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| November 2006 Vol. 1, No. 4 |
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Welcome!  
We kicked off our Trailblazer Club this year with
something rather ambitious—the Bowling Activity
Award. We learned about scoring. We practiced with
empty bottles and croquet balls. Then, we took a
field trip to the bowling alley to practice what
we’d learned. It was well into the fourth frame
before any pins were knocked down, but the kids were
having a blast. In this informal, more social environment, I watched bonds form in our group between kids and leaders alike. And I was reminded of why special events are such an important part of Pioneer Clubs. In the context of fun and learning, they enhance relationships and help create a welcoming, caring place for kids to learn about God’s love. In this issue of our Leadership eNewsletter, read more about how you can make special events a reality in your club. We want to hear from you! Let us know what articles you’d find most helpful. Click here to drop us an e-mail today with club news. Finally, I encourage you to forward a copy of this newsletter to a Pioneer Clubs volunteer who might not be receiving it. That way he or she can become a free subscriber, too. Blessings!  Judy Bryson President, Pioneer Clubs Betty Barres of First Assembly of God in Andrews,
North Carolina, shares this discipline tip. Our Pioneer Clubs has a bus ministry and many of the children are from unchurched families. If we mention a discipline issue to parents, often their response is to no longer send the child to club. Our adult service is held at the same time as Pioneer Clubs, so I talked with several adults and our pastor about helping us with discipline. Now, if a child in 3rd through 6th grade doesn’t respond to warnings about his or her behavior, an assistant takes the child to sit with one of the families attending church for awhile. This solution has worked out well because the children don’t want to miss out on what their friends are doing, and yet they know we won’t allow disruptions during club time. In addition, something else that has been helpful is for me, as coordinator, or the children’s club leaders to visit or call parents and introduce ourselves before we have discipline problems. Then, if a child has a behavior problem, it is easier to talk to parents because they know and trust us. If you have ideas that you’d like to share, please send them to us at newsletter@pioneerclubs.org. 
Bibles are being studied. Club members are busy with
activities. Awards are are being earned. Kids are
laughing and making new friends. But don’t keep the
fun to yourself! To send us your stories and digital
photos, click
here.
Pictured this month are two member of the Trailblazer Club at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Warrenville, Illinois. To complete the Bowling Activity Award the entire Trailblazer Club visited a nearby bowling alley to put their new skills into practice. Everyone enjoys something out of the ordinary on
occasion, and your Pioneer Clubs members are no
exception. Whether simple or multi-faceted, special
events give you the opportunity to deepen
relationships with club members, get to know parents
better and publicize club. Even if your club is just
starting off, aim to include at least one special
event during the club year. A blanket drive for a homeless shelter. A canned
food drive for the local food pantry. A workathon
day to help seniors with yard work. The list of
service projects is limited only by your
imagination. Service projects during Thanksgiving
and Christmas also help children keep their focus on
the needs of others. Such projects are an excellent way for club members to develop a sense of compassion and put their growing faith into action. In addition, many service projects give club members an opportunity to show your church and community what club is all about. The Trailblazer, Pathfinder, and Challenger leader plan books now feature an idea for a service project in each unit—in response to leader feedback on including this important element in the club year. Turkey Trap Mark a large circle on the floor. Divide it into four equal sections. Two to four players (depending on group size) are “hunters,” who stand around the outside of the circle. The “turkeys” (other players) scatter equally in the circle sections. Each turkey must remain in the same section for the entire game. Hunters roll a beach ball (or other large rubber ball) across the circle, trying to hit the turkeys. Turkeys jump over the ball before it hits them. A turkey who is hit becomes a hunter. Play until only one turkey is left. Variation: Play with two balls and let the turkeys roam the entire circle. Several times a month we hear from leaders and
coordinators searching for a digital version of the
Pioneer Clubs logo or other art.* For your
convenience, downloadable clip art and many more
resources are at your fingertips when you visit www.pioneerclubs.org
and go to the Leader Resource Center (password:
kids). This rich load of resources is available to
you free of charge as a registered Pioneer Clubs
leader or coordinator! Mark Your Calendar for Pioneer Clubs Sunday
2007 Pioneer Clubs Sunday is an opportunity for your club members to shine! This year’s theme is “Friend of God.” While the official date is February 11, 2007, you are welcome to celebrate Pioneer Clubs Sunday whenever you wish. We’d love to hear about your plans. Please contact us at vbreckenridge@pioneerclubs.org. Training Teleconferences Join us by telephone for these special live and interactive training sessions, especially designed to meet the needs of Pioneer Clubs coordinators and leaders! Upcoming topics include Basic Training and Group Discipline. For dates and registration information, click here. |
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| Copyright (c) 2006 Pioneer Clubs All rights reserved. PO Box 788 Wheaton IL 60189-0788 | ||||||||||||
