Resources
(Answers to Frequently Asked Questions)
Awana at Martha Lake Covenant Church

Registration and Check-in: 

• All children, including one-time visitors, need to register with their name and contact information on their first club night.  You can print and complete the Registration Form, and mail it early, or bring it to club.

• All clubbers need to check-in EACH club night they attend.  Registered Cubbies go directly to the Cubbies room for check-in; ALL OTHER registered clubbers check-in with the Secretary in the upstairs Lobby.

• All payments for Dues, Uniforms and Books are to "MLCC" and given to the Secretary in the upstairs Lobby; receipts are available.

Feed-a-Meal: 

• MLCC provides a simple, nutritious meal on Wednesdays 5:45 - 6:10 pm on a donation basis ($1-2 dollars covers our costs).  Please eat in the fellowship hall.

Wednesday Schedule: 

• 5:45 - 6:10 pm -- Feed-a-Meal is served in game room

• 6:20 - 6:29 -- Registration upstairs in the lobby (Cubbies register in the Cubbie room downstairs)

• 6:29 - 6:40 -- Opening Ceremonies for grades K-6 (Flag salute, Awana song, Announcements, Prayer)

• 6:40 - 8:15 -- Sparks and T&T clubs meet for games, book work, council, and awards
  
  Game Schedule

• 6:40 - 7:05 -- T&T Girls, grades 3-6

• 7:05 - 7:25 -- Cubbies

• 7:25 - 7:50 -- Sparks, grades K-2

• 7:50 - 8:15 -- T&T Boys, grades 3-6
   
  Game and Store Schedule -- on First Club night each Month

• 6:40 - 7:05 games -- T&T Girls, grades 3-6

• 7:05 - 7:30 games -- Sparks, grades K-2

• 7:30 - 7:55 games -- T&T Boys, grades 3-6
  

• 6:45 - 7:00 store -- T&T Boys, grades 3-6

• 7:05 - 7:20 store -- T&T Girls, grades 3-4

• 7:25 - 7:40 store -- T&T Girls, grades 5-6

• 7:45 - 8:00 store -- Sparks, grades K-2, twice a year

Awards are given at the end of each meeting providing that the clubber: 

1. Is wearing a complete uniform; 

2. Has passed the required number of sections to earn an award; and, 

3. Dues are current.

SECTIONS + UNIFORMS + DUES = AWARDS

To eliminate unnecessary parental concern as to the whereabouts of a particular clubber, all clubbers will remain inside until picked up by their parent or adult guardian.

Clubbers not coming to Feed-a-Meal should arrive no earlier than 6:20 p.m. Those coming to Feed a Meal MUST be supervised prior to the start the meal at 5:45 p.m. Also, our club night activities conclude promptly at 8:15 p.m. In consideration of the boys’ and girls’ hard work at home in their handbooks, the fun they have at club, and their bedtime after club, the leadership appreciates your help in seeing that your children arrive and depart on time each week.

Flag Ceremony: 

Pledge to the American Flag
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Pledge to the Awana Flag
"I pledge allegiance to the Awana flag, which stands for the Awana Clubs, whose goal is to reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him."

• All clubbers line up at attention on their team lines.
• The director calls, "Right-hand salute."
• Leaders and clubbers place their right hands over their hearts, with men and boys holding any caps or hats in hand over heart.
• The director call, "Present colors."
• Flag bearers carry American flag and Awana flag to front of room and face each other; the American flag is to the left.
• The director leads the pledges to the American and the Awana flags.
• The director calls, "Post colors."
• Flag bearers place the flags in the flagstand.
• Clubbers and leaders place their hands at their sides.

Different flag bearers are chosen each week and must be in uniform.  Flag are carried with one hand at the bottom of the pole held at the belt buckle and the other hand even with the shoulders, holding the pole at a 45-degree angle.

