Check out what other clubs have done, and grab one or two of these ideas for your club for this spring or summer

Teddy Bear Picnic

Parents and club members brought a blanket, picnic supper and favorite teddy bear. We laid the blankets on the floor in the church dining area and ate our picnic. Three older women from the church, all teddy bear “experts” with several bears of their own, judged the bears. Each child received a certificate for the “best” in some category, from “Best Dressed” to “Most Hugged,” “Smallest,” and so on.

A teddy bear storybook, Sir Humphrey’s Honey Stand by Christopher Lane, based on Matthew 18:21-35, was read. We also had a teddy bear parade to the music of “The Teddy Bear Picnic.” It seemed to be a real highlight of the year.

—Club in Maine

Police Dog

A police dog, “Nitch,” came to visit our club. Club members got to see the dog follow a scent trail, attack a “criminal,” and search for “drugs.” Club members saved their shares for two weeks to buy food for Nitch.

—Club in Ontario

Fiesta Lock-In

To begin our Fiesta Lock-In, we met at a bowling alley and bowled two games. Then we went back to the church by bus. We ate tacos, which the kids prepared themselves, with nacho cheese and chips, and ice cream for dessert. After eating, we had a piñata break. The kids had a ball!

We had a Bible scavenger hunt, watched movies with popcorn, sang songs, and played word games and board games. After that, those who didn’t fall asleep just talked quietly together, and we had bagels for breakfast in the morning.

During the next awards ceremony, we gave out a special award for all who stayed up, called the “insomnia award.” It was a great time!

—Club in New York

Self-Defense Demo

We invited a policewoman to come and teach self-defense to the club members. She also shared her testimony.

—Club in Ontario

Flight Around the World

“What is our church doing to create interest and awareness in children about missions?” Several people had raised this question, so we decided to hold a Missions Fest. We transformed the church lobby into “Ephrata Airport.” Ticket agents gave club members passports, suitcases (made out of file folders) and tickets. Boarding announcements were made, and flight attendants distributed mints, peanuts, key chains and wings (compliments of USAir). A USAir captain (a church member) provided the goodies and piloted the plane. After landing, each club member passed through customs to have the passport stamped.

In the “countries,” former missionaries presented slides or videos and samples of food, clothes and music. Children also helped with a missions project for a current missionary.

In the next Sunday service, the theme was continued with a missions speaker. This was a wonderful opportunity for our church family of all ages to participate together. It was especially encouraging to see the junior high youth working so diligently as flight attendants and ticket agents.

—Club in Pennsylvania

Animal Service Project

At our Closing Celebration, each club member brought a six- to eight-inch stuffed animal to donate to the police department. The animals would then be distributed to children traumatized by accidents or domestic abuse. The police department liaison officer attended, as did a photographer from the local paper.

—Club in Nebraska

Night of Questions

For our dad/kid night, we had a “Night of Questions.” Dads and kids went to different locations in the church:

  • “What’s That?” room. We set up various antiques, donated by church members, and people had to guess what each item was.
  • “Where Do I Fit In?” room. Fathers and club members put together giant puzzle pieces.
  • “How Many?” game. This game asked such things as how many books they could stack in a minute, how many times they could say “Jesus loves me” in a minute, and how many people they could fit in a truck-size inner tube.
  • “Can I Really Play That?” band. People played rhythm instruments made from kitchen or garage items. There were nails on string, wrenches on string, rocks and cans, and cans full of rice. We played music CDs and everyone played the rhythm.
  • “Where’s the Hole?” golf. Club members got to try using a golf putter. Then we presented the gospel, explaining that sin is about how we’ve all “missed the mark.”

Each section lasted about 15 minutes, and we included refreshments.

—Club in Pennsylvania

Fast Food Frolic

For our own version of a progressive dinner, we took club members to four different fast food restaurants and got one food item from each place.

—Club in Washington

Homemade Drive-In

We gave our movie night a special twist—Drive-In Movie Night. Kids made a car out of a box and pretended to “drive in.”

—Club in California

Runaway Night

We advertised that we would “run away” to a different location for club. We kept it a mystery to create suspense.

—Club in Michigan

Derby Duo

Instead of holding a pine car derby by ourselves, we joined with Pioneer Clubs members from another church for an even bigger event. (See Pine Car Kits Item #5751 and Pine Car Awards Item #7650f)

—Club in British Columbia

Bikes and Blades

On a sunny Saturday, Pioneer Clubs members and leaders brought bikes, inline skates and helmets for our year-end event—a bike rodeo. Two policemen gave a talk on bike safety and encouraged kids to register their bikes. A man from the local bike shop dropped by to talk about bike maintenance. We also held bike relays and games. You can find bike games in Games Galore (Item #2724)

In one afternoon, kids accomplished everything they needed to earn their Cycling Activity Awards. We had already ordered the awards so we could give them out at the end of the rodeo.

The rodeo ended with a barbecue, and everyone agreed that we had a great time!

—Club in Ontario

Family Kite Day

Families built and flew kites and had a picnic.

—Club in California

Western Night

We recruited a teacher to be the caller for a circle dance. Then we had a campfire circle around a fake campfire. Two dads led singing with guitars.

—Club in Alberta

At the Ranch

On a Saturday, our club members headed to a ranch. They enjoyed pony and horseback rides. We set up activity areas for playing games and working on activity awards. We staggered the activity times so everyone didn’t need access to the same activity areas at the same time.

—Club in Ontario