Our Awana Sparks program, for kindergarteners through second graders, is an opportunity to meet new friends, share Christ, learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy competition while having lots of fun in the process.
The Bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). Realizing that children are confronted with more difficult choices than ever before, our Bible-based program seeks to establish them on a firm foundation, which will provide direction for their daily lives.
If your child is new to the Awana program, we would encourage you to read through the Entrance Test your child will bring home on the first night they visit the club. When this Gate Test is completed you will receive a Sparks uniform.
Each clubber will need to check in Sunday at the secretary's table at about 4:25 p.m. (except on "Clubber of the Month" day which is held in the auditorium once a month). Please come in uniform and with athletic shoes. We will check the clubbers in by team color and ask them if they attended Sunday School that week. If they brought a friend, please let a leader know.
Below is an overview of the Sparks regular schedule:
4:20 - 4:25 PM Check in (Room 201)
4:30 - 4:40 PM Flag Salute, Introductions and Prayer
4:40 - 5:05 PM Book time / Craft
5:05 - 5:15 PM Worship
5:15 - 5:35 PM Green Meadow Time (Devotional)
5:35 - 6:05 PM Game Time
6:15 - 6:30 PM Awards, Prayer
We have approximately 60+ Sparks and this will help to provide better organization and safety for the children. If you need to talk to a leader or the director, please feel free to enter and do so. Please be patient with us as we always make every attempt to dismiss Sparks on time; however, due to the size of our club and varied activities we may run over a few minutes. This will not be the rule, but the exception, God willing!
Our Sparks Club has four teams: Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green. Your child will be assigned to a team color and will remain on that team throughout the year unless team balancing is necessary. It is important that you encourage your child to participate as a team member and support their team in learning verses and participating in game time as well as other Awana activities. Incentives and earned awards will be given out each week.
We really appreciate the parent's effort in making the Sparks book a devotional at home and a special time for the child. Please help your child accomplish at least 1-2 sections/week and initial the pages your child has completed during the week. Your initials can simply be placed anywhere on the page except the leader's box. A record sheet will be provided for each book so that you can track which sections are done each week. Remember, the maximum section allowed per week is six. Thanks!!!
Please note that once the "Gate Test" is completed, and when working through the handbooks:
In order to receive the Review patch, review of the entire book is necessary. "Review Island" (in the back of the book) is done last. This is explained at the back of each handbook.
Small incentives will be provided for all Sparks that complete a section each week in addition to earned Awana awards. It is important that once the clubber has earned their vest, they wear it to club each night, unless other wise instructed, because most of their awards will be placed on the vest. Individuals and one color team will be selected each week for cooperative, respectful, loving, Christian character. We will also be giving team prizes for good sportsmanship on a monthly basis. If there are any allergies we need to know about, please inform the leader and secretaries ASAP.
The first Sunday of each month we will be meeting first in the auditorium to recognize the Sparks' "Clubber of the Month". We encourage the parents to attend to support the children. Note: Check in will be done during book time. All Sparks will be required to sit together in the middle section of the sanctuary for this presentation. Any parent or family member may join them or sit in the rear.
Awards night in May, plan to attend and support your Sparky! Ribbons will be awarded to all Sparks who complete the first handbook - "Skipper" & the second handbook - "Hiker." Plaques will be given to those who have completed the "Climber" handbook. Remember, review is not required; it is another opportunity to get an extra patch and Sparky pins are given to those who complete the extra workbook. In addition, we will award "Christian Character Trait" and "Attendance" awards.
In the past, we have conducted small fund-raisers so that our kids might be able to have carnivals and year-end parties, in addition to ministering to others at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We would like to be able to go on a few field trips if possible. We ask that you would kindly help support us in this area, so we can plan a fun surprise for the kids. Memos will be sent home with the necessary information, as needed.
Once again, we will be conducting our annual Bible Quiz, Sparks Games and Awana Grand Prix. Trophies, medals and ribbons will be awarded. We also hope to participate in worship for the congregation and elderly at nursing homes when possible.