This handbook outlines the policies and procedures for AWANA, and also provides tips and hints for parents. Please be sure to read through this each year, as we update it each September.

AWANA handbook

Dates and Times

Weekly meetings for boys and girls are held on Sunday nights. All clubs meet from 5:45-7:15 p.m. Children must be age 3 by August 31st of the club year to participate in the AWANA program.

Colonial offers four AWANA clubs:

Cubbies for kids age 3-4 (Parents must remain on campus if a child is in Cubbies.)
Sparks for kids in grades K-2
Truth and Training for kids in grades 3-5
Trailblazers for kids with special needs

Directors

AWANA leadership directory is HERE.

Club Night Format

All club meetings are divided into three segments: handbook time, game time, and council time.

Handbook Time

(Book Time for CUBBIES and "Sparkle Time" for SPARKS) consists of interaction between individual clubbers and their leaders. Clubbers recite memory work and discuss Bible reading assignments for comprehension. When the leaders are satisfied that the clubber has covered the handbook material adequately, they will sign the handbook for awards.

Council Time

(Story Time for CUBBIES and Green Meadow Time for SPARKS) includes singing and instruction from the Bible.

Game Time

(Play Time for CUBBIES) offers clubbers the opportunity to participate as team members in physical and mental activities which develop team spirit, good sportsmanship, coordination skills and build friendships. Although games are competitive in nature (non-competitive for CUBBIES) and winning is desirable, leaders are encouraged to give top priority to kids just having fun. Please dress your child in rubber-soled shoes for our game time.

Club Uniforms

Each clubber needs a uniform to participate in the AWANA program. Uniforms are purchased and worn after the child completes the entrance book. Entrance books are provided free of charge the child’s first night at club.

Handbooks

Each clubber needs the appropriate handbook to participate in AWANA. One handbook is included in the registration fee. Replacement or additional books: $9.00.

Awards

Clubbers receive awards on a regular basis as they work their way through the handbook. (Clubbers must be in uniform to receive awards.) This serves to keep them motivated and excited. At the conclusion of the AWANA year, we have a special ceremony to honor kids who complete their handbook that year. We call this event the “AWANA Awarnival” because it combines an awards ceremony with a fun carnival in the courtyard. In addition, we occasionally create contests or other incentives to motivate the children as they complete the handbook.

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 clubber’s likelihood of completing their book. Clubbers are expected to memorize verses word perfect and they must know the reference. However, they are allowed two helps for each section.

Pace

A pace of about two or three sections per week for clubbers in grades 3 through 5 should be adequate time to complete the handbook by the end of the club year in May. Clubbers will review what they have learned with their leader on club nights. All sections must be completed at least one week prior to the “Awarnival.”

Cubbies and Sparks may not advance in books beyond the book designed for their age/grade. T&T may advance according to the guidelines listed under “Timothy Trophy.”

“Timothy Trophy”

The AWANA T&T club was written for clubbers in grades 3-6. However, Colonial‘s T&T club is for grades 3-5. If a clubber would like to earn the Timothy Trophy, s/he may try to complete the four books within the three years. Clubbers may advance one book beyond their current grade, but may not get more than one book ahead.

Advanced Awards

Colonial ends it’s AWANA ministry at the conclusion of grade 5. Occasionally there are students who would like to continue working through the AWANA program. Those clubbers may say their sections to any AWANA leader, and if they earn an award, we will present it at the next award ceremony.

Club Attendance Award

You must attend club for 7 weeks to receive the Attendance Award. If a clubber starts after the first night or misses some weeks, they will receive the first attendance award after attending seven weeks.

• First Attendance Award 7 weeks
• Second Attendance Award 14 weeks
• Third Attendance Award 21 weeks
• Fourth Attendance Award 28 weeks

For CUBBIES, the same requirements apply but their club year is divided into halves:

• First Attendance Award 14 weeks
• Second Attendance Award 28 weeks

Clubbers who complete their handbooks may receive the book awards without earning the club attendance award. The attendance awards are considered extra and are not part of the core award structure.

Sunday School Attendance Award

To receive this award, clubbers must have no more than two unexcused absences per award period. Illness, family emergency and being out-of-town will be counted as excused absences if documented by a parent's note. Clubbers may attend their own church or visit a church while on vacation. The regular Sunday School Attendance Award is given at the following intervals:

• First Sunday School Award 14 weeks
• Second Sunday School Award 28 weeks

*Attending any morning church service counts for Sunday school attendance.