Awana Theme Song: 

Firmly, Awana stands, led by the Lord's commands
    Approved workmen are not ashamed
    Boys and girls for his service claimed
    Hail! Awana on the march for youth
    Hail! Awana holding forth the truth

Building lives on the word the Word of God Awana stands
Our Saviour following, with steps unfaltering
And love unaltering, His praise we sing!

His banner over us, in service glorious
We'll fight victorious, for Christ, our King!

Leaders 2003-2004 and Room Assignments: 

Dues: 

Dues are $1/week or $23/year.

Handbooks: 

Handbooks through grade 7 cost $7 and usually one is needed each year.  Journey 24-7 books for grades 9-12 cost $11 each and two are needed each year.

The handbook is a vital tool for your child’s success in Awana. It helps one to learn about God and it reinforces positive moral standards. Here are some things to remember—

Standards for passing a section

1. Clubbers must pass an entire section during one session. They cannot quote one verse, then look at the book before saying another verse in the same section.
2. Clubbers must pass sections with no more than two (2) helps. A help equals three (3) words or less, or any other hint. Challenge capable clubbers to pass sections flawlessly.
3. Clubbers must recite the reference and the verse.
4. Clubbers must answer any additional questions and complete any additional activities, including brain checks, within the section.
5. Clubbers must pass sections in order.
6. A non-family leader must witness the completion of the section and sign and date the clubber's book. 

Leaders that sign and date the clubber's book...

• must be four (4) years or grades older
• must see and hear the work done in person (not over the telephone)
• must do so only for their assigned club, except as permitted by the commander or the affected club's director

Help your child to be disciplined by suggesting that he/she take 10-15 minutes a day to work on his handbook. (Handbook tapes are available to purchase for Cubbies and Sparks Clubs to aid in verse memorization.)

Do your best to explain the meaning of each verse. You will find that they memorize more quickly if they understand what they are memorizing. If you want to confirm the meaning with your child’s leader or director, feel free to give him/her a call. Leaders want to help!

Parents of Cubbies & Sparks should initial the sections they feel their children are ready to recite to their leader.

Encourage your child to work on no more than 5 sections per week. This is the maximum number of sections which can be passed at each club meeting and are more than enough to absorb for most children. The "maximum" may be exceeded only after all other clubbers have had ample opportunity to pass their sections, and only with the director's permission. Our leaders are concerned that the clubbers truly understand what they memorize. (The handbooks are designed to be finished in one school year if the clubber recites 3 sections per week.)

Awana Bucks: 

Awana bucks are generally earned according to the following formula:

1 – each section passed
1 – wearing uniform
3 – bringing a first-time-friend (5 during September)
3 – perfect attendance for the quarter
2 – completing handbook or entrance booklet
1 – demonstrating club spirit (weekly "themes" are on the calendar)
1 – bringing item(s) for Nov-Dec canned food drive

It may help when inviting a friend to give the parents the "Help Your Kids Conquer the Crisis in Character" brochure available at the church, or print the equivalent web page.

Awana Store: 

The Awana Store is usually open on the first club night each month.  Clubbers can buy items for themselves for gifts for birthdays or Christmas, using the Awana Bucks they earn.  Contact the storekeepers if there is a special item you wish them to order.

Cubbies (3-4 y.o.): 

Cubbie Bear, Luv E. Lamb, Ern. E. Elephant, Zip E. Zebra and Gigi Giraffe take preschoolers on a thrilling journey through God’s Word.  They learn basic truths about God, Jesus Christ, salvation and the Bible, along with the gospel message and their need to trust Christ as Savior.  Cubbies go through an introductory brochure and the Jumper and Hopper handbooks.

Sparks (gr. K-2): 

After completing the Sparks entrance booklet, new clubbers receive their uniform, club membership card, and red Skipper handbook.

After completing the Skipper book and Kindergarten, a clubber gets a blue Hiker handbook.

After completing the Hiker book and first grade, a clubber gets a green Climber handbook.

