So you’ve been assigned to lead a Bible Exploration & Award in club. It’s exciting to help children dig into God’s Word and see what it has to say to them today! But where do you start?
Now that club has started, you as a leader have a room full of excited and energetic club members. How can you love, support, guide and “be there” for your club members unless you know them? Here are some ideas to get you started.
When preparing for the club year—consider including a Pal program in your Pioneer Clubs ministry. Children benefit from positive, caring attention from adults.
Supplies appropriate “This Is Your Pal” form for each guest, pencils, camera(s), small bow-shaped pretzels, pretzel-making ingredients (see below), cookie sheets, baking spray, spatulas, bowls, mixing spoons, measuring cups and spoons, brushes, oven mitts, wire racks, water or apple juice, cups, napkins; optional: picture-printing supplies, cheese dipping sauce.
Ideas for promoting club to your church and community
Promoting your Pioneer Clubs program makes a difference! Plan to get the attention of your church and community this fall, draw in new club members and recruit club volunteers.
How to Keep in Touch with Club Members Over the Summer
Keeping in touch with club members over the summer is one way to keep the fun of Pioneer Clubs and goes a long way towards encouraging them to come back in the fall. Here are seven ideas to consider.
Now that summer is here are you wondering how to completely fill your club leadership in the next few months? More importantly, is it even possible when vacations and summer schedules intrude? Recruiting during the summer may involve a little more creativity, but here are some ideas to get you started.
Your leaders have planned events for club members all year long. Now it’s their turn to have a special event planned for them! Your leaders will enjoy being the honored guests for a change. Also, this is a great way to show your leaders how much you appreciate their efforts, time and commitment to the kids in club.
Spring is a good time to step back and take a bigger-picture look at your children’s ministry. You’ll want to evaluate how well your club routine, events and policies have worked, to help you plan for next year. Receiving feedback from leaders, parents and others is a good place to start.
Once you get this feedback, a planning committee can help you process it and build a stronger Pioneer Clubs program for the coming year. Having a planning committee means you’re not alone in deciding how to implement changes in your club program—a welcome relief! During the year you may have found that there were areas of club you couldn’t devote time to due to a lack of resources or volunteers. A planning committee spreads out the work so that all areas get the attention they deserve.
Kids love special events. You can have a mini special event each time you hand out awards. Adding even one simple, special feature to the presentation can make it a winner in kids’ eyes.
Last week for the Let’s Pretend Activity Award, 7-year-old Tyler acted in a skit for the first time—and beamed when his club leader applauded him. During the Sewcraft award, 10-year-old Lisa learned that she could make her Pant-Leg Purse look the way she wanted it to--if she just kept trying.
I Love You a Bunch. Help kids fold a sheet of cardstock into a greeting card for Mom or Dad. Provide green or purple ink pads or markers. Let kids color their index fingers and make fingerprints on the front of the card to resemble of bunch of grapes. Have them use markers to add stems, leaves, and the sentiment “I love you a bunch!” Inside, let them write a couple of things they love about their mom or dad.
I’m Bananas Over You. Provide each child with a banana for Mom or Dad. On a piece of paper, have kids draw a picture or write a note about a reason they are grateful for their parent. Then they fold the paper, wrap it around the banana, and tie it on with ribbon.
Bible Exploration. Look through your leader plan book for a unit on families, and then choose a Bible Exploration on showing love or honoring parents. For instance, in the “Honoring Parents” meeting, Meeting 17 of Discovering God’s Goodness, club members make a coupon listing a way they will honor parents. Parents redeem the coupon when they want that good thing.
Talks That Teach. Use the “Picture” talk from the Pioneer Clubs book Talks That Teachat a valentine party or a regular club meeting. It will help kids think of ways to appreciate family members in this valentine month.
Game. Toss a ball around the circle. Each catcher names a way to show love to Mom or Dad or other caretaker. See how many ideas the kids can come up with before they get stumped.
Parent Visit. Ask a parent to bring in something their child made for him or her. Have the parent tell what the item meant to him or her and why. Ask club members what they could make for their parents to give them the same kind of joy.
Prayer Time. Explain that many moms and dads spend lots of time praying for their kids. Encourage kids to return the favor. Brainstorm some things parents might need prayer for. Then let volunteers take turns praying.
Skit. Have one volunteer be the mom or dad and two volunteers be the kids. Have the kids act out having an argument that the parent tries to stop. Have the kids not pay attention to the parent or continue to pester each other behind the parent’s back after stopping. (Stop before the parent gets too frustrated.) Ask club members how they think a real parent’s job could be hard. Brainstorm ways that kids can make parents’ jobs easier. Ask how this shows love.
You’re a big influence on your club members. Choose one or two ways to help them learn to show their parents love this month.
Coleaders—Building a Team Through Clear Communication
By now, most club leaders have settled into a routine with their coleader and have adjusted—more or less—to each other’s leadership style. But what makes a good leadership team? What components are key to a strong coleader working relationship?
In any kind of relationship, communication is always foundational for working well together. And there are several areas that coleaders should be clear on.
Both public and personal touches will help you show appreciation to your club leaders this winter. Leaders who feel appreciated are more likely to volunteer again next year.
What's So Important About a Mid-Year Club Evaluation?
It’s hard to believe, but before you know it, you’ll be hitting the midpoint of your club year. This is a great time for a club check-up, and a mid-year evaluation is a good way to do it.
By now, your club has gotten off to a good start and been up and running for several weeks. You and your leaders are getting to know your club members and each other better--but what about parents? Each week parents drop off club members. They smile, chat with the leaders and sometimes receive flyers and information about Pioneer Clubs--but how can you better connect them with your club? Well... here are some simple ideas to get you started.
Behind every successful Pioneer Clubs program are the volunteers and leaders who give their time and talents to make it possible. How do you find gifted and willing volunteers? Where do you start? Successful recruiting means starting with the right attitude. Remember—you’re helping people find a place in church where they can use their gifts to serve God. Here’s a few tips that will help you.
Your beginning leaders need to know how to run a successful Pioneer Clubs program. Assure them that you will not just hand them their leader plan books and throw them to the little “wolves.” Explain the training you have planned.
Create a Welcoming, Inclusive Club for All: 5 Tips for Including Children with Special needs
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 53 million Americans have disabilities, which means about 53 million families struggle daily with overcoming obstacles to fit in with society. Sadly, research shows that one of the obstacles these families often face is a lack of acceptance in churches. Even in the body of Christ, people who are unfamiliar with disabilities and special needs often feel uncomfortable interacting with those who have them.
This need not be the case in Pioneer Clubs! If you have a child in your club with special needs (and chances are good that you do), you may wonder how best to include the child and help him or her feel welcome. Whether a child is dealing with a noticeable physical disability or with learning and behavioral issues such autism, ADHD or dyslexia, your intentional efforts to reach out and love that child can go a long way toward helping the child understand God’s love and grace. You’ll also be helping other children understand what it means to truly love our neighbor.
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) says that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Because of this we have confidence that verses our club members memorize today will be relevant when they are adults.
Encouraging club members and recognizing their achievements are key objectives in Pioneer Clubs®. But don’t forget to recognize the hard work of your club leaders.
An ongoing recognition plan for children and volunteers creates a positive club atmosphere. Club members who feel affirmed will want to return and bring friends. And club leaders who feel appreciated will be motivated to volunteer again.