Clubbers who complete their handbooks may receive the book awards without earning the Sunday School attendance award. The attendance awards are considered extra and are not part of the core award structure.

Visitor Requirement

Sometimes we run into situations where a clubber can’t get a visitor to come to club. If your child struggles with this requirement we have the following options.
Your child should:

• Write down the name of 5 friends to invite.
• Invite those friends to join him at AWANA and offer transportation.
• If none of those friends will come, your child can bring that list to his leaders and we will count that toward the visitor requirements in AWANA.

Please note that bringing a guest to any of the AWANA special events would count toward meeting this requirement. For example, bringing a guest to the “Superfest,” Grand Prix, Fall Celebration or any club party where the Gospel or a Bible lesson is presented is acceptable.

Costs

Registration

The registration fee is is listed on the current registration form. The fee includes the cost of the first book and all of the awards the children receive during the year.

Handbooks

The first entrance test booklet is free. If needed, replacements will be available at a cost of twenty-five cents per copy. Upon completion of the entrance test booklet, a one-year handbook is required to continue in the program. The cost of the handbook is included in the registration fee.

Uniforms

Upon completion of the entrance test, a clubber is eligible to wear the AWANA uniform. We encourage each clubber to get and wear the uniform as AWANA requires that a clubber must be wearing a uniform in order to receive an earned award. Team points are also given for clubbers who are in uniform. The uniform can be purchased through the club, either as new or (if available) used. The price for new uniforms is $12.00.

Clubbers will need one uniform for the two years of Cubbies, one uniform for the three years of Sparks and one uniform for the three years of T&T.

Tips For Parents

Your child is going to love AWANA – and you will too. This program will help you teach your child to hide God’s Word in his/her heart and apply it to life. Please commit to helping your child succeed.
Please bring your clubber on time. (AWANA is from 5:45-7:15PM). When it’s time to pick your child up, please come to the room to get him/her. (Pick up your youngest children first.) Please avoid removing your child from class early because that is the time we usually give out awards.

Each week your child will get "points" for club attendance, Sunday School or church attendance, wearing the uniform, bringing a friend, and bringing their handbook and Bible. Your child also receives points for each section he/she passes in the handbook.

Please familiarize yourself with your child's handbook. All children begin with an entrance book which the staff will provide.

PLAN AHEAD! There may be some assignments in the handbook that require some planning or extra time.

IDEAS FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD

• On Sunday night (after AWANA), have your child write the verses for the next week on index cards. Have your child read the verses aloud three times each morning, each afternoon, and each evening.
• Look up/discuss the meaning of difficult words. (The handbook gives brief definitions for some words.)
• 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, where, when, why, how). What is happening? Who said/wrote these words? Who was it said/written to? Why was it said? When/where did this happen? How did the listeners respond? Or how did the events unfold? This exercise will give the verses more meaning and will aid in remembering, understanding and applying the verses to our lives.
• Discuss any "lessons for life" from the verses. What is it that 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?

Special Cubbies Notes

Cubbies Handbooks

Each section in your child’s handbook is called a Bear Hug.  Your child will learn ONE Bear Hug each week.  You will find a calendar attached to your child’s handbook that specifies which Bear Hug should be prepared for the appropriate week.  Every child works on the same material each week and our club night is designed to reinforce the verses and concepts for that week. Each Bear Hug has two parts:  That week’s verses and learning concept, and Under the Apple Tree.  In order to earn the end of year Book Award your child has to complete the basic Bear Hug material.  The Under the Apple Tree section is optional and is geared towards those children who are super excited about learning more about God’s Word, or those who are accelerated learners.

Scripture Memory for Cubbies:

Three year olds do not need to know the scripture reference while four year olds must memorize the scripture reference.  We will give the children TWO one word helps for each section.

Attendance Policy

Our year is divided into two semesters.  Your child will be allowed three absences from club and three absences from Sunday School.  The fourth time that your child misses club they lose their eligibility for the attendance awards.  Please do not make your child feel that these awards are necessary for completing the program.  They are just extra awards for those who can be there almost every time. Clubbers who complete their handbooks may receive the book awards without earning the attendance awards. Again, the attendance awards are considered extra and are not part of the core award structure.