Pioneer Clubs eNewsletter Print Version -Seven Ways to Involve Parents

April 2005

Dear Christian Leader,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Pioneer Clubs eNewsletter, where we provide resources to help you build your Pioneer Clubs ministry.

This month we want to provide you with ways to involve and communicate with parents of your club members. Parents are important! Any particular ministry–like Pioneer Clubs–is designed to support the role of parents. "A church has to work closely with parents," wrote George Barna in Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions. "The church must know what parents are seeking to accomplish in the lives of their kids as well as some of the struggles they are encountering in their efforts. The church then tries to figure out how to add value to the process that is already in motion....The church offers efforts that reflect its sensitivity to its role–assisting parents."

1. Ask parents to help. Though the first suggestion may seen obvious, people like to be asked. Tell parents where they can best plug in. Or, when their kids join club, send the parents a New Club Parent Letter. Give information about Pioneer Clubs, and survey parents on how often they can help in club.

2. Require parents to get involved. Some clubs have required parents to help lead at least one activity award during the year. This would only be a four-week commitment of about an hour per week. Parents thus find a way in their busy schedules to spend quality times with their children. Christian parents can reinforce values and skills they are teaching their children at home, and non-Christian parents will be able to interact with their child and Christian adults in an enjoyable, nonthreatening way. If some parents have trouble helping out, provide options of small things to do: outings planner, photographer, snack coordinator, cleanup helper, and so on.

3. Look for special skills. A parent who is a carpenter, for example, could likely help with a construction or woodworking award. Every parent probably has some talent (perhaps unknown to you) that can be tapped at some point during the club year. Ask parents about this in a parent survey (see #1). In the survey, list activity award topics you will be covering and ask parents to check off the ones they have some knowledge about. Or ask parents to list their hobbies.

4. Find out what parents want from club. Learning about their hopes for their children will help you work better with the kids. The Promoting Your Club Program book (catalog # 2771) includes a Parent Questionnaire that you can photocopy and send to parents. Among other things, it asks parents what they hope their child will gain from club socially, physically, and spiritually.

5. Plan events that involve both parents and children. Join Pioneer Clubs groups all across the country in the Kids for Kids Hike (http://www.pioneerclubs.org/lrc/HikeBook-Index.asp) on April 23. Or choose any date that better fits your schedule. The Kids for Kids Hike is a great way for parents and kids to work together to benefit other children. Other great parent/club member event ideas:

Parent fashion show. (Kids model their parents' favorite couch-potato or work-around-the-house clothes.)
Food pantry shopping. (Parents and kids go on a shopping trip for a local food bank.)
Miniature golfing.
Strawberry picking. (Or any other fruit.)

6. Communicate with parents throughout the year. Parents want to know what's going on in club, and when they know, they can reinforce their child's learning at home. One way to communicate is to provide some type of "Club Report" Card (such as a monthly or quarterly flyer). You could include:

Bible verses you're memorizing
Bible award you're working on
skill-building activity awards you're earning

Then add a personal note or two, such as:

Your child has been improving in this skill area: __________________
One thing we have appreciated about your child is:
- friendliness
- participation in discussions
- honesty
- consideration of others
- cheerfulness
- thoughtful questions
- willingness to pray
- other: _______________

Here's how you can help with your child's club experience:
- review memory verses at home
- ask your child to tell you about the day's Bible Exploration
- do an activity that relates to an Activity Award, such as an Extra Credit option
- other: ____________

7. Throw a party for the parents. Have a party to thank parents for supporting club and having their children attend. The Promoting Your Club Program book (catalog #2771) has flyers to copy, or create your own.

Changed Lives
A friend of the family invited me to Pioneer Clubs when I was a child, and I was saved there. As an adult, I wanted to give children that same chance that I had, so I wanted to start Pioneer Clubs in my church. We're now in our second year of club. Every other month we send out a newsletter to let the church and parents know what we have been doing in club and what we will be doing. Parents say they enjoy knowing what's going on with the kids. The leaders find Pioneer Clubs easy to use, and the kids love it. —Robin Johnson, First Baptist Church of South Glens Falls, South Glens Falls, New York

Today’s Kids...
. . .need their families, and they need to understand how important they are in their families as well. Assure kids that God cares about and understands their family situation and can help them be loving family members.

April Announcements

Thank You!

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

April 17-23 is recognized as National Volunteer Week. And the staff of Pioneer Clubs would like to thank you for your commitment of time and energy to serving children and helping them learn to make Christ Lord in every aspect of life. May God richly bless you as you use your gifts to serve in your club program.

Newly Revised and Improved Trailblazer Curriculum

After much research, planning, and talking with many of you, Pioneer Clubs is excited to present the newly revised Trailblazer curriculum for grades 5-7. You will continue to find the things you've come to appreciate about Pioneer Clubs: a Bible-based & educationally sound curriculum, Scripture studies with life application, meaningful Bible memory, practical life-skills, and easy-to-use leader materials. Plus you and your club members will also benefit from these NEW changes: parent pages, additional leader support, introduction choices for Bible Explorations, suggested service projects, full-color handbooks, and more! Be sure to order your Trailblazer curriculum this July.

Help your club members continue to grow spiritually this summer at Camp Cherith!

Camp Cherith^® is the official camping ministry of Pioneer Clubs. There are 24 Cherith^® camps in North America. They all provide a Christ-centered, Bible-based outdoor program designed to help children and youth learn about Jesus Christ and how to make Christ Lord in every aspect of life. Both club members and club leaders are encouraged to sign up for a week at camp. For more information and to find the camp nearest to you, visit http://www.pioneerclubs.org/campcherith.htm.

Kids for Kids Hike Countdown

You've been planning for months, and now hike day—April 23—is just around the corner! Here's what you can do during the remaining days before your hike:

Call adult helpers to review responsibilities and check on supplies they are assigned to bring.
Divide adults and children into hike groups, keeping a ratio of 1 adult for every 6 to 8 children.
Prepare a certificate for each participant in the hike. Certificates can be downloaded from the Kids for Kids Hike section at Pioneer Clubs' Web site (www.pioneerclubs.org, click on Kids for Kids Hike).
Hand out Kids for Kids Hike T-shirts to participants.

On hike day, collect sponsor forms and money from participants and follow your personalized Hike Day Plan (also available on our Web site). Be sure to take pictures!

If you haven't planned a Kids for Kids Hike yet, it's not too late! Our Quick & Easy Hike option takes only two weeks to plan and can take place during a club meeting. Don't miss out on the fun!

Pioneer Clubs Phonathons

Our heartfelt thanks to all those who supported our recent phonathons. We especially appreciate our club leaders who opened their hearts to children beyond their own church through a gift to Pioneer Clubs' national ministry. On behalf of all those children, thank you for your generous support!

Pioneer Clubs Sunday

Congratulations and thanks to all who participated in Pioneer Clubs Sunday! To learn how churches celebrated, visit the "Life Impact" page of our Web site at www.pioneerclubs.org/whatothers.htm.

If you haven't yet celebrated Pioneer Clubs Sunday at your church, we encourage you to choose your own date and do so! For ideas and a brief presentation script, go to the Leader Resource Center on our Web site (password: kids) and click on "Pioneer Clubs Sunday." Be sure to let us know how it goes!

Reflections

“I hope, however, that we would see the importance of uniting home and church to disciple God's covenant children. Both the church and home should always remember that our covenant children are first God's. We are his stewards in raising and nurturing them.” —Charles Dunahoo, Equip for Ministry

Lighter Side

A little boy was overheard praying, "Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am."