Quick & Easy Pioneer Clubs Kids for Kids Hike

In as short a time as six weeks, you can organize a hike for your club.


Here's how:

1.  Choose a place on your church property to hike.
   • The fellowship hall or gym could be transformed into a hike route by using cones or chairs to make a winding path. Decorate with potted plants or pictures of trees, flowers, and animals.
   • Hike through the halls of your church. Map out a course and post signs, Bible verses, nature-related riddles, prayer requests, and so on.
   • Hike outside on your church property or in the neighborhood surrounding your church. If it is dark, do a night hike with flashlights (if this would be safe for your group). During daylight, use string to define a course that winds around trees and structures. Have kids follow the string.
2. Determine how to raise money to help other kids have Pioneer Clubs.
   • Kids can still ask for pledges-just have them focus on family members (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.).
   • Take a special congregational offering in honor of hiking club members.
   • Make a simple Kids for Kids Hike display for the narthex of your church, and include a container into which members of the congregation can toss loose change.
   • Call 1-800-694-2582 for a free hike poster.
   • Ask adult Sunday school classes to sponsor various club age levels.
   • Have kids do extra chores at home to raise money.
   • Have kids work in teams to raise pledges from members of the congregation.
3. Decide what to do during and after your hike.
   • While you hike, sing the Pioneer Clubs theme song, "Thy Word" (in leader's plan books and club members' handbooks), or other songs the children know well.
   • Incorporate games into your hike. Here are some suggestions:
     • Alphabet Hike: Hikers look for objects that begin with the letters of the alphabet. See how many the group can find.
     • Touch and Feel: Plant nature items (tree bark, rocks, moss, soil, leaves, etc.) along your hike route. Hikers walk in follow-the-leader fashion, mimicking the person in front of them. The leader uses different parts of the body (palms, backs of hands, forearms, cheeks, etc.) to feel the nature items.
     • Head of the Line: Hikers walk in single file. The hiker at the head of the line points to a nature object and asks a question about it. Whoever answers the question correctly goes to the head of the line and gets to ask a question.
     • Jesus Says: Played like "Simon Says." Leader gives commands such as "Jesus says, shake hands with the person in line behind you," or "Stop and touch your toes." Hikers who respond to commands without "Jesus says" go to the back of the line.
   • Use the Kids for Kids Hike devotional
   • Enjoy a simple snack
4. After your hike, complete your Hike report and mail it with your contribution to Pioneer Clubs. If you have a picture of your hike, please send that along, too!