’s Day. We want our children to be “other-centered” and experience the joy of giving.

AWANA is ...

1. Centered on the Gospel2. Scripture memorization3. Exciting & fun4. Training children & youth to serve5. Built on strong leadership