Sparks Theme Song
We are Sparks for Jesus, Sparks to light the world,
We will shine for Jesus, as we tell each boy and girl!
We will hide God's word in our hearts;
We will serve Him right from the start;
From His love we never can part, for we are Sparks, Sparks,
Sparks, Sparks, Sparks to light the world.

Sparks Motto:  My Friend For Christ

Sparks Key Verse:  John 3:16, "God so loved the WORLD that He gave his ONLY begotten SON that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Truth & Training (3-6): 

The name Truth & Training reflects the passion of Awana to teach third- through sixth-grade boys and girls the truth of God’s Word and to train them to follow Christ in their daily lives.

• Four handbooks of increasing difficulty teach children that life’s ultimate adventure is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

• Boys and girls learn from a cast of fun characters and follow them on interesting journeys in the handbooks.

Curriculum Outlines: Book One | Book Two | Book Three | Book Four

Jr. Varsity (7-8): 

Jr. Varsity meets Sundays from 5:00 - 7:00 PM for games, treats, Bible study and checking on achievements. All will be encouraged to also attend on Wednesday night to help in younger clubs as leaders in training (LITs). For those students unable to attend on Sunday nights who want to progress through the JV or high school books and achieve the related awards, leaders will check on their achievements during the last 15 minutes each Wednesday night.

Journey 24-7 (9-12): 

Journey 24-7 equips high school students to face endless challenges and pressures in their journey with Christ, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The requirements (two 12-lesson books, extensive Bible reading, training and service to complete) for completion qualify students for Scholarship Camp and the Citation Award, which can lead to scholarships at various top Christian colleges. We have opted to use the NIV translation with the books, but students may memorize in any version. More information and sample materials can be found at www.24-7ministries.net.

Scholarship Camp: 

Young people who are entering sixth grade or higher and have earned an Excellence, Timothy, Meritorious or Citation Award or completed two years of Journey 24-7 achievements are eligible for camp. Junior High campers must be at least 10 years old and High School Campers must be at least 13 years old by the first day of camp. Returning campers must complete one additional handbook/manual in the current handbook progression. All work must be completed before camp begins.

Contact Commander Paul McClintock or Missionary Brion Frakes for more information and an application. 

Awards Night / Book Finishers: 

The last club night of the year is our Awards Night.  Clubbers need to wear their uniforms, and bring parents, grandparents and cameras!

The Awards Program will list each clubber and the awards they earned during the year.

Clubbers can earn a Sparky Award (3 Sparks handbooks, grade 2), Excellence Award (2 T&T books, grade 4), Timothy Trophy (4 books, grade 6), Meritorious Trophy (6 books, grade 8), and Citation Award (after earning the Meritorious Trophy and completing the grade 9-12 program).  Various other awards and pins are for in-between books and extra credit achievements. 

Clubbers who finish a book during the club year are eligible to attend the Book Finishers Party at the end of the club year. This reward applies for the club year that the clubber finishes the book, regardless of when it was started or when most of it was done.  

Snacks: 

Many clubs provide snacks such as pop corn, cookies or cup cakes for the clubbers.  Please let the club director know if your child is not permitted to have snacks.

Parents wishing to help provide snacks should coordinate this with the club directors.

Behavioral Rules and Discipline: 

Running:  For the safety of all clubbers, running is not allowed inside the church building except during game time in the Fellowship Hall! (Tennis shoes are a must. They are more suitable & safe during games. Please avoid black-soled shoes as they leave permanent marks on Fellowship Hall carpeting.)

Litter:  Clubbers are expected to show proper respect toward God and others by helping keep rooms, halls and outdoor areas orderly and free of candy wrappers and other litter.

Order and Discipline: We want parents to be aware of and understand our discipline policy.

Clubbers are called to order by use of the FIVE-COUNT, which is similar to other scouting clubs. The person in charge does the FIVE-COUNT by slowly and loudly counting to five.  The five-count is used to bring a group to order.

The THREE-COUNT is a method for disciplining an individual who is consistently misbehaving, being disruptive or disrespectful. 

• If improper behavior occurs, the clubber will receive a ONE-COUNT from his/her leader. 

• If, after this first warning, the behavior continues, he/she will be placed on a TWO-COUNT which results in being taken aside individually and meeting with the Club Director, who will make sure that the clubber understands the rules and the reasons for them. 

• If the clubber chooses not to cooperate after rejoining his/her team or group, he/she will receive the THREE-COUNT which results in the AWANA Commander calling the clubbers’ parents to pick up the child and take him/her home. If a parent cannot be reached, the clubber will remain with the Commander for the remainder of the evening. As a disciplinary measure, the clubber is not allowed to attend club the following Wednesday, but we do want that boy or girl to join us again after that one week's absence!

Uniforms: 

Uniforms are earned by completing the club's entrance booklet.  This usually takes 2-3 weeks.  Uniforms must be paid for before receipt, and must be worn to be eligible to receive awards or to be a flag bearer.

Sunday School Attendance: 

Your child has the opportunity to earn two Sunday School Attendance Awards each club year. To qualify for this, the clubber must attend Sunday School class each Sunday in the half-year for the award, with at most two unexcused absences.  (Note, illness is an excused absence, and Church attendance is not applicable for this award.)

Parents must submit a completed form with a record of the attendance.

Regional Awana Games: 

Awana Game Circle games are learned each club night, and competition between church clubs is held once a year at a regional Awana Games event.

Bible Quiz: 

Teams can be formed for:

• T&T girls grades 3-4
• T&T girls grades 5-6
• T&T boys grades 3-4
• T&T boys grades 5-6
• JVs
• Journey 24-7

Team minimum size is 2, full team is 4, max is 6 (2 are subs).

Quiz Questions:

• T&T grades 3-4: Start Zone, Discovery 1 & 2.
• T&T grades 5-6: Start Zone, Discovery 3 & 4.
• JV: Starting Block and first 15 units of the Sprint Manual.
• Journey 24-7: Faith's Foundations and entire AKX Manual.

Format:

• grades 3-6:  10 multiple choice questions and 10 speed questions.
• grades 7-12:  huddle format (each team member stacks a hand over the buzzer button and any one can shove the pile of hands down on the button), with 20 minutes of multiple choice and 20 minutes of speed questions.

Outings: 

Each club typically has one or more outings each club year.  Sparks usually take a trip to a park.  The T&T boys often go for a bike ride.  The T&T girls generally have a sleepover at the church.  The youth group has gone canoeing, hiking, and played racquetball.

Special permission forms are generally required for off-site activities where others may transport the children.  The general activity permission form should be completed and submitted to the registration desk at the beginning of each club year.

How to Become a Christian: 

Read The Good News or another explanation.  The pastor, commander and club leaders would be happy to answer your questions.

Awana Doctrinal Statement: 

This document explains Awana's beliefs about the Bible, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Man, Salvation, the Church, the Ordinances, the Christian Life, and the Second Coming. 

Adopt-a-Club: 

Christians in many countries struggle so much financially just to survive that they cannot afford anything extra such as Awana, unless outsiders help them.  Our MLCC clubber have the opportunity to bring loose change each week to club to help such a club which we have adopted and support financially.  Our Adopt-a-Club is the Iglesia Bautista "Roca Eterna" in El Tocuyo, Venezuela.

Leader Screening and Training: 

Leaders are screened to ensure they have the background suitable to serve as church workers with children and youth, and that they understand church policies for such workers.  Awana provides basic training and an annual all-day leadership conference.  Parents can assist as "listeners"; check with your child's club director.  Youth can serve as leaders-in-training (LITs) with groups at least 4 years younger.

Questions?  Contact Commander Paul McClintock at paulmc@gte.net.

Awana at MLCC | Calendar | Forms | MLCC Home Page | Missionary Brion Frakes | Awana Clubs International

Updated 2006-01-04